Extra Punctuation: Building Sequels Badly

[GiantRaven]

I just thought of another three games that fulfill Yahtzee's criteria; the three Hitman sequels.

All three feature the same main character.
None of the games leave any doors open for potential sequels.
Each game is generally received better than the one previously, although Contracts may not have been story-wise (Personally, I don't agree there).

 

[Nomanslander]

I thought Portal 2 was massively superior to Portal 1. Why is that? This is at least was a full fledged game with hours worth of improved gameplay. A much more intertwined and pleasing story, and a better fleshing out of the characters with its story arc.

The first game was nice little treat, a hersey's kiss had for the first time if you've never had one. This was a three scoops double chocolate sundae, with fudgy chunks, and hot fudge syrup on top. Maybe a little too much for your tastes, but I have a much greater appetite.

There! Your harping has just been refuted as you said it is my right to do so. Enjoy!

 

[Worr Monger]

Name me one sequel to a game that wasn't left open for sequels, with the same main characters as before, whose story was regarded as better than the first. Let me help you out: there aren't any.

Personally, I think it's safe to assume Yahtzee himself would say Half Life 2 is better than the first...

I would completely disagree, but that's just me. I'm just hear to point out the contradiction.

 

[Daedalus1942]

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis).
A great sequel, with the same main character.
Metroid, Metroid II, Super Metroid, Metroid Fusion, etc.
-Tabs<3-

 

[sukmyrooster]

Anyone else pick up on the Animal Farm reference?

 

[SuperShadowAce]

It might be because I'm a generic middle class office worker but I liked Portal 2 better.

 

[Freechoice]

Fans are clingy, complaining dipshits who will never ever be grateful for any concession you make. The moment you shut out their shrill, tremulous voices, the happier you'll be.

Incidentally, why not buy a Zero Punctuation T-shirt?

 

[Chrono180]

Name me one sequel to a game that wasn't left open for sequels, with the same main characters as before, whose story was regarded as better than the first. Let me help you out: there aren't any.

Hmmm... lets see... I must admit I have trouble thinking of a sequel that meets his criteria... Riven maybe? Myst may not have slammed the door on sequels, but since it ended without any direct "hooks" (aside from where Sirius and Achenar went after their books were destroyed) maybe it would qualify.

I would say x-men legends 2, but the very nature of comic book games tend to lend themselves to sequels.

 

[hitheremynameisbob]

Scanning these pages, I see a few people have already brought up System Shock 2, but it seems mostly to compare it to Bioshock. I'd like to throw in the suggestion that it also qualifies as an answer to Yahtzee's challenge to, as he said it: "Name one sequel to a game that wasn't left open for sequels, with the same main characters as before, whose story was regarded as better than the first."

System Shock did not end with a cliff-hanger. SHODAN, as I remember it, had to basically be retconned back to life with little hint that it was going to happen to be found in the original game. While the protagonist of the second game was different, the character with far and away the most presence, SHODAN herself, is the same, as is the timeline and the general premise. System Shock 2, I think most would agree, also had the better story.

 

[MegaManOfNumbers]

Uuuh... well this seems rather awkward. seeing that he claims that I'll criticize his stuff because I'm a fan.

does that make him hypocritical, right, arrogant, foolish, or "all of the above"?

.....

No wait, he's Yahtzee. He's his own catagory.

 

[TurboPanda]

I think its unfair to blame bad squeals entirely on fans. Fans want more of what made the first game so successful. Publishers also want more of the same things that made the first game so successful. Now try to innovate when both groups of people you are trying to please just want more of the same.

Ignoring the fans will not stop the never ending tide of squeals. If developers really want to move the series forward they need to stop listening to cash hungry publishers. Unfortunately we don't live in an ideal world and this is never going to happen as you don't bite the hand that feeds you. (eg infinity ward)

 

[Toeys]

dont really care if it has already been said. Sequels arent as good as the original because the developers are forced to make sure the game actually gets bought. Easiest way to cater to the fans is then by continuing on the same story elements as before. Then they can make the games more accessible for a bigger audience by making key gameplay elements simpler to understand.

Thats my feeling when it comes to Portal 2 and ofcourse Mass Effect 2. Both games that i love, but far from as much as the originals. So my feeling is that you cant get away from sequels turning up less fantastic than the original is basically cause of money.

About naming games that are better than the original storywise etc: Max Payne 2. I really felt this was way darker than the original and also Max Payne himself actuelly looked more like who i felt i was controlling. But im not going to say they did anything daring with the actual game mechanics.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Hell, you've even said as much, which I find amusing. But, as to your point about not supplying sequels to games that don't require one, whilst being a mouthy supporter of not putting in a cliffhanger ending seems like you're not much for the continuation of an IP. But, regardless of that, Portal 2 was exactly what was expected--a Portal story, telling us more about Aperture, letting us play with some new toys, and getting another fun song. Then they had the co-op section, which was the real challenge, since most of us knew how to solve puzzles using only two portals, and this now integrate four portals and required competitive and cooperative thought to figure out the puzzles.

 

[Thammuz]

Personally, i think the "new" GladOS is just the logical conseguence of the first game.

All through Portal 1 you had this feeling something was off. True, GladOS wasn't really that good at scare tactics but the intention was there nonetheless. Then you get to the point where she actually tries to kill you, and shit gets real.

After that point it only makes sense for GladOS to drop the pretense. You know as well as she does that she is dangerous and she's out to get you, putting up a façade is redundant at that point. The whole part about her control over the facility doesn't make sense, i agree, especially considering it was never hinted at in the previous title, but then again if you're going to have an antagonist you need it to have means to endanger you, besides giving them a motive to actually do it.

SPOILERS AHEAD

That's why I also liked Wheatley's turn as villain. Because he feels more like the original GladOS at the beginning, only inept, and then he starts going mental, scaring you not by consciously trying to kill you but by being a massive incompetent with a lot of pent up rage.

IMO, portal 2 works very well. The puzzles are there they're varied and a substantial amount, plus there's DLC on the horizon that will also be free for the PC users, and even thoguht the plot can occasioanlly force the puzzles to take a back seat, it only really happens once and it just marks the transition from one set of puzzle mechanics to the next.

The plot is still just a framework for the puzzles, though it is bigger and more elaborate than before.

 

[Russian_Assassin]

Dammit Yahtzee! Why are you trying to make me feel dumb for enjoying this game so much?

 

[Agayek]

Yeah go on Yathzee, ruin the co-op story before I've even gotten a chance to play it, you asshole. Grrrr.

Agree with the central point though.

It's okay though, he didn't actually spoil anything. You can still save science worry free.

 

[Grampy_bone]

Sequel which is superior to the original in every way? Baldur's Gate 2. QED

 

[electronicgoat]

I think next Yahtzee should do an article on why he likes remakes.
ALSO; I do like an expanded universe, but I'm not big on expanded characters. Especially with videogames; there's no sense in trying to shove backstory into a silent protagonist.

 

[Blazingdragoon04]

"Name me one sequel to a game that wasn't left open for sequels, with the same main characters as before, whose story was regarded as better than the first."

Chrono Cross?

That and maybe Advance Wars: Dual Strike.