I'm sure this isn't the first time this kind of thread has been posted, but it has been floating around in my head since the "franchises you checked out of" thread came up. So, hell, I've got time, so let's play a game. Namely:
1) What franchise(s) do you want revived?
2) How would you do it?
And hey, it's Christmas, so maybe Santa will grant my wish and...yeah, probably not, but anyway:
Advance Wars
What happened? No, seriously, what happened? Was Days of Ruin such a black sheep that the entire series was tarnished? I mean, okay, I personally liked Days of Ruin, but come on, Fire Emblem's got a rebirth of sorts on the 3DS, but poor Advance Wars got left out. And it's not as if plot was ever a major consideration for the series, so there's nothing hindering a new game on that front.
So, if I'd revive it? Make it a new setting. There's a precedent for this with Days of Ruin, and I don't think the Wars World setting is going to entice many new people. Fire Emblem has often alternated between settings while using a near-identical plot structure, so I could see this formula be applied to Advance Wars as well. And while you're at it, if I had a wish, it would be for more infantry classes - snipers, grenadiers, mortar teams, etc. I get that the gameplay is predominantly vehicle based, and that infantry are only really useful for capturing locations, but still...
Command and Conquer
Technically this series isn't completely dead, if only for Tiberium Alliances, but, yeah. Not in good shape. And, cutting to the chase, if I were to revive this, I'd actually make a fourth setting. Flawed as it was, Tiberian Twilight did conclude the overall Tiberium story. Oh, sure, you could deal with lingering plot threads (e.g. the scrin), but, IMO, it's reached its conclusion. Generals is basically the real-world, and I haven't heard anyone clamour for more story to a game that basically had none. Yes, Generals 2 was a thing, and I guess it could be again, but, yeah. I could see a Red Alert 4 existing mind you - such is the nature of the Red Alert series is that you can come up with any kind of insanity you want thanks to time travel.
So, if CnC were to be revived, either a new setting that keeps the core of the series's gameplay, or Red Alert 4. In which case, I demand Nazis. No, really, Nazis. We had one game that avoided Nazis due to Einstein killing Hitler, a second game that went down the crazy route, a third game that bumped the crazy to 9000, so I figure that since Einstein was erased from the timeline, potentially Hitler was never erased, so...Nazis? And mechs? Hitler's brain? Zombies?
And in case you're wondering, I'm not complaining. The Red Alert series is based on being bonkers. I say go for it.
Golden Sun
In a world where Dark Dawn never existed, Golden Sun wouldn't be on this list. It had an excellent duology that left some plot threads open, but none of which demanded a sequel. At which point a sequel comes, ignores those plot threads (bar Alex), deals with some of them (not including Alex), and sets up a cliffhanger. From which point the series has been left in limbo.
So, the answer? Just make a sequel. Make it another duology if you want. Just finish it. Because while I don't like Dark Dawn that much, even if it's still a good game at the end of the day, I'd still prefer closure on the series. Which I had prior to Dark Dawn, BTW...
Half-Life
Half-Life 3. 'Nuff said.
Marathon
I'm going to throw a dirty word around, and that's "remake." Oh, sure, a proper re-release would be nice as well, but this is perhaps the only case where I'd want a trilogy remade from the ground up. Because there's been a shift to "ye olde school" in FPS (Doom, Shadow Warrior, even Duke Nukem was a sort of revival), and my personal thoughts aside, Marathon is still a game that originated from that era. So, on one hand, we've got the gameplay down, and with Marathon also sharing the same lineage as games like System Shock (eerie space stations, insane AI, etc.), it could fit in with that demand as well. I know Marathon is extremely niche, and I only found out about it through Halo, and was only able to play it through Aleph One, but, yeah. Remake please. More Marathon, more love, more Durandal being an endearing jackass, etc.
Perfect Dark
I'm iffy on this one. Thing is, the original Perfect Dark didn't need a sequel, and didn't really leave any plot-threads that demanded one (and yes, I know a sequel was planned, one with an absolutely bonkers plot by the sound of it). Perfect Dark Zero was a dud, but it was a prequel, so its own plot threads were followed up on by default. So, we haven't had any Perfect Dark for awhile, but does it need a continuation?
Strictly speaking, no, it doesn't. But the reason it's on this list is because of the Greg Rucka novels, which were not only well written, but also did excellent worldbuilding for the setting, to the extent that I can't help but want to see more of it. Course Perfect Dark shares the same problem as Blade Runner, that by the year 2020 we're meant to have flying cars, hypercorporations that effectively control entire countries, and in 2023, first contact is made. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that neither of those things will happen. But, taking another leaf from Blade Runner (fitting, since the original has an entire level that's a homage to the film), I figure that if a sequel's to occur, have it take place far in the future. Keep Joanna if only for a sense of continuity, but focus on a new protagonist. "Perfect Dark" is Joanna's codename, but I don't think the series needs to be tied with that. You can have a Halo game without a Halo after all, and while I'm sure Blizzard would disagree, you could make a Diablo game without Diablo.
Admittedly, such a storyline would have to either factor in the maians, or factor them out. I could see either working. And admittedly, this is a case of wanting a sequel to a game that didn't demand it, and I've ranted up above that Dark Dawn was an unneeded sequel that left its series in limbo, but, well, one can hope. It's just that I feel there's so much untapped potential within the setting.
Spyro the Dragon
Fine, let's get this out of the way - Skylanders. And before you say anything, no, I'm not saying that Skylanders has to, or should go, away. It's not my thing, but it's 'the thing' of numerous children (far as I can tell at least), so there's no reason that they should lose something they love just for a nostalgia trip. And, speaking personally, that's all a Spyro revival for me would be - nostalgia. Some throwback to a 3D platformer that got my interest, even if other platformers (Sonic, Mario, Banjo) ensnared me much earlier, and whereas now, Sonic is the only one of those I still follow, and only because Sonic Boom (the cartoon) is a thing, along with idle curiosity at installments like Sonic Mania.
Fittingly enough, I feel Sonic Boom does set the template for how a Spyro-only game could work. Quality aside, I mean in the sense that Sega!Sonic and Boom!Sonic continue to exist alongside each other, so a Sky!Spyro and a Revive!Spyro could do the same thing. So, if Spyro were revived, what would it be? Well, not the Legend of Spyro - that trilogy was done, it was wrapped up, it doesn't need a continuation storywise (Spyro got his happy ending, let him have it). It doesn't preclude a game set in the original continuity, as those games (far as I can tell) were mostly isolated in terms of plot, but it could just as easily occur in a new setting.
Oh, and you can apply the same template to Crash Bandicoot if you want.
Warcraft
Yes, I know the Warcraft universe is alive and well, but by the Light, Warcraft IV? Where's Warcraft IV? WHERE????!!!!
Okay, I get it. StarCraft II is still being worked on. There wouldn't have been a chance to even make Warcraft IV until after Legacy of the Void shipped, unless Blizzard created a new team for it. There's also the obvious question of how Warcraft IV would even function plot-wise? An adaptation? Interquel? Prequel? Set it after WoW? Make it an alternate setting? I can see pros and cons with each of these. To be honest, my favored idea is the alternate setting, to continue on from The Frozen Throne and do its own thing. The series already has a precedent for alternate realities (not just the movie), and I figure this would keep everyone happy. Those only interested in WoW don't need to worry about playing a genre they might not like, and those who don't like WoW don't have to play the MMO to understand the story.
In terms of gameplay, I'd actually try and find a middle ground between WC2 and 3. Not that I dislike 3 (3's easily my favorite in the series), but 3 I feel has so many similarities with MOBAs that a Warcraft IV would have to distinguish itself. So, from 3, keep hero units, keep the asymmetrical army balance, keep the story focus. From 2, keep the presence of massive armies and naval units. Kind of like Battle for Middle-earth (e.g. hero units feature, but work best when supplementing armies rather than being the focus of them), but with a more "Warcrafty" feel.
(Dis)honourable Mentions
Army Men: This is more based on nostalgia than anything else. I'd say just reboot the damn series, because as far as I can tell, later games became a mess on both the gameplay and story fronts. I haven't given this a proper entry, because apparently Mobile Ops did this already, but, yeah. Mobile games aren't my thing.
Dead Space: Never played beyond the first, got some catching up to do, but I understand the series ends on a cliffhanger, so I guess it qualifies for inclusion.
Killzone: I haven't played beyond KZ2, and from what I've seen, I'm iffy if the games need continuation. Oh sure, Shadow Fall allows for it, but if the last thing we ever see is Echo killing Sinclair, showing that the cycle of violence between humans and helghast will never be broken...well, I can get behind that. But I figure if a sequel is ever made, for God's sake, let us play as Echo. The fanbase has been screaming to play as a helghast since forever (apparently forgetting Hakha, but hey, whatever).
Metroid: I'm iffy about this. Whether Metroid counts as dead is down to your opinion, given the...mixed, responses, to Other M and Federation Force. I'm also mixed because I'm not sure if plot-wise, the series needs continuation, that I haven't played that many Metroid games, and of the ones I have, I've only enjoyed the 2D ones. I mean, since Fusion, it's been one interquel/prequel after another. And despite what some might say, I don't think Fusion needs a continuation plot-wise. Oh sure, you could, but it doesn't need it. But I figure if there's ever a "proper" Metroid game again...well, 2D? Pretty please? Heck, just purchase AM2R or something.
So, yeah. Have fun. And who knows, if you're really, really good, Santa may grant your wishes.
1) What franchise(s) do you want revived?
2) How would you do it?
And hey, it's Christmas, so maybe Santa will grant my wish and...yeah, probably not, but anyway:
Advance Wars
What happened? No, seriously, what happened? Was Days of Ruin such a black sheep that the entire series was tarnished? I mean, okay, I personally liked Days of Ruin, but come on, Fire Emblem's got a rebirth of sorts on the 3DS, but poor Advance Wars got left out. And it's not as if plot was ever a major consideration for the series, so there's nothing hindering a new game on that front.
So, if I'd revive it? Make it a new setting. There's a precedent for this with Days of Ruin, and I don't think the Wars World setting is going to entice many new people. Fire Emblem has often alternated between settings while using a near-identical plot structure, so I could see this formula be applied to Advance Wars as well. And while you're at it, if I had a wish, it would be for more infantry classes - snipers, grenadiers, mortar teams, etc. I get that the gameplay is predominantly vehicle based, and that infantry are only really useful for capturing locations, but still...
Command and Conquer
Technically this series isn't completely dead, if only for Tiberium Alliances, but, yeah. Not in good shape. And, cutting to the chase, if I were to revive this, I'd actually make a fourth setting. Flawed as it was, Tiberian Twilight did conclude the overall Tiberium story. Oh, sure, you could deal with lingering plot threads (e.g. the scrin), but, IMO, it's reached its conclusion. Generals is basically the real-world, and I haven't heard anyone clamour for more story to a game that basically had none. Yes, Generals 2 was a thing, and I guess it could be again, but, yeah. I could see a Red Alert 4 existing mind you - such is the nature of the Red Alert series is that you can come up with any kind of insanity you want thanks to time travel.
So, if CnC were to be revived, either a new setting that keeps the core of the series's gameplay, or Red Alert 4. In which case, I demand Nazis. No, really, Nazis. We had one game that avoided Nazis due to Einstein killing Hitler, a second game that went down the crazy route, a third game that bumped the crazy to 9000, so I figure that since Einstein was erased from the timeline, potentially Hitler was never erased, so...Nazis? And mechs? Hitler's brain? Zombies?
And in case you're wondering, I'm not complaining. The Red Alert series is based on being bonkers. I say go for it.
Golden Sun
In a world where Dark Dawn never existed, Golden Sun wouldn't be on this list. It had an excellent duology that left some plot threads open, but none of which demanded a sequel. At which point a sequel comes, ignores those plot threads (bar Alex), deals with some of them (not including Alex), and sets up a cliffhanger. From which point the series has been left in limbo.
So, the answer? Just make a sequel. Make it another duology if you want. Just finish it. Because while I don't like Dark Dawn that much, even if it's still a good game at the end of the day, I'd still prefer closure on the series. Which I had prior to Dark Dawn, BTW...
Half-Life
Half-Life 3. 'Nuff said.
Marathon
I'm going to throw a dirty word around, and that's "remake." Oh, sure, a proper re-release would be nice as well, but this is perhaps the only case where I'd want a trilogy remade from the ground up. Because there's been a shift to "ye olde school" in FPS (Doom, Shadow Warrior, even Duke Nukem was a sort of revival), and my personal thoughts aside, Marathon is still a game that originated from that era. So, on one hand, we've got the gameplay down, and with Marathon also sharing the same lineage as games like System Shock (eerie space stations, insane AI, etc.), it could fit in with that demand as well. I know Marathon is extremely niche, and I only found out about it through Halo, and was only able to play it through Aleph One, but, yeah. Remake please. More Marathon, more love, more Durandal being an endearing jackass, etc.
Perfect Dark
I'm iffy on this one. Thing is, the original Perfect Dark didn't need a sequel, and didn't really leave any plot-threads that demanded one (and yes, I know a sequel was planned, one with an absolutely bonkers plot by the sound of it). Perfect Dark Zero was a dud, but it was a prequel, so its own plot threads were followed up on by default. So, we haven't had any Perfect Dark for awhile, but does it need a continuation?
Strictly speaking, no, it doesn't. But the reason it's on this list is because of the Greg Rucka novels, which were not only well written, but also did excellent worldbuilding for the setting, to the extent that I can't help but want to see more of it. Course Perfect Dark shares the same problem as Blade Runner, that by the year 2020 we're meant to have flying cars, hypercorporations that effectively control entire countries, and in 2023, first contact is made. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that neither of those things will happen. But, taking another leaf from Blade Runner (fitting, since the original has an entire level that's a homage to the film), I figure that if a sequel's to occur, have it take place far in the future. Keep Joanna if only for a sense of continuity, but focus on a new protagonist. "Perfect Dark" is Joanna's codename, but I don't think the series needs to be tied with that. You can have a Halo game without a Halo after all, and while I'm sure Blizzard would disagree, you could make a Diablo game without Diablo.
Admittedly, such a storyline would have to either factor in the maians, or factor them out. I could see either working. And admittedly, this is a case of wanting a sequel to a game that didn't demand it, and I've ranted up above that Dark Dawn was an unneeded sequel that left its series in limbo, but, well, one can hope. It's just that I feel there's so much untapped potential within the setting.
Spyro the Dragon
Fine, let's get this out of the way - Skylanders. And before you say anything, no, I'm not saying that Skylanders has to, or should go, away. It's not my thing, but it's 'the thing' of numerous children (far as I can tell at least), so there's no reason that they should lose something they love just for a nostalgia trip. And, speaking personally, that's all a Spyro revival for me would be - nostalgia. Some throwback to a 3D platformer that got my interest, even if other platformers (Sonic, Mario, Banjo) ensnared me much earlier, and whereas now, Sonic is the only one of those I still follow, and only because Sonic Boom (the cartoon) is a thing, along with idle curiosity at installments like Sonic Mania.
Fittingly enough, I feel Sonic Boom does set the template for how a Spyro-only game could work. Quality aside, I mean in the sense that Sega!Sonic and Boom!Sonic continue to exist alongside each other, so a Sky!Spyro and a Revive!Spyro could do the same thing. So, if Spyro were revived, what would it be? Well, not the Legend of Spyro - that trilogy was done, it was wrapped up, it doesn't need a continuation storywise (Spyro got his happy ending, let him have it). It doesn't preclude a game set in the original continuity, as those games (far as I can tell) were mostly isolated in terms of plot, but it could just as easily occur in a new setting.
Oh, and you can apply the same template to Crash Bandicoot if you want.
Warcraft
Yes, I know the Warcraft universe is alive and well, but by the Light, Warcraft IV? Where's Warcraft IV? WHERE????!!!!
Okay, I get it. StarCraft II is still being worked on. There wouldn't have been a chance to even make Warcraft IV until after Legacy of the Void shipped, unless Blizzard created a new team for it. There's also the obvious question of how Warcraft IV would even function plot-wise? An adaptation? Interquel? Prequel? Set it after WoW? Make it an alternate setting? I can see pros and cons with each of these. To be honest, my favored idea is the alternate setting, to continue on from The Frozen Throne and do its own thing. The series already has a precedent for alternate realities (not just the movie), and I figure this would keep everyone happy. Those only interested in WoW don't need to worry about playing a genre they might not like, and those who don't like WoW don't have to play the MMO to understand the story.
In terms of gameplay, I'd actually try and find a middle ground between WC2 and 3. Not that I dislike 3 (3's easily my favorite in the series), but 3 I feel has so many similarities with MOBAs that a Warcraft IV would have to distinguish itself. So, from 3, keep hero units, keep the asymmetrical army balance, keep the story focus. From 2, keep the presence of massive armies and naval units. Kind of like Battle for Middle-earth (e.g. hero units feature, but work best when supplementing armies rather than being the focus of them), but with a more "Warcrafty" feel.
(Dis)honourable Mentions
Army Men: This is more based on nostalgia than anything else. I'd say just reboot the damn series, because as far as I can tell, later games became a mess on both the gameplay and story fronts. I haven't given this a proper entry, because apparently Mobile Ops did this already, but, yeah. Mobile games aren't my thing.
Dead Space: Never played beyond the first, got some catching up to do, but I understand the series ends on a cliffhanger, so I guess it qualifies for inclusion.
Killzone: I haven't played beyond KZ2, and from what I've seen, I'm iffy if the games need continuation. Oh sure, Shadow Fall allows for it, but if the last thing we ever see is Echo killing Sinclair, showing that the cycle of violence between humans and helghast will never be broken...well, I can get behind that. But I figure if a sequel is ever made, for God's sake, let us play as Echo. The fanbase has been screaming to play as a helghast since forever (apparently forgetting Hakha, but hey, whatever).
Metroid: I'm iffy about this. Whether Metroid counts as dead is down to your opinion, given the...mixed, responses, to Other M and Federation Force. I'm also mixed because I'm not sure if plot-wise, the series needs continuation, that I haven't played that many Metroid games, and of the ones I have, I've only enjoyed the 2D ones. I mean, since Fusion, it's been one interquel/prequel after another. And despite what some might say, I don't think Fusion needs a continuation plot-wise. Oh sure, you could, but it doesn't need it. But I figure if there's ever a "proper" Metroid game again...well, 2D? Pretty please? Heck, just purchase AM2R or something.
So, yeah. Have fun. And who knows, if you're really, really good, Santa may grant your wishes.
