Games that have lost their way

[Epona]

I hate to say this but; The Elder Scrolls. I still enjoy the games a lot(300+ hours logged on Skyrim just to give you a rough idea)but Bethesda keeps removing more and more RPG elements with each instalment, what some people might call streamlining others might call dumbing down, and I'm inclined to agree with the latter.

The Elder Scrolls VI will have you collecting heart pieces and drop all RPG elements.

 

[Lovely Mixture]

Castlevania. From balls-to-the-wall platforming to Metroid: Medieval Edition

Well, actually the original Metroid and Castlevania games were quite similar to begin with, even coining the phrase "Metroidvania" to describe those types of platformers. If anything, Castlevania's mistake was to move away from that style into hack'n'slash: Medieval Edition, and Metroid moving into shooter territory (Hunters and Other M, the Prime Series was amazing)

No, the original Castlevania was nothing at all like Metroid. It didn't become Metroidvania until Symphony of the Night.

The point remains though, the game series isn't even the Metroidvania style series anymore, Konami (taking cues from Capcom it seems, hueuehue) gave it to a western studio who decided to make it God of War. Unless of course they (hopefully I say) decide to return to the traditional (platform or metroidvania) style with Mirror of Fate or a game that isn't God of War.

Also....I miss the visual style of the original series.

I hate to say this but; The Elder Scrolls. I still enjoy the games a lot(300+ hours logged on Skyrim just to give you a rough idea)but Bethesda keeps removing more and more RPG elements with each instalment, what some people might call streamlining others might call dumbing down, and I'm inclined to agree with the latter.

Indeed, I recently tried arguing that the series was becoming too easy. Though the only response was essentially "if you've achieved a lot in the game then it should be easier." Admittedly I am a DarkSoulsfag, so I might not have been the best person to argue with.

The Elder Scrolls VI will have you collecting heart pieces and drop all RPG elements.

Don't forget the sniper crossbow!

 

[BakedZnake]

Since it wasn't mentioned yet (I think) I go ahead and say:
Dawn of War (went from squad based RTS with conquer mechanic to squad tactics game)

The second installment was really different from the first one, especially in the campaign, and many were disappointed by that. I personally likes the approach to take the series in a new directions and had a blast with all installments. I really hope that they try something new when (DON'T FUCK THIS UP SONY! I DARE YOU!) DoW 3 comes around. Reinventing the formula everytime and delivering a fresh experience in every installment is a nice and unique approach to keep franchises breathing, at least I see it that way.
But it is not deniable, that they strayed far from their roots (although I wouldn't really say they have lost their way. Perhaps it even is their way to change once in a while)

The multiplayer was great in both dow 1 and dow 2 IMO. Dow 2 played far more like (almost exactly) CoH which definataly isn't a bad thing.

But the single player campaign in dow 2 was a real let down. It just became a level up your squad simulator. No real tactics/strategy apart from "stick your guys in cover".

So, IMO, they definately lost their way in the campaign, if nothing else.

Yh the campaign felt more like an Action RPG than a RTS game, although DOW2 plays like CoH least in COH there was base building, the only few things you can build in DOW2 were power plants and turrets. I much preferred DoW1, and later in Dow1 expansions of Risk like campaigns were so much fun

 

[MonsterMMORPG]

definitely diablo series with diablo 3
and heroes of might and magic

 

[an annoyed writer]

As much as I actually like Conviction, I'd have to say the Splinter Cell series lost their way. Blacklist is looking pretty good, but the first 3 and kind of the fourth one felt more stealth-oriented. Conviction is a half-decent game on it's own: hell, put that gameplay system under the Bourne or 24 brands and you officially have a good movie/TV tie in. It just didn't really feel like classic Splinter Cell.