Games that really didn't need a sequel

[Azure Knight-Zeo]

Halo, I played the original and it felt like an average Sci-fi B-movie. How did it garner such a following is beyond me.

Also from the sound of it God of War should have stopped with the first.

 

[FalloutJack]

How did Portal ever have closure? The ending song is all about how the big bad you thought you just killed is still alive; seems like a sequel hook to me.

For me, every GTA game past Vice City: they broke the mold on that one and they should have stopped while they were ahead.

I dunno. I liked San Andreas and I love Portal 2. So, maybe a different and still-cool mold was broken that day?

 

[nexekho]

God damn GX made me break a freaking controller.

What in particular about it? You seem to rail against it whenever possible but never state why.

 

[IamQ]

I was going to say Bioshock, but then I remember how awesome Infinite looks.

Hmm, if not Bioshock, then I'd have to say God of War, even though I fucking love God of War 3

 

[Rnr1224]

bioshock. bioshock 2 seemed like a cash-in to me

 

[Mr. Omega]

Games that didn't NEED a sequel, but I'm glad got one.
Portal: I will say that while I don't like Vavle's method of CHANGING THE ENDING JUST SO THEY CAN JUSTIFY MAKING A SEQUEL (If it were ANY other company in the industry, they'd flak for it, especially here on the Escapist. But since it's Valve, that makes it ok... -_-), but Portal 2 was a good game. In fact, it was an awesome game. I won't say Portal 2 shouldn't have happened, but changing the ending? I'm just saying, this is a bit of a slippery slope, and history has proven the game industry isn't good with slippery slopes...

The Mario games (And Nintendo franchises in general): I do agree, they weren't NEEDED. But unlike the rest of the Escapist, I'm not going to go "HUR DUR SEQUELS ARE BAD AND SINCE MARIO GAMES HAVE LOTSO SEQUELZ, MARIO MUST BE BAD HUR DUR!" The games still have quality despite all these years, there's no story to screw up, and if they're good, if they're fun, that's all the justification they need. And they are fun.

Megaman: I'm not sure which one is the one that didn't need a sequel (6 in terms of "story", but maybe sooner), but the levels were always fun, the music was always awesome, and the core gameplay was always good. Once again, it was fun, that was all the justification it needed.

Games that shouldn't have gotten a sequel. Period.
Sonic 06:I don't care if Colors is a step in the right direction. If it were any other franchise, they would not have survived that abomination. The only reason Sonic got another chance so soon was because whenever a bad Sonic game was made, the fan's first reaction was always "Thank you sir, may I have another?"

The Force Unleashed: The first one was good. Not a masterpiece, not the best Star Wars game, but it was great fun, and the little story it had at least kinda justified it's existence. This is one of the big examples on how a story can screw up the chances for a sequel: If not done right, it makes it clearly obvious that it's a cash grab. Then again, EVERYTHING about this game made it clear this was a cash grab.


I can think of more, but I think these are good enough.

 

[Buizel91]

Pokemon Colosseum, even though Gale of Darkness is awesome.

Viva Pinata is another one, the sequel was just blerghhhhh, I'll also throw in Stories of Liberty City, (expansions for GTA4)they were kinda unneeded

 

[inFAMOUSCowZ]

Bioshock. It would have been better if there never had been a sequel. I liked the sequel, but I found that the first ended perfectly.

 

[Buizel91]

The Force Unleashed. The ending wrapped everything up in between the movies.

I'll also add this to the list, however i have yet to play the second.

 

[Buizel91]

Bioshock. It would have been better if there never had been a sequel. I liked the sequel, but I found that the first ended perfectly.

I think they tried to show you more of Rapture (it is a beautiful city) so they thought to add a bit more to it, they made a second.

I can't wait for Infinite though, it may take the series in the right direction.

 

[Flippincrazy]

Despite the fact that I loved the hell out of Dragon Age II, despite its numerous shortcomings, I still think that Dragon Age Origins was perfect without. You know when you get the shakes from completing a game, when the ending is exactly what you had wished for. I got that from my ending for DAO, and thus I think that it would have been perfect as a stand alone game...not that I'll object to anymore sequels now that they've started the ball rolling >.>

 

[Goomboss]

metroid prime, i liked two it just wasn't nessecery.
mercenaries
crash bandicoot - although SOME of the other games were good
fable - lost chapters - everything after that blows
sims
golden sun - should of just made it into one big game
cant think of anymore off the top of my head

 

[Heathrow]

I dunno. I liked San Andreas and I love Portal 2. So, maybe a different and still-cool mold was broken that day?

San Andreas had a couple of points in its favor. The Huge map was great and the number of vehicles you had access to was amazing fun but Vice City was the last time I actually cared enough about the story and characters to want to play to the end. I forced myself through the final act of San Andreas and to this day I haven't completed GTA 4; I just couldn't rally enough enthusiasm for the task.

I think part of Vice City's charm in my mind comes from the fact that in a game series which thrives on character betrayals it's the only game in which they are actually startling and have emotional impact.

 

[FalloutJack]

I dunno. I liked San Andreas and I love Portal 2. So, maybe a different and still-cool mold was broken that day?

San Andreas had a couple of points in its favor. The Huge map was great and the number of vehicles you had access to was amazing fun but Vice City was the last time I actually cared enough about the story and characters to want to play to the end. I forced myself through the final act of San Andreas and to this day I haven't completed GTA 4; I just couldn't rally enough enthusiasm for the task.

I think part of Vice City's charm in my mind comes from the fact that in a game series which thrives on character betrayals it's the only game in which they are actually startling and have emotional impact.

Whoa whoa whoa, hey hold it!

*Pause*

You play these games for the story? Wow, I don't. I just like screwing around in there.

 

[Heathrow]

Whoa whoa whoa, hey hold it!

*Pause*

You play these games for the story? Wow, I don't. I just like screwing around in there.

I don't "play for story" compelling story and character is just what makes games interesting enough to finish. Gameplay can only hold my attention for so long.

 

[^=ash=^]

Portal didn't really need a sequel .. but I am so glad it got one.

Then there is Far Cry. Not meaning I didn't enjoy Far Cry 2 .. but it just wasn't a Far Cry.

xxx

 

[FalloutJack]

Whoa whoa whoa, hey hold it!

*Pause*

You play these games for the story? Wow, I don't. I just like screwing around in there.

I don't "play for story" compelling story and character is just what makes games interesting enough to finish. Gameplay can only hold my attention for so long.

I guess I can understand that. Still, I love sandboxing about more than I do the plot of the sandboxey game, most of the time. That's why I kill so many things in Fallout 3 and New Vegas. Walking around on my own and doing whatever just appeals to me.

 

[similar.squirrel]

Bioshock. I like the direction they're taking with Infinity, though. If it turns out to be good, I will accept that Bioshock 2 was merely an unfortunate hiccup.

 

[Gitty101]

Bioshock didn't need a sequel. Neither did Modern Warfare. Both games ended well and stood on their own merits.

 

[kasperbbs]

Bioshock ended quite nicely so i wasn't all that excited about the cash in sequel. I`m not saying it was bad, just not neccesary.