Sequels without the original.

[Amethyst Wind]

I've found that I've overlooked a good few games at various points because they're sequels and I haven't played the original, only to find out AFTER I've lost interest that they aren't really sequels/don't need the originals to enjoy.

What games can everyone think of that have sequels that stand apart from their predecessors?


Things like Kessen, Far Cry, Red Faction(?), etc.

 

[Salem_Wolf]

Almost every Legend of Zelda game can be played on it's own. Almost every Mario game can be played on its own. Sonic the Hedgehog comes to mind as well. A recent game would be Fallout 3 and Soul Calibur 4 (though many fighting games can be played without the sequels, prequels). I guess that's it for now.

Oh wait, one more: The Ace Combat series can be played without the previous games. Like Ace Combat 1-6 can be played without the previous games. Well, not totally sure about 6, never played it, no Xbox 360, you see. But Ace Combat X can be.

 

[Stevepinto3]

Any final fantasy game, Fallout 3, any Zelda/Mario/Metroid game.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

The Elder Scrolls series don't need the previous games to be played, although it helps for some little jokes.

 

[Radeonx]

Half Life 2 is somewhat easy to play without the sequel. My brother was able to follow the story quite nicely. The Call of Duty games can be played without the sequel, as well as the Battlefield games.

Almost every Legend of Zelda game can be played on it's own. Almost every Mario game can be played on its own. Sonic the Hedgehog comes to mind as well. A recent game would be Fallout 3 and Soul Calibur 4 (though many fighting games can be played without the sequels). I guess that's it for now.

Oh wait, one more: The Ace Combat series can be played without the previous games.

Also, these games apply.

 

[megapenguinx]

The Final Fantasies, although none of them are really sequels, Team Fortress 2, racing games too.

 

[DigitalJedl]

I'd say Call of Duty, or Prince of Persia (Sands of Time era).
Or Resident Evil.

The Final Fantasies, although none of them are really sequels, Team Fortress 2, racing games too.

Final Fantasy X,X-2.

 

[Kiutu]

Actually, unlike movies and books, sequals in games are not so barring to those who came in late. Playing the ones prior just give more insight. Even Halo people played without playing the first, or even second.
I've came in late in many sequals and understand it fine. Hitman Bloodmoney, Resident Evil 5, Devil May Cry 4. So really, very few game sequals have to have the ones before it to be played.

 

[Merteg]

If you NEED to play the previous game in a game series, then the story is probably messy and stupid anyway.

 

[StarbucksLover]

Someone might have said these already, but I'm gonna say FIFA or PES football games and WWE/TNA/any other wrestling games, as they just continue on but adding a few more things on each year they're produced.

 

[Casual Shinji]

If you NEED to play the previous game in a game series, then the story is probably messy and stupid anyway.

Useally. I played Half-Life 2 without having played the first one and I never felt lost in the story.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

If you NEED to play the previous game in a game series, then the story is probably messy and stupid anyway.

Useally. I played Half-Life 2 without having played the first one and I never felt lost in the story.

That's because the story's non-existent in HL1, it only starts at 2.

EDIT: Can anyone tell me whether or not RF: Guerilla is a dependent or independent sequel?

 

[Merteg]

If you NEED to play the previous game in a game series, then the story is probably messy and stupid anyway.

Useally. I played Half-Life 2 without having played the first one and I never felt lost in the story.

That's because in Half Life 1 all you have to do is escape from Black Mesa. I suppose there's some story, with the final boss and the army, but it's less story than Half Life 2.

 

[Lordmarkus]

You can play games like Fallout 3 and Half-Life 2 without the original (though I deeply disencourage it). The really thing you gain by playing the predecessors is that you (in Half-Life) get to learn the characters and background story. In Fallout´s case it's mainly the background story and all the creatures, ultimately the same as Half-Life. Though, story-nazi as I am I intend to always play the series chronologicly. Exception made in case with Call of Duty series and Half-Life 2 (which I in grudging memory regrets to this very day...)

 

[Casual Shinji]

If you NEED to play the previous game in a game series, then the story is probably messy and stupid anyway.

Useally. I played Half-Life 2 without having played the first one and I never felt lost in the story.

That's because in Half Life 1 all you have to do is escape from Black Mesa. I suppose there's some story, with the final boss and the army, but it's less story than Half Life 2.

Ah man, now you spoiled the whole story.

 

[DazZ.]

L4D2 (I'm willing to take bets you wont need the first one.)

& Worms Armageddon for good measure.

 

[Twilight_guy]

LoZ, Fallout 3, Team Fortress 2, Half Life 2, Mario, Metroid, Final Fantasy games, and sports games.

 

[scnj]

If you NEED to play the previous game in a game series, then the story is probably messy and stupid anyway.

So, you're saying it's unreasonable to expect people to play the first of something to understand the second? The point of the second installment in a series is to continue the plot of the first.

 

[Merteg]

If you NEED to play the previous game in a game series, then the story is probably messy and stupid anyway.

So, you're saying it's unreasonable to expect people to play the first of something to understand the second? The point of the second installment in a series is to continue the plot of the first.

How many games do you play for the plot? The plot should increase game play, not the other way around.

Most games don't have particularly intricate plots, and usually when there is heavy attention on plot, the plot usually falls short.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

If you NEED to play the previous game in a game series, then the story is probably messy and stupid anyway.

So, you're saying it's unreasonable to expect people to play the first of something to understand the second? The point of the second installment in a series is to continue the plot of the first.

How many games do you play for the plot? The plot should increase game play, not the other way around.

Most games don't have particularly intricate plots, and usually when there is heavy attention on plot, the plot usually falls short.

I try to play every game for the plot. While I recognise that in some games (shooters, fighters) etc the plot isn't going to be great but the gameplay will be then I'll still play them, however, for the most part I'm looking for an entertaining story. When I'm looking for an entertaining story, and I don't get one, the gameplay, no matter how good, will not save the game for me.