Enough With Wanting Sequels

You know, you'd think with a new generation of consoles ready to move into full swing, people would be excited for new experiences and trying out never before seen ideas, but all I've seen lately are people wanting more of the same. Well, not "lately" but it's been talked about a lot more.

I've ragged on the Xbox One a lot recently because Microsoft are terrible for the industry, but the one thing I can credit the Xbox One fans for is their excitement for NEW experiences. Sure you have the Forza and Halo fans talking; but Titanfall, Project Spark, and others are the games most being discussed from that camp. Why? Because they've been wanting new experiences for years and are finally getting them.

When I see people talking about Sony and what they have to offer, all I've been seeing is "new God of War" this or "new Uncharted" that. Can we move on please? Especially from God of War. I mean, if we have to have a new God of War fine, change it up. Make it an entirely different Pantheon of Gods with an entirely new character. I think we've seen Kratos eviscerate baddies in every possible way there could be.

And Uncharted. Most people brag about Uncharted more for how it looks than for the actual game itself. I'm not saying that the games aren't deserving of praise, but do you really want an Uncharted game or do you really just want a game that looks as good, or better, than Uncharted to lord over the opposition?

It's to the point where entire development studios are punished with what the film industry calls "type casting." If you don't know what that is, it's when an actor plays a role, a role that ends up being so successful that said actor can't get work as a different kind of character. Take Jackie Chan for example. For a very long time, he's wanted to do Drama movies, step away from action. But the contract he has signed forces him to do nothing but action movies. It's the same thing with game development studios.

It's fine to love great games and want more incredible experiences, but maybe we should allow the studios to try and translate their ability to make great experiences across multiple genres and NEW games rather than ask them to put out sequel after sequel after sequel.

Instead of hoping that Naughty Dog bring out a new Uncharted or a Last of Us sequel at Gamescom, let's hope they have something completely new to show us that's on the level of those games. Instead of seeing Kratos drench the ground in blood, let's hope that Sony Santa Monica change things up and wow us.

And for the last time, games are about so much more than graphics.

[gaffyh]

I really want a sequel to The Last of Us, that game is amazing, graphically, story wise and gameplay. Naughty Dog are on another level.

[darthv72]

not many are interested in anymore. They are mostly SHMUPS like a Gradius 6 or a new R-Type even though the last one was called "R-Type Final". Maybe a new Darius game or finally even Herzog Zwei.

SHMUPS are such a forgotten genre that its time they make a comeback.

Ikaruga was dubbed project RS2 but we are due for a real radiant silvergun sequel. There was project RS3 but its doubtful its radiant silvergun or even ikaruga 2.

[caseh]

'SHMUPS are such a forgotten genre that its time they make a comeback.'

You're kidding right? With the current mentality of many games/gamers these days effectively holding your hand to the extent of...

- Press fire to fire your gun
- Press jump to...jump
- Oh you died, do you want to change the difficulty to 'skip to end credits'?

Most people simply wouldn't cope with the likes of Ikaruga. I like SHMUPS but I think they are destined for greatness in Indie type games rather than mainstream these days.

[shivvy24]

im a huge uncharted fan and i would prefer if ND made a new franchise instead of UC4 !

[Ducky]

This reflects my sentiments too.

Perhaps the developer that feels the greatest impact from this is Kojima.
He's wanted to move on from Metal Gear for quite some time, but there are some 'fans' that felt the need to send death threats to coerce him to direct more sequels.

[caseh]

Once the MGS4 credits had scrolled, I felt like the last 10 years of the MGS story had finally drawn to an extermely satisfying close, if not a little shoehorned in places (Nano machines!).

When I saw that another MGS game was being made I wept...inserting prequels like that is just lazy.

MGS3 was clever in that you saw who Snake was based on and learned the Boss' story. Peace Walker was less interesting and kinda boring so for me, MGS5 holds no interest.

I don't want gap fillers to a story that has already run its course...over 25 f*cking years!

[s45gr32]

Sadly you are freaking right, I been waiting for so long for Kojima san to make an amazing new ip. Is just not happening aaaaaargh!!!!!!

[dedicatedtogamers]

But but I like sequels ;_;

[DragonKnight]

It's ok to like sequels, but we should be excited for new games more than for sequels. There's always the chance that the sequel will fail to live up to expectations, but new games have no expectations.

[darthv72]

As of late we have been seeing more HD remakes than real sequels. I like all kinds of games myself.

But others would go so far as to say new ip's from MS=crap, sequels from MS=crap. New ip's from sony=good and sequels from sony=good.

Nintendo....they just do their own thing with new and old and nobody really pays attention.

[Dr Pepper]

@DragonKnight

"It's ok to like sequels, but we should be excited for new games more than for sequels"

Why? If there is a game that really captivated you story wise, like Mass Effect 1 did for me, then you can sure as hell bet I'm going forward to the follow-up more so than other games, regardless of whether they are new. This doesn't have to be strictly in terms of story either, in my opinion.

"but new games have no expectations"

I reaaaaaaally disagree with that. New games can have plenty of expectations. Have you seen the response to Titanfall? Or Destiny? How can you say people don't now have expectations for those? What about Aliens: Colonial Marines? That sure as hell had expectations, and it (apparently) did not live up to them.

[DragonKnight]

@Dr Pepper: "Why? If there is a game that really captivated you story wise, like Mass Effect 1 did for me, then you can sure as hell bet I'm going forward to the follow-up more so than other games, regardless of whether they are new. This doesn't have to be strictly in terms of story either, in my opinion."

The point is that it becomes ridiculous. Are you content to let a developer churn out sequel after bloody sequel or do you want something new? Look at God of War. How many God of War games have to come out before we give it a rest? It's funny that for some series, endless sequels is ok, but for others it's "milking" the series.

"I reaaaaaaally disagree with that. New games can have plenty of expectations. Have you seen the response to Titanfall? Or Destiny? How can you say people don't now have expectations for those? What about Aliens: Colonial Marines? That sure as hell had expectations, and it (apparently) did not live up to them."

I guess I have to explain that a new game holds none of the expectations that a sequel does now?

[Dr Pepper]

"I guess I have to explain that a new game holds none of the expectations that a sequel does now?"

You specifically said "new games have no expectations". That is simply what I was referring to, because I disagree with that statement.

"The point is that it becomes ridiculous. Are you content to let a developer churn out sequel after bloody sequel or do you want something new?"

I don't know why you think there has to be two extremes. Either "something new" or "sequel after bloody sequel". There is a middle ground. For instance, it has almost been a decade since the last Thief game. There is also The Witcher, which only had two games over the span of a "generation" (first one was only on PC, but released during the time frame of the most recent consoles). Compare that to Assassin's Creed. Just because a game is getting a sequel, doesn't mean it will start getting them like it's being developed in a manufacturing plant and constantly pumped out.

[DragonKnight]

"I don't know why you think there has to be two extremes. Either "something new" or "sequel after bloody sequel". There is a middle ground."

This whole blog is about taking a break on the sequels. I don't understand your problem, but whatever.

[Dr Pepper]

"This whole blog is about taking a break on the sequels. I don't understand your problem, but whatever."

Ok...

I'm just writing out some disagreements I have with what you are saying. I'm not sure why you would post a blog (or comments) on this site if you aren't wanting (or expecting) to have some sort of conversation on the matter. I don't have any problem, just a different opinion it seems.

[DragonKnight]

It's not that I don't want conversation, it's that it seems you think that I'm saying no sequels ever and I'm not.

[thorstein]

The good news: Titanfall is on the PC too!

[fsfsxii]

Exactly. A live example, Kojima, i love the MGS series to death, but i think it needs a break, especially with Kojima's talent, i want him to make a new IP and prove that he's a good talented developer, or atleast, remake Snatcher.
Good blog

[TuxedoMoon]

I'd really want him to remake/re-imagine Snatch too. I'd hope they somehow get the same voice actors for the roles though.

[caseh]

Either Snatcher or Policenauts.

But yeah,a Snatcher remake would probably be my 2nd biggest WANT just behind a finale to Shenmue.

[TuxedoMoon]

Sequels become tiresome, imo, because of it's timing. Yearly released games burn out the fanbase's interest a quickly. Look what happened to the Rockband/Guitar hero fad. They pumped out too many games and burnt out their fanbase's interests.

The Sequels that do this correctly, imo, are Zelda, Mario Kart, and Smash bros. All of those games are still the same. Mario kart 8 is JUST MARIO KART, yet people are super excited for it. Why? Because the last Mario Kart console game was WAY back on the wii. The 3ds version came out 2 years ago? That time gap makes people more eager for those games. Same deal with Smash Bros and Zelda. Those games come out every 3-5 years? That's a very long wait. People cry tears of joy whenever a brand new Zelda trailer is shown.

Sequels typically have a set fanbase, so when a company makes a sequel, they are guaranteed a certain amount of money no matter what. When a new game comes along, that guarantee isn't there. I think that's why a lot of companies were taking less risks and pumping out sequels left and right; it was for more profit.

In short, sequels aren't bad if they don't over do it.

[BillytheBarbarian]

People claim they want new experiences but those games don't sell and devs go under because of it. Sequels are safe. The get their money.

Buy more indie games and different games like Mirror's Edge, Catherine, Vanquish, Binary Domain, and Darksiders instead of Call of Duty 8 or Halo 4. Simple. Gamers make choices and it makes or breaks IPs.

[MysticStrummer]

I'm with you on God of War. We need a new pantheon to slaughter and a new hero to do it. Even though I loved the story of Kratos, at the beginning of God of War 3 when he started yelling it just made me chuckle because we've heard it so often. Let's have several games with different pantheons and heroes, then have them all team up in a co-op game against the forces of Cthulhu or something. Bring Kratos back for that one, but give him a rest for now.

As for Uncharted I wouldn't mind another one, but I feel the existing gameplay needs some tweaking and more variety needs to be added. I'd also like more intricate puzzles and larger areas to explore.

Most of all with a new sequel, there needs to be a good reason to continue the story besides having familiar and previously successful characters in another game. Eventually those stories have to end, so be careful about bringing the old crew back once too often. Look at Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Bedpan for proof of that. ****ing George Lucas...

[Oschino1907]

I was never into Rachet & Klank but All 4 One got me into it because of the co-op (online/offline) and the big levels.

Same with God Of War, never was really into it but a co-op version with multiple heros would get my attention especially with the capabilities of the PS4.

Uncharted def needs and could easily add some co-op (into main story) and some new characters ala Ellie such as Drake having a kid or child partner (short round from temple of doom), Sully having a long lost kid or one of the main bad guys having a kid that rebels against them and works with Drake. Hell even having all the main characters playable in a full length story would be great.

Co-op (main story/full game not just side story) isn't always good especially sometimes with new IPs but when its a sequel past 2 then I think it should be considered. Find a way for it to be added as something fun for fans of the series, and a way to get new players into it.

I think I still have a perma facepalm print from watching that horrid movie. Atleast I waited till it was on TV and didn't waste my money.