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Welcome back, my fellow gamers! The next generation of consoles is in full swing, even though it’s still difficult to purchase them. New games are coming out each month and it seems like game studios are pushing for long running franchises. I suppose that makes sense because franchises build followings and it usually equates to more sales. With that said, many recent games could definitely warrant a sequel and it doesn’t seem like anything is in development. Some of these games haven’t been on the market for very long, but I hope this isn’t the end of the road. Keep in mind, I’m not including upcoming sequels like Resident Evil: Village or Horizon Forbidden West because those games are coming out pretty soon. Here’s a list of amazing video games that need a sequel. Enjoy!
Cat Quest 2 This 2D adventure game ends with a teaser for a third installment. It seems like the Cat Quest games were designed as a trilogy, but I haven’t seen any news about a final release. The series is surprisingly popular and much smaller in scale compared to AAA titles, so it would make sense to continue the main storyline. Will a third Cat Quest game ever hit the market? That remains to be seen, but I feel pretty optimistic. I just think it will take a while. The Evil Within 2 It’s a bit unfair because The Evil Within 2 is a vast improvement from the original game and it never received a lot of attention. Due to middling sales and reviews, gamers probably won’t see the end of the series. The Evil Within 2 is a fun and scary survival horror game with interesting ideas. It even added open world elements, which is unusual for the survival horror genre. I assume Resident Evil: Village will take all the credit for adding open world environments in horror games, but that’s how it goes. The Evil Within 2 leaves the gateway open for a third installment and it will be a shame to leave audiences hanging in limbo. Fallout 4 Let’s face it. Fallout 76 wasn’t the answer. The series deserves a true sequel in the form of Fallout 5 or whatever title the Bethesda chooses. For some reason, Bethesda continues to pour money, time, and resources in a multiplayer game that will never be embraced by mainstream gamers. It’s time to move on. Fallout is one of the greatest and most popular post-apocalyptic RPGs and people are waiting for a new release. I haven’t seen major news about a new Fallout game, but we can have hope because Microsoft purchased Bethesda. The Xbox desperately needs exclusive titles and a new Fallout game would be a strong candidate. Ghost of Tsushima We could use more games that take place in Medieval Japan. Ghost of Tsushima has a great combination of action-adventure combat, great storytelling, and a lush open world environment. It seems like the adventure just began when the game ended. I suppose a sequel isn’t necessary, but it would be a huge missed opportunity. Also, Sony needs to keep churning out exclusive games and they already have preexisting material from this one. It just seems like a logical idea. Hades This rogue-like indie game astounded me. I totally understand why it was nominated for Game of the Year. The protagonist goes through an endless loop of hacking and slashing through the Greek Underworld. It’s a lot of fun, addictive, and each trip through the Underworld is different. The son of Hades could easily have more adventures in future games. Another option is a spinoff, like the Odyssey, Perseus, or games that focus on some of the Olympians. I’m sure this game was intended to be a single release, but it seems like too much press and money to leave on the table. Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales was more like a spinoff or side quest than a true sequel. It would be nice to see a full fledged sequel with Peter Parker, the original web slinger. The first Marvel’s Spider-Man definitely sets up a sequel and we also see a sneak peak in Miles Morales. I imagine Sony will release a sequel eventually, but they might prioritize other projects for the next few years. After all, Miles Morales is one of the earliest releases on the PlayStation 5 and the console needs more games. The Last of Us Part II Say what you will about this controversial sequel. I genuinely believe it’s a masterpiece. Since the release of The Last of Us Part II, it seems like Naughty Dog intended to head in the direction of a trilogy. In fact, I think a third game would have been fast tracked if the second entry didn’t have so much negative feedback. The Last of Us Part II is a bleak and harrowing post-apocalyptic game, but it shows great care in craftsmanship and storytelling. In the end, it doesn’t seem the like the main story is done and a third release seems like a sensible idea. Now the studio is focusing on a remake of The Last of Us for the PlayStation 5. I don’t know if we’ll ever see The Last of Us Part III, but it would be the perfect way to end the series. The Outer Worlds This wacky space adventure has a plot with a clear beginning and end, but that doesn’t mean future installments are out of the question. After all, outer space is a big place for endless exploration. I wonder if a sequel was part of the plan because the map shows multiple planets that aren’t available during the main campaign. Unfortunately, The Outer Worlds doesn’t allow additional exploration after players finish the main story. I also know the DLC doesn’t incorporate all of the unexplored planets either. I’m not hearing details about an upcoming sequel yet, but it might happen some day. Pokémon Sword and Shield I realize we’re getting remakes of Diamond and Pearl later in the year, but a true sequel would be nice. Some people were upset because Sword and Shield cuts down the list of playable Pokémon, but the story is excellent and the gameplay is fun. It even brings in new elements like camping and open world areas. I’ll probably get my wish eventually because new Pokémon games are common occurrences. Hopefully, Nintendo will keep some ideas from Sword and Shield. Spyro: Year of the Dragon This game was part of the Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, which is a remake of the original Spyro the Dragon games. The public hasn’t seen a new and original Spyro game for a long time. I believe Spyro deserves the Crash Bandicoot treatment. A fourth Crash Bandicoot game was released last year and it was a terrific addition to the franchise. That would probably be the best approach for a new Spyro game. It just needs to be a faithful sequel that will be appeal to fans of the series. Seriously, a new Spyro game would probably make a lot of money, so I don’t understand why the studio isn’t making plans. Red Dead Redemption II You might find this selection a little strange because the story doesn’t leave an open door for a sequel. But that’s the situation with all of the Red Dead Redemption games. I can’t recall another franchise that always kills the protagonist without fail. Basically, very few games take place in the Wild West and the Red Dead Redemption series includes several pedigree titles with great storytelling, high quality animation, and excellent combat. The most recent entry also has an emphasis on exploration and realistic gameplay. The Wild West can offer many more opportunities and I think Rockstar should consider another sequel. Tales from the Borderlands Telltale Games can be irritating because they often leave their games on cliffhangers. Tales from the Borderlands is a fun graphic adventure with an ambiguous ending. The game was released in 2014 and a sequel was never released. I don’t even think the studio made serious plans to finish the main story. Eventually, Telltale went bankrupt and now I believe they’re operating under LCG Entertainment, but the details are confusing. At this point, a true conclusion to this game is unlikely and it’s too bad. Until Dawn It seems like audiences asked for a sequel to Until Dawn for quite a while. But game studios and developers are weird. Sony created a distantly related prequel called The Inpatient on VR. Another sequel was released on VR, titled Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, but it doesn’t seem to have any connections to the original story. Also, VR games aren’t a good solution to a graphic adventure. Until Dawn deserves a true sequel on the PlayStation 5. This graphic adventure and survival horror game ends with an Easter Egg that could open future storylines, so a sequel would be a good opportunity and an easy way to make money. The Witcher III: Wild Hunt I’m pretty sure we’re getting a new Witcher game at some point, but it might take years. It takes a long time to make AAA video games and The Witcher III has excellent quality. Forget Game of Thrones. The Witcher franchise is a Medieval fantasy with strong RPG elements, enormous world building, great storytelling, and fluid combat. This series has immense lore that could easily span across many games. It seems like a sequel would be a no brainer and I’m sure CD Projekt RED will use their resources wisely. The Wolf Among Us This graphic adventure blends gritty noir with fairy tale characters in the modern era. Telltale planned to release a sequel, but their studio went bankrupt before the game went in production. Ultimately, Telltale projects are operating under another company and The Wolf Among Us 2 is allegedly back on the table. We’ll see. The entire situation is convoluted and shaky. I hope the rumors are true because The Wolf Among Us has an interesting story and it could easily have a really cool sequel. That’s my list! I hope some of these games will have a genuine sequel at some point. What games are on your sequel list? Would you prefer to see more original titles instead of sequels? Leave a comment. Thanks for visiting and please, be careful. We’re not done with the pandemic yet. Find safe ways to have fun and I’ll see you again next week. Have a good night!
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Spring is finally here! It seems like the weather is warming up and we’re seeing a change in seasons. More people are getting vaccinated, but many locations are still struggling with the pandemic. That means people still have ample time to play games at home. I’ve been playing all kinds of games, both new and old. Here are my thoughts about a half dozen games I recently played. Enjoy!  Let's begin with the Devil May Cry HD Collection. It's a remaster of the first three Devil May Cry games. A half-demon protagonist must stop demons from destroying the world in each game. Overall, the entire series is very entertaining with excellent combat, quick pacing, a variety of weapons and fighting styles, plus a huge array of monsters. Actually, these games play really well in the modern era for a franchise that was originally released on the PlayStation 2. But the collection also has some flaws. All of the Devil May Cry games have many positive elements along with something annoying. For example, the first DMC title requires a lot of backtracking and enemies respawn every time you pass through an area. The second game has frustratingly difficult boss fights, whereas it's really easy to get lost or turned around in the third release. None of the games have very good storytelling or voice acting and the graphics didn't seem to have a noticeably big upgrade. I would say the Devil May Cry HD Collection is worth the effort if you enjoy frantic hack and slash games. It definitely has long reach for target audiences. The series might seem a little bit antiquated for today's standards, but it plays well. Just don't expect a lot of substance and certain issues might be a deal breaker for some gamers.  Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is a cyberpunk role-playing game with an emphasis on action and post-apocalyptic elements. I wasn't a fan of this game, but it has vivid animation, a reasonably big environment, and many options for character upgrades. Players can pick and choose different physical modifications, which opens numerous ways to accomplish missions. Also, the combat is pretty fun, even if it's convoluted. Unfortunately, the gameplay is really confusing. The RPG system is very complex, Square Enix encourages players to spend real money to buy upgrades faster, and I find it difficult to memorize the controls. I can't say the story elevates the game either. It's a typical dystopian tale about a small group of rebels who want to take down an evil corporate empire to save the world. None of the characters are interesting, unique, or memorable. To make the situation worse, the story ends on a cliffhanger. I assume Square Enix thought Mankind Divided would become a huge hit and push forward a sequel to complete the main story, but it never happened. So, Deus Ex will remain with an unfinished plot. Maybe this game will appeal to hardcore fans of RPGs, but it's kind of weird and complicated. Many RPGs are more entertaining with better stories and gameplay. Also, the look box system is out of control. Despite having gorgeous visual effects, I recommend passing on this game.  Bloodborne is a PS4 exclusive that takes place in a dark fantasy environment during the Victorian era. A frightening blood disease is mutating people into Lovecraftian monsters and the protagonist must find the infection’s source. Bloodborne is a very good game, but it's only accessible to fans of the Dark Souls franchise. It gives players various options for combat, magic, armor, and RPG elements. This nightmarish setting gives players endless opportunities for exploration, side missions, and optional boss fights. It's also one of the most unique post-apocalyptic games. With that said, Bloodborne is way too intense and frustrating for me. This game was intended for people who prefer the hardest difficulty settings and ultra challenging gameplay. Enemies respawn each time you pass through a location and the inventory is difficult to manage. The protagonist is incredibly weak compared to most enemies and checkpoints are sparse. I simple don't understand the appeal of Souls-like games. Should you spend money this intense RPG? It depends on your gameplay choices. Bloodborne is a poor choice for casual gamers, newcomers to RPGs, and people who get frustrated easily. But it's a terrific choice for gamers who enjoy really intense experiences with ultra difficult combat. Bloodborne should give experienced and professional gamers a real challenge.  The original Life is Strange game focuses on two teenage girls who experience weird, supernatural phenomenons that could threaten the entire town. It’s an episodic graphic adventure and the player’s choices directly influence the plot. I find this game quite interesting and topical. Life is Strange is somewhat different other graphic adventures because it’s more like a coming of age story instead of survival horror or action-adventure. This game forces players to make their decisions very carefully because huge chain reactions may happen. It’s not the best choose-your-own-adventure, but I’ll give the game credit for originality and an interesting story. This game definitely has some issues and odd elements. The controls are a bit awkward and the main character has the ability to rewind time or change events. That’s an interesting concept, but the execution is weird, awkward, and a little bit frustrating. The pacing can be really slow and some of the big revelations are completely predictable. It also feels like this game has too many episodes. I felt like the game used a lot of padding to make the story longer. Also, the ending is effective, but it will upset quite a few people. It’s hard to give a direct recommendation for this game unless you’re a huge fan of graphic adventures. Life is Strange doesn’t have any combat, it’s pretty slow, and the story has a number of plot holes. In fact, I would say teenagers in high school or middle school are probably the target audience. I’m not sure if many adults will appreciate the main subject. Check it out if you’re curious, but I would probably pick other graphic adventures over this one.  Cat Quest and Cat Quest II: The Pawesome Pack includes a duo of 2D games that take place during a Medieval fantasy with cats and dogs as the main characters. You might not believe me, but the Cat Quest games are awesome. They’re fun action-adventure games with an emphasis on sword fighting, magic, ranged weapons, and more. Both games have a nice mixture of primary missions, side quests, and light RPG elements. They also have a decent variety of enemies. The Cat Quest games are very witty and they’re completely accessible to various age groups. They even have decent replay value with a New Game+ mode. Also, the second game introduces a fun co-op style. The Pawsome Pack has a number of strengths and very few weaknesses. Some gamers might find the series a bit repetitive and it’s certainly not targeting hardcore audiences who prefer the intense difficulty from Dark Souls. The Cat Quest series is also a bit derivative from Lord of the Rings, The Witcher, Game of Thrones, and other Medieval fantasies. I genuinely believe most gamers will enjoy this collection. The Pawsome Pack is funny, adorable, and challenging enough for mainstream gaming. It’s a nice break from the norm and hopefully, the developers will expand this series into a trilogy.  Here’s everyone’s chance to experience two of the original Resident Evil games. It’s the franchise that started the entire zombie craze in gaming and practically created the concept of survival horror. I struggle with this style of retro gaming, but the Origins Collection is surprisingly scary, even for today’s standards. I can understand why gamers found the original Resident Evil so terrifying. The environment is both spooky and beautiful with frightening monsters around every corner. Some of the weapons pack a punch, although the early Resident Evil games quickly train players to be careful with their resources. Every bullet counts. Also, listening to some of the awful dialogue is hilariously entertaining. The Origins Collection even ditches the frustrating tank controls in favor of modern analogue stick motion. It’s a huge improvement.
I felt annoyed with the fixed camera situation. It’s really easy to wander into the next frame while enemies are attacking, which messes up the combat. Save points are incredibly rare and I wish they added a few more in this remaster collection. Many of the monsters are bullet sponges, but your health drains quickly. Inventory has limited space and it’s hard to find enough ammunition. Enemies also respawn in some areas. I commend the collection’s efforts to bring authentic survival horror to gamers, but the experience is awfully frustrating. Ultimately, I recommend the Resident Evil: Origins Collection to audiences who grew up playing the original series. I’m not sure if modern gamers will appreciate retro survival horror, but that might be an individual situation. It’s not a super expensive collection, so give it a shot if you’re curious. That’s all for now! What games are keeping you busy during the pandemic? Have you played any of the games on this post yet? Leave a comment. I know the pandemic is getting better in some areas and worse in others. Be patient, find ways to entertain yourself, and get vaccinated when possible. Thanks a lot for visiting and I’ll see you again next week. |
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May 2019
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