The entertainment industry, be it movies, television, and games, are all about sequels, if not longevity. But while the market may be bogged down with Assassins Creed and Call of Duty titles every year, there are plenty of games that have yet to a get a sequel that truly deserve one. Check out the list of games I’d love to see a sequel to below.
JADE EMPIRE
The Mass Effect franchise is my favorite series of all time and I am eternally grateful to Bioware for the memories those games have created. But it wasn’t my first experience with Bioware, that instead belongs to Jade Empire. Back in 2005, I was introduced to the role playing genre and its unique premise, centering around Imperial China and unique combat. Unlike most RPG’s of the time there was no turn based combat, instead it the combat featured attacking with martial arts, weapon styles, magic styles, support styles, or transformation styles. The entire series has a lot of untapped potential, from its unique setting to and philosophies to its Bioware like story. I think a sequel to Jade Empire would thrive, especially in the current generation.
BLACK
The PlayStation 2 era of gaming is easily one of my favorites, not only because of the growth of the industry, but for the progression of my gaming interests. Shooters had been a foreign concept to me until Black. It’s use of destructible environments and emphasis on chaotic sound design, usually seen in action movies, drew me in immediately. In the current landscape of shooters, I think a Black sequel could do well, going down a more serious path like the battlefield games or amping up the action like Wolfenstein.
KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC II: THE SITH LORDS
There have been many amazing Star Wars games throughout the past couple of decades, but none did it better than Knights of the Old Republic II, except maybe the original. These games had everything. An engrossing story, fluid combat, swappable squad mates, story choices, and the ability to explore the world created by George Lucas like very few other installments surrounding the franchise. Personally, the story itself is deserving of a sequel, as the Exiles journey to becoming either Revan (light side), or remain on Malachor Vs the new Dark Lord of the Sith (dark side) could continue to tell so more. While The Old Republic was supposed to be somewhat of a sequel, following a similar third person RPG mechanic, it lacked the same intimacy of the first two. Just give us a true sequel instead!
BULLETSTORM
I have always loved Cliffy B’s (Cliff Bleszinski) work, with Gears of War being one of my first loves multiplayer wise. His first big title outside of the Gears franchise also holds a special place in my heart though. Bulletstorm’s combination of character control, unique physics, and darkly humorous storyline had me gripped from the beginning. I loved Grayson and Ishi’s odd best friend dynamic as well, with Ishi being the stern and serious one, while Grayson cracked jokes the entire time. At the end of the game we see Ishi sacrifice himself for the team, only to be brought back in the post credits scene, taken over by the A.I. processor. So at the very least, I’d like a sequel to save my boy Ishi.
TELLTALES TALES FROM THE BORDERLANDS
I’ve always had an affinity for Telltale games, even if it has waned in the past couple of years, but Tales from the Borderlands is the best Telltale game I have ever played (with Season 1 of The Walking Dead a close second). I was in the group of confused people that thought the franchise made no sense to be a Telltale game, but Rys and Fiona’s tale was one of the funniest, creative, and heartwarming games I’ve ever played. I need more exaggerated story telling in my life. More finger gun fights. And of course Loader Bot and Gortys. While the original did end on a cliffhanger, rumors have circulated that Rys and Fiona would continue to exist in other Borderlands games, but I need a Telltale sequel instead, as it feels like a superior format.
Do you agree with this list? What are some games you’d love to see a sequel to? Be sure to leave your feedback in the comments below.
