Summary
Sequelsare an inherently tricky thing to do, as trying to surpass something good enough to warrant a follow up is nearly impossible. That’s certainly true in the world of video games, where sequels are plentiful, but due to the unique business structure of the industry, sometimes they are handled by entirely different creative teams.
Whether due to licensing to different studios or a publisher looking for a different approach, some of thebest video game sequelsof all time weredeveloped by a completely different creative team. These sequels improved on what the original team did, and some of them even surpassed previous entries. It’s a testament to just how talented some of the world’s best developers are, taking a previously established game and then doing their own thing with it and still managing to create something special and memorable.
Following the completion ofOracle of AgesandOracle of Seasons, Capcom continued their good relationship with Nintendo, creating a new game in theZeldafranchisefor the Game Boy Advance. The end result wasThe Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, a 2D action game that sees Link meet Ezlo, a mage who was turned into a magical hat by the sorcerer Vaati.
Shrinking down to a microscopic level, Link meets the Minish, one of Hyrule’s most ancient races. This adorable little GBA game features excellent combat and also showcases some of the franchise’s best music to date. It was continued proof that theZeldafranchise was in good hands with Capcom, as it was the third game in the series they worked on.The Minish Capis currently available on Nintendo Switch Online.
Star Fox Adventuresoriginally began development as “Dinosaur Planet,” but when Nintendo offered Rare the chance to turn it into a game based on one of their legendary IPs, they jumped at the opportunity and the game was reworked. The charactersof theStar Foxfranchisewere made the basis of the story, as Fox McCloud led his crew onto Dinosaur Planet, where an army invasion could destabilize the world and affect the entire Lylat System.
Tackling the SharpClaw Army, which is led by the sinister General Scales, Fox and the gang team up with newcomer Krystal in a spectacular adventure. It deviates largely from previous games, asStar Fox Adventuresoffers on-foot sections and plays more like aZeldagame. TraditionalStar Foxsegments do appear, and flying an Arwing feels better than ever, thanks to the advanced hardware on the GameCube. It is a game that would greatly benefit from a remaster for the Switch, as it is still one of the GameCube’s most fantastic titles.
After acquiring theFalloutIP from Black Isle Studios, who were deep into production on a third entry called “Van Buren,” Bethesda got to work on creating a next-gen version of this post-apocalyptic RPG. Shifting the perspective from a 2D top-down view to the first person, Bethesda was able to create a game that still feels unlike any other, as this massive open-world RPG is still one of the finest games of its generation.
Set in the Capital Wasteland almost 200 years after the first bombs dropped, the story follows the Lone Wanderer as they search for their missing father. It captured thefeeling of the older gamesthanks to the VATS system, which allows players to pause the game and target individual enemies. It was remarkably different from Bethesda’s other projects at the time, but in the best possible way, as this outstanding exploration of humanity’s final days is still a surefire classic.
Following Naughty Dog’s efforts during thefirst threeCrash Bandicootgames, the franchise saw many different homes and developers take a shot at continuing the marsupial’s platforming adventures. Perhaps no one has done it better than Toys For Bob, who first stepped into theCrashuniverse when they included him as a playable character inSkylanders: Imaginators, but their greatest contribution was yet to come.
Following their work on porting theN. Sane Trilogyto Switch, Toys For Bob produced a direct sequel in the form ofCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time. With a focus on returning to what made the previous games so good,Crash Bandicoot 4featured the same pitch-perfect platforming and charming cast of characters and is still one of the best games in the franchise. Naughty Dog moved on fromCrashrather quickly, leaving it up to other talented developers to continue this iconic platforming franchise.
The originalDead Islandlaunchedin 2010, and while its debut trailer promised a harrowing journey of survival and emotional conflict, the final product was a far more campy experience. The sequel, which was worked on by a total of four different teams, was announced in 2014 and featured one of the longest development cycles in the history of video games at ten years.
Thankfully, the finished product was worth the wait, asDead Island 2retained all the camp and goofy charm from the original. The cast of zombie-slaying heroes is a delight, with each of them having fun personalities that work brilliantly off the other. The combat from the first game is much improved, with an impressive gore system that sees hunters take zombies apart piece by piece. While the original developers at Techland went on to create their own zombie-hunting IP withDying Light, the team at Dambuster Studios did a fabulous job withDead Island 2.
Despite trying to come up with a newMetroidgame for the N64, Nintendo couldn’t do it and put intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran on ice. It would take eight years for her to return, at which point she would be developed by an American team in the form of Retro Studios, who would turn out one of the most incredible games of all time withMetroid Primefor the Nintendo GameCube.
Initially conceived as a game inside of Retro with no ties toMetroid, it was later reworked following a visit from Shigeru Miyamoto. It was a smart move, as Retro’s keen eye for detail and intricate level design was a perfect fit for the franchise. Their design philosophies aligned flawlessly with Nintendo, asMetroid Primeoften feels like a game made entirely by them. Its maze-like structure and spectacular combat still hold up, and it can be played on the Switch today thanks toMetroid Prime Remastered.
Following the success ofFallout 3, Bethesda was interested in producing more content for the apocalyptic wasteland, and tasked Obsidian with the job. Taking cues from the canceledgame known as “Van Buren,” Obsidian settled on the nameFallout: New Vegasand set their game in the scorching heat of the Mojave Desert, where players met a new protagonist known as the Courier.
As the Courier, the player finds themselves in the middle of a gang war between Mr. House, the New California Republic, and Caesar’s Legion, all vying for control over the Vegas strip.New Vegastook everything thatFallout 3did right and improved on it, with highly involved and well-written quest lines, as well as the best combat the franchise has seen yet. This iconic game maintains an active and thriving community today and stands as one of the best sequels of all time.
After the massive critical and financial success ofStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, it seemed fairly obvious that a sequel was imminent. However, after a one-year deadline for the sequel was imposed by LucasArts, developers BioWare opted to create something new and producedMass Effectinstead. In the meantime, BioWare suggested Obsidian take on the sequel, and the team went to work on drafting what many still consider one of the bestStar Warsgames ever made.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lordsis an absolutely stellar sequel, taking place five years after the events of the first game and exploring a galaxy on the edge. Revan is gone, having vanished into the darkest reaches of space, while players follow the story of the Jedi Exile, who goes on a journey of self discovery. It is a far darker and more complex game with much improved combat and an atmosphere that is unlike anyStar Warsgame that came before or after.
