Even More Of A Good Thing

A look at some satisfying sequels

When it comes to media, the only thing more popular than remakes are sequels. The same is true for video games. Game sequels often take years to develop, especially with the current standards. So, when a sequel does get announced, there’s a lot of pressure on the title. It’s expected that the game be just as good, if not better than, its predecessor. In honor of Spider-Man 2 releasing today, I’ve decided to list five of my favorite gaming sequels in no particular order. These are games that I feel lived up to what came before or even improved upon it.

Super Mario Odyssey

I might be cheating a bit with this one since the Mario franchise doesn’t have a continuing narrative like most series. However, it can’t be denied that this title pays homage to many Mario games before it. By using a sentient hat, Mario can transform into different creatures to solve puzzles and find collectibles. There are also level sections that follow the original 2D format and even a celebration of Mario’s appearance in Donkey Kong.

Batman: Arkham Knight

The final game in the Arkham series, Arkham Knight looks to provide a fitting end to a series that made quite the impact in the industry. The visuals are stunning and still hold up eight years later. Although the story does hit a few stumbling blocks, the performances are phenomenal, and it remains a Batman narrative at its core. The innovative free flow combat system is as smooth and responsive as its ever been. This game truly truly makes you feel like Batman.

God of War: Ragnarok

A sequel that is part of a reboot, Ragnarok acknowledges everything that came before while creating its own unique narrative. Where the original God of War series focuses on rage and vengeance, the reboot has Kratos learning the values of forgiveness and redemption and passing them along to his son. The combat system builds on the new foundation from 2018 and is incredibly satisfying once you master it. Thanks to its wide range of accessibility features, Ragnarok goes beyond industry standard and makes the game available to everyone, regardless of physical challenges. This game manages to be fun and challenging at the same time, while leaning into emotional storytelling.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Despite the narrative being a prequel, this game is titled as a sequel and released eight years after the original. The developers took advantage of that gap to make the sequel meet the new technological standards. The amount of detail allows players to become immersed in The Old West. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to connect with a different protagonist, but the new characters feel natural and well-developed. It takes common themes of family and society vs. nature and presents them from a different perspective.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

My first game on PlayStation, Uncharted 4 manages to carry the emotional weight of an entire franchise that came before. At the same time, it can still hold its own and brought characters from PlayStation 3 into a new light on PlayStation 4. A classic treasure hunt with modern day humor, Uncharted 4 does justice to its legacy. It’s visually stunning and leans into over-the-top action in a way that makes the experience continually enjoyable.

Although there are many great sequels that I haven’t mentioned here, these games are some of my favorites. I feel that they went beyond what was expected of them and delivered incredible experiences. It’s not easy to walk the line between innovation and familiarity. Not only does a good sequel lead to a potential franchise, but it also has the opportunity to elevate the original.