Summary
Developing a video game is tough. Making one that’s successful is even tougher. In an era where publishers want safe bets on established franchises, it feels like every game that’s ever been loved is going to get a sequel sooner or later,even if it’s been a while.
But sometimes theyshouldn’t.No matter how much hype, interest or money a sequel could generate, it’s not worth it if it dilutes the charm of its predecessor, or compromises the creator’s vision. Whether it’s because they work so well as a standalone title, or because they bring a fitting end to the series, here are some great games that don’t need sequels.
Naughty Dog has always had its finger on the pulse when it comes to ending their involvement with a series. The company did it withCrash Bandicoot, with Jak, and since it’s been a while, it seems to have done it withUncharted.
Sure, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy came out in 2017 with excellent reviews, but the mainline series starring Nathan Drake has yet to see another release, and it’s better if it stays that way. Nathan is retired, he’s happy, and he has a family to look after. Unless Naughty Dog decides to surprise us with an Unchartedkart racing gamelike it did for Crash and Jak, it’s likely this treasure hunter is staying put.
Despite the strong fan demand for another entry in the Mother series, there’s really no need for one. Shigesato Itoi wrote the perfect ending for the series with 2006’s Mother 3, where the characters address you directly to tell you goodbye.
Every plot thread is wrapped up, every danger has passed. Even the game’s logo changes to reflect that the world is healing. A sequel would cheapen the conclusion to Mother 3, and we wouldn’t want that. To preserve what is beautiful and special about the series, it’s time to just let it be.
Valve are infamous for their inability to publish a sequel withthatnumber attached to the end of it. You know, the one between two and four. But inPortal 2’s case, it’s actually justified.
Portal 2’s ending is one of both closure and open-endedness, and it encourages you to imagine what the heroine will do now that she’s free. And that’s the way it should be. No matter what a third game comes up with, it can’t satisfy everyone. Especially after so many years, because the expectations would be too high. The most intriguing questions are those left unanswered.
TheDark Soulsseries won’t run out of spiritual successors any time soon, not when it has an entire subgenre named after it. FromSoftware’s formula has inspiredlegions of games, some of which almost didn’t make us tear our hair out.
But while more Soulslikes continue to come out and test your reflexes, Dark Souls itself should rest. Dark Souls 3’s The Ringed City expansion completes the narrative, and there’s no need for a fourth game. FromSoftware already knows this, as it has moved on to reach new heights of success withSekiro: Shadows Die TwiceandElden Ring.
As a long-awaited continuation of Square’sParasite Eveseries, The 3rd Birthday drew mixed reactions over its story, especially the ending. While it’s not happy, itispoignant, and shines a light on sibling bonds like few games do.
Parasite Eve is a beloved series, and its concept could certainly beget spiritual successors. But The 3rd Birthday brings Aya Brea’s story to an end, and any sequel would have to disrupt the canon. Love it or hate it, here’s something everyone can agree on: we already had enough time travel in this game.
Ask aDanganronpafan if they want another sequel. If they say yes, ask them if they saw the ending to Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony.
With Danganronpa’s third entry, Kazutaka Kodaka went meta to tell you why there wouldn’t - and shouldn’t - be a fourth. The story had run its course, and while the concept of putting another bunch of students in a killing game was fun in theory, it could only last so long before it became tired. The ending divided fans, with many calling it a cop-out or an insult to the audience, while others praised it for its originality. If the creator doesn’t want to make any more sequels, why force it?
The Legacy of Kain series has long been held as an example of stellar writing in video games, and has a hand in elevating the medium as a whole. 2003’s Legacy of Kain: Defiance ends on the themes of redemption and hope.
While this ending is arguably a cliffhanger, it’s never had a follow-up, and at this point, it should remain that way. There’s more literary merit to leaving Kain’s fate open than to make a sequel simply because the gameplay and setting are so much fun. If you’ve never played the Legacy of Kain series before, don’t be dissuaded by the sudden stop. Wewishall games that ended in cliffhangers felt as complete.
Undertaleis a game so complete it asks you if you’re sure you want to reset it for a second playthrough. Once you get the True Pacifist ending, there’s no need to go back.
So what’s next for an Undertale fan? Toby Fox has been keeping busy as a composer, lending his talents to such titles asSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate,Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Omori andLittle Town Hero. There’s also a spiritual successor inDeltarune. Undertale will also continue to linger in our hearts and minds for a long time to come. But for the game itself, that’s all, folks.
Here’s a fun fact for you: this game already has a sequel. It’s had one since 1987. In a twist of Kojima-esque proportions, the ending of 2015’s Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain directly precedes the start of the original Metal Gear on the MSX. Solid Snake is already in the building by the time you watch that final cutscene.
With the story coming full circle, where does Metal Gear have left to go? They’d have to do something truly ridiculous to keep the series running. What are they going to do, makea game about a giant wormhole that opens up and sucks everyone into a desolate, zombie-infested wasteland?
No Man’s Skyhad more ups and downs in its development than Aerosmith had in their entire career. Once the laughingstock of the industry and a cautionary tale against pre-ordering, it’s now become one ofgaming’s most inspirational success stories.
Almost a decade after its release, Hello Games continues to support the game with patches and updates, ensuring it will continue to thrive for years to come. With continuing development like that, this game doesn’t need sequels - it needs exactly what it gets. Keep the updates coming, Hello Games: you did us proud.
