The gaming business is stuffed with sequels, and whereas that’s not a nasty factor, generally the story retains on rolling with none time to take a seat down and clarify what simply occurred or how we even bought thus far within the first place. That being stated, some video games have taken the time period sequel very evenly and flipped it round as an alternative of opting to give attention to the previous somewhat than the long run. This developer selection has introduced us a few of the finest video games in gaming historical past whereas complicated a ton of us as the following entry is marked with a sequential quantity somewhat than labeled as a prequel. Listed here are 15 of the very best online game prequels that gave new life to the franchises they got here from.
Purple Useless Redemption 2
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
Purple Useless Redemption was launched again in 2010, and it instantly left followers wanting extra as Rockstar video games managed to revitalize the previous Western style in video video games. Years went on, Grand Theft Auto V began to dominate each console identified to man, and Purple Useless followers have been left excessive and dry begging for extra. Prayers have been lastly answered in 2018 when Rockstar Video games dropped the following entry within the collection, Purple Useless Redemption 2, revealing it to be a prequel to the primary recreation leaving many followers questioning if it was the suitable selection.
Seems it was incorrect to doubt Rockstar Video games.
Set within the years main as much as the primary title, gamers observe the story of Arthur Morgan: a lieutenant of the well-known Van der Linde gang. Gamers then embark on an extended journey of ache, redemption, and betrayal with the occasions on this prequel main on to the start of the primary recreation. Gamers get to expertise John Marston’s character development by means of Arthur’s eyes including one other layer of appreciation for the beloved protagonist from the primary entry.
Exterior of the story, RDR 2 was identified for its unimaginable scope of its open world, insane element within the graphics division, and gameplay mechanics that closely targeted on participant selection. The world of RDR 2 is expansive: stuffed with participating content material and memorable characters that you just’ll end up occupied with for hours.
Purple Useless Redemption 2 is arguably Rockstar’s biggest work and one of many biggest prequels to this point.
Satan Could Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
The primary Satan Could Cry modified the action-adventure style with the introduction of Dante: a demon hunter wielding an enormous sword who’s on a lifelong mission to conquer demons. Satan Could Cry 1 carried out very properly, and Capcom hoped to construct off of that with a sequel. Nevertheless, Satan Could Cry 2 failed miserably leaving the collection hanging on to pricey life.
Not wanting to surrender on the collection, Capcom went again to the drafting board. Quite than going ahead, they went again to the previous and delivered Satan Could 3: Dante’s Awakening.
Set earlier than the occasions of the primary recreation, Dante’s Awakening launched us to a youthful Dante who discovers his powers and explores his battle together with his brother Vergil. DMC 3 took every thing that made the primary entry nice and dialed it as much as 1000 with tremendous fashionable fight, distinctive weaponry for Dante to wield, and a few banging music. Whereas it was closely criticized for its issue again when it was launched in 2005 (again earlier than Demon Souls), players skilled a revitalization within the collection like no different as parts from DMC 3 have been introduced ahead to every new entry.
Kudos to Capcom for sticking with their weapons and Dante.
Metallic Gear Strong 3: Snake Eater
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
Ask any gamer on the road in the event that they’ve heard of Metallic Gear Strong and an amazing majority of them will instantly seek advice from this recreation.
Metallic Gear Strong 3: Snake Eater serves as the start line within the long-standing collection with the occasions of this recreation organising the way forward for the collection. Going down in an alternate model of the Chilly Conflict, gamers take the mantle of Bare Snake as he journeys to trace down his former mentor in a wild journey crammed with navy conspiracy splashed with James Bond vibes. Director Hideo Kojima has instructed some outlandish tales in earlier entries, however Metallic Gear Strong 3’s story showcased why he’s so revered on this business.
Whereas the primary recreation launched the “stealth-action” style, Snake Eater refined it with new gameplay editions equivalent to a camouflage system, a touch of survival parts to match the jungle setting, and a brand new hand-to-hand fight system. To not point out, there have been loads of neat easter eggs that cleverly altered gameplay.
There’s much more to this title than will be defined, however that is Metallic Gear Strong at its absolute most interesting.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
Arguably one of the vital influential video games of the PS3/Xbox 360 technology (giving inspiration to titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and even Watch Canines), Deus Ex: Human Revolution redefined what it meant to mix first-person and role-playing parts into one big bundle.
Set 25 years earlier than the occasions of the unique recreation, Human Revolution focuses on the rising tensions between the “haves and have nots” as know-how and augmentation begin to fracture the general public. Gamers take the position of Adam Jensen, and whereas he wasn’t probably the most thrilling of protagonists, his journey has you work together with many distinctive eventualities that form the world round you. The gameplay completely blends the “play your method” idea because the time spent exploring rewarded keen beavers with utterly other ways to finish missions or the tech wanted to construct Adam to their liking.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution delivered among the best open world experiences to this point, and whereas it was technically restricted because of the know-how again in 2011, it helped form the way forward for open world gaming and gave new life to the Deus Ex collection.
Murderer’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
Earlier than you even query it, sure Murderer’s Creed IV: Black Flag is a prequel and, sure, it is likely one of the finest entries on this very lengthy franchise.
Black Flag places gamers answerable for Edward Kenway: the grandfather of Connor from Murderer’s Creed 3. Via Edward Kenway and a collection of unlucky occasions, Edward turns into intertwined within the conflict between the Assassins and the Templars. That’s truthfully about so far as the story goes so far as making sense, however what makes this recreation so extremely regarded is that it took the naval fight from AC 3 and made it right into a fully-fledged recreation letting gamers assume the position of a pirate/murderer hybrid. Journey the seas, battle enemy pirates and uncover the treasure the open seas are hiding as you etch your title into the historical past of the Murderer Order.
Some would say Black Flag was the excessive level of the collection because it launched proper when the PS4 and Xbox One have been launching showcasing the ability of “next-gen”. Since then, the collection has steered away from this route, however the parts from this recreation would go on to encourage later entries though lesser diploma. A multiplayer growth was deliberate however has since was Cranium & Bones.
Halo: Attain
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
With their time engaged on the Halo collection coming to an finish, as they hoped to forge their future elsewhere, Bungie put all their effort into making their ultimate entry within the Halo collection as legendary as attainable. Quite than set their eyes on a sequel, they selected to return in time and inform the story of the occasions earlier than Halo: Fight Advanced.
Enter Halo: Attain.
Whereas Halo: Attain has seen some criticism for its general story and in direction of a few of the characters, followers discovered peace in the truth that it covers the essence of how darkish wars really are. In contrast to the earlier entries the place Grasp Chief is granted infinite plot armor, these Spartans weren’t granted the identical luxurious because the Chief as they fall one after the other attempting to show the tide within the conflict in opposition to the Covenant. It’s all amplified by Bungie’s extraordinary effort within the technological aspect of the sport and gameplay division.
What a option to log off Bungie.
Metroid Prime
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
The 2D side-scrolling Metroid collection noticed some very excessive reward pointed at it since its inception in 1986 with Tremendous Metroid being titled among the best video video games of all time. Nintendo regarded to make the following entry for the Nintendo 64, however no concrete concepts got here from the daunting job of upping the bar following the success of Tremendous Metroid. That was till Nintendo producer, Shigeru Miyamoto, visited a small studio referred to as Retro in Austin, Texas, and located himself impressed with the first-person shooter engine they have been engaged on.
Enter Metroid Prime.
Set between the occasions of Metroid and Metroid 2: The Return of Samus, Metroid Prime marked a whole overhaul for the collection because it moved from a 2D aspect scroller to a 3D “first-person journey”. Crucial reception was insanely excessive as critics pointed to how properly the sport regarded, the environment, and the heavy give attention to exploration. It was knocked for focusing a bit an excessive amount of on backtracking, however that wasn’t an amazing unfavorable on what was a stellar reinvention of the collection. Very like Tremendous Metroid, Metroid Prime labored its method into the dialog of finest video games of all time because it excelled throughout the board.
Metroid Prime and the following entries proved {that a} full overhaul of a collection, whereas harmful, will be performed efficiently.
Disaster Core: Closing Fantasy VII
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
Disaster Core: Closing Fantasy VII took the Closing Fantasy setting, injected it into Sony’s PlayStation Transportable, and located success within the handheld system.
Disaster Core: Closing Fantasy VII is a part of the metaseries referred to as “Compilation of Closing Fantasy VII” which options titles set on the earth of the nice Closing Fantasy VII. Specializing in Zack Truthful, the sport follows Sepiroth’s ascension to villain standing, explores the friendship between Zach and Cloud Strife, and leads immediately as much as the occasions of the unique Closing Fantasy VII making this an important piece of world-building that couldn’t be instructed throughout Closing Fantasy VII.
However, this was on the PSP, and it actually showcased the ability the mighty handheld had. Mix that with the sport being shorter in comparison with the opposite entries, and also you had a title that will provide you with all of the manufacturing worth of a Closing Fantasy recreation within the palm of your arms.
God of Conflict: Chains of Olympus
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
Two PSP titles? Sure, please deliver again the PSP.
Like Disaster Core: Closing Fantasy VII, God of Conflict: Chains of Olympus took the mighty collection, injected it into the PSP, and did so flawlessly. Chains of Olympus takes place earlier than the occasions of the primary God of Conflict recreation and explores how the connection between Kratos and the gods of Olympus strains past restore. It additionally arrange the way forward for the collection as key characters dropped a ton of ominous foreshadowing as they might be set to make their return in later entries to remind Kratos of his actions.
This title was developed by Prepared at Daybreak who’s well-known for the quantity of labor they put in conserving the PSP alive. Chains of Olympus cemented itself as one of many biggest titles the hand-held ever had and a formidable entry within the God of Conflict franchise.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
Let’s simply be sincere; Borderlands 2 set the usual so absurdly excessive for any new Borderlands recreation. Quite than one up the ante with a direct sequel, Gearbox Studio determined to return in time and chronicle the rise to villain standing of Good-looking Jack.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel does a incredible job of doing precisely that as gamers uncover Jack’s ascension to energy that was already established in Borderlands 2. The sport additionally launched some new parts equivalent to zero gravity sections and launched the cryogenic factor into the sport respiration some type of recent air into the collection.
Whereas general reception on this recreation wasn’t the very best, the shining achievement is the Jack-focused story and his descent into insanity.
Gears of Conflict: Judgment
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
Gears of Conflict with no Marcus Fenix? Not possible!
Gears of Conflict: Judgment was blasted for fairly just a few issues, however what it did very properly was the story constructing. Judgment focuses on cynical Damon Baird, the event of sure character relations, and a colourful planet Sera throughout the early phases of Emergence Day. One other spotlight is the fixed context given by members of Kilo Squad providing perception into the world round them earlier than all of it bought snatched away by the arms of the Locust Horde.
Star Wars Knights of the Previous Republic II: Sith Lords
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
Knights of the Previous Republic 2 noticed Obsidian Leisure take management of the sequel to the extremely beloved first entry which was no straightforward job given the vital acclaim Knights of the Previous Republic acquired.
The sequel is ready 5 years after the occasions of the primary recreation and 4000 years earlier than Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. Because the “Jedi Exile”, you set out on a journey to cease the Sith together with your actions turning your Jedi to both the darkish or the sunshine aspect of the Drive whereas additionally shaping the world round you immediately impacting the Republic’s efforts to revive peace. No strain!
What set this recreation other than its predecessor was the exploration and implementation of an general darker tone; whether or not or not it’s your trek into the darkest corners of the galaxy or the overarching theme of how the galaxy is doomed to host an countless battle between the Jedi and the Sith, KOTR II confirmed you the way darkish the far far-off galaxy actually is.
Tremendous Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
Tremendous Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island takes a step again in time selecting to give attention to how a child Mario and child Luigi find yourself on an island stuffed with pleasant dinosaurs. After child Luigi is kidnapped, Yoshi and Child Mario embark on an journey to avoid wasting Luigi from the clutches of the nefarious Bowser.
What helped this recreation shine was a mess of gameplay modifications designed round Yoshi. The pleasant dinosaur may flip his foes into eggs and use them as ammunition, Yoshi may make the most of completely different power-ups that shift the play type of the dinosaur and noticed enhancements to Yoshi’s traversal mechanics such because the flutter leap. The sport additionally contains a distinctive coloring book-type artwork type that makes each locale look distinctive and memorable.
Let’s not neglect this helped elevate Yoshi to the cultural icon that the dinosaur is to at the present time and gave the world child Mario who would catch the attention of later titles.
Yakuza 0
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
After a fifth entry within the collection and disappointing gross sales within the West, SEGA went again to the drafting board to determine what would work finest to take the collection over the sting.
The reply? Yakuza 0.
Yakuza 0 takes the collection again in time to the 1980’s specializing in the beginnings of protagonists Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima as they give the impression of being to determine themselves on the earth of organized crime. The sport would continually swap between each of the characters as you journey the streets of Kamurochō, Tokyo with all kinds of actions to take part in and loads of folks to beat up in a well-developed fight system.
Total, this can be a great spot to start out in case you’re curious about turning into a member of organized crime within the streets of Tokyo.
Batman: Arkham Origins
Greatest Video Recreation Prequels
For some motive, Batman: Arkham Origins has an overwhelmingly dangerous repute, however that notion can be dispelled proper right here and now.
Very like the latest theatrical launch, The Batman, Arkham Origins focuses on a youthful Batman in his second 12 months of preventing crime. Very like the film, the caped crusader is attempting to determine himself as Gotham’s protector whereas contending with rampant corruption within the police division and main villains on the rise. Straightforward sufficient proper?
What this recreation does properly is that it explores the long-lasting relationship between the Joker and Batman whereas increase our hero to understand he can’t save the town on his personal. It captures the essence of early Batman and units the inspiration for the way forward for the Arkham universe with some story reveals followers of the universe will get pleasure from. This title additionally offers star voice actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil a break permitting Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker to provide gratifying performances. Additionally, Batman versus Deathstroke was an insanely well-done battle.
Should you’re a fan of the most recent big-screen journey for the Bats, don’t miss the chance to embark on this journey.
This record may’ve been for much longer with so many nice prequels hiding on the market. Discover all of them and expertise that additional layer of closure and world-building the unique titles didn’t provide you with. If there’s any we missed, be sure you tell us within the feedback beneath!
