3 Sequels Nobody Wants to Admit Were Better Than the Original Games

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Video games and movies handle sequels quite differently. While movie sequels often disappoint compared to the original, video game sequels usually improve upon what came before, and are often considered superior. However, there are exceptions. Sometimes, even when a sequel is genuinely better, players still prefer the original – whether it’s due to fond memories, stubborn opinions, or simply a reluctance to change. These sequels, despite their improvements, don’t always get the appreciation they deserve.

Here are three sequels that are better than the original, but most pretend like they aren’t.

3) Halo 3: ODST

Originally, ODST was planned as downloadable content for Halo 3. However, after Bungie became independent, the team wanted to start new projects. Because Bungie still had a contract with Microsoft to create two more Halo games, they decided to release ODST as a standalone game while simultaneously developing Halo: Reach.

Even though it’s shorter than some other Halo games and doesn’t feature Master Chief, ODST is fantastic. You play as a regular ODST soldier, so you won’t have all the special abilities Master Chief does. This makes ODST a grittier, more grounded experience, putting you right in the thick of the action alongside the other ODSTs.

While the single-player campaign was well-made, the real highlight of ODST was its cooperative, wave-based multiplayer. The Firefight mode was particularly popular and has been featured in many Halo games since. Plus, ODST included the complete multiplayer experience from Halo 3 on a separate disc. Although the campaign was brief, criticisms about the game’s value didn’t quite hit the mark considering everything it offered.

2) Tony Hawk’s Underground

The early Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games just kept getting more impressive. The developers at Neversoft consistently introduced new moves and features, letting players create incredibly complex and amazing skating sequences.

Man, I remember when THSP2 came out and they added manuals – it was a game changer! Suddenly, I could link tricks together with a whole new flow. Then THSP3 gave us reverts, which let me connect vert tricks into manuals – seriously, so much more freedom! It felt like they’d maxed out what you could do on the board, so with Underground, they let you get off your board and walk around to build even crazier, longer combos. It totally opened up the game!

Looking back, THUG was a game-changer for the series – it really expanded things! But what really made it one of the best, for me, was finally having a proper story mode with a big, connected narrative. Later games tried to recapture that magic, but none of them quite hit the mark. And honestly, introducing Eric Sparrow as the villain? Genius! He’s still the most memorable bad guy in the whole THPS series, as far as I’m concerned.

1) Half-Life: Alyx

As a huge fan, I remember being absolutely blown away by the physics in Half-Life 2 when it came out in 2004. It seriously felt like nothing else at the time, and it really changed what first-person shooters could do. Everyone considers HL2 one of the greatest games ever made, and we’ve been hoping for a sequel for what feels like forever!

Fortunately, the new game successfully innovates on the physics-based gameplay that made the original Half-Life 2 so popular. Unfortunately, Half-Life: Alyx is exclusively for virtual reality headsets, which means many players won’t be able to experience it.

Ultimately, Alyx is a compelling reason to invest in a VR headset. While it’s not Half-Life 3 (though a sequel may be on the way), it’s one of Valve’s finest creations. It demonstrated the potential of VR gaming, dominating most ‘Game of the Year’ awards for VR titles. Alyx established a new standard for immersive interaction and clever level design, a standard that hasn’t been surpassed. Though the need for a VR headset can be limiting, it’s likely Alyx wouldn’t have been so revolutionary without it.

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2025-11-22 01:11