4 Cult Classic Games That Deserve Sequels More Than Anything Else

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As a gamer, it feels like whenever a game gets amazing reviews and sells well these days, a sequel is almost guaranteed. But it wasn’t always like that. I’ve seen so many games that were huge hits, but the developers just couldn’t figure out a good way to make a follow-up. Sometimes, the studio itself would run out of money and have to cancel the project. It’s a bummer, because there are definitely some games out there that gave us one incredible experience, and then…nothing. A few really stand out as games that deserve a sequel, even if it probably won’t ever happen. Still, a fan can hope, right?

Here are four cult classic games that should get a sequel as soon as possible.

4) Black

When Black was released in 2006, it was unusual. Most first-person shooter games included multiplayer options, but the creators at Criterion Games deliberately chose to leave it out. They weren’t aiming to compete with games like Halo; they had a different vision.

The team prioritized creating environments you can destroy and delivering high-quality, movie-style sound. And they succeeded! While Black isn’t a lengthy game, it feels like an action-packed summer blockbuster. The combat is thrilling, bullets whiz by constantly, and the sound design is truly immersive.

Sadly, Criterion never had the chance to create the sequel they had planned. Electronic Arts cancelled the project fairly early in development, and Criterion shifted their focus to Burnout Paradise. Later, many of the same developers worked on a game called Bodycount, which was intended to be a spiritual successor, but it didn’t reach the same high quality as the original.

3) Jade Empire

BioWare was at the peak of its success when it released Jade Empire in 2005. The game came out between the popular titles Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect, and it was well-received by both critics and players. However, just two years later, BioWare announced they didn’t intend to create a sequel.

Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk, the founders of BioWare, have expressed their continued enthusiasm for Jade Empire and stated they were seeking the best way to revive the franchise. However, it’s been over ten years since those comments, and no new game has materialized. BioWare has understandably been focused on the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series, but a new Jade Empire could be exactly what the studio needs to reinvigorate itself.

2) Bully

Rockstar’s Bully is considered one of the developer’s greatest games. It took the open-world gameplay known from Grand Theft Auto and cleverly reimagined it within a private school setting. Like other successful titles, Bully was both critically acclaimed and a commercial success, and it even received a remastered version to update it for modern platforms.

I was so bummed when I found out Rockstar cancelled Bully 2 way back around 2010! They’ve mentioned having some ideas for a sequel since then, but we haven’t gotten any real news. I’m hoping they’ll revisit it after Grand Theft Auto 6 comes out in 2026, but honestly, I think we’re looking at the 2030s, at the very earliest, before we finally get a new Bully game. It feels like a really long wait!

1) Sleeping Dogs

If you look at the games mentioned, you’ll see they all had sequels planned that were ultimately cancelled. This is also the case with the fantastic Sleeping Dogs, which had both a sequel and a spin-off project scrapped. However, Square Enix has gone even further with this pattern.

A movie based on the video game Sleeping Dogs is reportedly in development, with a first draft of the script completed in October 2025. Given that plans for Sleeping Dogs 2 and the Triad Wars spin-off were cancelled, it’s been difficult to believe this film would actually happen, despite rumors going back to 2017. However, the project now seems to be gaining momentum.

If the rumored movie comes to fruition, it would be the perfect moment to announce a sequel to Sleeping Dogs. Sadly, the original game’s developer, United Front Games, closed down years ago, making it impossible to reassemble the original team. Still, Sleeping Dogs is a game with a lot of potential for a follow-up, and fans are hoping one will be made eventually.

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2025-10-22 22:14