7 Video Game Franchises That Deserve a Sequel But Will (Probably) Never Get One

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In some video games, you might find yourself yearning for an endless stay in their captivating worlds. Few games successfully establish an immersive ambiance, compelling characters, and a tale that keeps you engaged. However, when these exceptional creations appear, it’s hard to imagine leaving them behind. Regrettably, the gaming industry can be unpredictable, and follow-ups may never materialize.

Every two months, headlines about large-scale job losses and studio closures seem to dominate the news. Occasionally, poor judgments from those in charge are at fault. Other times, an unexpected failure leads a successful studio to face closure. This list compiles video game franchises that appear to have no bright future ahead. Essentially, it’s a collection of sequels that should have already been released but have disappeared without a trace. However, be advised: some of your favorites may be included in this roundup.

1) Bloodborne

FromSoftware excels at creating games that blend challenge and discovery, and Bloodborne serves as one of their finest examples. This gothic Soulslike game features some incredibly tough enemies, but the joy of overcoming them is hard to beat. However, this doesn’t diminish the pleasure of appreciating its dark, atmospheric art style. But being a fan of Bloodborne does come with a drawback: it seems to be a bit of a cursed IP, as it continues to captivate players.

Essentially, Bloodborne remains fixed in its era. To elaborate, it’s exclusively playable on PlayStation 4 and hasn’t been released on any other platforms. Furthermore, it was launched back in 2015, and since then, neither Sony nor FromSoftware has indicated a desire to revisit this intellectual property. This decision, while logical, is equally disheartening for fans who long for more adventures in Yharnam.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and sadness when it comes to FromSoftware. Their recent hits like Sekiro, Elden Ring, and Armored Core have been nothing short of phenomenal. Yet, the potential that Bloodborne holds is simply heart-wrenching. A sequel or even a remake of this masterpiece could revolutionize the gaming world.

However, it’s been a tough journey for us Bloodborne fans, and the thought of imagining its future seems almost too painful to contemplate. FromSoftware, if you’re listening, we’d love nothing more than to explore Yharnam once again!

2) Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium, an extraordinary game, boasts one of the highest ratings in gaming history. The special edition, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, currently holds a remarkable 97 score on Metacritic. This acclaim is due to the fact that Disco Elysium stands out as a work of art in the gaming world. Unlike most RPGs, it minimizes combat and emphasizes dialogue options, decision-making, and skill checks based on your character’s personality traits. Its distinctive system sets it apart from anything else you might compare it to.

Although 2019’s groundbreaking game, Disco Elysium, showcased an unprecedented level of innovation, its future appears uncertain due to some questionable internal business practices at the developer ZA/UM. This unfortunate turn of events resulted in several lawsuits being filed by employees, including creator Robert Kurvitz. In subsequent years, it was disclosed that numerous sequel projects for Disco Elysium were cancelled as a result of these internal issues.

Originally planned spin-offs, an expansion named “Locust City: A Disco Elysium Story”, and a complete sequel were all scrapped due to inefficiency. Consequently, Robert Kurvitz and the core team of Disco Elysium parted ways, now employed at various studios. Regrettably, Disco Elysium 2 is no longer in development. On the upside, former Disco Elysium developers are currently developing two games reminiscent of it: Hopetown and XXX Nightshift.

3) Dishonored

In a blend of past and future aesthetics, visually captivating designs, and countless paths for exploration within each level, the games Dishonored 1 and 2 demonstrated masterful craftsmanship in creating linear stealth titles. Offering players a multitude of methods to accomplish missions, Dishonored allowed you to choose between stealth, disguise changes, or even supernatural abilities like possessing rats or teleportation. Considering their exceptional quality, it was no surprise that both iterations of Dishonored received outstanding reviews on Metacritic.

Despite its past successes, such as Dishonored: Death of the Outsider in 2017, the Dishonored series has found itself in a holding pattern since then. In that time, Arkane Studios, the developer behind these games, moved on to create Deathloop in 2021, which was a strong Game of the Year contender, and Redfall in 2023, one of the major gaming flops of that year.

The closure of Arkane’s Austin branch was due to the disappointing response to Redfall. Now, their Lyon, France branch is developing a project based on Marvel’s Blade, with speculations of its release in late 2027. Given the recent events surrounding Redfall and the long wait for the Blade project, it seems unlikely that they are secretly working on Dishonored 3 during this console generation. However, there may be a plan in place, but only time will tell.

4) The Evil Within

One standout horror game series that gained popularity in the 2010s is “The Evil Within.” In this chilling series, players delve into the tale of Detective Sebastian Castellanos, who’s on a mission to uncover the truth behind a mysterious virus outbreak – think post-apocalyptic zombie action. The narrative continues in “The Evil Within 2,” where Sebastian embarks on a harrowing journey to save his missing daughter.

The game titled The Evil Within delivered an authentic blend of stealth horror. The enemy designs were downright terrifying, the artwork was both sinister and beautiful, and the characters gradually won your emotional attachment. Regrettably, despite its greatness, the future of The Evil Within appears uncertain. In 2023, Shinji Mikami parted ways with Tango Gameworks. To make matters worse, Microsoft closed down Tango Gameworks in June 2024 before it was later reopened by Krafton in August.

Currently, Krafton is eager to expand upon the intellectual property (IP) of Tango Gameworks’ upcoming game, Hi-Fi Rush. However, ownership of The Evil Within remains with Microsoft. Given that Tango Gameworks has been closed down, it seems unlikely that they will revisit this franchise in the near future.

5) Middle-earth

2017 saw the release of “Middle-earth: Shadow of War”, which garnered significant acclaim. The narrative revolved around Talion creating a new ring and rallying forces against Sauron, while the gameplay was engaging due to its beat ’em up style combat. However, it was the Nemesis System that truly shone. This unique feature enabled non-player characters (NPCs) to recall interactions with you, making the world feel more authentic. The “Middle-earth” series came very close to perfection, but unfortunately, it seems we may not witness another one in the future.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been eagerly awaiting news about the next installment in the Middle-earth series since 2015, when Monolith Productions, the mastermind behind these captivating games, ceased new project development. The shutdown was unexpected, given the immense popularity and immersive experience of the Middle-earth games, with their seamless blend of engaging combat, exhilarating parkour, and expansive open-world exploration.

Unfortunately, it seems highly improbable that another studio will take up the Middle-earth series. This realization has left me, and many other fans like myself, feeling a profound sense of disappointment. So here’s to all those who held out hope for a third game, life appears bleak in the realm of Middle-earth right now.

6) Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear series has been a trailblazer for stealth mechanics in video games. The latest installment, 2015’s Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, elevated the stealth genre to unprecedented heights by seamlessly integrating it into open-world gameplay. In this game, you would often find yourself sneaking past or taking down enemy outposts scattered across a vast landscape. A unique aspect of the game was the ability to turn enemies into allies and command them. Furthermore, intricate details such as turning off lights, using decoys, and many more were meticulously included. Essentially, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain showcased stealth action at its finest. Regrettably, plans for Metal Gear Solid 6 have been shelved.

Following the release of The Phantom Pain, Hideo Kojima, creator of the Metal Gear series, parted ways with Konami, the IP owner, and established his own studio, Kojima Productions. This new studio went on to develop Death Stranding, while Konami attempted to create a new Metal Gear game without Kojima’s involvement. Unfortunately, that effort didn’t fare well. In contrast, Kojima Productions recently released Death Stranding 2 in 2025 and has two additional games planned for the near future. Given Hideo Kojima’s current projects and Konami’s past struggles with the series, it seems unlikely that Metal Gear Solid 6 will be developed.

7) Sifu

When discussing martial arts combat games, the title that immediately springs to mind is Sifu. This game offers an extensive repertoire of more than 150 distinct moves inspired by the Pak Mei style of Kung Fu, which includes leg sweeps, hip throws, hooks, straight punches, and even eye pokes. In addition to combat combos, enemies can be defeated with melee weapons, followed by animated finishers for a brutal effect. Farming aura is also possible within the game. Sifu stands out visually, and its mechanics are hard to resist.

However, here lies the predicament. Three years have passed since your initial statement, and just this past June 2025, Sloclap introduced a new hit – Rematch, a sports game in the fantasy genre. Yet, the larger issue arises now. As of current, Rematch is attracting over one hundred thousand players, and its popularity continues to expand. For now, Sloclap is dedicating their efforts towards nurturing the success of Rematch. Regrettably, as each day passes without a declaration of Sifu 2, the likelihood of it never materializing increases. It’s worth noting that sequels often emerge five or six years following the original game, so there remains a glimmer of hope.

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2025-07-18 23:19