4 Sequels That Outshined the Original Games (And 1 Was Just Too Good)

by

Creating a successful video game is challenging, but making a sequel to a beloved one is even tougher. It’s difficult to improve upon something already fantastic, particularly when it comes to how the game plays. Change too much, and you risk losing what made the original so good. Don’t change enough, and players might feel like it’s just an expansion pack, not a full new game. It’s a delicate balance, and many sequels fail. However, some games manage to not only match the quality of the first, but actually surpass it.

It’s rare for a sequel to be better than the original, so I’ve put together a list of just four that actually pull it off. While they aren’t always the direct second installment in a series, they all impressively improve on what came before. This isn’t about picking the *best* sequels overall, but highlighting examples of sequels that truly stand out.

4) Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Uncharted 4 is a significant improvement over the previous games in the series. While the earlier Uncharted titles were fun adventures, Uncharted 4 features a much more complex and thoughtful story. It moves beyond the simple treasure-hunting premise, showing Nathan Drake grappling with settling down and leaving his life of adventure behind. The game delves into the personal lives of Drake and his friends, blending emotional moments with the series’ signature action and spectacle.

Most games struggle to balance intense action with more subtle, character-driven moments, but *Uncharted 4* pulls it off. Naughty Dog also significantly improved the gameplay beyond a standard cover-based shooter. They made gunfights much more fluid and cinematic, letting you move and shoot constantly. Plus, the game seamlessly blended gunplay with close-quarters combat, creating impressive and lively brawls during fights.

The most significant new feature was the grappling hook. After years of only being able to climb, it made getting around much more enjoyable and added excitement to battles. Experienced players could use it to swing and shoot, creating impressive and memorable gameplay moments.

3) Max Payne 3

Despite discussions about how Rockstar changed the story from the original vision, *Max Payne 3* significantly improves upon the series. The game concludes the story of the world-weary hero Max Payne by taking him to Brazil. Feeling unlucky in America, Max takes a job as a bodyguard for a wealthy family, only to become entangled in a massive conspiracy. He’s soon fighting against both a corrupt police force and dangerous gangs as he tries to expose the truth.

However, *Max Payne 3* truly excels in its gameplay. It features incredibly satisfying gunfights, building on the groundwork laid by the original game and becoming one of the smoothest and most dynamic third-person shooters available. Max can move and shoot in almost any direction without losing momentum, and it arguably paved the way for the gameplay found in *Uncharted 4*.

Max can smoothly recover even after diving and landing, rolling onto his back to keep fighting. This fluid ground movement, allowing a full 360-degree range of motion while prone, has become a feature in popular shooters like Call of Duty, Rainbow Six, and Battlefield, proving just how impactful *Max Payne 3* has been on the genre.

Max Payne 3 offered an exceptionally detailed and fluid control scheme for character movement and combat, setting a high bar for other games. While many have tried to replicate its feel, few have fully matched its success. Hopefully, the upcoming Max Payne remakes will expand on this impressive gameplay.

2) Batman: Arkham City

With *Batman: Arkham City*, the Arkham series proved it wasn’t just a lucky success. Rocksteady built on the strengths of *Batman: Arkham Asylum*, creating a larger, more impressive experience. The story was deeper and more engaging, especially due to the complex dynamic between Batman and a terminally ill Joker, ultimately leading to the Joker’s death. The game also featured a much bigger and more open world, and the gameplay was noticeably smoother and more polished.

Rocksteady found a winning formula with their previous game, and built on it for this sequel. They refined the combat to be smoother and more reactive, adding new moves and abilities through a detailed skill tree. The boss battles are particularly impressive, with the fight against Mr. Freeze standing out as one of the best in any superhero game. This battle emphasizes Batman’s intelligence and strategic thinking over pure strength. Overall, this sequel feels perfect because Rocksteady improved upon an already great foundation, and the quick two-year development cycle didn’t compromise quality.

1) Red Dead Redemption 2

While *Red Dead Redemption 2* shares some characters and features like Dead Eye with the original game, it’s a vastly different experience overall. The sequel emphasizes role-playing and truly immersing players in a pivotal moment in American history. It focuses on the struggles of the Van der Linde gang as outlaws face extinction with increasing pressure from the government and the law.

Rockstar skillfully developed John Marston’s character further, adding more depth, and seamlessly introduced a new protagonist. I was initially hesitant about playing as Arthur Morgan instead of John, but Arthur quickly became one of my all-time favorite characters. This is a great example of Rockstar’s storytelling ability – they crafted a powerful, standalone story that also enhances the original game.

Red Dead Redemption 2 boasts an incredibly detailed and immersive open world, filled with things to discover and do. Every aspect of the game feels carefully made and authentic, a significant improvement over the already excellent first game. Considering a remaster is reportedly in development, it’s difficult to envision how the game could be improved further.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

Read More

2025-09-19 22:42