5 Video Game Sequels That Never Deserved the Hate

by

When a video game becomes incredibly popular, everyone immediately starts thinking about a sequel – both the developers and the players. While some sequels have been amazing and exceeded expectations, others have faced harsh criticism and negativity for various reasons. We’re taking a look at 5 video game sequels that didn’t deserve the hate they received, starting with a title from one of the most beloved RPG series of all time.

5. Final Fantasy XIII-2

Among all the Final Fantasy games released, Final Fantasy XIII is arguably the most controversial. While it had some strong points, certain choices upset many fans. Interestingly, it became the first Final Fantasy game to have a direct sequel and a third installment. However, we’re looking at Final Fantasy XIII-2 here, which suffered from the negativity surrounding its predecessor and a general lack of interest – despite not deserving either reaction.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 aimed to improve on the things people disliked about the first game, and it largely achieved that goal. It featured a more expansive world to explore, and the ability to travel through time added new environments and perspectives to the story. The battle system was also an improvement over the already strong combat in Final Fantasy XIII. However, because of the negative reception to the original game, many players didn’t give XIII-2 a chance, or dismissed it as a disappointment without trying it.

4. DmC: Devil May Cry

Let’s talk about controversial reboots – 2013’s DmC: Devil May Cry is a prime example. Developed by Ninja Theory, this game completely restarted the Devil May Cry series, discarding the storylines and the original Dante. Fans reacted negatively right away, and while critics generally gave it good reviews, the audience felt much differently.

Players who tried the new Dante found the combat incredibly fast-paced and enjoyable, particularly with the ability to combine angelic and demonic abilities alongside updated weapons and levels. While the story was also fun, the negative reaction to the initial changes prevented many from truly appreciating the game, and Capcom eventually reverted to the original version.

3. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

It’s becoming clear that new games often struggle after a big change or disappointing entry in a series. This happened with Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate in 2015, which featured the new characters Evie and Jacob Frye. Sadly, it followed Assassin’s Creed Unity, a game that was widely criticized by fans.

The launch of Unity was plagued with issues, which negatively impacted the release of Syndicate, even though many of those problems were later addressed. It wasn’t until the release of Assassin’s Creed Origins that the franchise regained its good reputation. However, players who experienced Syndicate found a captivating story set in London, offering a unique take on organized crime within the Assassin’s Creed universe, and the combat system was a noticeable improvement over Unity. Syndicate would be an excellent game to remaster in the future.

2. Dragon Age 2

The Dragon Age series began with the popular Dragon Age: Origins, so expectations were extremely high for Dragon Age 2. When the sequel came out, however, it received a mixed reaction, with many players finding its smaller scale and different style disappointing compared to the first game.

Okay, so I’ve been thinking about Dragon Age 2 lately, and honestly, a lot of what people complained about at first? It actually made the game really special. That’s why so many of the characters still pop up in newer Dragon Age stuff – they’re just that memorable! I think keeping the story mostly within the city actually helped. It meant we really got to connect with the people living there and understand what was at stake. Plus, the combat was way more fast-paced and exciting than the first game, and Hawke was a fantastic character to play as. Seriously, Dragon Age 2 didn’t deserve the bad rap it got.

1. Batman: Arkham Origins

The Batman: Arkham series is widely considered one of the greatest superhero game franchises ever made. However, people often only talk about three of the four games, which is unfortunate. The one they frequently overlook – Batman: Arkham Origins – is actually among the best in the series.

Released in 2013, Arkham Origins faced an uphill battle as a prequel not made by the original developers, Rocksteady. However, players discovered a Batman game that really emphasized detective work. It also featured some of the best boss fights in the entire series, a compelling story, and a unique setting – a Gotham City decked out for Christmas.

Read More

2026-05-24 06:10