When they hit big with their game series, many game developers often follow up with fantastic sequels. However, they can sometimes fall into the trap of having to one-up themselves. Hitting it big with a game series can be lucrative, and many developers dream of their game getting enough success to garner a sequel. As a result, gamers often build up a lot of hype and anticipation for their beloved game series releasing another title.
Game Developers often make the next game bigger and better than before. However, developers need to keep raising the stakes in their game series. Developers may fall into this cycle of one-upping themselves which leads them in ridiculous directions that often veer from the first title.
10 Saints Row Series- From Gangbangers To Alien Invasions In The Matrix
The Saints Row series is the prime example of this escalation. The initial series started as a somewhat blatant GTA clone when it first came out. Then, however, the series hit its stride with Saints Row 2 breaking away from the more "realistic" gameplay in favor of over-the-top action.
With each entry in the series, the over-the-top action became more insane, veering on the point of absurdity as the Third Street Saints fought a Shakesphere-loving Alien overlord. The series is getting a complete reboot in February to dial it back, but only time will tell.
9 Mass Effect Series- Try Not To Think About Mass Effect Andromeda
Mass Effect is an achievement in story-focused game design. While it is not the first game to introduce narrative choices based on dialogue trees, it was undoubtedly one of the more engaging and enthralling narrative-based games. The sequel Mass Effect 2 had an even larger audience of gamers to appreciate the long-running narrative.
When Mass Effect 3 came out, it was met with slightly missed results due to the ending, but many gamers were still in awe of the overall trilogy. Each installment kept raising the stakes more and more so when Mass Effect: Andromeda came out with a new open-world design, the series, unfortunately, fell flat.
8 Just Cause Series- The Explosions And Maps Kept Getting Bigger And Bigger
When Just Cause started, it hardly made much impact in the gaming world. That very much changed when Just Cause 2 came out. Just Cause two was notoriously known for having one of the most extensive game maps at the time. With a fun traversal system, the game becomes a sleeper hit.
Then Just Cause 3 was released, and Avalanche Studios delivered on a much bigger game with a strong focus on traversal and lots of things to blow up. When Just Cause 4 was released, it really focused on the new weather system. The game was undoubtedly bigger, but the series has fizzled out in recent years.
7 Metal Gear Series- Started With Solid Snake, Then Ended With Venom Snake
Metal Gear Solid series is one of the most recognizable game series out there. Most gamers and even people outside of the gaming world can recognize this game series developed by Hideo Kojima. Many gamers will recall the first title in the series fondly.
With each installment after the first, the gameplay became more complex, creative, and out-of-the-box. The list goes on. Each installment was brought with much reception in regards to the gameplay design. The story also got wilder but not necessarily in a good way.
6 God Of War Series- One Of The Few Examples Where The Escalation Got Better Over Time
God Of War as a series is well-renowned game series. The tale starts as a bloody twist on the greek mythos, following Kratos on his rampaged-fueled journey of revenge. Each installment escalated the God of War's brutal mission. God Of War: Ascension was a slight bump in the road in Kratos's tale.
That was until 2018 where a new God Of War was being rebooted, this time taking place in Norse Mythos. The reboot was a complete change for the God Of War series but escalated the game to be a much more down-to-earth and humanizing tale about Kratos and his son.
5 Batman Arkham Series- How Far This Series Has Come
The Batman Arkham Series has had quite the journey. They were starting with Batman Arkham Asylum with this very enclosed and refined batman journey. The game was poised almost like a horror or thriller game just centered around Batman stuck in Arkham Asylum.
Then the series leaps into a much more open-world comic book-style adventure with Batman Arkham City. Unfortunately, then the prequel title, Batman Arkham Origins, was less than stellar. However, Batman Arkham Knight sought to take the game to bigger and better heights by adding Gotham city to explore.
4 Fallout Series Fell From A Great Height
Another prime example of narrative-style solid gameplay, the Fallout series, has had its ups and downs on its momentous journey. The first two titles in the series were popular amongst the gaming PC community but nothing like the likes of their mainstream hit of Fallout 3
Alongside Fallot 3 was Fallout New Vegas which helped solidify the series as a mainstay in gaming culture. When Fallout 4 was announced, it promised a larger and more expansive world than the previous two titles. It was met with somewhat positive results, but the series had grided to a halt after Fallout 76.
3 Call Of Duty Series- Started In WWII And Landed In Space Eventually
There are nearly 20 different Call of Duty titles, not counting any hand-held versions of Call of Duty. The first game in the series was an overall generic first-person shooter set in WWII that delivered fast-paced action and high-octane action gameplay.
Then each subsequent tile only got bigger and bigger, adding more weapons, maps, and customization. The series now bounces back and forth between absurd future tech or historical fiction.
2 Resident Evil Series- Went From Rich Horror To Zombie Action
Resident Evil is another well-known title that started in the horror genre. The first three titles were highly regarded for their innovative storytelling with rich characters, albeit a little over the top but delivered fantastic horror moments.
Resident Evil 4 was still met with positive praise. However, the series started to lean more towards horror-action than horror adventure. Then Resident 5 and Resident Evil 6 leaned into a completely generic third-person shooter style and had lost their appeal until the series was rebooted in 2017.
1 Assassin's Creed Series- The Sky's The Limit When The Game Centers On Historical Fiction
When looking back at Assassin's Creed history, it is incredible to see how it all started. The first game was an intriguing take on historical fiction by introducing this alternative take on the crusades.
Now the series has evolved into Vikings, Greeks, and Pirates. Even the characters and the overall story had grown more and more into these insane and convoluted storylines with bigger worlds and more ways to kill people.