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Take a look at some of the most memorable games that left us wanting more but didn’t receive the sequels they deserved.
Sequels may not always work for many games, but it’s a fact that some of the biggest video games in recent history have been sequels. Halo 2, Half-Life 2, Silent Hill 2, and Red Dead Redemption 2 are just a few examples of sequels that turned out to be bigger and better in every way. However, some games deserved a sequel but were denied due to unforeseen circumstances.
Here’s a list of those titles fondly remembered as one-hit wonders. Some were meant to have sequels, while others could have greatly benefited from one.
The Best Games That Never Got a Sequel
1. Brütal Legend
Double Fine Productions is mostly known for the Psychonauts series, but they’ve also released some other bangers like Brütal Legend. If you’re a metalhead, this game sounds like a dream come true. It has a star-studded cast of some of the most iconic rockers, ranging from Ozzy Osbourne to Rob Halford. Meanwhile, Jack Black voices the protagonist.
It’s also chock-full of heavy metal themes, whether it’s just poser-bashing or controlling a mob of headbangers. Brütal Legend is essentially an open-world action-adventure game with some RTS elements. You fight demons using an axe and even by playing killer riffs with your guitar. There’s also a customizable hot rod that you can drive around to explore the world.
Unfortunately, Brütal Legend never got the sequel it deserved as EA had it canceled due to poor sales. However, LucasArts veteran and Double Fine head Tim Schafer has hinted at wanting to make one multiple times. So, we might end up seeing Brütal Legend 2 sometime in the near future.
2. Bully
Rockstar is synonymous with GTA and RDR, but almost every other title they’ve made has turned out to be a masterpiece. One such game is Bully, which many define as GTA in a high school, but it’s so much more. Bully is the ultimate nostalgia trip for so many gamers. You can get into endless shenanigans as high schooler Jimmy Hopkins, but also attend interactive classes and learn about the importance of cooperation.
Despite what the title suggests, the story follows the protagonist as he attempts the seemingly impossible task of bringing the various high school cliques together. The richly detailed open-world, the diverse assortment of missions, and the satirical humor in Bully are all trademarks of Rockstar.
At some point in time, Bully 2 was definitely planned, but it eventually got canned. Some recent rumors suggest that Rockstar is back at it. However, given the company’s penchant for secrecy, we won’t know until (and if) it’s ready.
3. Mad Max (2015)
While the Mad Max franchise has produced several movies, there’s only been two video games. Now, Mad Max (2015) is an open-world action-adventure game based on the new series (Mad Max: Fury Road). However, it doesn’t exactly follow the plot of the movie. The gameplay includes an extremely satisfying melee combat system similar to the Batman: Arkham games. There’s also limited use of guns, and of course, vehicular exploration and combat.
There’s a decent sense of progression, for both Max and his vehicles. Despite this, the game received mixed reviews and did not perform as well as publisher WB Games expected. While it’s definitely considered a cult classic, we might not get another sequel to 2015’s Mad Max.
4. Prey (2017)
Prey is an immersive sim where you explore a space station that has been taken over by extra-dimensional aliens with shapeshifting abilities. The game includes stealth elements and emergent gameplay, which are typical of the genre. It also has multiple endings, which are determined by your actions and style of gameplay. So, it’s no wonder that this title was developed by ImSim experts Arkane Studios.
Prey got stellar reviews, but it didn’t perform well in terms of sales. One major reason might have been the confusing title itself. When Prey (2017) was unveiled, fans expected it to be a sequel or possibly a reboot of Prey (2006), a unique FPS where you explore an alien spaceship and fight with bizarre alien weaponry. However, Prey (2017) is nowhere similar to Prey (2006), so the title didn’t really make sense.
Prey (2006) also never got the sequel it was supposed to have, but at least it was a commercial success. The new Prey, however, has seen a cult following in recent years, so it could also make use of a sequel where we learn more about the Typhon.
5. SiN Episodes: Emergence
This may be one of the more obscure games on this list, particularly for newer gamers, as sales figures for this 2006 FPS title are nowhere near those of the other titles here. SiN Episodes is considered a Half-Life, which refers to games that were heavily inspired by Half-Life. It is a follow-up to SiN (1998), which, ironically, sold poorly thanks to the first Half-Life.
Nevertheless, the sequel embraced the similarities and decided to use the Source engine. They even released the story in an episodic manner, just like Half-Life 2. However, we only got to see the first episode, Emergence, before development was put on hold indefinitely.
There have been some recent rumors about a new Half-Life game being in development, but none so far about a new SiN episode. SiN Episodes: Emergence is definitely a fun FPS, but it’s quite short, thanks to its episodic nature.
6. Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs is often regarded as a GTA clone, and in some ways, it is. However, this game focuses more on the smaller details, and as such, provides a more immersive experience in a compact version of Hong Kong. Melee combat is a major aspect of the game. So, while the mechanics might seem similar to the Arkham games, it’s a bit more complex and open-ended.
You can pull off some impressive moves, choose between different fighting styles, and execute your enemies in brutal fashion, which is reminiscent of The Punisher (2005). The driving is a bit arcade-like, and being set in Hong Kong, the gunplay might remind you of the John Woo films. There are several fun mini-games like Karaoke, Mahjong, and even some hacking.
One of the most impressive aspects, however, is the story. Sleeping Dogs has a well-paced, gritty narrative that could give Rockstar a run for their money. We don’t want the sleeping dogs to lie with this game, so we’re really hoping to see a sequel.
7. Star Wars: Republic Commando
Some of the best Star Wars games were made in the 2000s, and Republic Commando is one such title. It’s a unique FPS that fuses the dark setting of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare games with that of the Clone Wars era. Star Wars: Republic Commando, as the name indicates, lets you play as an elite Clone Trooper unit. It also has some tactical elements like in the Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon titles, as you can control your teammates.
The only complaint you can have here is that it’s rather short, as some have managed to finish it in just 5-7 hours. This game got a sequel that was made exclusively for mobile phones (Symbian OS), but a proper sequel, called Star Wars: Imperial Commando, was in the works but eventually canceled. As you can guess from the title, it would’ve let you play as an elite stormtrooper instead.
8. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
The Simpsons: Hit & Run is essentially The Simpsons’ take on Grand Theft Auto, albeit a parodical one and without the extreme violence. This doesn’t mean this game wasn’t fun, however. As the title suggests, you’ll mostly be driving around Springfield across seven levels while controlling different characters from The Simpsons family. There is some cartoon violence and destruction involved, of course, and the game is a lot more arcade-like than GTA.
Following the game’s release, developers Radical started working on a sequel. When publishers Vivendi decided not to reclaim the Simpsons license, they were forced to cancel it. Some fans have remastered the original game, but they won’t be releasing these as they could get DMCA striked by Activision, who own the license for this game.
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