The video game industry, just like the film industry, is a very successful one, where products are not rated by what critics said, but by what consumers dictated. This is why we still have Eddie Murphy and Sonic, although I would rather Sonic to be redeemed. On this list there are four games that have been mostly overlooked by consumers (one hasn’t) and that if people had gone out and bought them, then they would have noticed how amazing these games were.
5 Video Games that Deserve a Sequel
5) Eternal Darkness: Sanity Requiem (Silicon Knights) (Gamecube)
For a console that has been branded as “kiddie-console,” Eternal Darkness, had a mature story that was much needed for the Gamecube. Sadly, even though it was praised by critics, the game didn’t have garner gamers money recognition. Perhaps because it was for a “kiddie-console” where said kids couldn’t have played it – it was rated M for Mature. Maybe if it had been released also on Xbox and Playstation 2 it would have been a success. The storyline spans 20 centuries letting players take on the role of 12 different characters through the ages, from a Roman Centurion to a priest during the period of the Inquisition. What’s fantastic and different is the gameplay. If your character gets hurt, they will start to lose their sanity and weird things are going to start happening – to you! Your television volume will go up and down, your screen will fade to black. In this game, your sanity will be at play! Hopefully one of this game will get a much deserving sequel.
4) Psychonauts (Majesco) (Xbox, Playstation 2, PC)
Psychonauts comes from the incredible mind of Tim Schafer – who will soon release the heavy metal game Brutal Legend with Jack Black – the game was praised and welcomed by critics, but again gamers weren’t too crazy about it – except the ones who did play it. In Pyschonauts you take the role of Rasputín, a boy who has been sent to Psychic camp to improve his abilities and become a Psychonaut, but at the camp something’s gone wrong. People, even students, are losing their brains – literally! It’s up to Rasputin to uncover what’s going on and return the brains to their owners. Each level of the game will take you into the mind of the camp counselors or students, as you know each “brain is it’s own world” and this game welcomes it. From World War types of scenarios to worlds of Disco and clubs, this game will take you anywhere. When it ended, it left the promise for more to come yet no news have been heard. Hopefully Brutal Legend will be a success and Tim Schafer can take another risk.
3) Zombies Ate My Neighbors (LucasArts) (SNES)
Zombies ate my neighbors is what I considered the “father” of Left 4 Dead. In Zombies Ate My Neighbors you can choose to play as a boy or a girl and on each video game chapter, which acts like a B-horror film, you try to save your neighbors; these neighbors can be from cheerleaders to babies and that old mean lady. What are you saving them from exactly? Other than zombies you have lizard men, giant antes, mummies, water creatures and even a chainsaw wielding Jason Vorhees look-a-like. What makes this game even better is that you can even play with a friend, yes co-op is enabled – of course offline, we are talking 1993 here! If this game were remade, or had a sequel, today, with all of it’s campy vibe it can truly be a success.
2) Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy (Midway) (Xbox, Playstation 2)
This is one of the best and most overlooked games of the past generation. In Psi-Ops you assume the role of Nick, a soldier who had his memory wiped by the government so he could be captured my Mindgate and infiltrate their base – is there really any other kind – while on the inside you are being helped by a partner who you are not sure if you can really trust. Although the game sounds very generic and the story is somewhat predictable, it redeems itself with gameplay. As the game progresses you will start remembering who you are and what you can do. What can you do? You can move things with your mind (telekinesis), start fires (pyrokinesis), drain minds, control minds , aura view and remote viewing. It’s not only what you do, but how you do it that counts and in Psi-Ops, Midway, let’s you have all the fun you want. Set a crate on fire and then use your telekinesis to throw it to someone else, get on top of a crate and lift it up to reach new levels, why lose your life fighting when you can take over a soldier to do all the killing for you. There are many ways to get things done and it really doesn’t get old. The game was obviously done with a sequel, which hasn’t happened, in mind, leaving gamers without a real conclusion. Honestly, this game done today with what current consoles can do, it will be amazing. Throw that some online multiplayer (I don’t really think co-op is needed here) and Trophies/Achievements and Midway will have a hit. Sad thing is, Midway declared bankruptcy, so this may never happen.
1) Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow (Gameboy) (Nintendo)
Yes, Pokémon deserves a sequel. I don’t mean more Pokémon Platinum, or Pokémon Silver or Pokemon Gold. I mean a real sequel. One where you get to do more than the same thing over and over again. It still baffles me how kids keep buying the same repetitive game, no matter how it is explained. Pokémon is a very successful franchise and it can take risks of trying something new. They have a bit, for example: Pokémon Ranger, but they can do better. Nintendo, it is time to take chances!
Agree? Disagree? Any other game that you believe deserves a sequel? Comment below.
