10 Brilliant Sequels That Saved Dying Video Game Franchises

Soulcalibur is yet another addition to the list of games people generally aren't aware are sequels.

The fact that few remember its predecessor, Soul Edge (or Soul Blade in certain parts of the world) is quite telling. Soul Edge isn't bad - it's got a wonderful art style, decent fighting mechanics, and well... it's fun, at the end of the day.

But Soulcalibur took this framework, and made it something truly memorable. The most crucial change was that, instead of the conventional 2D fighting game format, Soulcalibur used what's known as an 'eight way run technique', which allowed players to feel far more immersed in the game since they could run on a 3D plane of existence.

If the series has remained Soul Edge, there's a very real chance it would have blended in amongst other fighting games. But after the sequel, its status as one of the best was well and truly cemented - right up until Soulcalibur V divided the fanbase entirely.