10 Great Action Video Game Franchises (That Died Too Soon)

Spanning decades, we have come to love certain video game franchises, and we eagerly anticipate the next installment. We have bonded with beloved characters, and grown so used to a popular game’s mechanics that we immediately reconnect like an old friend. Independent, stand-alone games can be the hidden gems of each generation, but it’s the old, familiar action titles that we keep coming back to year after year.

Certain franchises refuse to die, and still continue to dominate the sales charts with frequent new additions – think Mario, Doom, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil and Call of Duty. These franchises are the staple of the video game world, the bread and butter, if you’d like. They show no signs of slowing down, or disappearing any time soon.

However, not all action game franchises can be so lucky. Some titles enjoy several years of success, with multiple praised entries and promising signs for the future. Other titles are predicted to be around for decades, but merely become one-hit wonders.

We could make an entire separate list specifically on Valve games, because they seem to be afraid of the number three. One of Valve’s most celebrated franchises is zombie co-op shooter Left 4 Dead, yet it’s been lying dormant since 2009.

Released in 2008, Left 4 Dead tasks you and three friends to survive a pandemic outbreak, turning civilians into hordes of zombies, including certain specially infected enemies that require teamwork to put down. As one of four recognizable characters, your aim is to progressively move towards consistent safe houses and ultimately reach military rescue and escape. Equipping a variety of destructible melee weapons, hard earned firearms, and throwable items, each player struggles against wave after wave of anxiety inducing zombies. Left 4 Dead keeps you on the edge of your seat, especially when you hear the now iconic crying of a formidable Witch.

Despite being hugely popular, with a sequel being released the following year in 2009, Left 4 Dead died prematurely and has not seen the light of day since, even withstanding the incessant pleas from loyal fans. Call of Duty: Zombies is perhaps the closest fans will come to playing a similar, new Left 4 Dead experience. Now with the new generation of consoles releasing, and with the push for cross-play, perhaps this is the best time for Left 4 Dead 3 to finally show face.