10 Video Game Franchises That Never Topped The Original

The initial buzz for Deus Ex wasn't great, considering it was spearheaded by the guys behind Daikatana. That's why it was jarring when the futuristic RPG obliterated the most anticipated games upon its release. Not only is Deus Ex a tremendous title, it offers a ton of replayability, since players can go down alternate paths, complete objectives in various ways, discover different dialogue trees, and unlock multiple endings. 

Ion Storm's IP was so scorching, fans didn't just want more, they needed it. However, gamers tried to have realistic expectations for the sequel to avoid disappointment. 

With the benefit of hindsight, expectations for Deus Ex: Invisible War should've been dramatically lower. Despite some solid voice work and a quality story, it was nothing to write home about.

As promising as the next entry looked, skepticism was warranted after how the last one turned out. Luckily, Deus Ex: Human Revolution offered players everything they could've asked for. Every aspect of this instalment, from the interweaved storylines to the dynamic gameplay was so highly praised, it reignited interest in the series. If the fourth outing could maintain the same pace, the cyberpunk title could become a juggernaut of a franchise once more. 

Though Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is solid, it fell short due to the abrupt story, surprisingly shallow writing, and the inclusion of micro-transactions Although it was refreshing to see the beloved IP make a comeback, it has yet to surpass the original.