10 Video Game Sequels That COMPLETELY Changed Genre
Whether they worked or not, is another story.
Developing a beloved video game series is a tricky business. Changing with the times is made difficult by fan expectation, and the need to evolve is crucial in an increasingly crowded landscape for the medium.
There's nothing worse than seeing a developer's complacency shine through with each subsequent uninspired sequel, and often companies will look to shake up the series with fresh and exciting gameplay mechanics in a bid to do something different.
On more than one occasion, however, aspirations overwhelm tradition, and by altering the formula a little too much a developer's darling franchise can spill into another genre entirely. Sometimes it's for the better, forging new fans and revolutionising the way we play games moving forward, and other times it's proof that innovation has its limits.
It's the devil's own job to strike a balance between creating something fresh and maintaining the level of quality that fans expect, but without that desire to change we'd be left with a gaming outlook that offers no unique experiences and no risks taken to move the medium forward.
Tinkering with the adored game franchises of many is a dangerous game, and success is never guaranteed; quite the opposite.
10. Final Fantasy XIV
Though series mainstays like lengthy cutscenes, an epic storyline and fan favourite chocobos all make a return, Final Fantasy XIV is hugely different to the single player focused titles of previous entries, but its commitment to the MMO genre is evident.
The continent of Eorzea, while already fantastic, is made all the better by the addition of populated online servers, with each and every player on their own journey as a famed Warrior of Light. Never does the setting feel artificial, as NPC's that roam the land are real world people with their own quest to fulfill instead of statue-esque character models who simply blend into the scenery.
Cloud, Squall, Lightning and Locke are nowhere to be seen, active time battles are replaced by a simplistic --though enjoyable-- system that never feels like a chore and emphasis is placed on party progression and social connectivity. It's a huge change for the franchise, and while not every subsequent sequel should be an MMO, this offering is a wonderful change of pace for the seasoned franchise.
Sure, Final Fantasy isn't new to the MMO genre, as its eleventh instalment was the series' first foray into massive multiplayer game design, but XIV saw it done right.