10 Video Game Sequels That DESTROY What Went Before

The original Mass Effect was a landmark title, but there was definitely a lot holding it back. Not the least of which being Bioware being convinced that no one would want to f*ck the badass alien raptor cop or the adorable purple helmet girl (ah the naivete of a pre-Shape Of Water world).

Mass Effect 2, like the others on this list, took what was great about the original, sanded off the stuff hamstringing it, and expanded on it until it became easily the best game in the franchise as well as one of the best RPGs of all time.

Now that the third-person shooter boom has come and gone, Mass Effect 2's brilliant and clever use of the cover system can finally be appreciated for actually managing to keep fights interesting with an otherwise boring mechanic through creative level design and good enemy AI. Certainly better than the clumsy fights of the original where even when you win you don't feel nearly as satisfied because there was no strategy on your part aside from "bum rush and shoot until it dies".

The story meanwhile, has the most detailed, branching path narrative that Bioware has done since Dragon Age Origins, leaving whether or not anyone walks away from the final mission alive entirely up to your decisions.