10 Video Game Sequels That Made The Original Even Better
1. God Of War: Ragnarok
Santa Monica Studios' continuation of the God Of War series was always meant to be two entries, meant to bring down the curtain on the story of Kratos. God Of War 2018 was a fantastic game and story in its own right, but Ragnarok is so natural and flowing a sequel, the two become inseparable from each other; the idea of playing one but not the other being utterly ludicrous.
The story of GoW 2018 and Ragnarok is the story of Kratos learning that there is never a point where you cannot choose to be better.
Everyone is capable of change and deserves the opportunity to be able to, but they need to choose that for themselves. Ragnarok is a natural continuation of that theme, as Kratos is faced with constant temptation to revert back to his old ways, very nearly falling into a complete relapse partway through the game. You can choose to be better, says Ragnarok, but that's a choice you need to make every day, especially when doing things how you used to seems like an easier path.
This is further strengthened by the prophecy of Kratos' death that he found at the end of GoW 2018. All throughout Ragnarok, whether it's the precognisant Norns or his own fears, Kratos is constantly reminded of how his story is going to go. But, it doesn't end that way, because he kept choosing to be better.
At the end of the game, Kratos finds one final prophecy, left (judging by the gold paint used to make it) by his former partner, Faye. It depicts Kratos being worshipped as a bountiful leader and potential god, instead of a destroyer.
Ragnarok doesn't just make the previous game better, it makes the original trilogy and wider series essential by its existence, as Kratos' past in Greece is constantly brought up, both literally and thematically. His Spartan training makes him a natural leader for the final assault on Asgard, and his experience with using pike spears is mentioned as why he's able to wield the Draupnir Spear to defeat Heimdall and save Atreus.
It really does feel, as impossible as that obviously is, that it was always going to end this way.
A rare thing of beauty.