10 Video Games That Saved Franchises From The Brink Of Doom

Once a franchise starts slipping, it rarely stops. One bad entry might be forgiven, two starts to look like a trend — but when a series hits rock bottom, it’s usually game over. Bugs, bad ideas, studio shakeups, or just losing sight of what made the original special — plenty of beloved IPs have fallen hard and fast.

But every so often, a miracle happens.

Whether through a bold reinvention, a return to roots, or just plain giving a damn, some games have dragged their franchises back from the edge of total collapse. These weren’t just good sequels — they were lifelines. Games that reminded fans why they ever cared, and in some cases, outshined everything that came before.

Here are 10 video games that didn’t just continue their franchises — they saved them.

Franchise on the brink? The original Devil May Cry didn’t just kick down the door - it rewrote the rules. A gothic hack-and-slash drenched in anime flair and attitude, it gave players a charismatic demon hunter, razor-sharp combat, and enough style to launch a genre. Then came Devil May Cry 2 - and the wheels fell off.

Plagued by a rushed development and a new team, DMC2 felt like a shell of its predecessor. The combat was hilariously broken - you could win most fights by mashing the shoot button from across the room. Levels were oversized, empty, and visually dull. And Dante? The once-iconic wisecracker had all the personality of a piece of timber. Fans were confused, critics were cold, and the franchise looked like a one-hit wonder.

Saved by: Devil May Cry 3 

Capcom came out swinging. DMC3 wasn’t just a prequel - it was the peak of the franchise. Dante was back in full swaggering form, the combat was tight, punishing, and deep, and every boss fight felt like a rock opera with swords.

It re-established everything the series was supposed to be: flashy, challenging, and impossibly cool. Stylish ranks returned, the difficulty curve hit just right, and the series was saved from an early grave.