9 Perfect Video Game Sequel Ideas (That Were Rejected)
Will the cancellation of Silent Hills ever stop hurting?
Creating AAA games is a notoriously hostile, uncertain business, and sometimes even if a game is a smash, it still may not be enough to save a studio from going under.
That’s why the majority of major titles are based on recognisable names; there’s a reason franchises like Halo or Call Of Duty never go out of fashion. These sequels usually follow a strict formula and are content to deliver gamers exactly what they expect - albeit with a few tweaks.
Once in awhile, a studio will take a risk and colour outside the lines, which will either be met with acclaim and success – think of Resident Evil 4 – or the fans will revolt and the title will bomb. Over the years, many promising looking sequels have been announced, tantalising gamers with cool footage and demos... only to get scrapped before hitting store shelves.
There are numerous reasons this happens; maybe the gameplay isn’t working out so they start again, or they decide it’s too far removed from formula and go back to something safer. Let's take a look at some sequels that were loaded with potential, and examine the reasons they were tossed out.
9. Half-Life 2: Episode Four (Return To Ravenholm)
It feels like the announcement of Half-Life 3 will coincide with the apocalypse at this stage, as it’s been nearly a decade since the last episode. Anybody who played Half-Life 2 will no doubt remember Gordon’s trip to Ravenholm, where it suddenly switches to being a gripping survival horror.
This whole section is an intense, creepy ride that was a standout chapter, and if things had gone according to plan a new episode would have revisited the abandoned town. Valve allowed a little studio named Arkane to play in the Half-Life sandbox a little, and while they were impressed by the results they halted it due to creative concerns.
They felt most of the tropes of Ravenholm had been played out (the headcrab zombies, the traps etc) and that it wasn’t innovative enough. They probably had a point, but at this stage any new Half-Life would be a great thing, and exploring more of the eerie town sounds like a fun way to spend a few hours.