Oftentimes, a story spanning multiple entries has one character tying it all together. This provides someone for audiences to identify with, and helps maintain focus throughout the tale. Video games are no exception to this rule. Just look at how longMariohas been around.
RELATED:Iconic Video Game Protagonists Who Went Through Complete Redesigns
However, some developers buck this trend. Maybe they wanted a new direction with a new protagonist. Alternatively, maybe they wrapped up a story and then decided to continue the franchise after the fact. Whatever the reason, the results have been mixed. Some series have successfully found new blood to keep them going, but others should have died with their stars.
8Mass Effect
Thespace-faring serieshas pulled this twice. To take the galaxy’s savior down a peg,BioWarekilled Commander Shepard at the start ofMass Effect 2. Thankfully, Miranda Lawson’s Lazarus Project at Cerberus managed to bring them back to life. They then had a fighting chance against the Collectors and the Reapers, but their next time at death’s door was more final.
Once Shepard sacrifices himself/herself at the end ofMass Effect 3, they’re dead to the galaxy and pass into legend. Fans didn’t like it, but there it went.EAand BioWare, though, couldn’t let the franchise rest, so they crafted a new set of characters forMass Effect: Andromeda. This title was supposed to inject new life into the IP, but it went over as well asReapers on a Prothean— that is to say, not great.
7God Of War
If players thoughtMass Effectwas impressive,God of Warputs it to shame. In the old games, Kratos was killed seemingly every other week, but healways found a way to claw himself back from the depths of Hades. Sacrificing himself at the end ofGod of War III, however, seemed final.
Indeed, the series laid dormant for a few years. That is, until the 2018 reboot showed an older Kratos, who had begun a new life (literally) and family in the realm of Norse mythology. Will this new tale kill him again and pass the torch to his son? That remains to be seen, but it earns a spot on this list regardless.
6Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Though trained to root out Jedi and others opposed to the Empire, Darth Vader’s secret apprentice —dubbed “Starkiller” — grows distant from his master’s cause. What starts as a simple diversion soon blossoms into a full-fledged rebellion. In the process of saving his friends, the former Sith battles both his master and the Emperor, the effort ultimately claiming his life.
RELATED:LEGO Star Wars: Obscure Characters Who Must Appear In The Skywalker Saga
Despite this setback, Vader believes his apprentice’s potential is simply too good to pass up. So, he clones Starkiller for the sequel. The developers leave it ambiguous whether this new Starkiller really is a clone, but this ambiguity is all for naught.Fans will never get the answer, becausethis serieshas unfortunately been erased from the officialStar Warscanon.
John Marston got the short end of the stick in the firstRed Dead Redemption. Not only did the Pinkertons blackmail him intohunting down members of his former gang, but they ruthlessly gunned him down before he could live a quiet life with his family. Surprise, surprise, the government’s not his friend.
The sequel doesn’t follow up on this, because it’s actually a prequel.Red Dead Redemption 2chronicles the exploits of the aforementioned gang, experienced through the eyes of veteran member Arthur Morgan. The sad part is that he, too, meets his untimely end before the credits roll. Only Red Harlow ofRed Dead Revolverescaped this fate.
4Assassin’s Creed
Ina series portraying various figures throughout history, it’d be hard for one character to stick around for long. That said, players got a more complete picture of the earlier Assassins than they have with the more recent ones. Fans were with Altaïr and Ezioright up until their twilight years. Modern protagonist Desmond died younger, sacrificing himself to prevent the poorly-defined apocalypse in 2012.
These events gave way to a host of new Assassins, none of whom last for more than one game. The only thing tying them together is the modern storyline, and even this shifted to new protagonist Layla. Yet, fans still regard the modern story as the worst part of every game.
3Final Fantasy X
While every mainlineFinal Fantasyentry establishes its own universe,Final Fantasy Xwas the first one to get a direct sequel. Sadly (or happily, for some),plucky protagonist Tidusdisappeared at the end of the story. He was a manifested dream of the fayth, summoners who wanted to preserve a society from a thousand years ago.
RELATED:Final Fantasy X Eternal Calm: Things That Happened Between FFX & FFX-2
The team’s resident summoner, Yuna, took center stage forFinal Fantasy X-2. Her own adventure was much cheesier and more lighthearted, which put off many fans of the original. She and her fellow Gullwings flew around the world collecting dress spheres and other treasures, somehow bringing Tidus back to life in the process. IfSquare Enixever makes a third entry, it’ll likely go back to the status quo.
2Infamous
The firstInfamoustitle revealed that electric hero Cole McGrath would one day encounter a devastating entity known as “The Beast.” This set the stage for a follow-up where Cole grew into a powerful protector and gave his life to stop this monster (assuming players didn’t go for the evil choices). Despite the story seemingly coming to a close,Sucker Punchwasn’t ready to leave their superhero series.
They later surprised fans withInfamous: Second Son. This game presented a new narrative featuring a new Conduit named Deslin. His brash attitude made him a refreshing change of pace from Cole, but his exploits seemed insignificant compared to what came before. This prevented the game from achieving the same status as the first two, and the developers have never followed up on the foundation they laid.
1The Walking Dead
With their point-and-click titles, the developers atTellTalepride themselves on choices and narrative impact.The Walking Dead’s relationship between Lee and Clementine is central to that. It made sense for Lee to die at the end of their first venture in the zombie apocalypse.
This paved the way forClem to take the top spot in Season 2 of this episodic adventure. Similar to how she learns from previous events, past choices and their consequences inform the player going forward. It all adds up to something much better-received than the mainline show.
