History ContestedSequel / VideoGames

*** ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemThracia776 Thracia 776]]'', in turn, has fans who call it a deep, uncompromising, well-designed game with many experimental features of its own, and critics who describe it as unfair, almost-fatally complex, and thoroughly unfun, with the "experimental" features being either [[ScrappyMechanic hated whenever they come up in later titles]] (Fog of War is the most obvious culprit), terribly implemented (Escape chapters where Lief has to hang around until everyone else has escaped or lose them forever, the Rescue ability) or just plain bad ideas that add little, detract from the experience, and have never returned (Fatigue, Dismount).

*** To give a brief hint at the general divisivity of the game. Youtuber called Mathewmatosis has made a 50 minute long [[https://youtu.be/UScsme8didI?si=KvI9Xgzg4sigACiq critique]] in which he expressed his dissatisfaction with the game, which was then followed by an hour long response by WebVideo/HBomberguy, to which followed Mauler's yet-to-be-countered [[https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBBJXQJJavX2t9PW80_xq4zdOLHYbVcm6&si=UuIYSfNkwDnzApEi "Measured response"]] , series of Videos which in whole last more than nine hours.

* Everyone agrees ''VideoGame/Bayonetta2'' is an awesome game. But fans debate whether this game or [[VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}} the first]] has the better overall aesthetic and plot themes, as well as whether [[spoiler:Loptr as Aesir]] can top [[spoiler:Jubileus, aka the series' equivalent of God]] as the FinalBoss. And while the easier [[PressXToNotDie QTEs]] and removal of minigame segments have been almost unanimously praised, several of the changes to the combat have been quite contentious. Often criticized is the game's overreliance on Witch Time (where the first game removed the mechanic at the highest difficulty), Umbran Climax being unbalanced, enemy design, removal of certain advanced techniques, and scoring system. Critics argue that the changes result in a more restrictive game that while more approachable for new players, forcefully railroads the player into an overly defensive playstyle.
* ''VideoGame/Bayonetta3'' quickly proved the most divisive entry in the series among fans. One camp enjoys the game for its fine-tuned combat, varied locales and diverse gameplay. But the other camp dislikes it for its perceived overreliance on GameplayRoulette, a plot considered to be undercooked in many respects and an AudienceAlienatingEnding.

* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'':

*** ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade The Binding Blade]]'' is a rather divisive title, particularly [[AmericansHateTingle outside of Japan]]. Being the followup to the very creative ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar Genealogy of the Holy War]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemThracia776 Thracia 776]]'', ''The Binding Blade'' let go of many of their revolutionary additions, preferring a back-to-basics approach reminiscent of ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem Mystery of the Emblem]]''. As such, there are fans who consider it to be not worth their time in light of its predecessors and its prequel, while other fans enjoy it for what it is in spite of this and may actually enjoy some of the simplification considering some of the more [[ScrappyMechanic glaring mechanics]] of the Jugdral duology. Some fans, both those who like and dislike the game, are eager to see a remake (possibly acting as a [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar second generation]] for ''The Blazing Blade'') that fixes its issues.
*** This reaction towards ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade The Blazing Blade]]'' was the result of FandomRivalry with the previous game. Most fans consider it a [[SurprisinglyImprovedSequel huge improvement]] from ''The Binding Blade'' by fixing a number of gameplay issues it had (i.e. unfair throne bonuses, poor hitrates), having a more likeable cast, and have a more unique and interesting story that made it a good introduction to the franchise. However, others criticized the game for its [[BroadStrokes inconsistent continuity between the titles]], the questionable additions made to the game such as the [[ScrappyMechanic Weather mechanic and more gimmicky Gaiden Chapter requirements]], numerous plot holes that plagued the story, and, most of all, insist that the title just gets a free pass for being the first ''Fire Emblem'' game officially released in English, and benefits from a NostalgiaFilter from people who have only played during their youth.

* ''VideoGame/FugaMelodiesOfSteel2'' is viewed as this compared to the original ''VideoGame/FugaMelodiesOfSteel''. On one hand, its gameplay is viewed as a natural evolution of that of the first ''Fuga''-- characters have more varied skillsets in battle (though less skills overall), there are greater varieties of enemies to fight, the first game's bartering system has been replaced with in-game currency which can also be used to alter progression, and the addition of the Managarm (as a "diet Soul Cannon" that [[CastFromHitPoints incapacitates]] one of the children rather than [[{{permadeath}} killing]] them) allows for a wider range of strategies. The major point of contention is the story itself-- following the mixed view on how the first game's plot was presented, the sequel aims for a more fantastic Shonen-esque style of writing and humor akin to ''VideoGame/SolatoroboRedTheHunter'', and while some players find it to have more personality and feel it fleshes out its characters better (the portrayals of Malt and Jihl tend to be among the more well-received), others feel it clashes too much with the more grounded WarIsHell theming that ''Fuga'' is meant to be based around. Likewise, quite a few take issue with plot decisions such as two particular AssPull cases regarding [[spoiler:the characters of [[UnexplainedRecovery Flam Kish]] and [[RememberTheNewGuy Cayenne]]]], along with [[spoiler:the [[ANaziByAnyOtherName blatantly Nazi-esque]] surviving antagonists of the first game being too EasilyForgiven.]] The general consensus from critics is that while the gameplay has improved, the writing isn't anything to write home about, and those who didn't already like the first game likely won't be swayed by this one.
* The existence of ''VideoGame/FZero99'' has been quite polarizing from the get go, thanks to a longstanding collective desire for a new ''VideoGame/FZero'' game and the expectations that stemmed from it. On one hand, there are players who are upset that they waited nearly [[SequelGap 20 years]] for a new ''F-Zero'' game only to be met with a multiplayer remake of the original that doesn't incorporate any of the lore or other content from later games, and wanted something similar to or even [[ToughActToFollow topping]] the critically-acclaimed ''VideoGame/FZeroGX'' or at least something that salvages the series after ''VideoGame/FZeroGPLegend'' and ''VideoGame/FZeroClimax'' were met with [[FranchiseKiller series-stopping disappointment]]. Others are just glad that a new ''F-Zero'' title exists in the first place and consider it one of the best fits for the BattleRoyaleGame format, upgrading the game for modern times while keeping true to the look and feel of the original and being an addictive, fun game in its own right and not just nostalgia-pandering.

** ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'' was a contested sequel long before the post-''Ocarina'' trend. There are fans who welcome the RPG and platformer elements of the game, while others prefered the traditional format instead. Whether its [[NintendoHard extreme difficulty]] is a strength or a flaw is also a point of debate. So far, it's the only game of its type in the main series -– its 2D platformer style was copied for [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaCDiGames the CD-i games]], which are pretty self-explanatory.

** In [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic the classic series]], there's ''VideoGame/MegaMan3''. The general consensus is that it's still a great game, but the debate is whether it lives up to the ToughActToFollow that was ''VideoGame/MegaMan2''. Those that find it as good or better than its predecessor point to the more colorful and imaginative stages, new mechanics such as the slide, the excellent soundtrack, the length of the game (18 stages as opposed to 14, counting revisits), and the introduction of the popular new characters Proto Man and Rush. Those who find it worse bring up that it was rushed to market and has several flaws as a result, namely occasionally sloppy and unpolished level design, [[AllThereInTheManual a lack of context for anything that happens in-game]], various glitches and slowdown issues, [[ScrappyWeapon a rather weak selection of Robot Master weapons]] (including the infamous Top Spin), and a general lack of difficulty, particularly in the Wily stages.

** For many fans, ''VideoGame/SoulcaliburV'' is this due to the poorly handled '''seventeen year''' TimeSkip between it and the previous game -- this opportunity to start afresh with a slew of brand new characters and exciting older versions of established extras was instead squandered on either a) bringing the old regulars back with [[HandWave various flimsy Soul Edge magic-related excuses]] to explain why a lot of them hadn't changed or [[TheAgeless even aged at all]] in almost two decades, or b) worse, completely dropping them [[SequelNonEntity with little to no word on their fate or current whereabouts]] and replacing them with a younger SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute. And most of the cast wounded up OutOfFocus in the game's story anyway due to the rushed schedule the game was developed under.

** ''VideoGame/StarFoxZero'' has it likely the worst out of any game in the series. Either it's a beautiful-looking and [[AwesomeMusic/StarFox sounding]] reimagining of ''64'' that pushes the UsefulNotes/WiiU's relatively aged hardware to its limits, with just enough original mechanics and vehicles to keep things fresh and an innovative, if often awkward, control scheme that shows the full potential of the [=GamePad=] in a way that few other Wii U games did, or a sloppy, disappointing regurgitation of the franchise's glory days with shoehorned new elements, where the most dangerous enemy is not Andross's army but the (to say the least) unorthodox controls that demand the player pay full attention to both the TV screen and the [=GamePad=] at the same time. There is almost no middle ground on the issue.

** ''VideoGame/WarioWareTouched'' is either a worthy installment that successfully [[TechDemoGame delivers on showing off the promises]] of the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS's new technologies or [[ToughActToFollow fails to live up]] to ''Twisted!'' with shallower and more repetitive microgame design. As ''Twisted'' was either [[SequelFirst released after]] ''Touched!'' or [[NoExportForYou not released at all]] outside Japan, one's opinion often hinges on which game they played first.

* ''[[VideoGame/LikeADragon Yakuza]]'':
** While ''VideoGame/Yakuza3'' received good to average reviews, it was widely deemed inferior to its predecessor ''VideoGame/Yakuza2''. Many fans who had played the previous two games weren't fond of the game's sudden emphasis on the new direction focusing on the orphanage or the children, felt the plot wasn't on par with the previous games[[note]]It was also the first game in the main series without the involvement of crime novelist Hase Seishū[[/note]], and found the FinalBoss of this game wasn't nearly as memorable as Ryuji Goda, but there's a good portion of fans who consider it one of the better games of the series due to its sole emphasis on Kazuma Kiryu (which would be lost in [[VideoGame/Yakuza4 the]] [[VideoGame/Yakuza5 next]] [[VideoGame/Yakuza6 three]] mainline games), loved the SliceOfLife moments involving the orphanage, felt the game had its own memorable characters and story, and found the game's FinalBoss not only to be a memorable and complex villain in his own right, but found the fight against him to be one of the best in the series.
** ''VideoGame/Yakuza4'' is either seen as an improvement to its predecessor or inferior to it. Some fans believed the series would begin to go stale if the series continued to focus solely on Kiryu, and found that introducing more protagonists was a needed breath of fresh air, and enjoyed what they had to offer to the story. The game's plot, however, was seen by many as a convoluted mess filled with ChronicBackstabbingDisorder and twists galore, and were torn on how the game's story played out between the four characters, who each have their fans and detractors.
** ''VideoGame/Yakuza5'' is seen by fans as either one of the best entries in the series or inferior to its predecessors by trying to be too grand for its own good while suffering from the same gameplay and story problems as ''4''. Many fans enjoyed every aspect of the game from beginning to end with the game's new engine, improved combat, AntiFrustrationFeatures and variety of gameplay, while others were torn on the characters' unique side story quests, Saejima's chapter, Haruka's gameplay, Shinada's combat and his story, and some features, moves and mini-games from the previous games not returning. Many agree that from a gameplay perspective it's the best in the series, but reactions to the story itself are all over the place, although some of those who claim the story is the worst in the series maintain that it's only the weakest in a lineup of strong stories, and is still leagues above those offered by its triple-A competitors.
** ''VideoGame/Yakuza6'' was the first game released on the Dragon Engine, meaning that while it was the most immersive and impressive looking entry in the ''Yakuza'' series yet, and finally leapfrogged the visual quality of the games to contemporary levels, it was offset by a host of technical issues, a feeling of unrefinement, as well as a far lower amount of content relative to previous games, though some appreciated its more focused nature with ''5'' being as large as it is. Most of these issues would have been a lot more forgivable for a spinoff game, but the fact that it's meant to be the GrandFinale for the Kiryu saga means it was held to higher standards. Points of contention are the fact that Kiryu is the only playable protagonist once more, the characters intoduced in the entry, how a certain romantic relationship ([[spoiler:Haruka and Yuta]]) was handled, the way the game treated long-time recurring characters, the FinalBoss in terms of both story and gameplay, and finally, [[spoiler:Kiryu and Haruka not receiving a happy ending after everything they've been through, with the former faking his death so the latter is no longer marked as a target due to her ties with a legendary ex-yakuza]]. In spite of that, the game did receive a lot of positive reception for its SliceOfLife aspects and its themes of family and humanity.
** ''VideoGame/YakuzaLikeADragon'', almost solely due to its GenreShift from a real-time BeatEmUp to a turn-based [[EasternRPG JRPG]] after 14 years.

** ''VideoGame/YoshisStory'': Among some fans for being [[ItsEasySoItSucks too easy]].

* The existence of ''VideoGame/FZero99'' has been quite polarizing from the get go, thanks to a longstanding collective desire for a new ''F-Zero'' game and the expectations that stemmed from it. On one hand, there are players who are upset that they waited nearly [[SequelGap 20 years]] for a new ''F-Zero'' game only to be met with a multiplayer remake of the original that doesn't incorporate any of the lore or other content from later games, and wanted something similar to or even [[ToughActToFollow topping]] the critically-acclaimed ''VideoGame/FZeroGX'' or at least something that salvages the series after ''VideoGame/FZeroGPLegend'' and ''VideoGame/FZeroClimax'' were met with [[FranchiseKiller series-stopping disappointment]]. Others are just glad that a new ''F-Zero'' title exists in the first place and consider it one of the best fits for the BattleRoyaleGame format, upgrading the game for modern times while keeping true to the look and feel of the original and being an addictive, fun game in its own right and not just nostalgia-pandering.

* ''VideoGame/MarioPlusRabbidsSparksOfHope'', the sequel to ''VideoGame/MarioPlusRabbidsKingdomBattle''. While both ''Mario + Rabbids'' games are were well-received, some fans argue that the first game is superior for its ''VideoGame/{{XCOM}}''-style strategic gameplay and having a greater amount of ''Mario'' series elements involved in the narrative (namely in the form of Yoshi as a playable character in the main game and Donkey Kong getting his own DLC campaign), whereas others prefer the second game for the integration of RealTimeStrategy elements into the combat, much deeper story, and having VideoGame/{{Rayman}} as a DLC character.

* ''Franchise/SilentHill'':
The [[VideoGame/SilentHill1 first]] [[VideoGame/SilentHill2 three]] [[VideoGame/SilentHill3 games]] tend to be liked universally among series fans. Every game since has been controversial to some extent:

** ''VideoGame/SilentHillHomecoming'': Taking a page from ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'', Homecoming opt for a more action-oriented approach by giving the player melee combos, a dodge moves, a lock-on and the ability to use the guns manually. Whether or not this system worked or even belonged in a Silent Hill game in the first place has been hotly debated. There’s also controversy over the game borrowing elements from the 2006 movie, an adaptation who happen to be its own can of controversies.