History ContestedSequel / VideoGames

** ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'' is this for leaving the ''VideoGame/SystemShock2'' and ''VideoGame/BioShock'' roots, tossing away the ammo scavenging, enemy research, hacking, and different ammo types for a lot more combat. Depending on who you ask, it's either the best game in the series, or worst.

* ''VideoGame/DeadSpace3''. People who like the game cite the weapon customization, the co-op mechanics, the side missions and new character Carver's story additions as positive aspects. Detracters criticize it for adding common ThirdPersonShooter elements (taking cover, being able to kill previously-regenerating enemies with enough shots, fights with gun-toting humans, etc.) to a SurvivalHorror, mixing in microtransactions and including those very same co-op mechanics that further dilute the horror aspect, and finally [[spoiler: [[TorchTheFranchiseAndRun ending the human race by awakening the Brother Moons all over the cosmos]]]].

* ''VideoGame/DeadSpace3'', for adding common ThirdPersonShooter elements (taking cover, being able to kill previously-regenerating enemies with enough shots, fights with gun-toting humans, etc.) to a SurvivalHorror, mixing in microtransactions and co-op mechanics to appeal to niches that never had much interest in ''Dead Space'', and finally [[spoiler: [[TorchTheFranchiseAndRun ending the human race by awakening the Brother Moons all over the cosmos]]]].

** ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry3DixieKongsDoubleTrouble'' gets a lot of flak for its more subdued soundtrack, which wasn't produced by series veteran composer David Wise, and its greater emphasis on exploration and item collecting. It's generally seen as the weakest game of the 2D "Country" series no matter who you ask, but whether said fan will follow that up by saying it is still a perfectly fine game in its own right or decry it as being truly awful varies.

** ''VideoGame/Pikmin3'' is seen as divisive, but for different reasons. Fans either like this game for its smarter Pikmin AI, more expansive overworld maps, focus on a linear narrative, gorgeous visuals, and refined gameplay. Others find it to be a weaker entry due to its different feel than the first two, linear plot, collectables not playing into the game's progression, easier difficulty, removal of caves, and overall shorter length. Those who are critical of the game also dislike how previous elements from the franchise were treated in this game, from the removal of the C-Stick March (replaced by the less versatile charge mechanic) and Piklopedia to the sidelining of the Hocotatians in favor of the new Koppaite characters. In the lattermost example, detractors dislike how the Hocotatians were characterized, with Olimar being flanderized as greedy and somewhat uncaring, Louie being destructive and glutenous[[note]]only able to say "FOOD! FOOD! FOOD!"[[/note]], The President learning nothing from the previous adventure and nearly dooming the company yet again, and the Hocotate Ship being crash landed and totally abandoned. ''Deluxe'' would alleviate some of these issues, with its new content (especially in regards to Olimar's Comeback) and refined controls, though as a whole the game is still seen as divisive overall.

* ''VideoGame/FireShark'', the sequel to ''VideoGame/SkyShark''. On one hand, you have players who love this game because of the iconic flamethrower weapon and the absoultely fantastic synthesized metal soundtrack, considering it to be a vast improvement upon ''VideoGame/SkyShark''. On the other hand, there are people, even fans of Toaplan's other games, who dislike this game because of its ''sadistic'' difficulty, not helped by the game's intentionally-unhelpful powerup system that can force the [[ScrappyWeapon green beam]] onto the player, and prefer ''Sky Shark'' for being simpler yet much more fair and refined.

* ''VideoGame/ThiefDeadlyShadows'' was made after the demise of Looking Glass Studios and whether or not it lived up to it's predecessors is contentious. To some fans, it's a perfectly fine game that did justice to the atmosphere and lore of the first two games, brought Garrett story to a satisfying end and made some welcomed improvements along the ways. But others describe it as a step down due to the removal of rope arrows, smaller levels (due to the Xbox limitations) and feel like apects like the hub world, the faction system and the third person camera where poorly executed.

** ''VideoGame/SilentHillDownpour'': Downpour is a tricky one. From one side, you have fans who praise it for finding a balance between the action-oriented Homecoming and Shattered Memories lack of it, evolving the exploration aspect by turning the town of Silent Hill into an open-world with optional side-quests and featuring a plot that doesn’t try to ape the original trilogy like many of its predecessors were accused to. On the other hand, they are some who accuse the game plot structure and themes of being too derivative of 2 to really stand out, feel like the side content doesn’t add much tot the experience and criticize it’s glaring technical issues as well as the loss of Akira Yamaoka as series composer. It’s either an underrated gem that got screwed by the network or a series low point.

* [[FourX 4X games]] are very prone to this, especially the ''VideoGame/{{Civilization}}'' series, which is why the last two ''Civilization'' installments are designed from the start to be easily moddable. That allows fans to do whatever they want, even turn it into a remake of the non-Sid-Meier ''Civilization: Call to Power''.

* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterWorld'' has received critical acclaim far and wide and gone on to not only become the best-selling ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' game ever, but also the best-selling game ''out of all of Creator/{{Capcom}}'s games''. Many who enjoy it cite its heavily streamlined user experience (No more breakable gathering tools! Gunner and Blademaster weapons use the same armor now! Planning armors and weapons is more organized now!) and absolutely beautiful visuals that are the result of the game being designed around the [=PS4=]'s and Xbox One's cutting-edge hardware (as opposed to the respective [=PS3=], Wii U, and Switch ports of ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterPortable3rd'', ''[[VideoGame/MonsterHunter Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate]]'', and ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterGenerations Ultimate''; the first was originally released on the PSP and the latter two on the 3DS). That said, not everyone is pleased with it, even in relation to past ''[=MonHun=]'' games, with traditionalists feeling that [[ItsEasySoItSucks the game is too dumbed down]] and many series veterans finding that [[ItsShortSoItSucks the game has a sore lack of monsters or G-rank]], and others preferring older games due to the portable factor, something that ''World'' doesn't have due to being console- and PC-exclusive (even if you did manage to install the PC version on a laptop, it's not as on-the-go friendly as a handheld game system and there's still no local multiplayer, one of the biggest selling points of the PSP, 3DS, and Switch ''[=MonHun=]'' games).

* ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'' has the fandom split on ''VideoGame/Pikmin2''. While there are a number of aspects that are the cause of this divide, from the cave system to the storytelling to the difficulty, the biggest point of contention is the game's removal of a overarching TimedMission structure. Where the first and third game had one in the form of the player getting a game over if they couldn't fix Olimar's ship in thirty in-game days, or run out of juice, the second gives you as much time as you need to pay off the company's debt. Those who enjoy ''Pikmin 2'' welcome the more relaxed pace, while those who don't find that the lack of a time limit removes all tension from the gameplay unless you're doing a SelfImposedChallenge.

** ''VideoGame/SilentHillDownpour'': Downpour is a tricky one. From one side, you have fans who praise it for finding a balance between the action-oriented Homecoming and Shattered Memories lack of it, evolving the exploration aspect by turning the town of Silent Hill into an open-world with optional side-quests and featuring a plot that doesn’t try to ape the original trilogy like many of its predecessors were accused to. On the other hand, they are some who accuse the game plot structure and themes of being too derivative of Silent Hill 2 too really stand out, feel like the side content doesn’t add much tot the experience and criticize it’s glaring technical issues as well as the loss of Akira Yamaoka as the series composer. It’s either an underrated gem that got screwed by the network or a series low point.

** ''VideoGame/SilentHillDownpour'': Downpour is a tricky one. From one side, you have fans who praise it for finding a balance between the action-oriented Homecoming and Shattered Memories lack of it, evolving the exploration aspect by turning the town of Silent Hill into an open-world with optional side-quests and featuring a plot that doesn’t try to ape the original trilogy like many of its predecessors were accused to. On the other hand, they are some who accuse the game plot structure and themes of being too derivative of Silent Hill2 too really stand out, feel like the side content doesn’t add much tot the experience and criticize it’s glaring technical issues as well as the loss of Akira Yamaoka as the series composer. It’s either an underrated gem that got screwed by the network or a series low point.

** ''VideoGame/Silent HillDownpour'': Downpour is a tricky one. From one side, you have fans who praise it for finding a balance between the action-oriented Homecoming and Shattered Memories lack of it, evolving the exploration aspect by turning the town of Silent Hill into an open-world with optional side-quests and featuring a plot that doesn’t try to ape the original trilogy like many of its predecessors were accused to. On the other hand, they are some who accuse the game plot structure and themes of being too derivative of Silent Hill2 too really stand out, feel like the side content doesn’t add much tot the experience and criticize it’s glaring technical issues as well as the loss of Akira Yamaoka as the series composer. It’s either an underrated gem that got screwed by the network or a series low point.

''VideoGame/SilentHill4'':
** Silent Hill 4 is by far the most contreversial of the Team Silent era. It has its detractors who hate it for what they see is an "InNameOnly" sequel that lacked the themes and symbolism of the past three games and strayed ''too'' far from the original formula with more combat and some questionable at best gameplay decisions (a greatly increased emphasis on melee fighting without any major improvement to the combat mechanics, unkillable and unavoidable stalker enemies, multiple stages that are revisited several times, and an EscortMission that makes up the game's ''entire second half''), marking it as the "beginning of the end" for the series, but it also has a good-sized fan following who love it for its surreal atmosphere and a uniquely dark and twisted story, all while expanding on the mythos of a serial killer previously mentioned in [[VideoGame/SilentHill2 the second game]].

** ''VideoGame/SilentHillOrigins'':
Depending on who you ask is an enjoyable revisit of the series root that stand on its own just fine or poor retread that only added unnecessary gameplay elements like Quick Time Events and breakable weapons and is driven by a bad fanfiction of a plot that only bloat the series mythology with needless details.

** ''VideoGame/SilentHillHomecoming'':
Taking a page from ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'', Homecoming opt for a more action-oriented approach by giving 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.

** ''VideoGame/SilentHillShatteredMemories'':
This game was destined to be controversial from the moment it was marketed as a reimagining of one of the series sacred cows as it obviously raises questions regarding tone, plot and characterization, but the differences doesn’t stop there as the game doesn’t play like any other game in the series. Combat is entirely absent with the emphasis being solely put on puzzle and exploration and the Wii motion controls are in full use. Some people consider it one of the most unique and interesting entry in the series, others a betrayal of everything the series stood for and some others a good game on its own but not a ''real'' Silent Hill.

** ''VideoGame/Silent HillDownpour'':
Downpour is a tricky one. From one side, you have fans who praise it for finding a balance between the action-oriented Homecoming and Shattered Memories lack of it, evolving the exploration aspect by turning the town of Silent Hill into an open-world with optional side-quests and featuring a plot that doesn’t try to ape the original trilogy like many of its predecessors were accused to. On the other hand, they are some who accuse the game plot structure and themes of being too derivative of Silent Hill2 too really stand out, feel like the side content doesn’t add much tot the experience and criticize it’s glaring technical issues as well as the loss of Akira Yamaoka as the series composer. It’s either an underrated gem that got screwed by the network or a series low point.

** ** 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/SilentHillOrigins'':

''VideoGame/SilentHillHomecoming'':

''VideoGame/SilentHillShatteredMemories'':

''VideoGame/Silent HillDownpour'':

** '[[''VideoGame/SilentHill4]]'':

** ''VideoGame/SilentHillOrigins'':

Downpour is a tricky one. From one side, you have fans who praise it for finding a balance between the action-oriented Homecoming and Shattered Memories lack of it, evolving the exploration aspect by turning the town of Silent Hill into an open-world with optional side-quests and featuring a plot that doesn’t try to ape the original trilogy like many of its predecessors were accused to. On the other hand, they are some who accuse the game plot structure and themes of being too derivative to ''[[VideoGame/SilentHill2]]'' too really stand out, feel like the side content doesn’t add much tot the experience, t and criticize it’s glaring technical issues as well as the loss of Akira Yamaoka as the series composer. It’s either an underrated gem that got screwed by the network or a series low point.

** '[[''VideoGame/SilentHill4]]'':

** '[[''VideoGame/SilentHill4]]'':

Taking a page from ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvil4]]'', Homecoming opt for a more action-oriented approach by giving 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.

** '[[''VideoGame/SilentHill4]]'':

** ''[[VideoGame/SilentHillOrigins]]'':

''[[VideoGame/SilentHillHomecoming]]'':

''[[VideoGame/SilentHillShatteredMemories]]'':

''[[VideoGame/Silent HillDownpour]]'':

** 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, but ''VideoGame/SilentHillShatteredMemories'' has definitely proven to be the most [[BrokenBase polarizing entry]]. Half the fanbase dares to consider it to be one of the best ''Silent Hill'' games, and loved how the highly nuanced story comes together, the other half despises it for abandoning many classic gameplay functions and re-using old characters for no reason. Many saw ''Shattered Memories'' (at least in terms of storyline) a return to form for the series' psychological roots. ''Homecoming'' received heavier negativity for starting the ReplacementScrappy line of developers. ''Downpour'', meanwhile, got hammered before it even released due to the replacement of series composer Akira Yamaoka (who had actually previously offered to score any future ''SH'' titles) and gameplay mechanics (sidequests, subways, weapon degradation) that many argue had no place in ''Silent Hill''. Then when ''Downpour'' came out, the controversy still hadn't died down. Meanwhile, the next game, ''Book of Memories'', got this even worse due to it being a beat 'em up.
** The Team Silent games aren't immune to this either, with ''VideoGame/SilentHill4'' being the most polarizing game they developed. ''[=SH4=]'' has its detractors who hate it for what they see is an "InNameOnly" sequel that lacked the themes and symbolism of the past three games and strayed ''too'' far from the original formula with more combat and some questionable at best gameplay decisions (a greatly increased emphasis on melee fighting without any major improvement to the combat mechanics, unkillable and unavoidable stalker enemies, multiple stages that are revisited several times, and an EscortMission that makes up the game's ''entire second half''), marking it as the "beginning of the end" for the series, but it also has a good-sized fan following who love it for its surreal atmosphere and a uniquely dark and twisted story, all while expanding on the mythos of a serial killer previously mentioned in [[VideoGame/SilentHill2 the second game]].

** ''VideoGame/SonicLostWorld'', coming right off the heels of the [[SurprisinglyImprovedSequel critically acclaimed]] ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' and ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations''. ''Lost World'' is Sega experimenting with yet another new style of gameplay, one which takes strong cues from later ''Mario'' games by slowing Sonic down, emphasizing precision platforming over fast setpieces, and introducing copious amounts of level-specific gimmicks. Fans are split whether despite the flawed execution, it was a step in the right direction as some felt the fast-paced, boosting gameplay of the aforementioned titles had run its course and needed to be scrapped, or that Sega are once again playing around with new styles instead of being consistent with one that worked. Notably, ''Lost World'' received more mixed reviews among the critics. However, like most Sonic games, ''Lost World'' became VindicatedByHistory years later. Thanks to notable improvements made to the game since, combined with its sequel, ''VideoGame/SonicForces'', receiving an even ''more'' mixed reception despite returning to the Boost gameplay of ''Colors'' and ''Generations''.
** The 3DS version of ''Lost World'' is a pretty weird example; some players lambast it as one of the worst 3D Sonic games, filled with intrusive Wisp usage, lifeless gameplay, and absolutely tragic level design, while others praise it as one of the best 3D Sonics yet- due to its Wisp usage, tighter controls, and level design.

** ''VideoGame/Splatoon3'', though not considered bad, is ''far'' more contentious than its predecessor. Defenders enjoy the new gameplay features like King Salmonids, Tricolor Turf War, and Big Runs; the base game featuring a much-improved single-player campaign; added bonus content, like lockers, Tableturf Battle, Splashtags and emotes, the locker room, the catalog system, Battle Replays, and the DLC adding the ability to revisit Inkopolis Square from [[VideoGame/Splatoon1 the first game]] to see how things have changed. Detractors point to the game generally feeling [[MissionPackSequel too similar]] to previous ''Splatoon'' games, especially ''2'', to justify releasing on the same console and that the bonus content leaves the game's main attraction -- its multiplayer -- with numerous issues; many of the stages feeling similar to each other, with the infamous "Tetrimino" layout running rampant; a number of the new features being poorly balanced or glitchy; numerous balance and connectivity problems that remain unaddressed from the previous game alongside newly introduced ones; a slower update cycle; ''Return of the Mammalians'' once again being too similar to previous single-player modes; handling a number of fan-favorite characters poorly (the most infamous cases besides Deep Cut are turning the mysterious [[spoiler:Mr. Grizz]] into a character that many felt was a rehash of [[spoiler: Commander Tartar from the Octo Expansion]], and relegating nearly all of Off the Hook's appearances to the paid DLC campaign ''Side Order''); still missing certain notable additions that its predecessors had such as a new Ranked Battle mode; and a general feeling of cut corners and lack of polish compared to the previous ''Splatoon'' games.
* There's some hot debate over whether or not ''VideoGame/SpyroYearOfTheDragon'' is an EvenBetterSequel to ''VideoGame/{{Spyro 2|RiptosRage}}'', or if it's the [[{{Sequelitis}} weakest installment]] that shows the original ''Franchise/{{Spyro|TheDragon}}'' trilogy isn't flawless. Pros often point to the more fleshed out Spyro parts, the pretty good boss battles, and the storyline being surprisingly deep and creepy when you really start thinking about it. Detractors point out how less than half the game is spent actually ''playing'' as Spyro, with the other half usually consisting of being bounced around other characters [[GameplayRoulette with greatly different playstyles]], with quite a few of them[[note]]Shelia, Bentley, and a few of Sgt. Byrd's missions being the prime offenders[[/note]] controlling rather awkwardly at times.

** ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'', which is the OddballInTheSeries due to changing the gameplay from ShootEmUp to ActionAdventure, didn't please the fans of ''64''. Going by its own merits though, the game is still quite divisive, being a ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' clone instead of a rail shooter. Critically speaking, the game actually did rather well, but it still gets demonized as the entry that marked the series' decline.

* Is ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossingNewHorizons'' a huge step forward for [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossing the franchise]], an entry with improved graphics, new features like the photo studio, allowing changing hair at your will, having a healthy amount of {{ensemble darkhorse}}s among the FunnyAnimal cast, the increased focus on island customisation, with every part of the island under your control (even down to the layout and which villagers will move away), and a larger inventory for your player? Or was it completely ruined by the increased "gamification" of the mechanics, such as [[BreakableWeapons item durability]] on every tool (even the Golden Weapons), the removal of almost ''21 [=NPCs=]'' that have appeared in prior games in some capacity, the reimplementation of those [=NPCs=], content and events prior games had as standard via its new "Live Service" model, all at the expense of ''Animal Crossing''[='s=] traditionally laid-back atmosphere, wide variety of content, and interesting/funny villager interactions?

** The ditching of the standard RPG fighting mechanics made ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' even more divisive.

* There's some hot debate over whether or not ''VideoGame/SpyroYearOfTheDragon'' is an EvenBetterSequel to ''VideoGame/{{Spyro 2|RiptosRage}}'', or if it's the [[{{Sequelitis}} weakest installment]] that shows the original ''VideoGame/{{Spyro|TheDragon}}'' trilogy isn't flawless. Pros often point to the more fleshed out Spyro parts, the pretty good boss battles, and the storyline being surprisingly deep and creepy when you really start thinking about it. Detractors point out how less than half the game is spent actually ''playing'' as Spyro, with the other half usually consisting of being bounced around other characters [[GameplayRoulette with greatly different playstyles]], with quite a few of them[[note]]Shelia, Bentley, and a few of Sgt. Byrd's missions being the prime offenders[[/note]] controlling rather awkwardly at times.

** ''VideoGame/WarioWare Touched!'' 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/WarioWareTouched!'' is either a worthy installment that successfully [[TechDemoGame delivers on showing off the promises]] of the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS's new technologies, technologies or a lackluster BTeamSequel that [[ToughActToFollow fails to live up]] to ''Twisted!'' in every way with less content, shallower and more repetitive microgame design, and so on. 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/WarioWare Touched!'' 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.