History EvenBetterSequel / VideoGames

* ''VideoGame/OctopathTraveler'' earned applause for its novel combat, excellent soundtrack, and for pioneering the "HD-2D" art-style that became its signature. However, the story received mixed reviews. It was also sharply criticised for its formulaic structure in both story and world-design. The playable characters barely interacted with each other, and the end-game was panned for being so brutally unfair that most players never bothered beating it, if they even knew it existed because of the baffling decision to hide it behind a chain of optional side stories. ''VideoGame/OctopathTravelerII'' retains the excellent soundtrack, further develops the art-style, and introduces a raft-load of new features that smooth out and polish the experience. All the character-arcs now vary wildly in pace and tone and pack in much smarter writing, the world is diverse and beautiful, and the conclusion that ties everything together is fleshed-out and challenging without being a needless chore. Overall, the sequel makes a great game even better by fixing its flaws and improving on its strengths.

* ''VideoGame/SaintsRow'': The original ''VideoGame/SaintsRow1'' was a fairly blatant ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas'' clone that is generally considered decent, but nothing special. However, when ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIV'' decided to go down a DarkerAndEdgier route, ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'' instead headed in a slightly DenserAndWackier direction, which gave it its own identity separate from ''GTA'''s. It was also more fun as a game compared to the first one, with much more varied activities, vastly improved CharacterCustomization (including the ability to change your gender), and a surprisingly well-written story including multiple very effective {{Player Punch}}es, and then ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'' cranked its humor up-to-eleven, and despite still suffered from BrokenBase, it considered to be the best game from fans and critics. Later installments, such as ''VideoGame/SaintsRowIV'' and ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2022'', are ContestedSequels.

* ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts'' was altogether an excellent game. The sequel removed every flaw from the original, doubled the gameplay length (a two-disc game on the [=PS2=] was a rare thing), and improved every aspect of the game. Reviews will tell the same story.

** ''VideoGame/LuigisMansionDarkMoon'' fixed the flaw that was most complained about in the [[VideoGame/LuigisMansion first game]], [[ItsShortSoItSucks the short length]], and was met with acclaim. ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion3'' was further praised for improving on all of the elements so the game felt closer to the original, while also praising the game for its own elements that make it its own thing, like superb character animations and creative puzzles.

* ''VideoGame/{{Klonoa}}: Door to Phantomile'' was a decent platformer, but ''Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil'' made it even better. Better story, better level design, better soundtrack, better graphics, etc.

* ''VideoGame/OctopathTraveler'' earned applause for its novel combat, excellent soundtrack, and for pioneering the "HD-2D" art-style that became its signature. However, the story received mixed reviews. It was also sharply criticised for its formulaic structure in both story and world-design. The playable characters barely interacted with each other, and the end-game was panned for being so brutally unfair that most players never bothered beating it, if they even knew it existed because of the baffling decision to hide it behind a chain of optional side stories. The sequel retains the excellent soundtrack, further develops the art-style, and introduces a raft-load of new features that smooth out and polish the experience. All the character-arcs now vary wildly in pace and tone and pack in much smarter writing, the world is diverse and beautiful, and the conclusion that ties everything together is fleshed-out and challenging without being a needless chore. Overall, the sequel makes a great game even better by fixing its flaws and improving on its strengths.

** The series started with two arcade games (''Punch-Out!!'' and ''Super Punch-Out!!''), whose unique boxing gameplay and detailed graphics (by arcade standards) were well-received. Then ''Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!'' came for the NES, with polished game mechanics, more opponents to fight against, as well as special attacks and in-game dialogue that gave said opponents more character. Additionally, a major selling point was the fact that players got to fight Creator/MikeTyson himself as the final boss [[note]] later editions replaces him with Mr. Dream, however, due to Nintendo's license with Tyson expiring[[/note]].
** The following game, ''Super Punch-Out!!'' for SNES, was a bit more [[ContestedSequel divisive]] (mostly due to its gameplay changes and almost completely new cast of characters) while still having an overall good reception. Years later, ''Punch-Out!!'' for Wii was released, and praised for having the same basic gameplay as the NES game, with the added opportunity of using motion controls. Additionally, it introduced new game modes like "Title Defense" and "Mac’s Last Stand", and gave the opponents (where all but two were returning from earlier games) more character through voice acting, between-rounds cutscenes and personalised remixes of the game's soundtrack. In general, the Wii game is seen as an improvement over the SNES game, and many players find it superior to the NES instalment.

* From a purely gameplay standpoint, ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo20thAnniversary'' is seen as a fine improvement over ''[[VideoGame/PuyoPuyo15thAnniversary 15th Anniversary]]'' and a massive improvement over the divisive ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo7''. In the eyes of a number of fans, especially those not fond of the artstyle of its spiritual successor ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyoChronicle'', ''20th'' is still seen as the ''Puyo'' game that all others are measured against.

* ''VideoGame/SaintsRow'': The original ''VideoGame/SaintsRow1'' was a fairly blatant ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas'' clone that is generally considered decent, but nothing special. However, when ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIV'' decided to go down a DarkerAndEdgier route, ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'' instead headed in a slightly DenserAndWackier direction, which gave it its own identity separate from ''GTA'''s. It was also more fun as a game compared to the first one, with much more varied activities, vastly improved CharacterCustomization (including the ability to change your gender), and a surprisingly well-written story including multiple very effective {{Player Punch}}es. ''Saints Row 2'' went on to become a SacredCow among ''Saints Row'' fans, and is considered a ToughActToFollow, with the later instalments being {{Contested Sequel}}s in comparison.

* While ''VideoGame/TheSims1'' may have been the best-selling PC game of all time, ''VideoGame/TheSims2'' delivered everything the fans loved about the original while adding a bunch of features that had been on players' wish-lists for years: greatly improved graphics, more attractive neighbourhood backgrounds that can also be customised to an extent, fully 3D animation as opposed to isometric, the ability to zoom right in to the room with the characters, an in-depth character creator as opposed to a choice of pre-created skins, days of the week and weekends/days off work, more realistic life stages, ageing, family relationships, a proto same-sex marriage option... and that was just the base game. Nearly twenty years after its release, it's still generally agreed to be the best game in the series: many players have long since uninstalled ''The Sims'' (with even those who can forgive the clunky graphics and relatively simplistic game-play are put off by its ever-increasing list of compatibility issues with newer operating systems), and ''VideoGame/TheSims3'' and ''VideoGame/TheSims4'' are both {{Contested Sequel}}s by large parts of the fandom (though both do have their fans; ''3'' in particular has gained a sizeable retrospective fandom, as detractors from its BrokenBase have presumably moved on). Meanwhile, ''The Sims 2'' comes out as the overall winner for still being compatible with newer systems, being the easiest in the series to mod, being light on the issues caused by micro-transactions and support server losses, and the gameplay and graphics standing the test of time.

* While ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTheArcadeGame'' was no doubt a great game, ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTurtlesInTime'' improved on it in every conceivable manner: Gameplay, music, setting, artwork, etc. Not only is ''Turtles in Time'' the best TMNT game by Creator/{{Konami}}, it's also widely considered the greatest Beat 'Em Up game of all time. Then came the spiritual sequel ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesShreddersRevenge'', which improved even further on all aspects, added a story mode and (on a later patch) a custom menu with settings that allow to adjust the difficulty in the arcade mode.

** ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeedUnderground'' was a huge success (80's to 90's across the board) and introduced the entire idea of tuning and customization as one of the main components to the games. Admittedly, it had its flaws (lots of ''Main/RubberBandAI'', a sudden spike in difficulty, most cars handled the same, there were some glitches where you dropped through the floor and so on), but it was loved by fans and critics alike - which was also helped by the fact that it (in)directly was promoted by ''Film/TheFastAndTheFurious'' and vice-versa. It's not universally agreed with, though, considering that there were ''six'' installments before it, and they are nothing like this game.

* While ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTheArcadeGame'' was no doubt a great game, ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTurtlesInTime'' improved on it in every conceivable manner: Gameplay, music, setting, artwork, etc. Not only is ''Turtles in Time'' the best TMNT game by Creator/{{Konami}}, it's also widely considered the greatest Beat 'Em Up game of all time.
** Then came the spiritual sequel ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesShreddersRevenge'', which improved even further on all aspects, added a story mode and (on a later patch) a custom menu with settings that allow to adjust the difficulty in the arcade mode.

* While ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTheArcadeGame'' was no doubt a great game, ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTurtlesInTime'' improved on it in every conceivable manner: Gameplay, music, setting, artwork, etc. Not only is ''Turtles in Time'' the best TMNT game, it's also widely considered the greatest Beat 'Em Up game of all time.

* ''VideoGame/BaldursGate'' was a great and incredibly fun game that sold huge numbers and almost singlehandedly saved [[WesternRPG CRPGs]], but was also a flawed game in many ways. ''VideoGame/BaldursGateII: Shadows of Amn'' gave its far more sympathetic characters greater depth (even with such simple characters as Minsc (and Boo!), and the development between the first and second), had more complex and varied maps, pitted players against much better designed and less repetitive combat encounters, topped it all off with stunning graphics accompanied by the most epic soundtrack ever, and removed many of the flaws. It also features Jon Irenicus, easily one of the most memorable [[TheChessmaster Chessmater]] villains in any game, voiced masterfully by Creator/DavidWarner.

* Citing Lucas Thomas from IGN: "The original ''VideoGame/{{Metroid|1}}'' established the setting and feel. ''[[VideoGame/MetroidIIReturnOfSamus Metroid II]]'', from the Game Boy, elaborated on the story. But it was this game, ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'', that pulled together all of the series' previously established elements, embellished them, and polished the experience of exploration, retraversal and power-up acquisition into a true masterpiece of game design." There's also the first ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'', which not only was considered a worthy follow-up to ''Super'', but also became the highest-rated game of UsefulNotes/TheSixthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames.

* ''VideoGame/GodOfWar''
** ''VideoGame/GodOfWarII'' was received even better than the already very much loved first game, using the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 to even greater effect. ([[ScrappyLevel Although that doesn't excuse the Phoenix puzzle.]])

** ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' (and [[VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2 its sequel]]) earned a lot of acclaim, finally changing the formula a bit by having only new Pokémon until you beat the game, a much more fleshed out plot, and a very expansive postgame. It can be said that ''[=HeartGold=] / [=SoulSilver=]'', the ''Black'' / ''White'' games, and ''X / Y'' form a trio of modern-era Pokémon games released in the same timespan that are regarded as some of the best games in the series, receiving less flak and far more unanimous praise from reviewers and fans than previous games after Generation II.

** ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeon'' made its impact with the ''Red/Blue Rescue Team'' series, with fun gameplay and an answer to the age-old question: What if you were a Pokemon? However, it's most noted for its surprisingly powerful story, which seems to be subtly aimed at an older demographic than that of the main series, and its excellent soundtrack. ''Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky'' took everything that was praised about the first series and made it even better, and its story is considered perhaps the best of all Pokemon games.

''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles3'', despite debates on quality in the trilogy, is considered by many fans to be the culmination of what made both previous games so great with many improvements of its own, minus the [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny dated elements]] of the first game and the [[ScrappyMechanic controversial aspects]] of the second -- especially gameplay-wise, which has been streamlined and improved to the point of fans near-universally considering the gameplay to be the best in the series.

* ''VideoGame/{{Freedom Planet 2}}'', with higher production values, is more polished than the already-acclaimed first game. It not only features superior visuals and grander levels, but also expands upon the best qualities of its predecessor such as the gameplay and combat, while improving on the writing and story. The quality-of-life features especially alleviate any difficulty spikes.

* ''VideoGame/AirCombat'' was a pretty cool game, ''VideoGame/AceCombat2'' was even better, but it was ''VideoGame/AceCombat3Electrosphere'' that really got the ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' series going (too bad [[BadExportForYou nobody outside Japan saw the original product]]). ''VideoGame/AceCombat04ShatteredSkies'' is the best-rated ''AC'' game to date, while ''VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar'' easily tops it in the story, characterization, and gameplay variety departments. ''VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar'' is generally agreed to equal its predecessor in these areas (the actual fan debate is over which of the three [=PS2=] titles is the better offering), but the trend unfortunately stopped there. ''VideoGame/AceCombat6FiresOfLiberation'', while a decent game on its own merits, is viewed as having taken a step back in everything barring the dogfighting mechanics and [[FractionalWinningCondition the sheer scale of combat ops]] (which has yet to be matched since); most of the other installments were sidestories and spin-offs relegated to handheld consoles and mobile devices; [[AlternateContinuity semi-]]ContinuityReboot ''VideoGame/AceCombatAssaultHorizon'' was divisively experimental and featured a more generic "USA vs. Russia" narrative ([[RenegadeRussian sort of]]); and ''VideoGame/AceCombatInfinity'' is a multiplayer-focused [[AllegedlyFreeGame F2P game]] that pays homage to the entire series ([[WholePlotReference the fourth game in particular]]). It remains to be seen whether the upcoming ''VideoGame/AceCombat7SkiesUnknown'' will be a "return to form."

* ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt'', while considered a solid title, is also criticized for some of its shortcomings, such as the stage design, lack of weapon variety, ItsEasySoItSucks, and initial BadExportForYou, which made several among the ''Franchise/MegaMan'' fanbase consider it an inferior SpiritualSuccessor. The sequel ''2'' addresses nearly all of these complaints with a complete translation from the start, SequelDifficultySpike with more complex levels and more difficult boss battles, and additions and streamlines to several of the game's systems, including equipment upgrades and the Challenges, and the addition of a new playable character ([[TheRival Copen]]) who offers a very different game altogether. Combined with the [[OvershadowedByControversy train wreck that was]] ''VideoGame/MightyNo9'', the ''other'' SpiritualSuccessor to ''Franchise/MegaMan'' only months prior, ''2'' has received much praise.

* ''[[VideoGame/{{Blinx}} Blinx the Time Sweeper]]'' was an overall average game with somewhat innovative gameplay and a rather generic storyline. ''Blinx 2: Masters of Time and Space'' completely revamps the franchise, adding extremely well-designed (but long) levels, better controls, a better storyline, the ability to play a two-sided story as both the heroes and villains]] and an amazingly-detailed CharacterCustomization system (highly unusual for a platformer). It's unfortunate the series ended when the developer, Artoon, went defunct.
* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' was little more than an IndecisiveParody with an ExcusePlot. It was GunPorn the Game. ''VideoGame/Borderlands2'' is a [[DenserAndWackier full blown parody]], retains the GunPorn, and has a legitimate plot that takes what little elements the first game gave it and makes it work. The story is much more involved with a BigBad in Handsome Jack, even frequently being flat-out ([[BlackComedy darkly]]) humorous at times. The gun manufacturers all have their own distinct gimmicks that apply to weapons making their own sub-classes that can totally change how guns operate for better or worse. Revolvers, high accuracy shotguns, and machineguns for anyone but the Bandit-manufacturer have been removed or altered, unfortunately. Fights in general, particularly boss fights, are exciting and sometimes frantic. Lastly, the environments are vastly varied; in the first game, you start in a dusty desert-like area and stay there for much of the game. In the second, you start on an iceberg, and go through urban environments, caves, fire-pits, ultra-high-tech areas, etc.

* Say what you will about its balance, but ''[[VideoGame/CapcomVs Marvel vs. Capcom 2]]'' is generally seen as better than its three awesome predecessors, enough to still have a tournament scene. If you're counting sequels in gameplay only, ''Tatsunoko vs. Capcom'' is also sometimes seen as even better than that.
* For most people, ''[[VideoGame/CapcomVs Capcom vs. SNK 2]]'' is the best game of the ''SNK vs. Capcom'' series.