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Video games have been enjoyed at home and in amusement arcades for decades. Handheld gaming systems, including mobile devices, have also allowed gamers to enjoy their favorite titles on the go. As technology develops, so do visual graphics, game mechanics, and AI for bots and NPCs.
Franchises in the video game industry began as early as 1971 with The Oregan Trail. As more titles are added to a series, players expect aspects of the game to improve and include additional features such as new weapons, characters, and maps. In some cases, there aren’t many differences in new titles other than the storyline and a game’s environment. With today’s high prices for AAA releases, a lack of new content can anger gamers and make them think twice before buying.
10 The Gears Of War Trilogy Were The Foundations Of The Franchise
Despite being slightly outdated, the first three games in the series are considered by many fans to be the height of the franchise. Epic Games introduced the world to a gripping storyline, dangerous beasts, and chainsaw executions which kept players engaged during the Locust War era.
The popular Horde mode was given a revamp in Gears of War 4. However, the game, as well as its predecessor, received much hate from critics. Developers, The Coalition, did well with Gears 5 by adding exciting changes and the revolutionary Skiff. The latest story also ended on a cliffhanger, which suggests there may be a follow-up in the future.
9 Final Fantasy Has Changed A Lot Over The Years
The fantasy role-playing video game series started in 1987, and the initial game was released on the Nintendo Entertainment System. The Square Enix franchise is set to release another title, Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin in March 2022, which is believed to be a reinterpretation of the first Final Fantasy game.
With 15 core games in the series, the franchise is one of the longest-running in video game history. The gameplay style has noticeably changed over the years, which has maintained the world’s attention and appealed to generations of gamers, and reached many consoles. Many old-school fans will argue that the franchise peaked with Final Fantasy VII, which received a remake in 2020.
8 Star Wars Battlefront Puts Players In The Middle Of The Action
Over the years, there have been many Star Wars games released on a wide variety of platforms. Star Wars: Battlefront was first released in 2004. It was quickly followed by a sequel that came out only a year later. The games put players right in the middle of the action in recognizable environments from the franchise, and in some cases, lets them reenact battles from the movies.
With the closure of Pandemic Studios in 2009, EA subsidiaries, DICE, and Criterion Software were responsible for developing the reboot in 2015 as well as its successor, Star Wars: Battlefront II in 2017. Many enthusiasts believe the original games had better enemy AI, game modes, and Jedi game mechanics.
7 Tropico Lets Players Rule Their Own Nation
The Tropico franchise has been going since 2001. It’s released 6 core games as well as new editions and several expansion packs. Each of the games falls into the construction and management simulation genre and is set in different eras in the fictional nation of Tropico. The main objective of the game is to maintain political power whilst passing laws, developing industries, and keeping the public happy to prevent a rebellion.
Twenty years later, the series is set to continue with a seventh installment believed to be underway at Nine Worlds Studios. However, all of the games share many similarities, features, and goals, which has made it difficult for each title to stand out from the last. It may be time to go back to the drawing board to ensure this entertaining franchise continues to impress and make sales.
6 Sonic The Hedgehog Has Starred In Nearly 90 Different Titles
Sonic Team is the developer behind most of the Sonic The Hedgehog video games. Across home consoles, portable gaming devices, and arcade machines from around the world, the fictional creature has starred in almost 90 video game titles.
Sonic started out in 1991. Since then, the characters’ video game genres have varied with racing games such as Team Sonic Racing and sports titles like the Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games series. The speedy blue hedgehog has maintained a strong presence and does well to constantly attract young fans. However, there are many gamers who wish he’d hang up his sneakers and call it day.
5 Assassin’s Creed Allows Gamers To Relive Historic Events
Back in 2007, Ubisoft released the first game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Players were introduced to the concept of the Animus and reliving genetic memories of one’s ancestors. The idea was unique and immediately interested gamers. The titles have also recreated some historical events throughout the series, which has given the franchise a valuable educational aspect.
The award-winning third-person video game series currently boasts twelve main titles with the most recent being Assassin’s Creed Valhalla released in 2020. A lot of gamers believe the Animus idea is getting old and the modern-day missions are the least entertaining. Therefore, it might be time to take the series in a new direction.
4 Tomb Raider Has Steadily Released Titles Over The Years
The adventures of Lara Croft started in 1996 with the release of the first action-adventure game in the series. The franchise also released a comic series as well as the initial movie years after. Angelina Jolie portrayed the female protagonist in the first two movies while Alicia Vikander plays the lead in the 2018 release.
The gaming franchise has steadily released titles over the years. There were three games in the 1990s while the Legend trilogy came out in the following decade. In more recent games, players control a young Lara Croft and complete tasks which hardly seem relevant to the storyline or the franchise. Arguably, the Tomb Raider series is still going strong. However, both the games and movies get repetitive, fast.
3 The Tony Hawks Pro Skater Series Gained A Solid Fanbase
The world’s most famous skateboarding video game franchise has released several titles since Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater first came out in 1999. The Neversoft game gained a solid fanbase and went on to inspire the Underground titles as well as American Wasteland, Project 8, and Proving Ground.
The first two games in the series were remastered and released as a single title in 2020. Recent rumors have hinted how there might be another remaster or a completely new game in the works. However, with Tony Hawk turning 54 years old next year, it might be time for the franchise to throw in the towel.
2 The Star Fox Started With A Bang
In 1993, Star Fox hit the shelves for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Many gamers who owned a SNES at the time are familiar with the original 3D rail shooter. A second installment, Star Fox 64, came out in 1997 for the Nintendo 64. After the turn of the century, the franchise began to release more titles for platforms including the GameCube, Nintendo DS, and the Wii.
The latest game in the series, Star Fox 2, came out in 2017, despite being ready for release decades prior. The game’s protagonist, Fox McCloud has since been seen in other games such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl. His cameos are hardly surprising considering the original games were basic compared to today’s standards. The legendary franchise may be better off staying in the past.
1 Dead Rising Is An Addictive Zombie Slashing Game
The Dead Rising journey started in 2006 with a new zombie-slashing concept. Each title has a huge replayability factor, so players can go back and try again to save NPCs and play through the story with a different outcome.
Although it’s incredibly satisfying to constantly fight your way through hordes of zombies with crazy weapons, the franchise has become somewhat repetitive. However, the customization aspect has improved gamers’ experience as well as the different storylines and fun vehicles. The series hasn’t seen a new release in 5 years, but there’s nothing to suggest it’s concluded.
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