Most Satisfying Sequel

Results will be revealed on Dec. 27, 2008
Video posted by Vinny on Dec. 19, 2008

Making a game that's compelling on its own must be hard enough, but if you somehow manage to pull it off, your reward for success is the daunting task of trying to outdo your own creation with the usually inevitable sequel.

Somehow, these five nominees managed to pull off just such a feat, finding that alchemical balance of something familiar and something new while simultaneously exceeding expectations all around.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

We weren't just looking for good games that happened to be sequels here. You could almost think of this as a "most improved" category, awarded to the game that made the greatest leap in quality from its last installment. Relative to our expectations, no game this year impressed and surprised us more than Metal Gear Solid 4.

Hideo Kojima's rambling military opus has always been long on grand production values, densely packed narrative, and massive action sequences. But the series had lagged behind on the gameplay front, clinging to antiquated camera angles and clumsy stealth mechanics as other action games moved to more engaging perspectives and control methods.

Kojima Productions tested the waters with the Subsistence rerelease of Metal Gear Solid 3 on the PS2, then used those lessons to make good on the series' full potential with Guns of the Patriots. In addition to wrapping up the entire saga of Solid Snake in one tidy package--and looking unbelievable at the same time--MGS4 was the most fun Metal Gear to play since the series began. The shooting felt natural, the weapon upgrade system offered a lot of customization, and the classic stealth gameplay was present without being overbearing.

Metal Gear Solid 4 takes the medal for serving as an excellent coda to the entire franchise--and for being a darn good game while doing it.

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2

With several new modes and updated visuals, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 proves to be a worthy successor to the Xbox Live Arcade smash hit, Geometry Wars

Burnout Paradise

Paradise turns the Burnout series on its head by moving from closed set tracks to an open world full of events to experience both alone and in a group online.

Grand Theft Auto IV

Take on the role of Niko Bellic, a Serbian immigrant sent to the US by his cousin Roman, for finding better life, searching for "that special someone" while participating in lawless activities in an upgraded generation of Liberty City.

Gears of War 2

Join Delta Squad once more in the fight against the Locust Horde, in this bigger, better and more badass sequel to the 2006 smash hit,now with new epic levels.

84 Comments

Kraznor is online
on Dec. 20, 2008
I guess I'd go with GTA IV, but Gears 2 was no slouch. Kind of disagree with Metal Gear Solid 4, though its completely understandable that its up there. I'm starting to think I'm the only person on the planet who doesn't love that game.

HashHeesh
on Dec. 20, 2008
Gears of War 2.

kardon16
on Dec. 20, 2008
gta IV, i haven't stopped playing it since i bought it back on april

Callumrides
on Dec. 20, 2008
this is so hard there all great games what i think all deserve the award in there own rite

Dragonseer
on Dec. 20, 2008
@ Kraznor - No you're not - I got MGS4 and didn't like it at all, even though I loved 1 and 2 - I dislike the gameplay and story in this installment.  All flash and no substance.

Bigrhyno
on Dec. 20, 2008
Metal Gear Solid 4 because it is my favorite franchise of all time, and four (currently) is my favorite installment of the franchise.

c1337us
on Dec. 20, 2008
As much as I have loved Gears 2 recently, my votes on Metal Gear.

Pepsiman
on Dec. 20, 2008
Out of that list, I'd pick Grand Theft Auto, but if I were the one running these charades, I'd probably go for Persona 4. So so so many refinements made that game even better than its prequel that I'm not tempted to go back to the older stuff anytime soon.

DrRandle
on Dec. 20, 2008
Goooh Geometry Wars 2.... Sooo good. Such a vast improvement over the original. Burnout Paradise: I don't know, never played the originals, but a damn good game still.

piropeople13
on Dec. 20, 2008
MGS4, it would have been gears of war 2 if the multiplayer wasn't so laggy and broken and disappointing.

Everyones_A_Critic
on Dec. 20, 2008
GTA IV by far.

SlimDogg
on Dec. 20, 2008
Burnout Paradise.....Gears is a close second. Would have piced MGS4 but i like to play my video games.

IncredibleBulk92
on Dec. 20, 2008
GTA4 was very unsatisfying for me.  The gunplay was hugely improved and the story was great for about 2 hours but then I started to feel very repetitive and the story completely feel apart.  Also something that needs to be taken out from that game is having people call you up and ask if you want to go to the pub.  That was fun precicely once.

My vote would have to go to burnout for building something new out of what they had, the open world and multiplayer options alone are pretty big and nice improvements but the fact that they continued to add new content and are even now working on more is crazy to me.  More games should do that for sure.

Obienator
on Dec. 20, 2008
GTA 4, very enjoyable overall.

Crono
on Dec. 20, 2008
GTA IV, but Geo Wars2 fucking rocked face too

damswedon
on Dec. 20, 2008
burnout for  taking a major risk

Harrison
on Dec. 20, 2008
didnt like burnout paradise, it didnt feel like a proper burnout game so i dont think that game is a satisfying sequel. souldnt of had open world racing should of stuck to tracks.

MKHavoc
on Dec. 20, 2008
I only played three of those games and I spent most of my time with GTA IV.  I think that game has to win.

silver_DewSky
on Dec. 20, 2008
GTA IV for me

godemperor
on Dec. 20, 2008
Gears 2, cos i dont hav a PS3.


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