It's not that the sequels suck, it's you

Notice something about action game sequels this generation?  Every single one has recieved lower marks.  That being said, there really isn't an action game, in the typical sense of the word, that has appeared lately and been rated well (this would exclude Uncharted, Dead Space, etc.). 

Why is this I wonder?  Are these sequels actually disappointing?
Take a look at Ninja Gaiden 2 and Devil May Cry 4.  What exactly did they do wrong?
To be frank, I can't say that they did. They were great sequels in every sense of the word, they didn't lose anything (they were both better), but they were just called "worse".

Now take a look at Bayonetta.  This is getting almost attention.  Not to say it's getting none, but in comparison to MadWorld, the other game from the studio, it's a shadow.  Why?  Well, not to discredit madworld (it looks neat) but it's just because it's, well, a traditional action beat em up. Last generation people would have been all over this. 

And yes, I'm going to expect a GOW3 response retaliation.  Guess what?  God of War hasn't yet been released.  In case you forgot, Devil May Cry 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 were hyped up the ass.  I wouldn't be suprised at all if GOW takes a backseat in the main sony action series to a more non traditional action game.  And honestly, what are you expecting for GOW3 to do?  Because if the past is any indication, unless it completely revolutionizes itself into a more open setting and less pure hack and slash with the occassional puzzle, it's going to flop.  Still be a great game for the fans though (much like NG2/DMC4)

Notice something about action game sequels this generation?  Every single one has recieved lower marks.  That being said, there really isn't an action game, in the typical sense of the word, that has appeared lately and been rated well (this would exclude Uncharted, Dead Space, etc.). 

Why is this I wonder?  Are these sequels actually disappointing?
Take a look at Ninja Gaiden 2 and Devil May Cry 4.  What exactly did they do wrong?
To be frank, I can't say that they did. They were great sequels in every sense of the word, they didn't lose anything (they were both better), but they were just called "worse".

Now take a look at Bayonetta.  This is getting almost attention.  Not to say it's getting none, but in comparison to MadWorld, the other game from the studio, it's a shadow.  Why?  Well, not to discredit madworld (it looks neat) but it's just because it's, well, a traditional action beat em up. Last generation people would have been all over this. 

And yes, I'm going to expect a GOW3 response retaliation.  Guess what?  God of War hasn't yet been released.  In case you forgot, Devil May Cry 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 were hyped up the ass.  I wouldn't be suprised at all if GOW takes a backseat in the main sony action series to a more non traditional action game.  And honestly, what are you expecting for GOW3 to do?  Because if the past is any indication, unless it completely revolutionizes itself into a more open setting and less pure hack and slash with the occassional puzzle, it's going to flop.  Still be a great game for the fans though (much like NG2/DMC4)

People are just expecting so much out of games nowadays that developoers probably get more hype than what they bargained for.

THats because frankly action games have had to step aside for shooters, whos reign will be ended in a couple of years and replaced with sandbox games (quote me on that one)

^ I think sandbox games already had there shine.  Remember True Crime, etc?
i personally think they're actually going away now as they realize an open world isn't the best for every game, although there still are some like crackdown and infamous

"^ I think sandbox games already had there shine.  Remember True Crime, etc?
i personally think they're actually going away now as they realize an open world isn't the best for every game, although there still are some like crackdown and infamous"

Well, not to discredit madworld (it looks neat) 

"SmugDarkLoser said:

Well, not to discredit madworld (it looks neat) 

Understatement of the millenium?"

"Arkthemaniac said:

"SmugDarkLoser said:

Well, not to discredit madworld (it looks neat) 

Understatement of the millenium?"

I think neat is the right word. If it had a next-gen game engine behind it, the concept and physics/art stuff could be incredible."

I know it's like people would rather they not make sequels.  People are spoiled.  If I loved the first game, and they go and make a second game that's even more awesome and that continues the story, I would be very happy and wouldn't give a damn if they didn't "raise the bar" for all other games.

People like to complain, and are like sheep following a herd for the most part. If enough people bleats about some stupid shit or complaint about a game, everyone jumps on the bandwagon and goes along for the ride. A lot of times, sequel is just as good, if not better, but people still complain. It's like they want a new game, not just more of the same that made the first one so good.

There are times where the sequels are truly not as good, but they're overshadowed by the fact that people complain about everything, even good games.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm waiting for Smug to pull out the "well, look at the scores for Halo 3 compared to Halo 1 and Halo 2" comment.  lol

NG2 was worse in every way except combat. Bugs, story, level design, boss battles are were worse. A complete disappointment for me as a ninja gaiden fan. Dcm4 was half a game you played trough half, and then replayed it with dante. I enjoyed the game but it got the score it deserved. 

Bayonetta looks fucking retarded.   Isn't that character a rip off of that bad Robert Rodriguez movie?

I wonder when JPN devs will start developing unique character designs instead of just stealing western movie stars and re-purposing existing images.
Tidus = Meg Ryan
Vaan = Victoria Beckam
Snake = Kurt R

the list goes on and on

"NG2 was worse in every way except combat. Bugs, story, level design, boss battles are were worse. A complete disappointment for me as a ninja gaiden fan. Dcm4 was half a game you played trough half, and then replayed it with dante. I enjoyed the game but it got the score it deserved. "

"NG2 was worse in every way except combat. Bugs, story, level design, boss battles are were worse. A complete disappointment for me as a ninja gaiden fan. Dcm4 was half a game you played trough half, and then replayed it with dante. I enjoyed the game but it got the score it deserved. "

"Kratos81 said:

"NG2 was worse in every way except combat. Bugs, story, level design, boss battles are were worse. A complete disappointment for me as a ninja gaiden fan. Dcm4 was half a game you played trough half, and then replayed it with dante. I enjoyed the game but it got the score it deserved. "

 Unfortunately agree with that.

"

"Bayonetta looks fucking retarded.   Isn't that character a rip off of that bad Robert Rodriguez movie?

I wonder when JPN devs will start developing unique character designs instead of just stealing western movie stars and re-purposing existing images.
Tidus = Meg Ryan
Vaan = Victoria Beckam
Snake = Kurt R

the list goes on and on"

Okay, let me get this straight. Now you're complaining about other people complaining? Mindfuck.

Here's some sequels that fared better than their predecessors. I'll try to make it so the technical side of things doesn't get in the way. (ex. Ocarina of Time won't go on here because its predecessor, A Link To The Past, was 2D)

"

Brawl and Melee (yes, it's true)

 

"

"Here's some sequels that fared better than their predecessors. I'll try to make it so the technical side of things doesn't get in the way. (ex. Ocarina of Time won't go on here because its predecessor, A Link To The Past, was 2D)

*Mario Galaxy and Mario Sunshine.

*Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 1

Resistance 2 and Resistance

Killzone 2 and Killzone

Brawl and Melee (yes, it's true)

*Def Jam: Fight For New York and Def Jam: Vendetta

Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill

*Resident Evil 4 and every game before it.

Looking at this list, you can see, as indicated by stars, that half of these games made major changes to bring a new gameplay style to the player. That's where you're wrong about all this. Playing a game that only incrimentally improves certain side-points while leaving the main gameplay unchanged (NOT INTACT, UNCHANGED) kinda sucks, and isn't what a lot of people want to do.

Case and point: One game more than any other that I want to see a sequel to is Colosseum: Road To Freedom. While I would want them to keep the basic gladiator hack n' slash gameplay intact, I would definitely want them to revamp it with squad commands for teammates, better body injury mechanics to effectively cripple your opponent, more weapon types that aren;t just new skins on the same core, etc. Games need that kind of thing, but they also need to do it so that people who didn't play the first can jump into the second and have as easy of a time that the person next to them took to learn the first game.

That's a good sequel.

"

what's the difference? lol.
brawl is pretty much the same game."

"That being said, there really isn't an action game, in the typical sense of the word, that has appeared lately and been rated well (this would exclude Uncharted, Dead Space, etc.)."

"SmugDarkLoser said:

"That being said, there really isn't an action game, in the typical sense of the word, that has appeared lately and been rated well (this would exclude Uncharted, Dead Space, etc.)."

...so we're just supposed to ignore all the games that are an exception to your condition?"

GUYS, GUYS, GUYS!!!  Don't worry.  The joke is on YOU...because ALL of the new Ninja Gaidens sucked anyways!!!  = D  That should settle the argument once and for all.

"GUYS, GUYS, GUYS!!!  Don't worry.  The joke is on YOU...because ALL of the new Ninja Gaidens sucked anyways!!!  = D  That should settle the argument once and for all."

LiquidPrince said:

"Kratos81 said:

"NG2 was worse in every way except combat. Bugs, story, level design, boss battles are were worse. A complete disappointment for me as a ninja gaiden fan. Dcm4 was half a game you played trough half, and then replayed it with dante. I enjoyed the game but it got the score it deserved. "

 Unfortunately agree with that.

"

Liquid Prince, you said you just got an xbox like a month ago.  How have you played through so many games already?

"

"SmugDarkLoser said:

"That being said, there really isn't an action game, in the typical sense of the word, that has appeared lately and been rated well (this would exclude Uncharted, Dead Space, etc.)."

...so we're just supposed to ignore all the games that are an exception to your condition?"

I honestly don't see why people would consider DMC4 to be worst than 1 and 3. They all had backtracking and Nero's a great character.Arkthemaniac said:

"Gizmo said:

"Arkthemaniac said:

"SmugDarkLoser said:

Well, not to discredit madworld (it looks neat) 

Understatement of the millenium?"

I think neat is the right word. If it had a next-gen game engine behind it, the concept and physics/art stuff could be incredible."

Oh, God, I'm surrounded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!!!! I'M SURROUNDED BY WII-HATERS!

"

I wouldent say  its us the gamers.Alot of developers (especially those who make action games) need to let there games evolve.Most FPS games these days are all mindless shoot em ups.After a while its just like your playing the same game but with differences in design and story.Some series also need to go back to their roots,such as ghost recond and Rainbow Six.Those games any more are just shoot em ups,not tactical in any way.

Look, it's God of War, it will never flop.

Its more than anything, just a seeming habbit for action games in general over shooters, for the sequels to be called shit or mediocre, and it doesn't look like its going to change. A shooter sequel hits, people never hesitate to be excited for it if its the sequel to a good game, even if it doesn't do a single thing new. Its like they get a free pass 90% of the time. An action game sequel hits, the same thing, it doesn't change a lot, but its a good fun sequel to the game, and it gets treated as if its a complete and utter failure of a game that doesn't live up to the original. I think its just a trend that is going to keep going on, honestly.

No real idea why, since there are definitely plenty of shooter sequels, and other genre sequels that could easily be called ' the same damn game with a coat of paint', which is hardly reason enough for the game to be called a 'failure'(yes there are plenty of ways it can be worse in other places, but this isn't the case every single time). Some sequels definitely deserve the shit that they get, but some that may not change much, yet overall are continuing something from before or have that plus more to it, just get treated to the old 'eh, its the same thing, 6/10!' mentality.

Though I won't say DMC4 was all that great, since I just generally don't find Nero a good protagonist at all..its the same shit the whole way through with him, and when you finally get to play dante, its just backtracking through the levels you already did, fighting some of the same bosses for the second or third time, which is a bit ridiculous.

DMC4 was not better "in every sense of the word," it was worse than DMC3. The story was awful, there was no upgradeable weapons for Nero, Dante's part was just backtracking through previous levels, I could go on. It was very disappointing.

The only reason Bayonetta is getting less attention than MadWorld is because MadWorld is releasing soon and Bayonetta still doesn't have a release date. Once the release date is announced, more people will be getting excited about it.

I can't say anything about Ninja Gaiden 2 because I didn't play, but DMC 4 was certainly a inferior game compared to the others for several reasons. Does it mean the game is bad? NO, it's fun. But the fact that it is a sequel to something that was already pretty good makes us expect it to be greater, bigger and better.