How often do you guys start sequels without playing the original?

This has been sitting on my mind for a bit, especially after the release of Mass Effect 2. After seeing/hearing the praise it has gotten, I honestly can't wait to sink my teeth into it. The only problem is that I haven't even played the original. Just knowing that your previous actions have some effect (no matter how big) is what's making me want to give the first a shot.  

But yeah, are there any sequels that jump out? The only ones that come to mind for me are Half Life 2, and... Final Fantasy X-2. You should see the looks I get when I mention that one :s

Well first of all, ME's decisions are THAT impactful in ME2. They just have a good marketing squad to convince you otherwise.  
 
But for the record, I almost always play the first game first, I'll usually catch the first game as it's new anyway, but also I like to see stuff they've improved. ME I didn't though. The first game was good, but after seeing what they could do with 2, I couldn't bring myself to finish it. Wikipedia caught me up good, and I played ME2 without any plot confusion at all. It might have helped that I played maybe half the first game, for references and side missions and such, but none of it was ever a big deal. ME2's not a bad way to get into that franchise.

I really recommend you go back and play the first before you start, especially with the carryover data. For me, playing sequels before the original almost never happens. I even started with Final Fantasy 1 before playing any of the others (this was after 12 came out) and am playing them in chronological order, despite the games having little in common. That said, I am currently playing Suikoden Teirkreis without having played other games in the franchise, and played (see: loved) Fallout 3 with no previous Fallout experience. But it is definitely the exception rather than the rule for me.

Well I think Bad Company 2 will be the first sequel that I've played where I haven't played the first game.

if i ever play assassins creed 2 it will be without finishing the first. just too repetitive and boring. 
 
street fighter 2 comes to mind lol
 
the first dynasty warriors game i ever played was 2, so that counts i guess

Well since story in games are bullshit, I have no problem with it. PLayed DMC 1, skipped 2, played 3. Played GOW2, skipped the first one. I gather his family was killed and the dude got angry, I'm all caught up.

AgentJ just reminded me that I can add Fallout 3 and Persona 4 to my list :s 
 
With most of the sequels I play, I've been at least exposed to some of their predecessors, though that exposure comes in the form of watching some friends play them for a brief period of time.  
 
I know the only reason I didn't play Mass Effect 1 when it first came out was after watching my friend play a bit of it, it didn't really seem like a game for me. In between really noticeable slowdown during battles and texture popup, it technically wasn't pleasing to look at. But this was pre-NXE and he was playing an a SDTV, so hopefully I can enjoy it better with my current set up.

If it's a story oriented game I will try to play the original first, or at least if I like the sequel I will look for the original.

" Well since story in games are bullshit, I have no problem with it. PLayed DMC 1, skipped 2, played 3. Played GOW2, skipped the first one. I gather his family was killed and the dude got angry, I'm all caught up. "

If the first one is terrible compared to the sequel, I might skip it. Otherwise, I'll play the original. 

does it count if the orignal sucked and you kinda played it.. but the sequel was awesome?
 
Cuz... 

• Assassins Creed 2
• Street Fighter 2
• No One lives Forever 2
• Samurai Shodown 2
• Uncharted 2

 For rpgs I rarely do it, especially when the sequel's story is a continuation of the 1st.

I guess it really depends on the game. I've picked up plenty of sequels to action and rts titles without ever playing the original. As far as Mass Effect, I would highly recommend playing the first.

I won't count fighting or sports games, but the one that sticks out to me most is Max Payne 2. Heard OK things about the first game, heard even better things about the sequel. I found the game for sub-$10 used, so I bought it, finished & loved it. Probably my favorite video game period...alright, that's not true. But easily top 3.

I have never really played a sequel without playing the original, except if its a game that isn't really a sequel. Like the MegaTen games and side series, or the way Final Fantasy games are, with no sequel story or anything.

oh yeah i remembered another, soldier of fortune 2

Never.

Fable II
Fallout 3
Oblivion
Halo 3 (and I had spent some time with the prior Halo's at a mates)
 
are the only sequels I've played without having played the originals first.  I was more a Baldur's Gate man back in the RPG days. Though I want to go back and play the original Fallouts

Never; if I'm interested in a direct sequel (not like the new Spec Ops), then I always go back and play the original.

I sometimes do. Fable II and Uncharted 2 are the only ones I can think of.

Well for me its : 
- Call of Duty 4 
- Final Fantasy III 
- Halo 2 
- Killzone 2 
- Tekken 2 
- Street Fighter 2 
- Baldur's Gate 2

I'm answering the question but I haven't read any comments. I usually don't play sequels before the first game in the series, unless the first is in an older generation platform. For instance, I played Resident Evil:Code Veronica and lately RE 5 without ever playing the others. I'm going to play Final Fantasy XIII and it'll be my first one. Other than that, I can't think of any other case.

" Fable II Fallout 3 Oblivion Halo 3 (and I had spent some time with the prior Halo's at a mates)  are the only sequels I've played without having played the originals first.  I was more a Baldur's Gate man back in the RPG days. Though I want to go back and play the original Fallouts "

almost never

I'm actually surprised the amount of people who haven't played the original Fable.  Maybe it wasn't as popular as I thought it was at the time.

i barely play the sequel if there is another one. i will if say it is a sequel on a different platform. i played halo 2 and 3 but never played 1.  i did find some videos on 1 so i kind of know what the story was about. 
 
another game that i did this was metal gear solid 3 snake eater. the game is a prequel. i never played 1 or 2 but i am played a little of 4.

Well when I played Fifa '09, I didn't play '96-'08 first. :P
 
As in real sequels, HL2 is the only one I can think of.

I find it pretty weird that the more posts I read, the more sequels I remember finishing without really playing the original. It actually is a gaming habit of mine :s
 
Thinking back, I guess if the story can stand on its own, or improves over the original that had notable faults, I'll gravitate straight to the sequel. This makes my need to play the original Mass Effect an exception then, as the small effects of your original playthrough do sound really cool to me.
 
My updated list:
-Half Life 2
-Final Fantasy X-2
-Fallout 3 (watched a friend play a bit of the 2 two)
-Persona 4 (watch a friend play a bit of P3)
-Jet Set Radio Future (ended up finishing the GBA JGR afterwards if that counts)
-Uncharted 2
-Fable 2 (remembering playing the first one until you fought a giant bee an hour or so in)
-Halo 3 (Played a few levels of the first, some multiplayer of the second)
-Call of Duty 3 
-Age of Empires 2
-A bunch of fighting games

Killzone 2. That is all.

never