Best Game Sequels that Outdid The Original

When it comes to anything these days, when it comes to an IP, then you better be expecting sequels to follow. And with gaming, this can at most times, be a good thing. In some cases, they can even be better than their predecessor. There are a ton of great gaming sequels out there, and we happen to know of some of the best around. So, here’s our list of the best game sequels that outdid the original!

Best Game Sequels that Outdid The Original

Mass Effect 2

Starting out our list is one of the best game sequels to exist. In fact, out of the four available Mass Effect games, Mass Effect 2 is most definitely the strongest of the series. It features a stellar main cast of characters, a ton of action, and most importantly, a gripping story that implements fantastic RPG moments blended throughout.

Red Dead Redemption 2

The original Red Dead Redemption is a nearly perfect game, but Red Dead Redemption 2, is in fact perfect in every sense of the word. Whether it’s the graphics, pacing, environments, or gameplay, this title is still unmatched in the sheer depth that went into its world.

The Last of Us: Part II

While The Last of Us: Part I introduces a weighty story of a broken man stepping into a fatherly role of an orphaned, possibly life-saving young girl, The Last of Us: Part II shows just how much more broken he can make the world around him. The story, characters, and world of TLOU: PII is way richer than the first one.

Related: How To Unlock Grounded Difficulty in Last of Us Part 1

Assassin’s Creed II

Though the original Assassin’s Creed was a great step in the right direction from Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia series, AC: II is the game that has really made the IP such a household name. And even to this day, there has yet to be a protagonist as synonymous with the series as II’s, Ezio Auditore.

Borderlands 2

Between the mainline FPS titles and the Tales From series, the one game that players always come back to from the Borderlands franchise is Borderlands 2. It’s a perfected balance of all of the mechanics and gameplay that players love. Even Borderlands 3 had a lot of backlash from fans due to it just not sticking after how well 2 did.

Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

Activision has really been chasing lightning, trying to bottle what Modern Warfare 2 did back in 2009. Even in 2022, players were given yet another MW2, but it still didn’t replicate the perfected gameplay and maps as did the original. It may never be topped.

Halo 2

Though this may be a controversial take, there’s no doubt that Halo 2 really did up the ante from the first game. The story is specifically more elevated, making The Arbiter one of the biggest characters to know in the franchise. This one is just really fun to play because of the fact that it implemented dual-wielding weapons.

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

What list would this be if we didn’t include a game that has one of the best movie sequels ever, The Empire Strikes Back? LEGO Star Wars II is great because not only were the levels more refined in this title, but players could create customer characters, and there were a lot of secrets to uncover, thanks to the roamable Mos Eisley cantina.

Portal 2

Valve’s original Portal was a real blast and definitely pushed the FPS and puzzle genres forward. But Portal 2 is just even more complex, the story is better, and the overall feeling of everything is just unmatched. Even by today’s standards, this game is ageless.

Star Wars Battlefront II (2017)

EA really tried to do something with their first attempt at the Star Wars Battlefront game with DICE, but with Battlefront II, that’s when things really did get even grander. Players get the prequel, original, and sequel eras of Star Wars, and it’s just glorious. And the modding community makes it even better.

So, those are our choices for the best game sequels that outdid the original! If you liked this, then be sure to check out some of our other great lists too, such as “Which LEGO Star Wars Game Is the Best?”. And don’t forget to like Gamer Journalist on Facebook for even more content!