Do you automatically buy sequels?

[joetbd]

In the past, if I liked a game, any future sequels would be an almost automatic purchase for me.

But after a string of disappointments, I have changed my thinking. These were not just disappointments. These were some of my favorite games, that got worse.

In every case, the developers took what were basically Story-Free shooters, and tried to cram a plot into their sequels. And I did not like the result. In every case, it slowed down the action, and the story lines simply weren't any good. Also, two of those games were inferior on a polish/quality level, compared to the originals.

It used to be such a no brainer. If I liked a game, I would get the sequel.

Like diablo, get diablo 2
Like Drakan, get Drakan 2
Like Myth, get Myth 2

The one safe bet I always had, is now dead. I now have to examine every game before buying (as if it were a brand new franchise), I cant take anything for granted. Maybe that is why I am not currently looking forward to any sequel (except maybe Mass Effect 2, and even that I am undecided about)

What about you? Are there games that you currently know little or nothing about; but you are sure you will buy them, simply because it is a sequel to a favorite of yours?

[Brad Gallaway]

The only advantages a sequel has are that A> it'll automatically be on my radar to check out before a purchase, and B> if the previous story was really strong, i'll be inclined to see what happens next.

No such thing as an auto-purchase (sequel or not) in my world, except with Team Ico.

[joetbd]

It could be, that I have just been lucky.

Maybe it just took me 20 years to figure out, what other people knew after their first or second sequel.

But I have a theory about an alternate explanation.

I think sequels are a bit different now. Within the last few years. Developers feel the need to try and re-invent their games. Reviewers seem to be harder on games that just improve the graphics and added more loot (which used to be the standard for making sequels).

And developers seem more sensitive to reviewer complaints than they used to be (not player feedback about specific game mechanics, but reviewer complaints about overall game construction). They are more willing to fundamentally rework their games, based on reviewer criticism.

Every game has to be story based, every game has to have multiplayer, every game has to feature epic boss fights. So when a good game comes along, that is missing one these elements, they get blasted for it. And you know the sequel will have the missing element.

[coyls3]

if I like a game then I will at least rent any sequels it has no matter how bad they become. I do this mostly out of hope that the franchise will be good again. ( that's why I still get Madden every year )

[joetbd]

Oh, I used to be a sports game junky. I got Madden, or High Heat every year. Without even considering "should I get this years version?"

I used to play Sega Football, back when it was called Joe Montana Football. When I found the following years sega game would be on the Saturn (not the Genesis)... I bought a Saturn.

I knew zero about the game. I merely saw the game pictured on the back of the Saturn box.

[sadly, that football game never came out]

I had bought a Saturn console for a game, that was never released. In fact, the entire series was canned.

[unlachs]

i used to be a bit of a sequel junkie, and i think everyone is or has been at some point. you think, "hey the first one was great, i want to experience that again." but eventually the sequels tend to be a bit of a let down, or not as exciting, simply because for the most part you're playing the same damn thing all over again. and that's boring!

the best example i can think of is metroid prime and metroid prime 2, both phenomenal games. but for me, despite the new environments and new abilities in the sequel, the essence of the game hadn't really changed at all, and so while metroid prime 2 was fantastic, it just wasn't as exciting because i'd already seen everything it had to offer in the first metroid prime game.

of course, i say all that, but my most anticipated game right now is half life 2: episode 3......

[Li-Ion]

No.

I don't automatically buy sequels. Reason one is that I know enough sequels who are just bad, e.g. Master of Orion 3, which did have almost nothing in common with MOO 2 (which was my favorite game ever ever ever for a couple of years). Or every Monkey Island that came after the second (ok, I didn't try the latest iteration but I'm not sure if I should risk crushing more of my childhood memories). Or every Halo after the first.

Part of the equation is also that I easily get bored. Sequels often bring basically more of the same game, with small issues of the first taken care of and maybe some new feature or two. I don't want to have 'more of the same' anymore, if a sequel does not bring something new and interesting to the table I'm not wasting my time on it.

[RandomRob]

Agree about Team Ico, also Michel Ansel (Beyond Good & Evil 2)...