Occasionally, a game series starts very strongly with a first entry that impresses everyone and instantly makes the series famous. For many, though, the first instalment isn't the most successful. It can take a few games to build up some popularity.
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Posts 7 By Ben JesseyAlternatively, a series can be going along fine, but then it has one entry that becomes a huge hit, gaining far more fame than any of the previous entries. Those sorts of instalments are the most interesting because they can turn a middling series into a household name. On that topic, here are some games that were far more famous than what came before.
8 Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption Like Open-World Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 79/100 Critics Rec: 73% Released May 18, 2010 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs Developer(s) Rockstar San Diego Publisher(s) Rockstar Games Engine rockstar advanced game engine Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Red Dead RedemptionWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALUpon the release of Red Dead Redemption in 2010, many people were unaware that a Red Dead game had already been released. That game is Red Dead Revolver. It is also a Western game, but features different characters and a different story.
The title will likely never be remembered as one of Rockstar's best efforts, which is likely why it received little attention upon release. It wasn't a huge failure, but it was nowhere near as successful as Red Dead Redemption or Red Dead Redemption 2.
7 Spec Ops: The Line
Spec Ops: The Line Like Third-Person Shooter Systems Released June 26, 2012 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language Developer(s) Yager Development Publisher(s) 2K Games Engine havok, unreal engine 3 Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise Spec OpsWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALSome people will be surprised to hear that Spec Ops: The Line is a sequel. For many, it seemed just to be its own thing. However, there have actually been several Spec Ops games. The rest were released between the years of 1998 and 2002. None of them got particularly famous, though.
Spec Ops: The Line wasn't a highly successful title, but it has gained considerable recognition by now. The reason for this is its incredibly bleak story, which attempts to show a darker side to war than most military shooters are willing to depict.
6 Grand Theft Auto 3
Grand Theft Auto 3 Like Action Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Released October 23, 2001 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Rockstar Games Publisher(s) Rockstar Games Engine RenderWare Franchise Grand Theft AutoWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALWhen people think of Grand Theft Auto, they don't think of the original top-down game. They think of the open-world 3D, third-person titles, which began with Grand Theft Auto 3.
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Posts By Jason LicitraThis was one of the most influential games ever, as it helped popularize open-world gaming and led to many GTA-like games from other developers. As such, even though the original title was a success, it wasn't nearly as famous as GTA 3, which is the game that really transformed Grand Theft Auto into a huge series.
5 Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid Like Stealth Systems Released October 20, 1998 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan Publisher(s) Konami Engine Fox Engine Sequel(s) Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004), Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Solid 5 The Phantom Pain Franchise Metal Gear Platform(s) PS1, PC Genre(s) Stealth Powered by Expand CollapseBefore Metal Gear Solid, there were the Metal Gear games. These were 2D stealth titles that helped popularize the genre. They weren't bad for their time and were successful. Yet, it is fair to say that Metal Gear Solid from 1998 is far more famous than those original games.
Using the power of the original PlayStation, Metal Gear Solid was able to have full cutscenes and voice acting. This allowed it to be much more cinematic than the early games and other titles around that time. This, along with its incredible stealth mechanics, caught the attention of many, even those who had never heard of the original Metal Gears.
The original Metal Gears have gained fame in recent years, thanks to their inclusion in a few notable collections.
4 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
5.0/5 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Like Follow Followed RPG Action Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 93/100 Critics Rec: 95% Released May 19, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content Developer(s) CD Projekt Red Publisher(s) CD Projekt Red Engine REDengine 3 Cross-Platform Play yes Cross Save yesWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALIn recent years, the entire Witcher franchise has grown in popularity. Part of the reason for this was the release of The Witcher 3 in 2015. While the first game was decent and the second title was really good, the third game is easily the best in the series.
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Posts By Grant BurtonIn fact, it is one of the most highly-regarded RPGs of its generation. Much of this comes down to its fascinating characters and storytelling, which helped it earn numerous award nominations and attract a large player base. Before this game, The Witcher game series wasn't very well-known.
3 Burnout 3: Takedown
Burnout 3: Takedown Like Racing Systems Released September 7, 2004 ESRB T For Teen // Mild Language, Mild Violence Developer(s) Criterion Games Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine RenderWare Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise BurnoutWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALWhen it comes to arcade racers that don't include go-karts, Burnout was arguably the most popular series in the 2000s. Yet, it didn't earn this reputation from the first two games. Both were fine, but they weren't incredibly popular. That popularity didn't come until Burnout 3: Takedown.
The third Burnout game didn't introduce the concept of crashing into other vehicles; it certainly did put more emphasis on it, though. In fact, performing a takedown, which means forcing another vehicle to crash, became one of the main parts of gameplay. This focus on destruction made the game highly successful and significantly increased the series' profile.
2 Just Cause 2
Just Cause 2 Like Open-World Third-Person Shooter Action Systems Released March 23, 2010 ESRB M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence Developer(s) Avalanche Studios Publisher(s) Eidos Interactive, Square Enix Engine havok Franchise Just CauseWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe original Just Cause helped establish several elements that would become staples of the series. For instance, the game includes a big open world, vehicles, and a parachute. These things weren't enough to carry the game to great reviews, though.
For Just Cause 2, the developers upped the outrageousness. They added an improved grappling hook that allows you to tether things together and generally put more emphasis on destruction. The result was a highly enjoyable and engaging game that captured the attention of many gamers, including those unfamiliar with the original title.
1 Baldur's Gate 3
5.0/5 Baldur's Gate 3 Like Follow Followed RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 96/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released August 3, 2023 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Larian Studios Publisher(s) Larian Studios Engine Divinity 4.0 Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op Cross-Platform Play Full cross-platform play.WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe first two Baldur's Gate games received strong reviews and sold really well. In fact, they helped influence a bunch of other RPGs. So, both of them were notable titles. That said, neither of them reached the dizzying heights of Baldur's Gate 3.
This exceptional RPG quickly became a phenomenon due to its brilliant writing, fantastic characters, and creative turn-based combat. As such, many people who had never even heard of Baldur's Gate gave it a try. This is why the game sold far better than the first two entries.
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Posts By Ben Jessey
