develop a game trilogy Continuous improvement is a difficult task for any studio. Most franchises tend to lose momentum or run out of new ideas by the time the third game is released. A small group of series have bucked this trend by using each new release to correct previous mistakes and expand players' options. These developers focused on making their worlds larger and their gameplay more flexible.
5 sequels that are better than their predecessors in every way
While some original titles spawn incredible franchises, many are overshadowed by sequels. Here are some good examples:
Achieving this level of consistency is one of the most difficult things in gaming. Studios have to be self-critical and brave enough to change something that many people already like. This kind of progression ensures that the final item is not just a conclusion, but the best possible version of the developer's original dream.
the witcher
From a solid start to the standard for open world RPGs
-
Each entry improved the writing, combat depth, and player choice, with the third game becoming a benchmark for open-world RPG storytelling.
-
The series has grown significantly in scope and sophistication, growing from a niche RPG to a world-renowned masterpiece.
the witcher The trilogy shows how a game series can reach and increase in quality over time. The first game was released in 2007 and took players into a dark fantasy world inspired by the Polish book of the same title. It introduced Geralt of Rivia, mature moral choices, and branching outcomes that set the tone for the series' approach to consequences. The combat wasn't that great, but the storytelling was great. When the second game comes out, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, Released in 2011, the series has improved in almost every way. Combat has become more complex with the addition of traps, more types of weapons, and more options to increase your character's power.
third item, The Witcher 3: Wild HuntIt exploded the scale of the series without losing the moral complexity that created the first two installments. We've expanded the world a lot and added quests that feel more like mini-novels rather than simple fetch tasks. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt It's probably one of the most successful open-world RPGs today, thanks to its rich world design, memorable narrative, layered characters, and systems where choices can have different outcomes. Overall, these three games have a distinct growth curve. The first built a strong foundation and offered promise. The second refined the mechanics and visuals and expanded the narrative ambitions. The third builds on these lessons to build a world of choices and a system that sets a new standard for the genre.
kill zone
Continuous improvement of first-person shooter games
-
While the first game established a dark tone, later games offered stronger visuals, tighter shooting, and more cinematic combat.
-
By the third game, the series had become one of PlayStation's most technically impressive shooter trilogies of its era.
beginning kill zone The game shows how a franchise can strengthen its vision and skills over time. first kill zone We attempted to convey a fierce sci-fi conflict between human soldiers and the brutal Helghast army. The unique art style, sound, and atmospheric combat were some of the things the developers got right. However, the game's AI and awkward controls showed that it needed some work. Nonetheless, it showed potential and marked the series' early identity. sequel, killzone 2was released in 2009 and was a huge leap forward for the trilogy. The graphics, intensity, speed, and multiplayer modes made it one of the best shooters of its time. Refined combat, improved presentation, and atmospheric missions showed that the developers had learned from the problems of the first game and created a more focused and polished experience.
6 of the best video game trilogies you didn't know existed
Despite the success it took for a video game to spawn not one, but two sequels, these video game trilogies were completely overlooked.
Two years after the second split, killzone 3 The story has been expanded again. The game started immediately after the event. killzone 2 And even after Visari was gone, Sev's fight continued against the Helghast forces that refused to die. Developers have further developed the visuals and added new technical features such as stereoscopic 3D support and optional motion controls. The story introduced internal conflict among the Helghast with new leaders vying for power, while maintaining the series' signature blend of tightly directed missions and intense gunfights. Multiplayer is a core feature of the game, supporting up to 24 players.
street fighter
From simple fights to fierce competitions
-
The original introduced its core ideas, Street Fighter 2 defined the genre, and Street Fighter 3 further developed the skills and mechanics.
-
Each game adds depth, speed, and competitive systems that increase skill limits and long-term appeal.
street fighter It started as a simple 1v1 fighting game created by Capcom in 1987. Players controlled Ryu or Ken, martial artists who used basic attacks and several special moves such as Hadouken (fireball), Shoryuken (rising uppercut), and Tatsumaki Senpū Kyaku (spinning kick). The game's six-button layout and command-based special moves were an early innovation in the fighting game genre, even though the original had limited character options and fewer competitive scenes than later titles.
Four years after the first game, street fighter 2 It arrived and changed the fighting game forever. Instead of a single playable character street fighter 2 It launched with a roster of eight unique fighters from different nations, each with their own special skills and unique style. This variety made the matches feel more strategic and made the game a huge hit in arcades around the world. street fighter 2 It was more than a technological advancement. It became a cultural phenomenon and helped define the modern fighting genre. street fighter 3 It took the formula into more advanced and refined territory, with smoother animations, advanced defensive options, and a focus on timing and precision that pushed the genre forward. that street fighter It shows how fighting games have evolved from simple competitive matches to complex, high-skill competitions.
GTA trilogy
Growing world, growing ambition
-
The storytelling improved significantly as the series moved from silent protagonists to fully voiced characters with complex motivations and histories.
-
The world map has grown from a single city to an entire state with three major metropolitan areas and vast rural areas to explore.
that grand theft auto The trilogy left a huge mark on video games because it introduced the series into a three-dimensional open world that millions of players could freely explore. The first title of this trilogy is grand theft auto 3And it was released in 2001. The first GTA game created in full 3D, players can walk and drive around Liberty City, a fictional location inspired by New York. Being able to roam freely, take on missions in any order, and explore the city made it feel different from almost every action game that came before. The story, the gameplay, and the way it allows players to choose how they approach their goals. grand theft auto 3 It was quite successful.
The 8 Best Open World Game Trilogies, Ranked
This iconic video game trilogy delivers one of the best open world game trilogies of all time, building a captivating world filled with secrets.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Come next year and what was it based on? GTA 3 It gave players a world with a very different energy. vice city Set in a fictionalized version of 1980s Miami, it's a perfect blend of bright colors, neon lights, period music, and a cast of characters inspired by crime films of the era. Instead of a quiet protagonist, the game features gangster Tommy Vercetti, who must restore his reputation after a drug deal goes wrong. He had just been released from prison. Players can again drive, fly, and fight anywhere in the city, but missions are written with better storytelling. Created by atmosphere, music, and a bigger world vice city It is one of the best-selling titles on PlayStation 2. This trilogy has reached its most extensive scale as follows: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 2004. The state of San Andreas had far more places to visit, missions to complete, people to meet, and activities to do than the previous games in the trilogy. For many players, san andreas It gives you a sense of scale and freedom that feels bigger than anything in GTA 3. vice cityAnd it was another huge commercial success.
Ratchet and Clank PS2 Trilogy
Platformer-shooter hybrid completed
-
The first game introduced the world, the second introduced expanded gameplay systems, and the third game perfected the combat and pacing.
-
Weapon design, humor, and overall flow have improved with each release.
Insomniac Games perfected the action-platformer hybrid genre with the original PlayStation 2 trilogy, adding depth to the combat with each release. In the original Ratchet and ClankIn , players meet Ratchet, a young mechanic living alone on a quiet planet whose life changes after he meets Clank, a small robot created to expose a dangerous conspiracy. Together they travel the galaxy to stop the villain Chairman Drek, who plans to destroy the entire planet to create a new planet for his species. The game mixed platforming, shooting, and tool-based puzzles, and while it impressed players with its creativity and style, the movement and combat were still very basic. The first one focuses on ideas and individuality rather than sophistication. A sequel in 2003 Ratchet and Clank: Go Commando It expands on everything that made the original fun. This second game moves the action to a new setting and introduces deeper systems with more weapons, more intense gameplay, more content, and smarter level design.
Ratchet & Clank: Enhance your arsenal Released in 2004, it further improved the series. The game combines the familiar platforming and shooting action with larger levels, expanded weapon progression, and a new villain, Dr. Dr. Destiny, who seeks to destroy all living organisms. We're trying to mix it in with a more compelling narrative involving Nefarious. Strengthen your arsenal It also introduces multiplayer functionality for the first time in the series, offering split-screen matches and even online play on the PlayStation Network, allowing players to battle it out using the game's many unique weapons. The visuals looked sharper, the world felt bigger, and the mix of combat, gadgets, and humor gave this third game a wider appeal than before.
The 10 best game trilogies without a single bad game.
From start to finish, don't miss this iconic gaming trilogy. It starts off strong and ends with a perfect finale.