Gaming’s best ever sequels

Sure as night follows day, game sequels will continue to be big business. Thankfully, things really do seem to improve with age in the gaming world.
 
Just look at some of the nominations for tonight’s Bafta Video Game awards in London, UK, and it’s patently clear: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – the bestselling game of all time, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Assassin’s Creed II, Left 4 Dead 2, FIFA 10, Street Fighter IV and Football Manager 2010. All have one thing in common: they blow their predecessors out of the water, improving almost every facet of the gameplay, storyline, characterization, graphics and sound.
 

Rarely in the cinematic world does a sequel manage to truly trump its predecessor. Few mega budget Hollywood blockbuster movies manage to capitalize on the success of the original and deliver something altogether more enjoyable, exciting or good-looking. Granted, there have been some fantastic follow-ups over the years but largely you leave the cinema feeling a little let down. What a relief then that videogames seem to differ so much from their big-screen cousins and so many developers manage to produce sequels that surpass everyone’s expectations.
 
It’s now only a matter of days until the highly-anticipated Just Cause 2 hits the stores (for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC) and, thanks to the success of the original and a multitude of teaser trailers, few would bet upon it leaping off the shelves.
 
And let’s not forget the likes of Mass Effect 2, Bioshock 2 and Battlefield: Bad Company 2 in recent months, which have also won plaudits and sold by the bucketload!
 
But what are some of the greatest ever gaming sequels? Which are the ones which made the most significant improvement on the original? Here are 10 that have taken a series to new highs…
 
Fallout 3 – 2008 (original: Fallout 1997)
Assassin’s Creed II – 2009 (Assassin’s Creed 2007)
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – 2004 (Grand Theft Auto 1997)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – 1998 (The Legend of Zelda 1986)
Super Mario Galaxy – 2007 (Mario Bros 1983)
Halo 3 – 2007 (Halo: Combat Evolved 2001)
Resident Evil 4 – 2005 (Resident Evil 1996)
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – 2007 (Call of Duty 2003)
FIFA 09 – 2008 (FIFA International Soccer 1993)
Killzone 2 – 2009 (Killzone 2004)
 
Do you agree? What are some of your best sequels ever?