The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

CD Projekt RED made a big leap with The Witcher 3, and it was a leap well worth the risks. The open-world of The Continent is filled to the brim with interesting content ranging from monster hunts to intricate questlines to high-stakes Gwent battles among many other things. But what makes that content so special is how it remains consistently quality stuff regardless of it being part of the main quest or side activities. Furthermore, the choices are actually meaningful and each of them feeds into one of the many endings that you may unlock. It’s a game that can take hundreds of hours to complete, and even if you take on that massive endeavor – there’s still a possibility that you may find something new around the next corner.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is a worthy sequel to the games that came before, and that statement alone says a lot about the quality of the experience. Your journey through the province of Skyrim takes you through snowcapped peaks, dark caves, murky forests – and regardless of where you go, you will always find something worthwhile to do that will consistently make you stronger and stronger. Add to that Bethesda’s excellent writing chops, a thunderous soundtrack, and top-notch world building – and it isn’t hard to understand why Skyrim continues to sell even after a decade.

Horizon Forbidden West

Guerilla Games created an excellent foundation in the form of Horizon Zero Dawn, but in reality – it was just a taste of what’s to come in Horizon Forbidden West. The sequel corrects almost every criticism with the original, and what we have is a gameplay loop that’s constantly fun and engaging – thanks to the many new tools and abilities under Aloy’s belt. Apart from a meaty campaign, there are plenty of side activities that players can check out – and it’s all quality stuff. The visuals are also jaw-dropping, both on a macro and a micro level which makes for a gorgeous world that’s so enticing to explore.

Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 is a massive space opera that takes you through a thrill ride as Shepard and gang embark on a quest to fight the Collectors. This massive journey is punctuated by meaningful character interactions that lead to choices which dictate the ending, and the action packed combat manages to remain interesting throughout the experience. Add to that personalities like The Illusive Man and Mordin Solus among others, and Mass Effect 2 becomes an experience that shouldn’t be missed out on.

Elden Ring

FromSoftware is one of the most influential developers of recent memory, and when we say that Elden Ring is the culmination of everything that it has been working towards for the last decade – that statement really means a lot. Set against the backdrop of The Lands Between, Elden Ring is a massive experience that plays on your desire for exploring uncharted vistas with new and worthwhile surprises around every corner. The combat is vicious and flexible, and the wealth of tools at your disposal allows you to come up with all kinds of whacky strategies to best some of the toughest bosses of the series. It’s a one-of-a-kind game, and it will surely have a lot of impact on games and RPGs going forward.

Fallout 4

Set against the backdrop of the Commonwealth, Fallout 4 is at its heart – a story about finding your lost son in a post-apocalyptic environment. But what surrounds that main story is a buffet of interesting quests and secrets throughout the gargantuan open world that will keep you hooked for hours on end. Hop on a power armor to wreak havoc upon mutants, or help out a faction of your choice, or continue your search for the Institute – Fallout 4 remains a quality time either way.

Undertale

Undertale describes itself as an RPG where you don’t have to kill anyone, and while that gimmick could have easily ended up biting itself on one’s own foot – Undertale ends up being a game unlike any other. The turn-based combat features plenty of variety with different kinds of bullet hell minigames, and your actions drastically impact the story’s conclusion depending on who you spare and who you don’t. Undertale is a game that only lasts for 6 hours, but it manages to say so much more than some games that last 60.

Fable II

The original Fable was a great concept that suffered a bit when it came to execution, but Fable 2 made some substantial changes to the experience to great effect. Story decisions carry more weight, side quests are more interesting than before, and plenty of customization options are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many improvements that it brings over the original. And of course, all that adds up to make Fable 2 arguably the best in the series.

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver feels like a celebration of this evergreen series, since it manages to bring one of the best games in the franchise to a modern audience. HeartGold and SoulSilver retains the core feel of the originals, while adding some modern blemishes to the experience which makes it one of the best Pokemon games of all time.

Demon’s Souls Remake

Demon’s Souls is generally considered to be the game that started it all when it comes to FromSoftware’s signature RPGs, and even after all these years – it holds up extremely well. Bluepoint Games released a full-fledged remake of this classic recently, and while some aspects like visuals have changed – many of its core elements like the combat and the boss fights have stood the test of time and have remained mostly unchanged for the remake. It’s a pretty unique experience, and one worth experiencing for fans of Soulslikes.

Uncharted: Lost Legacy – Train Sequence

The Uncharted games have always been marketed as high-action cinematic thrill rides, and the series has no shortage of moments that would leave anyone awestruck. But Uncharted: Lost Legacy’s train sequence has to be one of the better ones of the bunch, simply because of how it weaves an element of emotion into the action. Chloe, Nadine, and Sam try to catch a moving train as they offroad and get through hordes of enemies just to get into the grappling vicinity of the train. As Chloe and Nadine board the train, Sam gets left behind – and the following section sees you jumping on trucks and switching tracks amidst plenty of explosions and gunshots. It all culminates in a 2-on-1 boss fight against the final baddie, following which Chloe and Nadine make a last-ditch escape from a collapsing train.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Car Chase

Despite being almost 18 years old at this, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater’s Shahogod escape sequence is one of the most high-octane cinematic experiences in the franchise. This section sees our protagonist Naked Snake make an escape from the military base as he rides shotgun alongside EVA – all while Shahogod chases them around the battlefield. With seemingly no way to defeat the mech with pure firepower, the duo decides to lure it towards a bridge and rig it while the mech is crossing. Of course, it’s easier said than done – since you have to cut through hordes of guards all while Shahogod closes on you. It ends with you sniping away at the C-4 charges on a bridge, which rounds out this amazing chase sequence.

Detroit: Become Human – Connor Chase

This sequence sees our protagonist Connor chasing down a deviant through buildings, rooftop farms, and highways. As is the case with most Quantic Dream games, the chase sequence is incredibly cinematic – all thanks to great direction and astounding visual fidelity. As Connor, you get to choose between different paths during the chase sequence – which can significantly alter the results. But either way, it’s a really fun sequence through and through. 

Death Stranding – The Ending

While Death Stranding’s ending cinematic might not be as action-heavy as others on the list, it certainly packs an emotional punch. After connecting the entirety of America on the Chiral Network and facing off against Clifford Unger, Sam makes his way to Amelie’s beach wherein it is confirmed that Amelie and Bridget are indeed one and the same – and that extinction is inevitable. Just over the beach, we see a flaming planet, which hints at impending doom. Shots are framed and directed with great precision and care, and during these moments – the game doesn’t look any less than a big-budget Hollywood movie.

Battlefield 4 – Shanghai Mission

Battlefield 4’s Shanghai Showdown is an absolute thrill ride through and through, and you are subjected to situations that constantly escalate in intensity. You start the mission by arriving on ground zero with your buddies in a van, and after an unfortunate accident – you make your way to the top of a skyscraper to retrieve some high-ranking VIPs. Multiple ambushes later, you arrive at the site only to escape through the roof on a stolen helicopter all while your squad takes out the opposing forces one by one.

Medal of Honor: Frontline – D-Day Mission 

The D-Day Invasion of Normandy was easily one of the biggest events in World War 2, which saw the allied forces storming the beaches of Normandy through land, air, and the sea. Many military shooters have showcased the invasion in video game form, but Medal of Honor: Frontline’s representation is easily the most memorable. Everything from the introductory cutscene to storming the beaches and clearing bunkers is quality stuff, and it all feels like a part of a well-scripted war movie.

Yakuza Zero – Nishiki Tries To Kill Kiryu 

Set against the backdrop of a dark forest, this cutscene can make anyone invested in Kiryu’s story teary-eyed. Kiryu’s long-time buddy Nishiki tries to kill him by pointing a gun at his head, but is unable to pull the trigger due to his relations and history with him. The writing and performances are absolutely on point, and while there isn’t any gameplay during this section – it doesn’t make it any less memorable than others on the list.

Ghost of Tsushima – Ghost Awakens Power 

Ghost of Tsushima takes place in a picturesque landscape, which provides for a bevy of cinematic moments – but undoubtedly, one of the better ones is the first time when Jin earns the Ghost stance. After defeating General Temuge, the colour fades away and we see an enraged Jin absolutely slaughter any and all resistance in front of him. It looks really cool, and the fade to the black and white colours is a great reference to old Kurusawo movies.

A Way Out – Getting Out of Prison

By all means, A Way Out feels like the video game adaptation of Escape Plan, and no scene in the game is a better testament to that comparison than the actual prison escape in the game. After carefully plotting the entire escape, Vincent and Leo finally manage to smuggle a wrench from the prison workshop – and through co-operation, the duo sneaks out of their prison cells and into the outer compound. The escape isn’t the smoothest since the alarm gets triggered before they make it out of the premises, but it’s really fun and ends up being a successful escape despite all odds.

The Order 1886

The Order 1886 might not have been the most well-received game when it was released back in 2015, but credit where credit is due – it certainly feels like a true cinematic experience for the entirety of its runtime. Of course, many things are required to fall into place for that to happen, including but not limited to smooth animations, high-quality visuals, and well-directed cutscenes – and The Order: 1886 delivers on these aspects to some great results.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales – Bridge Sequence

Insomniac Games polished its already amazing gameplay foundations with Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and much like the original – Miles Morales also features some really well-directed quick time events. Undoubtedly, the best in the game is the sequence where Miles has to save hundreds of citizens from drowning in the water by preventing the bridge from falling. With very little time to spare, Miles smartly uses his webs to keep the bridge afloat – and we get to witness all the slick action in high-definition – which isn’t any less than watching a Spider-Man movie.

Mass Effect 2 – opening sequence

Mass Effect 2 is a massive space opera that has swaths of interesting missions and characters, and while there aren’t a lot of cinematic sequences in the game – the introduction is one that is really memorable. After a brief glimpse of the Illusive Man, the shot cuts to Shepard’s Normandy ship which is soon attacked by a hostile ship. As the crew make it out through escape shuttles, Shepard tries to convince Joker to leave before the ship goes down. The slow walk through the destroyed pathways and corridors of the ship is as memorable as it gets, and it’s all accentuated by the complete lack of music during that section – making it as cinematic as it could be.

WET – Car Chase 

This particular sequence sees our protagonist making her way to her target as she jumps and slashes on cars all while they speed through the highway. As you shoot down targets and partake in quick time events, plenty of explosions occur and gunshots fly – many of which are cinematically dodged at the very last second, all while distorted guitar riffs play out in the background. It all culminates in a cinematic showdown, where Rubi burns down her target as she majestically walks away from the scene like a true gangster.

Star Wars Battlefront – Speeder Bike Chase

While this is just a tutorial mission that’s meant to ease players into getting used to Speeder bikes, it’s an amazing one nevertheless. Set against the planet of Endor, you need to hunt down rebels all while riding on a speeder through the forest. The sheer sense of speed that you get while riding the vehicle alongside the incredible visuals and the majestic soundtrack, all come together to make this sequence a worthwhile representation of Star Wars in video game form. It’s a shame then that the same cannot be said about Star Wars Battlefront in general, or its sequel for that matter.

Red Dead Redemption 2 – Assault on Braithwaite Manor

Despite some low points such as Guarma, Red Dead Redemption 2 has an impressive number of missions that make you feel like part of a movie set in the Wild West. The assault on Braithwaite Manor sees the Van Der Linde gang storming the manor in search of Jack, and it remains one of the highlights of the experience. After reaching ground zero, the gang proceeds to the manor in unison with loaded guns – all of which are framed perfectly and coupled with great dialogue and appropriate music. After Dutch and Arthur fail to find Jack on the premises, they burn the whole place down to the ground – which closes out this amazing and undoubtedly,  cinematic mission.

Cannon-Fodder

These are the most basic of enemies that you are bound to come across in any zombie game. They have a very minimal set of attacks, all dealing a limited amount of damage and posing no real threat to your existence. These cannon-fodder enemies can be used to grind for resources in games that are built around survival, but other than that – these enemies are usually meant to ease players into the basic workings of a zombie game. Of course, every zombie game will have slight bits of alteration here and there.

Splinter Cell

When Metal Gear Solid hit the scene in 1998, Ubisoft quickly jumped the gun for developing a competitor to that title. Splinter Cell hit store shelves in 2002, and instantly solidified itself as a viable competitor to Konami’s offerings. There are a multitude of differences between Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell, with the latter being more tactical and unforgiving while the former features some great dynamic gameplay and memorable boss fights.

Splinter Cell had a great run during the original Xbox era, with Chaos Theory generally being considered as the peak of the series by many fans. The PS3-Xbox 360 era had Splinter Cell: Conviction and Splinter Cell: Blacklist, both of which sold below expectations. That isn’t reflective of their quality though – but fans have yet to receive any substantial information on the future of Splinter Cell in more than 8 years.

Series protagonist Sam Fisher has made appearances in other Ubisoft properties such as Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six Siege, and Elite Squad,  but has yet to be featured in his own game for a long time now. A healthy stream of rumours has kept fans hopeful for a new game for a long time, with every Ubisoft showing at an E3 or a similar event being associated with one age-old question asking – “Will there be a new Splinter Cell?”

NYX (PERSONA 3)

Persona as a franchise is known for having an abundance of boss fights that last quite a long time, but Nyx, the final boss of Persona 3, is easily the one that stands out in memory the most. And for good reason, too. Nyx has fourteen phases in total, each with its own unique attacks and weaknesses. Each has a sizeable chunk of health, and some of these can be pretty tricky to take down (especially the final phase). All in all, Nyx takes a long time to go down, and if you die partway through- well, you’re just gonna have to restart the boss fight.

Some IPs naturally have more fans clamoring for sequels than others, which sometimes bears fruit and other times not so much. Here are 10 of the most awaited sequels of all time:

Half-Life 3

Valve is one of the few video game developers in the industry that doesn’t have the same output in terms of new titles as it once used to. Of course, its live-service games like DOTA and Counter-Strike receive content updates, but most can agree that Valve has mostly put its premiere single-player franchises to the wayside in favor of Steam – and legions of fans still clamor for sequels of some of its most beloved IPs.

Half-Life 3 is the posterchild of games that fans will forever be hopeful for, but will probably never see the light of day. That’s a shame because a number of plot threads were left unresolved by the end of Half-Life 2’s Episode 2, and it seems that they will remain so for the foreseeable future. Many leading officials who worked on the game have long left the company, further dampening hopes of a sequel. Despite Half-Life: Alyx being a great game that adds to Episode 2’s ending in meaningful ways, fans still hold an unquenchable thirst for a traditional sequel.

]]> https://gamingbolt.com/10-most-wanted-video-game-sequels-of-all-time/feed 0 491929 https://gamingbolt.com/15-most-disappointing-first-person-shooters-of-all-time https://gamingbolt.com/15-most-disappointing-first-person-shooters-of-all-time#respond Mon, 23 Aug 2021 08:41:21 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=490130 Developers and publishers often don’t seem to understand that the more they hype up their games, the more they’re going to have to live up to. Seems like simple logic, right? Well, several high profile disappointments over the years have shown us that it’s not nearly as commonly understood as you’d expect. Here, we’ll be talking about fifteen first person shooters that made massive promises in the lead-up to their launch, but ended up falling short of expectations.

HALO 5: GUARDIANS

343 Industries weren’t exactly in an enviable position when they took the reigns of the Halo franchise from Bungie, but even so, Halo 4 was a respectable (albeit imperfect) first outing for them. After that, everything just went downhill. The Master Chief Collection had a terrible launch (that it would take years to recover from), while Halo 5 just continued that downward spiral, thanks to a disappointing story that for some reason decided to shift focus away from Master Chief, and gameplay mechanics that seemed too taken by the likes of Call of Duty for their own good.

ASSASSIN’S CREED ROGUE

Coming at a time when the classic Assassin’s Creed formula was starting to get a little stale, and launching alongside the next-gen exclusive Assassin’s Creed Unity, AC Rogue was fighting an uphill battle from the get go. It didn’t help that many people viewed it as a watered down version of the excellent Black Flag. All of that’s a little unfair though, because Rogue is a pretty solid game. A unique twist on the Templars vs Assassins conflict, solid naval gameplay, inventive mission structure, and a relatively brief yet dense runtime make for a thoroughly enjoyable Assassin’s Creed experience.

Note: Note: This feature was written by Shubhankar Parijat (except the Days Gone point).

 CYBERPUNK 2077

Let’s begin with one of the most recent – and biggest – examples of a game failing to live up to its hype. Cyberpunk 2077 looked set to take the world by storm, with CD Projekt RED promising an RPG unlike any other that would no only build on what they accomplished with The Witcher 3, but take the role playing genre to completely new heights. It clearly did not do that. Overpromising and underdelivering is a dangerous combination, and it was in full effect here, with Cyberpunk 2077 suffering not only from severe technical issues, but also a core gameplay experience that, though not bad by any means, wasn’t even close to delivering on the lofty promises that CDPR had made for literally years on end.

Video games fund Kowloon Nights has been making active efforts in its financing of indie developers and games for a while now, and recently, they announced a massive injection of funds for a total of 23 studios and their respective upcoming projects.

These studios include the likes of Desperados 3 developer Mimimi Games, The Messenger developer Sabotage Studio, Spiritfarer developer Thunder Lotus, OlliOlli developer Roll7, Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, Star Renegades developer Massive Damage, Trine developer Frozenbyte, and many more.

This flurry of new deals with these indie studios provides an injection for a number of upcoming promising indie titles, including the likes of Mimimi Games’ upcoming real-time tactics title, and Frozenbyte’s upcoming sci-fi MMO Starbase.

All these developers will retain rights of their IP and their futures, and have full creative control over their projects.

You can check out the full list of developers (and their respective games) that have received funding from Kowloon Nights below.

• Alpha Channel – TANKHEAD
• Batterystaple – 30XX
• Brimstone – Unannounced Title
• Dreamlit – Towers
• Fireplace – Unannounced Title
• Frozenbyte – Starbase
• Gathering Tree – TFM: The First Men
• Goblinz Studio – Legend of Keepers
• Kaizen Game Works – Unannounced Title
• Massive Damage – Unannounced Title
• Metric Empire – Unannounced Title
• Mimimi Games – Codename Süßkartoffel
• Night School Studio – Unannounced Title
• Plethora Project – Common’hood
• Rogue Snail – Unannounced Title
• Roll7 – Unannounced Title
• Rose City Games / Picogram – Garden Story
• SIGONO – OPUS: Echo of Starsong
• Sloclap  – Unannounced Title
• Studio Zevere – She Dreams Elsewhere
• Thunder Lotus – Unannounced Title