Franchises with wasted potential
- Thread starter JaxJag
- Start date
XOMTOR
Member
Not trying to single you out since many others have said this as well but I'm gonna have to disagree and say that Killzone is a franchise that would be better off without a "story".
KZ2 was extremely minimalist on the story front and I felt it made for a better game; it was basically: you, a gun and some bad guys. The focus was wholly on the shooting and the amazing online multi. With KZ3, they attempted to weave a more complex story, threw in a bunch of set pieces and cutscenes interrupting every 15 minutes.; it all felt so hamfisted and forced.
Basically with Killzone, keep the focus on the gameplay and multi and forget trying to make me feel something for the characters and the universe. I can see perhaps using some of the lore as a framework for gameplay and locations but not every game needs to be a story driven "experience".
Now for my pick of a franchise with wasted potential, I'm gonna have to go with Mass Effect since I just played through all 3 for the first time in January. Really interesting premise established in the first game that just all fell apart as the games wore on. Here's a story heavy series that just got weighed down by itself and in the end was pretty unsatisfying. I don't feel it's as bad as some proclaim but I doubt I'll ever have the desire to play through it again.
D
Deleted member 80556
Unconfirmed Member
Crysis (god dammit, Crytek, you wasted a sandbox FPS)
Prince of Persia (god dammit, Ubisoft)
Assassin's Creed (you could've done a beautiful story, Ubi. Also: god dammit)
The Saboteur/Mercenaries (god dammit, EA, why did you close Pandemic?)
Darksiders (SOMEBODY, I BEG YOU,PLEASE BUY THIS IP)
Prince of Persia (god dammit, Ubisoft)
Assassin's Creed (you could've done a beautiful story, Ubi. Also: god dammit)
The Saboteur/Mercenaries (god dammit, EA, why did you close Pandemic?)
Darksiders (SOMEBODY, I BEG YOU,PLEASE BUY THIS IP)
partyphone
Banned
I have to chime in and agree with everyone who has posted Mass Effect.
That first game had limitless potential that they completely and utterly ruined with Mass Effect 3. And it's not just the ending. The game starts with a bad idea and ends with a worse one.
That first game had limitless potential that they completely and utterly ruined with Mass Effect 3. And it's not just the ending. The game starts with a bad idea and ends with a worse one.
I thought they could've made something as great with new hardware but then as you mentioned they dropped PDZ on us. Ugh.
I also remember finishing the first Mass Effect and thinking about how great the sequels could be if they fixed a few problems, instead we got Gears of War in space.
Mother - Why do you hate America Nintendo, and why do you hate your fans Itoi!?
Fable - I only ever played the first one, and I'm incredibly glad that I did
Phantom Hourglass - .....what the fuck is this, Nintendo? My favorite Zelda game ever, and you turn its sequel into a handheld game that looks and plays like crap? Stylus controls only? No fucking thank you.
Jak - Make up your mind, ND! Is it a platformer, a third-person shooter, an action game, or 'Edgy, the game'?
Spyro - I want to cry in a corner now.
Crash Team Racing - Sony, you bumbling idiots. How could you let this IP get away. I'd have been there DAY ONE.
F-Zero - Action-Adventure game starring The Knee(and Captain Falcon)....oh, and why now new F-Zero games after GX Nintendo?
Metroid - Talk about directionless, bring up Metroid. Every. Single. Time.
Super Mario Sunshine - I understand that many people did not like it, due to FLUDD. Well goddammit, I'm not most people. Give me a sequel Nintendo, make it a spinoff, I don't care, I want to watch GAF burn.
But, as far as I can see, this game is dead....unless Luigi's Mansion 2 is a huge hit, and then there's a sliver of hope in seeing Mario Sunshine 2....on the 3DS.
DDR - Konami, why do you hate my personal fitness? I want to keep fit. Keep making DDR games. I buy DDR games. I play on hard and sweat my ass off. It's not rocket science.
Fable - I only ever played the first one, and I'm incredibly glad that I did
Phantom Hourglass - .....what the fuck is this, Nintendo? My favorite Zelda game ever, and you turn its sequel into a handheld game that looks and plays like crap? Stylus controls only? No fucking thank you.
Jak - Make up your mind, ND! Is it a platformer, a third-person shooter, an action game, or 'Edgy, the game'?
Spyro - I want to cry in a corner now.
Crash Team Racing - Sony, you bumbling idiots. How could you let this IP get away. I'd have been there DAY ONE.
F-Zero - Action-Adventure game starring The Knee(and Captain Falcon)....oh, and why now new F-Zero games after GX Nintendo?
Metroid - Talk about directionless, bring up Metroid. Every. Single. Time.
Super Mario Sunshine - I understand that many people did not like it, due to FLUDD. Well goddammit, I'm not most people. Give me a sequel Nintendo, make it a spinoff, I don't care, I want to watch GAF burn.
But, as far as I can see, this game is dead....unless Luigi's Mansion 2 is a huge hit, and then there's a sliver of hope in seeing Mario Sunshine 2....on the 3DS.
DDR - Konami, why do you hate my personal fitness? I want to keep fit. Keep making DDR games. I buy DDR games. I play on hard and sweat my ass off. It's not rocket science.
BlastProcessing
Member
Bushido Blade was amazing. The sequel was better. Then, nothing.
Kev Kev
Member
Final Fantasy
I love I-X, but cannot stand anything from X-2 on. So much wasted potential with these latest installments. I'm currently going through another FFVII run (Advent Children: Complete made me do it...) and I'm shocked at how polished and in depth the game is even when compared to games of this generation. It's been years since I did a run but I was immediately finding myself enjoying the fine tuned battle/materia system.
Resident Evil
Pretty much the same deal as Final Fantasy, I love 1-3, 4 was good but 5, 6 and pretty much everything else that Capcom has released in the last 8 years has been utter shit. Which brings me to my next pick...
Lost Planet 2
The original was so much fun! How the hell did they manage to make that game so bad?
Shining Force
Shining Force 3. Scenario 1, 2 and 3. English. WTF SEGA?
BioShock 2
Words cannot express my utter disappointment in this game. A prequel could have been so much better. Here's to hoping Infinite redeems the series.
Sadly I could go on all day... but those are the first five that came to mind.
I love I-X, but cannot stand anything from X-2 on. So much wasted potential with these latest installments. I'm currently going through another FFVII run (Advent Children: Complete made me do it...) and I'm shocked at how polished and in depth the game is even when compared to games of this generation. It's been years since I did a run but I was immediately finding myself enjoying the fine tuned battle/materia system.
Resident Evil
Pretty much the same deal as Final Fantasy, I love 1-3, 4 was good but 5, 6 and pretty much everything else that Capcom has released in the last 8 years has been utter shit. Which brings me to my next pick...
Lost Planet 2
The original was so much fun! How the hell did they manage to make that game so bad?
Shining Force
Shining Force 3. Scenario 1, 2 and 3. English. WTF SEGA?
BioShock 2
Words cannot express my utter disappointment in this game. A prequel could have been so much better. Here's to hoping Infinite redeems the series.
Sadly I could go on all day... but those are the first five that came to mind.
hypostasis
Banned
The Warhammer 40K license has not been used anywhere near its full potential in gaming (both in terms of the games that have utilized it and in terms of the hypothetical games that could); all we've got out of it are a couple of cool RTS's.
ViewtifulJC
Banned
stn
Member
Ninja Gaiden. Gaiden 1 and Black were nearly perfect, then 2 regressed and 3 was awful. I thought 2 had the best combat but lacked everything else.
Street Fighter. I thought AE was decent but would've been better if they made certain changes (better music, more mature theme, less novice-friendly). I also like SFxT but feel like it could also have been better.
Resident Evil. I loved 4, also had tons of fun with 5. However, I only liked 5 because of co-op. I have 6 sitting at home and I've yet to play it, though I've heard its the worst RE in a while.
Crysis. I really enjoy Crysis but feel like its missing some elements: boss fights, more memorable encounters, and so forth.
I love all of the mentioned franchises but feel like they could be done more justice.
Street Fighter. I thought AE was decent but would've been better if they made certain changes (better music, more mature theme, less novice-friendly). I also like SFxT but feel like it could also have been better.
Resident Evil. I loved 4, also had tons of fun with 5. However, I only liked 5 because of co-op. I have 6 sitting at home and I've yet to play it, though I've heard its the worst RE in a while.
Crysis. I really enjoy Crysis but feel like its missing some elements: boss fights, more memorable encounters, and so forth.
I love all of the mentioned franchises but feel like they could be done more justice.
Fox Mulder
Member
Mass Effect
A large ambitious trilogy with a deep and well built lore that could have done anything. It got EA'd.
A large ambitious trilogy with a deep and well built lore that could have done anything. It got EA'd.
BibiMaghoo
Member
This gen without a doubt Final Fantasy.
I mean these guys had a winning formula. One that was loved and adored, and still gave them freedom to change things up with following titles, while maintaining that same formula.
Instead they threw it away, literally scrapped that formula and decided to guess at what gamers may want, instead of using what they knew for a fact they wanted. Never has there been such wasted and squandered potential within a franchise.
I mean these guys had a winning formula. One that was loved and adored, and still gave them freedom to change things up with following titles, while maintaining that same formula.
Instead they threw it away, literally scrapped that formula and decided to guess at what gamers may want, instead of using what they knew for a fact they wanted. Never has there been such wasted and squandered potential within a franchise.
zomgbbqftw
Banned
Resistance. The sequels should have been made in the same tone as FoM, but instead they made it into a generic sci-fi shooter.
Einhänder!
Tears of joy at this post.
Couldn't agree more. A great start to an awesome IP. Would have loved to seen a few refinements come into place for it, but other than that, just give us more!
Not sure if already posted but:
Power Stone: Come on, capcom! At least put one of the characters in one of the many crossover games you have out.
Rune: I don't know why we haven't seen this IP get developed more. I loved the gameplay of the single player campaign and also found the multiplayer to be fun.
Blood: I live. Again.
Culdcept: Just put it on iOS, for god's sake. Or anything. Launch that game on a plate of pancakes, and I'll figure out how to play it.
Did you ever play the Jedi Knight games? 'Cause they aren't just good Star Wars games, they are great games overall.
Spieler Eins
Member
Eternal Darkness. lolol Silicon Knights 
Spring-Loaded
Member
Which of the franchises posted so far don't have wasted potential and why? Which franchises do you think actually have wasted potential?
The original Perfect Dark.
Perfect Dark N64 is in my opinion the most complete FPS in terms of features and things to do after the campaign ever before online multiplayer was possible on consoles.
The story, lore and characters (Elvis, Mr. Blonde) were also well-written and the world, weapons and enemies were all memorable. The weapons were especially spectacular like the Mauler and Farsight, Laptop Gun and Reaper. Each weapon felt exotic and alien, even the human weapons had a distinct futuristic feel to them.
Its incredible what Rare did with the bot-AI for its time. Some of the bots like the Dark-Bot were extremely challenging. Speaking of challenges, Perfect Dark had a "Spec Ops" multiplayer mode before Modern Warfare 2 made it popular.
Exploring the Agency had a bunch of secrets laying around that unlocked even more content like the target arena.
If there was ever a sequel that failed to live up to the potential of its predecessor its definitely Perfect Dark Zero. Its a shame because there were so many little details in the first that laid the framework for the Perfect Dark universe. That universe should have spawned an epic FPS series on the same level of Half-Life had Rare not turned into a shadow of its former self.
Perfect Dark N64 is in my opinion the most complete FPS in terms of features and things to do after the campaign ever before online multiplayer was possible on consoles.
The story, lore and characters (Elvis, Mr. Blonde) were also well-written and the world, weapons and enemies were all memorable. The weapons were especially spectacular like the Mauler and Farsight, Laptop Gun and Reaper. Each weapon felt exotic and alien, even the human weapons had a distinct futuristic feel to them.
Its incredible what Rare did with the bot-AI for its time. Some of the bots like the Dark-Bot were extremely challenging. Speaking of challenges, Perfect Dark had a "Spec Ops" multiplayer mode before Modern Warfare 2 made it popular.
Exploring the Agency had a bunch of secrets laying around that unlocked even more content like the target arena.
If there was ever a sequel that failed to live up to the potential of its predecessor its definitely Perfect Dark Zero. Its a shame because there were so many little details in the first that laid the framework for the Perfect Dark universe. That universe should have spawned an epic FPS series on the same level of Half-Life had Rare not turned into a shadow of its former self.
Flakster99
Member
Mother - A giant WTF after Earthbound. So much promise and hype surrounded the series with the 64DD... and then nothing.
Wave Race 64 - Favorite racer of all time. So many nuances to the courses and it's racers. It's sequel was alright, then nothing.
Chrono Trigger - Top 3 RPG's of all time, and outside of it's soundtrack the sequel was a tremendous let down, then nothing.
Metroid - A polished 2D console release has been missing since Super Metroid.
It seems to me these games defined their genres, were a labor of love and perfectionism, never to be outdone, and from the looks of it, they achieved just that. Shame though....
Wave Race 64 - Favorite racer of all time. So many nuances to the courses and it's racers. It's sequel was alright, then nothing.
Chrono Trigger - Top 3 RPG's of all time, and outside of it's soundtrack the sequel was a tremendous let down, then nothing.
Metroid - A polished 2D console release has been missing since Super Metroid.
It seems to me these games defined their genres, were a labor of love and perfectionism, never to be outdone, and from the looks of it, they achieved just that. Shame though....
Winterfang
Banned
Sonic. There's potential for an awesome action platformer there.
VeryGooster
Banned
The first answer is a bit of a cheat since it was only one game, but Vanquish has franchise potential written all over it.
I want to say Shinobi though, specifically the Hotsuma era. Kunoichi was average from what I remember, but that chained kill mechanic from the 2002 game could have been awesome this gen or the next. I don't think the life-draining aspect would fly today, though.
On to more ninjas, Tenchu. Tenchu Z, from 2007, wasn't the most polished or pretty game, but unlocking new moves for your character (once you're completely silent, the entire game is a playground) and the co-op was so fun.
I want to say Shinobi though, specifically the Hotsuma era. Kunoichi was average from what I remember, but that chained kill mechanic from the 2002 game could have been awesome this gen or the next. I don't think the life-draining aspect would fly today, though.
On to more ninjas, Tenchu. Tenchu Z, from 2007, wasn't the most polished or pretty game, but unlocking new moves for your character (once you're completely silent, the entire game is a playground) and the co-op was so fun.
As far as franchises that can be so much more: Madden.
I wish someone would make a fun playing football game, with that crazy rpg system from that one japanese ballball game and aallow you to download/upload custom logos, teams and rosters a la modnation racers. Would allow you to totally bypass the NFL license, which would give you so much more creative freedom.
I've got a design doc or a wrestling game in this mold that has been rattling in my head for YEARS.
I wish someone would make a fun playing football game, with that crazy rpg system from that one japanese ballball game and aallow you to download/upload custom logos, teams and rosters a la modnation racers. Would allow you to totally bypass the NFL license, which would give you so much more creative freedom.
I've got a design doc or a wrestling game in this mold that has been rattling in my head for YEARS.
Forsaken82
Member
Definitely Too Human... The game was intended to be a Trilogy for starters... was a franchise that didn't even get off the ground!
salami90210
Neo Member
Some new GI Joe games could be great.
I am having a hard time thinking of a genre that wouldn't be awesome in the GI Joe universe.
I am having a hard time thinking of a genre that wouldn't be awesome in the GI Joe universe.
Cjdamon042
Member
I agree with Star Fox.
Also the mainline Pokémon games. Don't get me wrong, they're great fun. But I feel there is so much wasted potential when it comes to the world and what they could do with it.
Also the mainline Pokémon games. Don't get me wrong, they're great fun. But I feel there is so much wasted potential when it comes to the world and what they could do with it.
It's too late. They already ruined it with ME3's ending.
Suikoden, Chrono Trigger, Twisted Metal
the one that really bugs me is KoTOR. That stupid MMO really ruined everything, there should have been at least two more tradition KoTOR games for the PS360/PC and those games would have made far more than this crappy mmo did.
This. Say what you want about Activision, but at least they delivered a couple of solid Transformer games that appealed to original fans. GI Joe has nothing other than a good NES game and Commodore 64 game. That movie tie in game was fucking awful. How can nobody make this license work in the age of dudebros, shootbangs and buzzcuts?
the one that really bugs me is KoTOR. That stupid MMO really ruined everything, there should have been at least two more tradition KoTOR games for the PS360/PC and those games would have made far more than this crappy mmo did.
This. Say what you want about Activision, but at least they delivered a couple of solid Transformer games that appealed to original fans. GI Joe has nothing other than a good NES game and Commodore 64 game. That movie tie in game was fucking awful. How can nobody make this license work in the age of dudebros, shootbangs and buzzcuts?
educator
Member
I'd go with James Bond. Goldeneye is a classic and a great game, but the rest of the Bond games have been the definition of mediocre. A shame the franchise never got better considering the premise of James Bond is a very interesting one and could make for interesting and fun games. I guess EA just doesn't think about it that way.
Also, I would love to see another Jet Force Gemini, but I guess that's hoping for too much.
Also, I would love to see another Jet Force Gemini, but I guess that's hoping for too much.
Zelda: Held back by formulaic game design, Nintendo's consoles, and the lack of cel-shading in recent games
Halo: The first one was pretty cool, it had a simple story, clean visuals, interesting music and gave me Starship Troopers-vibes, then it went off a cliff after that
Crackdown: I was disappointed with the sequel, and we'll probably never get another one
Bionic Commando (the 3D one): This game had great controls and multiplayer was a lot of fun, but I guess I was the only one who liked it and GRIN died anyways
Prince of Persia: Self-explanatory
Tomba: Two great games, but they didn't sell well. Should have become a long-running franchise
Halo: The first one was pretty cool, it had a simple story, clean visuals, interesting music and gave me Starship Troopers-vibes, then it went off a cliff after that
Crackdown: I was disappointed with the sequel, and we'll probably never get another one
Bionic Commando (the 3D one): This game had great controls and multiplayer was a lot of fun, but I guess I was the only one who liked it and GRIN died anyways
Prince of Persia: Self-explanatory
Tomba: Two great games, but they didn't sell well. Should have become a long-running franchise
scorpscarx
Member
Diablo and Counter Strike, where's the evolution.