Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 94 (click to see context) from:
* Questionable monetization schemes aside, this is why [[Creator/ElectronicArts EA's]] ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' and [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017 its sequel]] have garnered mixed-to-negative reactions from fans. Both entries are often unfavorably compared to Pandemic's [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2005 original]] [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII entries]] and EA's online ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' series. Both the original ''Battlefront'' and its sequel were universally beloved for delivering on the large-scale ''Star Wars'' experience across all eras and providing variety in both locations, characters, and weapons. In comparison, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' was roundly criticized for its lack of depth since the game lacked a single player campaign, galactic conquest, space battles, and the prequel era setting. Likewise, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017'' had the unfortunate luck of coming seen as a step down from 2016's ''VideoGame/Battlefield1'', which was universally praised for its smooth launch, unconventional [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarI WWI]] setting, and surprisingly good solo campaign; subsequently ''Battlefront II'' (the 2017 version) lacked these features and was seen as a step down. Furthermore, both ''Battlefront'' games lacked the destructible environments, diverse vehicle selection, and squad systems, leading to fans deriding them as "poor man's ''Battlefield''."
to:
* Questionable monetization schemes aside, this is why [[Creator/ElectronicArts EA's]] ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' and [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017 its sequel]] have garnered mixed-to-negative reactions from fans. Both entries are often unfavorably compared to Pandemic's [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2005 [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront original]] [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII entries]] and EA's online ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' series. Both the original ''Battlefront'' and its sequel were universally beloved for delivering on the large-scale ''Star Wars'' experience across all eras and providing variety in both locations, characters, and weapons. In comparison, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' was roundly criticized for its lack of depth since the game lacked a single player campaign, galactic conquest, space battles, and the prequel era setting. Likewise, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017'' had the unfortunate luck of coming seen as a step down from 2016's ''VideoGame/Battlefield1'', which was universally praised for its smooth launch, unconventional [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarI WWI]] setting, and surprisingly good solo campaign; subsequently ''Battlefront II'' (the 2017 version) lacked these features and was seen as a step down. Furthermore, both ''Battlefront'' games lacked the destructible environments, diverse vehicle selection, and squad systems, leading to fans deriding them as "poor man's ''Battlefield''."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 94 (click to see context) from:
* Questionable monetization schemes aside, this is why [[Creator/ElectronicArts EA's]] ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' and [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017 its sequel]] have garnered mixed-to-negative reactions from fans. Both entries are often unfavorably compared to both ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII'' and EA's online ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' series. ''Star Wars Battlefront II'' from 2005 was universally beloved for delivering on the large-scale ''Star Wars'' experience across all eras and providing substantial content and variety in both locations, characters, and weapons. In comparison, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' was roundly criticized for its lack of depth since the game lacked a single player campaign, galactic conquest, space battles, and the prequel era setting. Likewise, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017'' had the unfortunate luck of coming seen as a step down from 2016's ''VideoGame/Battlefield1'', which was universally praised for its smooth launch, unconventional [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarI WWI]] setting, and surprisingly good solo campaign; subsequently ''Battlefront II'' (the 2017 version) lacked these features and was seen as a step down. Furthermore, both ''Battlefront'' games lacked the destructible environments, diverse vehicle selection, and squad systems, leading to fans deriding them as "poor man's ''Battlefield''."
to:
* Questionable monetization schemes aside, this is why [[Creator/ElectronicArts EA's]] ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' and [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017 its sequel]] have garnered mixed-to-negative reactions from fans. Both entries are often unfavorably compared to both ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII'' Pandemic's [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2005 original]] [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII entries]] and EA's online ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' series. ''Star Wars Battlefront II'' from 2005 was Both the original ''Battlefront'' and its sequel were universally beloved for delivering on the large-scale ''Star Wars'' experience across all eras and providing substantial content and variety in both locations, characters, and weapons. In comparison, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' was roundly criticized for its lack of depth since the game lacked a single player campaign, galactic conquest, space battles, and the prequel era setting. Likewise, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017'' had the unfortunate luck of coming seen as a step down from 2016's ''VideoGame/Battlefield1'', which was universally praised for its smooth launch, unconventional [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarI WWI]] setting, and surprisingly good solo campaign; subsequently ''Battlefront II'' (the 2017 version) lacked these features and was seen as a step down. Furthermore, both ''Battlefront'' games lacked the destructible environments, diverse vehicle selection, and squad systems, leading to fans deriding them as "poor man's ''Battlefield''."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 12 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' was cursed from the beginning to never be as popular as ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', one of the most beloved games ever made. The HappyEndingOverride didn't help matters, with some fans saying the game would have been better if it were standalone, nor did the fact that the game's [[KudzuPlot very complex narrative]] leads to a string of {{Info Dump}}s in the second half, culminating in a GainaxEnding that is still considered to be [[MindScrew wholly undecipherable]] years later. Then there's the game throwing at you [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters a cast of over 50 playable characters]] where only about a quarter of have any (significant) plot revelance, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter several more with storytelling potential get sidelined]], and the majority are [[FlatCharacter rather one-note]] (to say nothing of [[TierInducedScrappy actual in-game viability]]) compared to ''Trigger'' having a much smaller but better characterized cast.
to:
* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' was cursed from the beginning to never be as popular as ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', one of the most beloved games ever made. The HappyEndingOverride didn't help matters, with some fans saying the game would have been better if it were standalone, nor did the fact that the game's [[KudzuPlot very complex narrative]] leads to a string of {{Info Dump}}s in the second half, culminating in a GainaxEnding that is still considered to be [[MindScrew wholly undecipherable]] years later. Then there's the game throwing at you [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters a cast of over 50 playable characters]] where only about a quarter of have has any (significant) plot revelance, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter several more with storytelling potential get sidelined]], and the majority are [[FlatCharacter rather one-note]] one-note as a whole]] (to say nothing of [[TierInducedScrappy actual in-game viability]]) compared to ''Trigger'' having a much smaller but better characterized cast.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 12 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' was cursed from the beginning to never be as popular as ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', one of the most beloved games ever made the HappyEndingOverride didn't help matters, some fans saying the game would have been better if it were standalone.
to:
* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' was cursed from the beginning to never be as popular as ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', one of the most beloved games ever made the made. The HappyEndingOverride didn't help matters, with some fans saying the game would have been better if it were standalone.standalone, nor did the fact that the game's [[KudzuPlot very complex narrative]] leads to a string of {{Info Dump}}s in the second half, culminating in a GainaxEnding that is still considered to be [[MindScrew wholly undecipherable]] years later. Then there's the game throwing at you [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters a cast of over 50 playable characters]] where only about a quarter of have any (significant) plot revelance, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter several more with storytelling potential get sidelined]], and the majority are [[FlatCharacter rather one-note]] (to say nothing of [[TierInducedScrappy actual in-game viability]]) compared to ''Trigger'' having a much smaller but better characterized cast.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 17 (click to see context) from:
** There is also a BrokenBase regarding whether ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' did or didn't live up to what was expected after ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', which is considered one of the top games in the series, because of its characters and heightened drama typical to many other games of the series. All of these are elements many fans felt the fifth installment of the series lacked. Other fans on the other hand felt that the game featured some of the best gameplay in the series, period, thanks to the evolved Job system, which has served as the basis for that of three spin-off titles: ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyDimensions'' and ''VideoGame/BravelyDefault'' (albeit the former is a genre/franchise crossover with ''VideoGame/TacticsOgre''). Combine all of this with an annual (unofficial) charity run, and you have a franchise darkhorse, making ''it'' a tough act to follow of its own, especially when [[SpiritualSuccessor sizing up]] ''Dimensions'' and ''Default''. In the case of ''Default'', [[ZigZaggingTrope however]], it ''is'' credited for helping revive interest in traditional [=JRPGs=] after Square Enix's various attempts at experimentation in the mainline ''FF'' series, and was successful enough to warrant [[VideoGame/BravelySecond a sequel]].
to:
** There is also a BrokenBase regarding whether ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' did or didn't live up to what was expected after ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', which is considered one of the top games in the series, because of its characters and heightened drama typical to many other games of the series. All of these are elements many fans felt the fifth installment of the series lacked. Other fans on the other hand felt that the game featured some of the best gameplay in the series, period, thanks to the evolved Job system, which has served as the basis for that of three spin-off titles: ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyDimensions'' and ''VideoGame/BravelyDefault'' (albeit the former is a genre/franchise crossover with ''VideoGame/TacticsOgre''). Combine all of this with an annual (unofficial) charity run, and you have a franchise darkhorse, making ''it'' a tough act to follow of its own, especially when [[SpiritualSuccessor sizing up]] ''Dimensions'' and ''Default''. In the case of ''Default'', [[ZigZaggingTrope however]], it ''is'' credited for helping revive interest in traditional [=JRPGs=] after Square Enix's Creator/SquareEnix's various attempts at experimentation in the mainline ''FF'' series, and was successful enough to warrant [[VideoGame/BravelySecond a sequel]].
Changed line(s) 72 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'' set the gold standard for mainline ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games, featuring outstanding [[VideoGame3DLeap three-dimensional]] visuals, a brand new combat system, long and complex dungeons, [[NintendoHard challenging difficulty]] that never lets up, six different endings rather than just the traditional [[OrderVersusChaos Law/Neutral/Chaos]] branches including an ultimate ending where [[spoiler:you personally become Lucifer's right-hand man]], and [[MemeticMutation Dante from the Devil May Cry series]]. As a result, ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' had a lot to live up to, and that was just from mainline fans[[note]]it also faced opposition from ''[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona]]'' fans, as ''Persona'' was steadily growing into a CashCowFranchise at the time, and [[AmericansHateTingle this goes double in the West]] where ''Persona'' easily outdoes mainline in terms of commercial success[[/note]]; complaints include the step back to 2D sprites and portraits, reused the combat system from ''Nocturne'' with only minor tweaks, shorter and simpler dungeons devoid of puzzles, the decision to put the game on a Nintendo platform[[note]]Ironically, both of the original ''VideoGame/MegamiTensei'' games and the first two mainline games (''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiI'' and ''[[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII II]]'') were released on Nintendo platforms, but it wasn't until ''Nocturne'' that mainline ''SMT'' saw the light of day outside of Japan[[/note]] -- [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS a handheld one]], at that -- the [[SequelDifficultyDrop difficulty]] [[ItsEasySoItSucks reduction]] even on Master difficulty, [[RocketTagGameplay the removal of the defense stat]], and a more standard Law vs. Chaos plot.
to:
* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'' set the gold standard for mainline ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games, featuring outstanding [[VideoGame3DLeap three-dimensional]] visuals, a brand new combat system, long and complex dungeons, [[NintendoHard challenging difficulty]] that never lets up, six different endings rather than just the traditional [[OrderVersusChaos Law/Neutral/Chaos]] branches including an ultimate ending where [[spoiler:you personally become Lucifer's right-hand man]], and [[MemeticMutation Dante from the Devil May Cry series]]. As a result, ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' had a lot to live up to, and that was just from mainline fans[[note]]it fans [[note]]it also faced opposition from ''[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona]]'' fans, as ''Persona'' was steadily growing into a CashCowFranchise at the time, and [[AmericansHateTingle this goes double in the West]] where ''Persona'' easily outdoes mainline in terms of commercial success[[/note]]; complaints include the step back to 2D sprites and portraits, reused the combat system from ''Nocturne'' with only minor tweaks, shorter and simpler dungeons devoid of puzzles, the decision to put the game on a Nintendo platform[[note]]Ironically, platform [[note]]ironically, both of the original ''VideoGame/MegamiTensei'' games and the first two mainline games (''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiI'' and ''[[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII II]]'') were released on Nintendo platforms, but it wasn't until ''Nocturne'' that mainline ''SMT'' saw the light of day outside of Japan[[/note]] -- [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS a handheld one]], at that -- the [[SequelDifficultyDrop difficulty]] [[ItsEasySoItSucks reduction]] even on Master difficulty, [[RocketTagGameplay the removal of the defense stat]], and a more standard Law vs. Chaos plot.
Changed line(s) 77 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', while not an example for the fanbase as a whole, has historically struggled to satisfy the TournamentPlay community with later installments. ''Melee'' was -- and still is -- recognized as a worthy fighting game, with its fast pace and in-depth techniques (a couple of which having been a result of GoodBadBugs) often providing intense rounds. When ''Brawl'' slowed down the overall pace, added a few cases of RandomNumberGod (most notably "tripping") and removed the aforementioned GoodBadBugs, potential for competitive play lowered as a consequence (to the point where [[VideoGame/ProjectM a fanmade mod]] was made in an attempt to bring back ''Melee'''s more well-received mechanics). ''For 3DS and Wii U'' approached a more competitive format by removing the random elements and making the game's pace slightly faster, but with ''Melee'' still making appearances in various fighting game tournaments, the former game remains standing in the shadows that the latter game has cast.
to:
* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', while not an example for the fanbase as a whole, has historically struggled to satisfy the TournamentPlay community with later installments. ''Melee'' ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee Melee]]'' was -- and still is -- recognized as a worthy fighting game, with its fast pace and in-depth techniques (a couple of which having been a result of GoodBadBugs) often providing intense rounds. When ''Brawl'' ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl Brawl]]'' slowed down the overall pace, added a few cases of RandomNumberGod (most notably "tripping") and removed the aforementioned GoodBadBugs, potential for competitive play lowered as a consequence (to the point where [[VideoGame/ProjectM a fanmade mod]] was made in an attempt to bring back ''Melee'''s more well-received mechanics). ''For ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU For 3DS and Wii U'' U]]'' approached a more competitive format by removing the random elements and making the game's pace slightly faster, but with ''Melee'' still making appearances in various fighting game tournaments, the former game remains standing in the shadows that the latter game has cast.
Changed line(s) 82,84 (click to see context) from:
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect2 The second game]] is also largely beloved, but there is considerable debate as to whether it's better than the first or not. A sizable portion of the fanbase sees it as a slight step down from the first.
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect3 The third game]] frequently gets negative comparisons to the first two. While the streamlined gameplay is seen as an improvement, the rest of the game-especially the writing-is much more controversial. It also has an infamous GainaxEnding and is accused of [[AbortedArc failing to properly follow up on plot points from the previous games]].
** ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'' is hit the hardest. It's constantly compared to the original trilogy and the comparisons are almost ''never'' in ''Andromeda's'' favor. Everything about it, from the writing to the gameplay to the characters, is accused of being pale imitation of the previous games. Even the game's defenders tend to consider it weaker than the first three games.
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect3 The third game]] frequently gets negative comparisons to the first two. While the streamlined gameplay is seen as an improvement, the rest of the game-especially the writing-is much more controversial. It also has an infamous GainaxEnding and is accused of [[AbortedArc failing to properly follow up on plot points from the previous games]].
** ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'' is hit the hardest. It's constantly compared to the original trilogy and the comparisons are almost ''never'' in ''Andromeda's'' favor. Everything about it, from the writing to the gameplay to the characters, is accused of being pale imitation of the previous games. Even the game's defenders tend to consider it weaker than the first three games.
to:
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect2 The second game]] is also largely beloved, [[ContestedSequel but there is considerable debate as to whether it's better than the first or not.not]]. A sizable portion of the fanbase sees it as a slight step down from the first.
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect3 The third game]] frequently gets negative comparisons to the first two. While the streamlined gameplay is seen as an improvement, the rest of thegame-especially game--especially the writing-is writing--is much more controversial. It also has an infamous GainaxEnding and is accused of [[AbortedArc failing to properly follow up on plot points from the previous games]].
** ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'' is hit the hardest. It's constantly compared to the original trilogy and the comparisons are almost''never'' ''[[{{Sequelitis}} never]]'' in ''Andromeda's'' ''Andromeda''[='s=] favor. Everything about it, from the writing to the gameplay to the characters, is accused of being pale imitation of the previous games. Even the game's defenders tend to consider it weaker than the first three games.
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect3 The third game]] frequently gets negative comparisons to the first two. While the streamlined gameplay is seen as an improvement, the rest of the
** ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'' is hit the hardest. It's constantly compared to the original trilogy and the comparisons are almost
Changed line(s) 87 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'' had this from fans coming from ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2''. On i's own, ''Saints Row: The Third'' did a lot right and in some aspects much better than ''Saints Row 2'', like weapon upgrades needed to be earned, shortening the amount of times activities needed to be done, reducing their overall frustration, tightening controls, and overall sillier aspects. However, for every great thing the third game introduced, it lost something in the process that made the second game memorable. The story is much more streamlined and arguably focused in [=SR3=], but the syndicate as a whole feels less memorable than the gangs from the first two games and the whole menace of them feels off when the leader [[spoiler: is offed in act 1, replaced with a LargeHam luchador]]. The town is much more easier to maneuver around in at the cost of Steelport being absolutely boring compared to Stillwater. The humor balanced with more of the serious aspects of the second gave the humor more impact and needed relief compared to the third which could pass as an Creator/AdultSwim cartoon, etc. It's not like the third game is bad by any means; but it's one where despite numerous improvements, many still like the second game better.
to:
* ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'' had this from fans coming from ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2''. On i's its own, ''Saints Row: The Third'' did a lot right and in some aspects much better than ''Saints Row 2'', like weapon upgrades needed to be earned, shortening the amount of times activities needed to be done, reducing their overall frustration, tightening controls, and overall sillier aspects. However, for every great thing the third game introduced, it lost something in the process that made the second game memorable. The story is much more streamlined and arguably focused in [=SR3=], but the syndicate as a whole feels less memorable than the gangs from the first two games and the whole menace of them feels off when the leader [[spoiler: is [[spoiler:is offed in act Act 1, replaced with a LargeHam luchador]]. The town is much more easier to maneuver around in at the cost of Steelport being absolutely boring compared to Stillwater. The humor balanced with more of the serious aspects of the second gave the humor more impact and needed relief compared to the third which could pass as an Creator/AdultSwim cartoon, etc. It's not like the third game is bad by any means; but it's one where despite numerous improvements, many still like the second game better.
Changed line(s) 89,91 (click to see context) from:
* The first ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'' is considered a classic Wii game that successfully melded JRPG mechanics with the WideOpenSandbox worlds more emblematic of Western [=RPG=]s and was also a major SleeperHit CultClassic for a console that didn't see very many [=RPG=]s overall, some even liken it to the greatest JRPG classics of all time, like ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. While ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' are also well-regarded sequels, they've tended to receive much more criticism than the first game.
* ''VideoGame/TheBeginnersGuide'', created by Davey Wreden, creator of ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' is a game ''about'' this... [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Or, at least, that's one very valid way to interpret it]]. The game followed a very open blog post by Wreden grappling with his feelings of success and inadequacy after ''The Stanley Parable'' became a runaway success, and goes into some similar territory by being a paean to a friend of Davey's who ostensibly went through the same process. The game itself appears to have avoided falling into its own subject matter, most critics considering it another triumph of Wreden's.
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'', Konami has found it difficult to produce new ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' games with a successful playerbase; in fact, three of their post-''SDVX'' games had official network support terminated, while even longrunners like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' continue to get updates and new versions. ''Miraidagakki [=FutureTomTom=]'', a drumming game with motion sensor sticks and a face camera. was dismissed as fun for a few plays at best and shelved accordingly. ''VideoGame/BeatStream'' has a pretty unorthodox interface that players couldn't really get behind, resulting in the game being nixed as well. ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}'' is marred by poorly-designed buttons and a confusing system that involves arranging Grafica (characters) into a party, and even after an update that addressed a lot of the problems with the Grafica system, it still couldn't pull in enough players and as such was discontinued as well. The jury is still out on whether ''VideoGame/{{Nostalgia|BEMANI}}'' and ''VideoGame/DanceRush'' can have enough staying power to not get nixed so early. \\
* ''VideoGame/TheBeginnersGuide'', created by Davey Wreden, creator of ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' is a game ''about'' this... [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Or, at least, that's one very valid way to interpret it]]. The game followed a very open blog post by Wreden grappling with his feelings of success and inadequacy after ''The Stanley Parable'' became a runaway success, and goes into some similar territory by being a paean to a friend of Davey's who ostensibly went through the same process. The game itself appears to have avoided falling into its own subject matter, most critics considering it another triumph of Wreden's.
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'', Konami has found it difficult to produce new ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' games with a successful playerbase; in fact, three of their post-''SDVX'' games had official network support terminated, while even longrunners like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' continue to get updates and new versions. ''Miraidagakki [=FutureTomTom=]'', a drumming game with motion sensor sticks and a face camera. was dismissed as fun for a few plays at best and shelved accordingly. ''VideoGame/BeatStream'' has a pretty unorthodox interface that players couldn't really get behind, resulting in the game being nixed as well. ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}'' is marred by poorly-designed buttons and a confusing system that involves arranging Grafica (characters) into a party, and even after an update that addressed a lot of the problems with the Grafica system, it still couldn't pull in enough players and as such was discontinued as well. The jury is still out on whether ''VideoGame/{{Nostalgia|BEMANI}}'' and ''VideoGame/DanceRush'' can have enough staying power to not get nixed so early. \\
to:
* The first ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'' is considered a classic Wii game that successfully melded JRPG mechanics with the WideOpenSandbox worlds more emblematic of Western [=RPG=]s [=RPGs=] and was also a major SleeperHit CultClassic for a console that didn't see very many [=RPG=]s [=RPGs=] overall, some even liken it to the greatest JRPG classics of all time, like ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. While ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' are also well-regarded sequels, they've tended to receive much more criticism than the first game.
* ''VideoGame/TheBeginnersGuide'', created by Davey Wreden, creator of ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' is a game ''about'' this... [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Or, at least, that's one very valid way to interpretit]]. it.]] The game followed a very open blog post by Wreden grappling with his feelings of success and inadequacy after ''The Stanley Parable'' became a runaway success, and goes into some similar territory by being a paean to a friend of Davey's who ostensibly went through the same process. The game itself appears to have avoided falling into its own subject matter, most critics considering it another triumph of Wreden's.
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'',Konami Creator/{{Konami}} has found it difficult to produce new ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' games with a successful playerbase; in fact, three of their post-''SDVX'' games had official network support terminated, while even longrunners like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' continue to get updates and new versions. ''Miraidagakki [=FutureTomTom=]'', a drumming game with motion sensor sticks and a face camera. was dismissed as fun for a few plays at best and shelved accordingly. ''VideoGame/BeatStream'' has a pretty unorthodox interface that players couldn't really get behind, resulting in the game being nixed as well. ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}'' is marred by poorly-designed buttons and a confusing system that involves arranging Grafica (characters) into a party, and even after an update that addressed a lot of the problems with the Grafica system, it still couldn't pull in enough players and as such was discontinued as well. The jury is still out on whether ''VideoGame/{{Nostalgia|BEMANI}}'' and ''VideoGame/DanceRush'' can have enough staying power to not get nixed so early. \\
* ''VideoGame/TheBeginnersGuide'', created by Davey Wreden, creator of ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' is a game ''about'' this... [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Or, at least, that's one very valid way to interpret
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'',
Changed line(s) 94 (click to see context) from:
* Questionable monetization schemes aside, this is why EA's ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' and [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017 its sequel]] have garnered mixed to negative reactions from fans. Both entries are often unfavorably compared to both ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII'' and EA's online ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' series. ''Star Wars Battlefront II'' from 2005 was universally beloved for delivering on the large-scale ''Star Wars'' experience across all eras and providing substantial content and variety in both locations, characters, and weapons. In comparison, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' was roundly criticized for its lack of depth since the game lacked a single player campaign, galactic conquest, space battles, and the prequel era setting. Likewise, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017'' had the unfortunate luck of coming seen as a step down from 2016's ''VideoGame/Battlefield1'', which was universally praised for its smooth launch, unconventional WWI setting, and surprisingly good solo campaign; subsequently ''Battlefront II'' (the 2017 version) lacked these features and was seen as a step down. Furthermore, both ''Battlefront'' games lacked the destructible environments, diverse vehicle selection, and squad systems, leading to fans deriding them as "poor man's Battlefield".
to:
* Questionable monetization schemes aside, this is why EA's [[Creator/ElectronicArts EA's]] ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' and [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017 its sequel]] have garnered mixed to negative mixed-to-negative reactions from fans. Both entries are often unfavorably compared to both ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII'' and EA's online ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' series. ''Star Wars Battlefront II'' from 2005 was universally beloved for delivering on the large-scale ''Star Wars'' experience across all eras and providing substantial content and variety in both locations, characters, and weapons. In comparison, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' was roundly criticized for its lack of depth since the game lacked a single player campaign, galactic conquest, space battles, and the prequel era setting. Likewise, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017'' had the unfortunate luck of coming seen as a step down from 2016's ''VideoGame/Battlefield1'', which was universally praised for its smooth launch, unconventional WWI [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarI WWI]] setting, and surprisingly good solo campaign; subsequently ''Battlefront II'' (the 2017 version) lacked these features and was seen as a step down. Furthermore, both ''Battlefront'' games lacked the destructible environments, diverse vehicle selection, and squad systems, leading to fans deriding them as "poor man's Battlefield".''Battlefield''."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 91 (click to see context) from:
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'', Konami has found it difficult to produce new ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' games with a successful playerbase; in fact, three of their post-''SDVX'' games had official network support terminated, while even longrunners like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' continue to get updates and new versions. ''Miraidagakki [=FutureTomTom=]'', a drumming game with motion sensor sticks and a face camera. was dismissed as fun for a few plays at best and shelved accordingly. ''VideoGame/BeatStream'' has a pretty unorthodox interface that players couldn't really get behind, resulting in the game being nixed as well. ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}'' is marred by poorly-designed buttons and a confusing system that involves arranging Grafica (characters) into a party, and even after an update that addressed a lot of the problems with the Grafica system, it still couldn't pull in enough players and as such was discontinued as well. \\
to:
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'', Konami has found it difficult to produce new ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' games with a successful playerbase; in fact, three of their post-''SDVX'' games had official network support terminated, while even longrunners like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' continue to get updates and new versions. ''Miraidagakki [=FutureTomTom=]'', a drumming game with motion sensor sticks and a face camera. was dismissed as fun for a few plays at best and shelved accordingly. ''VideoGame/BeatStream'' has a pretty unorthodox interface that players couldn't really get behind, resulting in the game being nixed as well. ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}'' is marred by poorly-designed buttons and a confusing system that involves arranging Grafica (characters) into a party, and even after an update that addressed a lot of the problems with the Grafica system, it still couldn't pull in enough players and as such was discontinued as well. The jury is still out on whether ''VideoGame/{{Nostalgia|BEMANI}}'' and ''VideoGame/DanceRush'' can have enough staying power to not get nixed so early. \\
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 93 (click to see context) from:
For some fans in particular, this trope applies more widely to the franchise with everything after ''VideoGame/PopNMusic'' and ''IIDX'' being seen as substandard, due to those games being hailed as the gold standard of rhythm games, especially [[NintendoHard challenge-oriented ones]].
to:
For some fans in particular, this trope applies more widely to the franchise with everything after ''VideoGame/PopNMusic'' and ''IIDX'' being seen as substandard, due to those games being hailed as the gold standard of rhythm games, especially [[NintendoHard challenge-oriented ones]].ones]].
* Questionable monetization schemes aside, this is why EA's ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' and [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017 its sequel]] have garnered mixed to negative reactions from fans. Both entries are often unfavorably compared to both ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII'' and EA's online ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' series. ''Star Wars Battlefront II'' from 2005 was universally beloved for delivering on the large-scale ''Star Wars'' experience across all eras and providing substantial content and variety in both locations, characters, and weapons. In comparison, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' was roundly criticized for its lack of depth since the game lacked a single player campaign, galactic conquest, space battles, and the prequel era setting. Likewise, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017'' had the unfortunate luck of coming seen as a step down from 2016's ''VideoGame/Battlefield1'', which was universally praised for its smooth launch, unconventional WWI setting, and surprisingly good solo campaign; subsequently ''Battlefront II'' (the 2017 version) lacked these features and was seen as a step down. Furthermore, both ''Battlefront'' games lacked the destructible environments, diverse vehicle selection, and squad systems, leading to fans deriding them as "poor man's Battlefield".
* Questionable monetization schemes aside, this is why EA's ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' and [[VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017 its sequel]] have garnered mixed to negative reactions from fans. Both entries are often unfavorably compared to both ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII'' and EA's online ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' series. ''Star Wars Battlefront II'' from 2005 was universally beloved for delivering on the large-scale ''Star Wars'' experience across all eras and providing substantial content and variety in both locations, characters, and weapons. In comparison, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront2015'' was roundly criticized for its lack of depth since the game lacked a single player campaign, galactic conquest, space battles, and the prequel era setting. Likewise, ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII2017'' had the unfortunate luck of coming seen as a step down from 2016's ''VideoGame/Battlefield1'', which was universally praised for its smooth launch, unconventional WWI setting, and surprisingly good solo campaign; subsequently ''Battlefront II'' (the 2017 version) lacked these features and was seen as a step down. Furthermore, both ''Battlefront'' games lacked the destructible environments, diverse vehicle selection, and squad systems, leading to fans deriding them as "poor man's Battlefield".
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 91 (click to see context) from:
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'', Konami has found it difficult to produce new ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' games with a successful playerbase; in fact, three of their post-''SDVX'' games had official network support terminated, while even longrunners like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' continue to get updates and new versions. ''Miraidagakki [=FutureTomTom=]'', a drumming game with motion sensor sticks and a face camera. was dismissed as fun for a few plays at best and shelved accordingly. ''VideoGame/BeatStream'' has a pretty unorthodox interface that players couldn't really get behind, resulting in the game being nixed as well. ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}'' is marred by poorly-designed buttons and a confusing system that involves arranging Grafica (characters) into a party, and even after an update that addressed a lot of the problems with the Grafica system, it still couldn't pull in enough players and as such was discontinued as well.
to:
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'', Konami has found it difficult to produce new ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' games with a successful playerbase; in fact, three of their post-''SDVX'' games had official network support terminated, while even longrunners like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' continue to get updates and new versions. ''Miraidagakki [=FutureTomTom=]'', a drumming game with motion sensor sticks and a face camera. was dismissed as fun for a few plays at best and shelved accordingly. ''VideoGame/BeatStream'' has a pretty unorthodox interface that players couldn't really get behind, resulting in the game being nixed as well. ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}'' is marred by poorly-designed buttons and a confusing system that involves arranging Grafica (characters) into a party, and even after an update that addressed a lot of the problems with the Grafica system, it still couldn't pull in enough players and as such was discontinued as well. \\
\\
For some fans in particular, this trope applies more widely to the franchise with everything after ''VideoGame/PopNMusic'' and ''IIDX'' being seen as substandard, due to those games being hailed as the gold standard of rhythm games, especially [[NintendoHard challenge-oriented ones]].
\\
For some fans in particular, this trope applies more widely to the franchise with everything after ''VideoGame/PopNMusic'' and ''IIDX'' being seen as substandard, due to those games being hailed as the gold standard of rhythm games, especially [[NintendoHard challenge-oriented ones]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 72 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'' set the gold standard for mainline ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games, featuring outstanding [[VideoGame3DLeap three-dimensional]] visuals, a brand new combat system, long and complex dungeons, [[NintendoHard challenging difficulty]] that never lets up, six different endings rather than just the traditional [[OrderVersusChaos Law/Neutral/Chaos]] branches including an ultimate ending where [[spoiler:you personally become Lucifer's right-hand man]], and [[MemeticMutation Dante from the Devil May Cry series]]. As a result, ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' had a lot to live up to, and that was just from mainline fans[[note]]it also faced opposition from ''[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona]]'' fans, as ''Persona'' was steadily growing into a CashCowFranchise at the time, and [[AmericansHateTingle this goes double in the West]] where ''Persona'' easily outdoes mainline in terms of commercial success[[/note]]; complaints include the step back to 2D sprites and portraits, reused the combat system from ''Nocturne'' with only minor tweaks, shorter and simpler dungeons devoid of puzzles, the decision to put the game on a Nintendo platform -- [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS a handheld one]], at that -- the [[SequelDifficultyDrop difficulty]] [[ItsEasySoItSucks reduction]] even on Master difficulty, [[RocketTagGameplay the removal of the defense stat]], and a more standard Law vs. Chaos plot.
to:
* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'' set the gold standard for mainline ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games, featuring outstanding [[VideoGame3DLeap three-dimensional]] visuals, a brand new combat system, long and complex dungeons, [[NintendoHard challenging difficulty]] that never lets up, six different endings rather than just the traditional [[OrderVersusChaos Law/Neutral/Chaos]] branches including an ultimate ending where [[spoiler:you personally become Lucifer's right-hand man]], and [[MemeticMutation Dante from the Devil May Cry series]]. As a result, ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' had a lot to live up to, and that was just from mainline fans[[note]]it also faced opposition from ''[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona]]'' fans, as ''Persona'' was steadily growing into a CashCowFranchise at the time, and [[AmericansHateTingle this goes double in the West]] where ''Persona'' easily outdoes mainline in terms of commercial success[[/note]]; complaints include the step back to 2D sprites and portraits, reused the combat system from ''Nocturne'' with only minor tweaks, shorter and simpler dungeons devoid of puzzles, the decision to put the game on a Nintendo platform platform[[note]]Ironically, both of the original ''VideoGame/MegamiTensei'' games and the first two mainline games (''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiI'' and ''[[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII II]]'') were released on Nintendo platforms, but it wasn't until ''Nocturne'' that mainline ''SMT'' saw the light of day outside of Japan[[/note]] -- [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS a handheld one]], at that -- the [[SequelDifficultyDrop difficulty]] [[ItsEasySoItSucks reduction]] even on Master difficulty, [[RocketTagGameplay the removal of the defense stat]], and a more standard Law vs. Chaos plot.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 73 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/{{Injustice}}'' has an in-universe lampshading from Joker during his TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Superman during the Story Mode's prologue, when Superman interrupts Batman's interrogation and confronts him after Joker tricks him into killing Lois and his unborn son, the stopping of Lois's heartbeat detonating a nuke, wiping out eight million lives. "Now run along, so I can break out of here. I've got lots of planning to do to top this."
to:
* ''VideoGame/{{Injustice}}'' ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'' has an in-universe lampshading from Joker during his TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Superman during the Story Mode's prologue, when Superman interrupts Batman's interrogation and confronts him after Joker tricks him into killing Lois and his unborn son, the stopping of Lois's heartbeat detonating a nuke, wiping out eight million lives. "Now run along, so I can break out of here. I've got lots of planning to do to top this."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 17,18 (click to see context) from:
** There is also a BrokenBase regarding whether ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' did or didn't live up to what was expected after ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', which is considered one of the top games in the series, because of its characters and heightened drama typical to many other games of the series. All of these are elements many fans felt the fifth installment of the series lacked. Other fans on the other hand felt that the game featured some of the best gameplay in the series, period, thanks to the evolved Job system, which has served as the basis for that of three spin-off titles: ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', ''VideoGames/FinalFantasyDimensions'' and ''VideoGame/BravelyDefault'' (albeit the former is a genre/franchise crossover with ''VideoGame/TacticsOgre''). Combine all of this with an annual (unofficial) charity run, and you have a franchise darkhorse, making ''it'' a tough act to follow of its own, especially when [[SpiritualSuccessor sizing up]] ''Dimensions'' and ''Default''. In the case of ''Default'', [[ZigZaggingTrope however]], it ''is'' credited for helping revive interest in traditional [=JRPGs=] after Square Enix's various attempts at experimentation in the mainline ''FF'' series, and was successful enough to warrant [[VideoGame/BravelySecond a sequel]].
** And then there's Music/NobuoUematsu: he has since produced many solid and great video game soundtracks, but after the [[AwesomeMusic/FinalFantasy dozens of anthems to video game awesomeness]] that pervade the sixth installment, for some people, everything he composed since is fated to be seen as "not as good as ''FFVI''[='s=] soundtrack." Uematsu himself considers ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'''s OST his masterpiece. For that matter, any other composer that works on the series, even in spinoffs, is destined to be held to Uematsu's standard.
** And then there's Music/NobuoUematsu: he has since produced many solid and great video game soundtracks, but after the [[AwesomeMusic/FinalFantasy dozens of anthems to video game awesomeness]] that pervade the sixth installment, for some people, everything he composed since is fated to be seen as "not as good as ''FFVI''[='s=] soundtrack." Uematsu himself considers ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'''s OST his masterpiece. For that matter, any other composer that works on the series, even in spinoffs, is destined to be held to Uematsu's standard.
to:
** There is also a BrokenBase regarding whether ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' did or didn't live up to what was expected after ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', which is considered one of the top games in the series, because of its characters and heightened drama typical to many other games of the series. All of these are elements many fans felt the fifth installment of the series lacked. Other fans on the other hand felt that the game featured some of the best gameplay in the series, period, thanks to the evolved Job system, which has served as the basis for that of three spin-off titles: ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', ''VideoGames/FinalFantasyDimensions'' ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyDimensions'' and ''VideoGame/BravelyDefault'' (albeit the former is a genre/franchise crossover with ''VideoGame/TacticsOgre''). Combine all of this with an annual (unofficial) charity run, and you have a franchise darkhorse, making ''it'' a tough act to follow of its own, especially when [[SpiritualSuccessor sizing up]] ''Dimensions'' and ''Default''. In the case of ''Default'', [[ZigZaggingTrope however]], it ''is'' credited for helping revive interest in traditional [=JRPGs=] after Square Enix's various attempts at experimentation in the mainline ''FF'' series, and was successful enough to warrant [[VideoGame/BravelySecond a sequel]].
** And then there'sMusic/NobuoUematsu: Creator/NobuoUematsu: he has since produced many solid and great video game soundtracks, but after the [[AwesomeMusic/FinalFantasy dozens of anthems to video game awesomeness]] that pervade the sixth installment, for some people, everything he composed since is fated to be seen as "not as good as ''FFVI''[='s=] soundtrack." Uematsu himself considers ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'''s OST his masterpiece. For that matter, any other composer that works on the series, even in spinoffs, is destined to be held to Uematsu's standard.
** And then there's
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 91 (click to see context) from:
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'', Konami has found it difficult to produce new ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' games with a successful playerbase; in fact, three of their post-''SDVX'' games currently have official network support, while even longrunners like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' continue to get updates and new versions. ''Miraidagakki [=FutureTomTom=]'', a drumming game with motion sensor sticks and a face camera. was dismissed as fun for a few plays at best and shelved accordingly. ''VideoGame/BeatStream'' has a pretty unorthodox interface that players couldn't really get behind, resulting in the game being nixed as well. ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}'' is marred by poorly-designed buttons and a confusing system that involves arranging Grafica (characters) into a party, and even after an update that addressed a lot of the problems with the Grafica system, it still couldn't pull in enough players and as such was discontinued as well.
to:
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'', Konami has found it difficult to produce new ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' games with a successful playerbase; in fact, three of their post-''SDVX'' games currently have had official network support, support terminated, while even longrunners like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' continue to get updates and new versions. ''Miraidagakki [=FutureTomTom=]'', a drumming game with motion sensor sticks and a face camera. was dismissed as fun for a few plays at best and shelved accordingly. ''VideoGame/BeatStream'' has a pretty unorthodox interface that players couldn't really get behind, resulting in the game being nixed as well. ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}'' is marred by poorly-designed buttons and a confusing system that involves arranging Grafica (characters) into a party, and even after an update that addressed a lot of the problems with the Grafica system, it still couldn't pull in enough players and as such was discontinued as well.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 90 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/TheBeginnersGuide'', created by Davey Wreden, creator of ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' is a game ''about'' this... [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Or, at least, that's one very valid way to interpret it]]. The game followed a very open blog post by Wreden grappling with his feelings of success and inadequacy after ''The Stanley Parable'' became a runaway success, and goes into some similar territory by being a paean to a friend of Davey's who ostensibly went through the same process. The game itself appears to have avoided falling into its own subject matter, most critics considering it another triumph of Wreden's.
to:
* ''VideoGame/TheBeginnersGuide'', created by Davey Wreden, creator of ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' is a game ''about'' this... [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Or, at least, that's one very valid way to interpret it]]. The game followed a very open blog post by Wreden grappling with his feelings of success and inadequacy after ''The Stanley Parable'' became a runaway success, and goes into some similar territory by being a paean to a friend of Davey's who ostensibly went through the same process. The game itself appears to have avoided falling into its own subject matter, most critics considering it another triumph of Wreden's.Wreden's.
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'', Konami has found it difficult to produce new ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' games with a successful playerbase; in fact, three of their post-''SDVX'' games currently have official network support, while even longrunners like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' continue to get updates and new versions. ''Miraidagakki [=FutureTomTom=]'', a drumming game with motion sensor sticks and a face camera. was dismissed as fun for a few plays at best and shelved accordingly. ''VideoGame/BeatStream'' has a pretty unorthodox interface that players couldn't really get behind, resulting in the game being nixed as well. ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}'' is marred by poorly-designed buttons and a confusing system that involves arranging Grafica (characters) into a party, and even after an update that addressed a lot of the problems with the Grafica system, it still couldn't pull in enough players and as such was discontinued as well.
* After ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'', Konami has found it difficult to produce new ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' games with a successful playerbase; in fact, three of their post-''SDVX'' games currently have official network support, while even longrunners like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' continue to get updates and new versions. ''Miraidagakki [=FutureTomTom=]'', a drumming game with motion sensor sticks and a face camera. was dismissed as fun for a few plays at best and shelved accordingly. ''VideoGame/BeatStream'' has a pretty unorthodox interface that players couldn't really get behind, resulting in the game being nixed as well. ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}'' is marred by poorly-designed buttons and a confusing system that involves arranging Grafica (characters) into a party, and even after an update that addressed a lot of the problems with the Grafica system, it still couldn't pull in enough players and as such was discontinued as well.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 14 (click to see context) from:
* Apparently, Creator/HideoKojima regrets being remembered only for the ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' series, which overshadowed his earlier games and whose shadow looms on every possible future title.
to:
* Apparently, Creator/HideoKojima regrets being remembered only for the ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' series, which overshadowed his earlier games and whose shadow looms on every possible future title. He would eventually finally move on from Konami and [[VideoGame/DeathStranding start producing original games once again]], but time will tell if he can shake his reputation off.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 53 (click to see context) from:
* Take Nintendo's legacy and make the decline far, far worse, and you have Sega. The Sega Mega Drive, or UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis as North Americans know it, was seen as ''the'' console to have in the early 90s if you didn't want a SNES, or had one but felt like getting another console anyway; an excellent library and strong processing power make it a great platform, especially if you enjoy fast-paced games, thus putting pressure on Nintendo to get or keep customers interested in their [=SNESes=]. A However, Sega just kept slipping and slipping afterwards. The UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn was marred by its developer-unfriendliness especially for 3D titles in a period when 3D gaming was really starting to take off, as well as a decision to release it in North America early, pissing off many retailers and third-party developers, and Bernie Stolar running the system into the ground. Sega did manage to briefly get back in the groove with the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast, but a number of reasons, such as the hype for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 a few years later, prevented it from becoming the next Mega Drive and killed off Sega's days as a console industry force once and for all.
to:
* Take Nintendo's legacy and make the decline far, far worse, and you have Sega. The Sega Mega Drive, or UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis as North Americans know it, was seen as ''the'' console to have in the early 90s if you didn't want a SNES, or had one but felt like getting another console anyway; an excellent library and strong processing power make it a great platform, especially if you enjoy fast-paced games, thus putting pressure on Nintendo to get or keep customers interested in their [=SNESes=]. A However, Sega just kept slipping and slipping afterwards. The UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn was marred by its developer-unfriendliness especially for 3D titles (but comparatively strong 2D capabilities compared to its competitors) in a period when 3D gaming was really starting to take off, as well as a decision to release it in North America early, pissing off many retailers and third-party developers, and Bernie Stolar running the system into the ground. Sega did manage to briefly get back in the groove with the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast, but a number of reasons, such as the hype for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 a few years later, prevented it from becoming the next Mega Drive and killed off Sega's days as a console industry force once and for all.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 53 (click to see context) from:
* Take Nintendo's legacy and make the decline far, far worse, and you have Sega. The Sega Mega Drive, or UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis as North Americans know it, was seen as ''the'' console to have in the early 90s if you didn't want a SNES, or had one but felt like getting another console anyway--an excellent library and strong processing power make it a great platform, especially if you enjoy fast-paced games. However, Sega just kept slipping and slipping afterwards. The UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn was marred by its developer-unfriendliness especially for 3D titles in a period when 3D gaming was really starting to take off, as well as a decision to release it in North America early, pissing off many retailers and third-party developers, and Bernie Stolar running the system into the ground. Sega did manage to briefly get back in the groove with the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast, but a number of reasons, such as the hype for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 a few years later, prevented it from becoming the next Mega Drive and killed off Sega's days as a console industry force once and for all.
to:
* Take Nintendo's legacy and make the decline far, far worse, and you have Sega. The Sega Mega Drive, or UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis as North Americans know it, was seen as ''the'' console to have in the early 90s if you didn't want a SNES, or had one but felt like getting another console anyway--an anyway; an excellent library and strong processing power make it a great platform, especially if you enjoy fast-paced games. games, thus putting pressure on Nintendo to get or keep customers interested in their [=SNESes=]. A However, Sega just kept slipping and slipping afterwards. The UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn was marred by its developer-unfriendliness especially for 3D titles in a period when 3D gaming was really starting to take off, as well as a decision to release it in North America early, pissing off many retailers and third-party developers, and Bernie Stolar running the system into the ground. Sega did manage to briefly get back in the groove with the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast, but a number of reasons, such as the hype for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 a few years later, prevented it from becoming the next Mega Drive and killed off Sega's days as a console industry force once and for all.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 49 (click to see context) from:
* While ''VideoGame/Drakengard3'' is accepted by the fans as a worthy sequel to the [[Frachise/{{Drakengard}} main games]], it came after ''VideoGame/NieR'' which is regarded as the series' masterpiece and ''Drakengard 3'' being unable to live up to that game's legacy.
to:
* While ''VideoGame/Drakengard3'' is accepted by the fans as a worthy sequel to the [[Frachise/{{Drakengard}} [[Franchise/{{Drakengard}} main games]], it came after ''VideoGame/NieR'' which is regarded as the series' masterpiece and ''Drakengard 3'' being unable to live up to that game's legacy.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 89 (click to see context) from:
* The first ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'' is considered a classic Wii game that successfully melded JRPG mechanics with the WideOpenSandbox worlds more emblematic of Western [=RPG=]s and was also a major SleeperHit CultClassic for a console that didn't see very many [=RPG=]s overall. While ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' are also well-regarded sequels, they've tended to receive much more criticism than the first game.
to:
* The first ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'' is considered a classic Wii game that successfully melded JRPG mechanics with the WideOpenSandbox worlds more emblematic of Western [=RPG=]s and was also a major SleeperHit CultClassic for a console that didn't see very many [=RPG=]s overall.overall, some even liken it to the greatest JRPG classics of all time, like ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. While ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' are also well-regarded sequels, they've tended to receive much more criticism than the first game.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 12 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' was cursed from the beginning to never be as popular as ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', one of the most beloved games ever made.
to:
* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' was cursed from the beginning to never be as popular as ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', one of the most beloved games ever made.made the HappyEndingOverride didn't help matters, some fans saying the game would have been better if it were standalone.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 90 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/TheBeginnersGuide'', created by Davey Wreden, creator of ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' is a game ''about'' this... [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Or, at least, that's one very valid way to interpret it]]. The game itself appears to have avoided falling into its own subject matter, most critics considering it another triumph of Wreden's.
to:
* ''VideoGame/TheBeginnersGuide'', created by Davey Wreden, creator of ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' is a game ''about'' this... [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Or, at least, that's one very valid way to interpret it]]. The game followed a very open blog post by Wreden grappling with his feelings of success and inadequacy after ''The Stanley Parable'' became a runaway success, and goes into some similar territory by being a paean to a friend of Davey's who ostensibly went through the same process. The game itself appears to have avoided falling into its own subject matter, most critics considering it another triumph of Wreden's.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 89 (click to see context) from:
* The first ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'' is considered a classic Wii game that successfully melded JRPG mechanics with the WideOpenSandbox worlds more emblematic of Western [=RPG=]s and was also a major SleeperHit CultClassic for a console that didn't see very many [=RPG=]s overall. While ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' are also well-regarded sequels, they've tended to receive much more criticism than the first game.
to:
* The first ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'' is considered a classic Wii game that successfully melded JRPG mechanics with the WideOpenSandbox worlds more emblematic of Western [=RPG=]s and was also a major SleeperHit CultClassic for a console that didn't see very many [=RPG=]s overall. While ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' are also well-regarded sequels, they've tended to receive much more criticism than the first game.game.
* ''VideoGame/TheBeginnersGuide'', created by Davey Wreden, creator of ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' is a game ''about'' this... [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Or, at least, that's one very valid way to interpret it]]. The game itself appears to have avoided falling into its own subject matter, most critics considering it another triumph of Wreden's.
* ''VideoGame/TheBeginnersGuide'', created by Davey Wreden, creator of ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' is a game ''about'' this... [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Or, at least, that's one very valid way to interpret it]]. The game itself appears to have avoided falling into its own subject matter, most critics considering it another triumph of Wreden's.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 62 (click to see context) from:
* Pixel (Daisuke Amaya) will probably never be able to top his best-received game ''VideoGame/CaveStory'''s success and recognition. His next game, the arcadey ''VideoGame/KeroBlaster'', was praised by the press as a well-made and engaging game, but it barely made a blip among the gaming community.
to:
* Pixel Creator/StudioPixel (Daisuke Amaya) will probably never be able to top his best-received game ''VideoGame/CaveStory'''s success and recognition. His next game, the arcadey ''VideoGame/KeroBlaster'', was praised by the press as a well-made and engaging game, but it barely made a blip among the gaming community.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ''Franchise/StarFox'' has had a really tough time matching the acclaim of ''VideoGame/StarFox64'', regardless if the formula [[VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures changes]] or [[VideoGame/StarFoxZero stays the same]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 5,6 (click to see context) from:
** ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' is considered [[FirstInstallmentWins the definitive incarnation of the franchise to most people]], with the first 151 Pokémon are still the most iconic of them all. The series, while still remaining popular, never came close to recapturing the original games' mainstream ubiquity until the [[VideoGame/PokemonGo 2016 mobile game]].
** To hardcore fans, however, ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' are viewed as {{even better|Sequel}} than their predecessors, and the best in the series until their Generation IV remakes. While still being good, ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' having to follow them up was viewed as somewhat of a burden. The fact that they downplayed the time factor and excluded many Pokémon didn't help matters either.
** To hardcore fans, however, ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' are viewed as {{even better|Sequel}} than their predecessors, and the best in the series until their Generation IV remakes. While still being good, ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' having to follow them up was viewed as somewhat of a burden. The fact that they downplayed the time factor and excluded many Pokémon didn't help matters either.
to:
** ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' is considered [[FirstInstallmentWins the definitive incarnation of the franchise to most people]], with the first 151 Pokémon are still being the most iconic of them all. The series, while still remaining popular, never came close to recapturing the original games' mainstream ubiquity until the [[VideoGame/PokemonGo 2016 mobile game]].
**To hardcore fans, however, For the developers themselves, ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' are were viewed as {{even better|Sequel}} than their predecessors, and were even intended to be the best final games in the series until their Generation IV remakes. series, as they had no idea how they'd go about topping them. While still being good, ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' having to follow them up was viewed as somewhat of a burden. The fact that they downplayed burden, and the time factor and excluded many Pokémon didn't help matters either.fanbase came to consider it to be one of the weaker installments until those games were remade during the sixth generation.
**
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Deleted line(s) 42 (click to see context) :
* The Heaven's Feel scenario for ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', on top of the issues it has (due to time constraints), it follows up the very Popular Unlimited Blade Works scenario. This also applies to the heroines of both, [[{{Tsundere}} Rin]] and Sakura, with the latter's lack of real development causing some fans to see her as TheScrappy.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 71 (click to see context) from:
** The BigBad of the first game, [[spoiler:[[HopeCrusher Junko Enoshima]]]] aka the Ultimate Despair, is widely agreed by fans to be the best villain of the entire franchise, even better than [[spoiler:her]] incarnations in other installments! The first two after [[spoiler:her]], [[HateSink Monaca]] and [[TragicVillain Izuru]], did get praise, but were still overshadowed. And the ones after them? [[spoiler:[[TechnicalPacifist Kazuo]] and [[MaddenIntoMisanthropy Ryota]]]] of ''[=DR3=]'' and [[spoiler:[[LoonyFan Tsumugi]]]] of ''VisualNovel/NewDanganronpaV3'' were flat-out ''hated'' by the fans, being considered weak, ineffectual, and outright stupid.
to:
** The BigBad of the first game, Monokuma (AKA [[spoiler:[[HopeCrusher Junko Enoshima]]]] aka AKA the Ultimate Despair, Despair), is widely agreed by fans to be the best villain of the entire franchise, even better than [[spoiler:her]] their incarnations in other installments! The first two after [[spoiler:her]], [[HateSink Monaca]] after, [[spoiler:[[HateSink Monaca]]]] and [[TragicVillain Izuru]], [[spoiler:[[TragicVillain Izuru]]]], did get praise, but were still overshadowed. And the ones after them? [[spoiler:[[TechnicalPacifist Kazuo]] and [[MaddenIntoMisanthropy Ryota]]]] of ''[=DR3=]'' and [[spoiler:[[LoonyFan Tsumugi]]]] of ''VisualNovel/NewDanganronpaV3'' were flat-out ''hated'' by the fans, being considered weak, ineffectual, and outright stupid.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ''VideoGame/KidIcarusUprising'' was met with great acclaim for its [[EnsembleDarkHorse fantastic characters]], great gameplay, and for bringing one of Nintendo's most neglected franchises into the spotlight and carving an identity for itself. In fact, it has been said that Masahiro Sakurai and his team might not make a sequel to it because of this trope.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 87 (click to see context) from:
* SaintsRowTheThird had this from fans coming from SaintsRow2. On it's own, SaintsRowTheThird did a lot right and in some aspects much better than Saint's Row 2 like weapon upgrades needed to be earned, shortening the amount of times activities needed to be done, reducing their overall frustration, tightening controls, and overall sillier aspects. However, for every great thing the third game introduced, it lost something in the process that made the second game memorable. Your story is much more streamlined and arguably focused in SR3, but the syndicate as a whole feels less memorable than the gangs from the first two games and the whole menace of them feels off when the leader [[spoiler: is offed in act 1, replaced with a LargeHam luchador]]. The town is much more easier to maneuver around in at the cost of Steelport being absolutely boring compared to Stillwater. The humor balanced with more of the serious aspects of the second gave the humor more impact and needed relief compared to the third which could pass as an AdultSwim cartoon, etc. It's not like the third game is atrocious by any means; but it's one where despite numerous improvements, one would still like the second game better.
to:
* SaintsRowTheThird ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'' had this from fans coming from SaintsRow2. ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2''. On it's i's own, SaintsRowTheThird ''Saints Row: The Third'' did a lot right and in some aspects much better than Saint's ''Saints Row 2 2'', like weapon upgrades needed to be earned, shortening the amount of times activities needed to be done, reducing their overall frustration, tightening controls, and overall sillier aspects. However, for every great thing the third game introduced, it lost something in the process that made the second game memorable. Your The story is much more streamlined and arguably focused in SR3, [=SR3=], but the syndicate as a whole feels less memorable than the gangs from the first two games and the whole menace of them feels off when the leader [[spoiler: is offed in act 1, replaced with a LargeHam luchador]]. The town is much more easier to maneuver around in at the cost of Steelport being absolutely boring compared to Stillwater. The humor balanced with more of the serious aspects of the second gave the humor more impact and needed relief compared to the third which could pass as an AdultSwim Creator/AdultSwim cartoon, etc. It's not like the third game is atrocious bad by any means; but it's one where despite numerous improvements, one would many still like the second game better.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
main page is too large, splitting
Added DiffLines:
* The [=PS2=] entries for ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' are considered to be the highlights of that series, with the games only getting better from ''VideoGame/AceCombat04ShatteredSkies'' [[VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar to]] ''VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar''. Now, there's been some disagreement about which of those three games was the best of that era, but they have collectively overshadowed every other entry in the series and have hounded every new entry since.
* ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' sits within the shadow not of the first game, but of ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII''. It is still the most critically acclaimed and beloved entry in the franchise, thanks in part to its sprawling story, charismatic hero, large cast of [[HistoricalDomainCharacter historical characters]] (and keeping those characters relevant to the plot), jaw-dropping period architecture, sweeping soundtrack, and for making the most improvements and innovations on the formula. Future games would add gimmicks, change up character approaches, use other interesting and dramatic settings and so forth, but none have managed to captivate the same way. In fact, despite being follow-ups to ''II'' and following the same time period and main character, ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedBrotherhood'' and ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedRevelations'' both garnered detractors as well.
* ''VideoGame/Rayman3HoodlumHavoc'' is not called a bad game, but considering it was a follow-up to [[VideoGame/{{Rayman 2}} one of the most critically acclaimed, best-selling 3D platformers of all time]], being what is considered the masterpiece of Creator/{{Ubisoft}}, its critical reception and sales did not live up to the previous game. Some have speculated that ''Rayman 3''[='s=] underwhelming performance was why ''Rayman 4'' was retooled from another 3D platformer into the mini-game-centric ''Rayman VideoGame/RavingRabbids'', as well as why another ''Rayman'' platformer was put on ice for years until ''VideoGame/RaymanOrigins'' came around.
* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
** ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' is considered [[FirstInstallmentWins the definitive incarnation of the franchise to most people]], with the first 151 Pokémon are still the most iconic of them all. The series, while still remaining popular, never came close to recapturing the original games' mainstream ubiquity until the [[VideoGame/PokemonGo 2016 mobile game]].
** To hardcore fans, however, ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' are viewed as {{even better|Sequel}} than their predecessors, and the best in the series until their Generation IV remakes. While still being good, ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' having to follow them up was viewed as somewhat of a burden. The fact that they downplayed the time factor and excluded many Pokémon didn't help matters either.
** Generation V had a hard time following ''itself''. ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2'', despite introducing loads of new features, were also received partly unfavorably by both critics and the fans for not being what ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' were (lacking the story that what made the original games, and traces of difficulty).
** On a similar note, the ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeon'' series has been highly regarded for its story and gameplay elements that variate from the main series. However, the 3DS installment ''[[VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonGatesToInfinity Gates to Infinity]]'' has also received quite a bit of panning from fans for not being what the [[VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonRescueTeam first]] [[VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonExplorers two]] were; most complaints being in regards to the story (which is considered by most to be weaker than ''Explorers'') and the small number of Pokémon available as starter/partner choices and for recruitment.
** ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' had it even tougher than ''Black 2 and White 2''. While the plot isn't bad by any means, it didn't stand a chance compared to ''Black/White'', which are widely agreed to have had the best plot of the series. The fact that the game also introduced only about 70 Pokémon, the least of any generation, was also all the more noticeable proceeding Gen V, which introduced over 150, the ''most'' of any generation since [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue the originals]].
** An odd character-specific variation occurred with a Pokémon species from Generation IV: Lucario. For whatever reason, Creator/GameFreak and Pokémon Co. decided to give it heavy promotion before the release of ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' (having one in the starring role of the anime's [[Anime/PokemonLucarioAndTheMysteryOfMew eighth movie]] and cameos in spin-off games). The marketing push ended up being well-handled enough to actually ''work'', and Lucario quickly became a fan-favorite (it helps its debut movie was [[SurprisinglyImprovedSequel well-received by fans]], and gamewise it's pretty powerful and is no slouch in the competitive scene). However, this proved to be a double-edged sword to the creators, as every attempt at trying to ape Lucario's success failed either partially or entirely because it couldn't live up to Lucario itself. [[labelnote:*]]Zoroark of Gen V was their first effort, but [[Anime/PokemonZoroarkMAsterOfIllusions its movie]] wasn't as well-received, and its use in-game was hampered by (originally) being an event-exclusive and being [[AwesomeButImpractical more gimmicky than useful]]. Mega Mewtwo Y was their second attempt, but [[Anime/PokemonGenesectAndTheLegendAwakened its movie]] proved to be so controversial as to taint its reputation.[[/labelnote]]
** The rivals get hit with this, too. Blue is the quintessential beloved "douchebag rival" for his cocky behavior and the memes surrounding him, while Silver is loved for the darkness to his character and his backstory as revealed in the remakes. As a consequence, any of the "friendly" rivals like Bianca and the Kalos kids are scoffed at as "boring and useless" (the Kalos kids being somewhat shafted in the character development department doesn't help much) and until the remakes, Brendan and May were considered the most boring rivals in the franchise. Cheren was more of a BaseBreakingCharacter, and while Barry was thought of as annoying by a lot of fans he wasn't bashed ''as'' heavily as Bianca or the Kalos rivals. Hau in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon Sun/Moon]]'' got some flack for being a friendly rival as well.
* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' was cursed from the beginning to never be as popular as ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', one of the most beloved games ever made.
* Games designer Creator/WillWright seems to be heading in this direction, considering the general reaction to his latest game, ''VideoGame/{{Spore}}'', hasn't been nearly as warm as with his seminal masterpiece, ''VideoGame/TheSims''. The quote from Yahtzee up top is from ''WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation'''s review of Spore. This is also true for post-Sims entries to the ''VideoGame/SimCity'' franchise, though Wright [[GodDoesNotOwnThisWorld hadn't been involved with those games]] since at least ''[=SimCity=] 4''. Even without Wright at the helm, ''4'' was critically acclaimed and is widely considered the apex of the series; just not ''[[OvershadowedByAwesome quite]]'' as popular as ''The Sims''.
* Apparently, Creator/HideoKojima regrets being remembered only for the ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' series, which overshadowed his earlier games and whose shadow looms on every possible future title.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
** The fandom is "[[BrokenBase divided]]," but it's probably safe to say that ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' didn't live up to what was expected after ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. Whether or not ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' lived up to what was expected after ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' is [[FandomRivalry the source of many]] {{flame war}}s.
** There is also a BrokenBase regarding whether ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' did or didn't live up to what was expected after ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', which is considered one of the top games in the series, because of its characters and heightened drama typical to many other games of the series. All of these are elements many fans felt the fifth installment of the series lacked. Other fans on the other hand felt that the game featured some of the best gameplay in the series, period, thanks to the evolved Job system, which has served as the basis for that of three spin-off titles: ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', ''VideoGames/FinalFantasyDimensions'' and ''VideoGame/BravelyDefault'' (albeit the former is a genre/franchise crossover with ''VideoGame/TacticsOgre''). Combine all of this with an annual (unofficial) charity run, and you have a franchise darkhorse, making ''it'' a tough act to follow of its own, especially when [[SpiritualSuccessor sizing up]] ''Dimensions'' and ''Default''. In the case of ''Default'', [[ZigZaggingTrope however]], it ''is'' credited for helping revive interest in traditional [=JRPGs=] after Square Enix's various attempts at experimentation in the mainline ''FF'' series, and was successful enough to warrant [[VideoGame/BravelySecond a sequel]].
** And then there's Music/NobuoUematsu: he has since produced many solid and great video game soundtracks, but after the [[AwesomeMusic/FinalFantasy dozens of anthems to video game awesomeness]] that pervade the sixth installment, for some people, everything he composed since is fated to be seen as "not as good as ''FFVI''[='s=] soundtrack." Uematsu himself considers ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'''s OST his masterpiece. For that matter, any other composer that works on the series, even in spinoffs, is destined to be held to Uematsu's standard.
* ''VideoGame/BioShock2'' is a decently good game, but it lives in the shadow of ''VideoGame/BioShock1'', one of the most renowned and critically acclaimed games of all time. Had it been released as its own animal, it might've gotten decent recognition; as is, it's often seen as little more than a pale imitation, repeating most of the same steps the original took in the hopes of creating the same magic while introducing an element of chaotic multiplayer into a game about fear and isolation. ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'', however, averted this and received praise on equal level to the original, some even finding themselves preferring ''Infinite'' over the original (it's notable that Ken Levine was not involved in ''[=BioShock=] 2'', so ''[=BioShockInfinite=]'' marking his return to the franchise made the original game a tough act to follow in two separate cases).
* ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'' [[TropeCodifier set a standard]] for every subsequent game in the ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' series and (by extension) the {{Metroidvania}} genre in general. This was the only reason fans didn't get ''Metroid 64'', as [[WordOfGod the creator said almost word for word that]] ''Super Metroid'' was a Tough Act to Follow. When the series ''did'' return, ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'' was fantastically well-received, smashing through the PolygonCeiling ''and'' successfully switching genres from platformer to [=FPS=] while appeasing the fans. Once the ''Prime'' subseries ended, the next 3D ''Metroid'' title was ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'', which had a very hard time following up both Retro Studios' games and ''Super Metroid''.
* ''VideoGame/FZero GX'' is hailed as not only the best game in the ''F-Zero'' series, but one of Nintendo's best racing games period and one of the best racers of its decade. So when ''F-Zero GP Legend'' was released a few years later, it was treated with lukewarm reception at best despite bearing a number of improvements to the sprite-based ''F-Zero'' games (although it being [[RecursiveAdaptation a tie-in to]] a poorly-received ''F-Zero'' anime may have something to do with it as well).
* ''VideoGame/DeusEx'', naturally. Provided you accept that there ''were'' [[VideoGame/DeusExInvisibleWar acts that followed it]] at all; [[FanonDiscontinuity quite a lot of fans don't]]. The prequel series starting with ''[[VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution Human Revolution]]'' started being held to the same standard as the original; considered an all-round fantastic game, the follow-up ''[[VideoGame/DeusExMankindDivided Mankind Divided]]'' now (unsurprisingly) has quite a few fans struggling to invest hype in it for fear of a repeat let down.
* One of the reasons why ''VideoGame/DukeNukemForever'' festered as long in development as it did, according to a [[http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/12/fail_duke_nukem/ Wired article,]] was simply because 3D Realms wanted their game to be as groundbreaking as ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D'' was back in its day. As a result, they were constantly adding more and more new features into the game, upgrading the technology and occasionally starting the entire project from scratch because what they had wasn't up to par, until they ran out of funding in 2009 and Gearbox finished off what they had two years later.
* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'':
** The reason fewer players like ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry3DixieKongsDoubleTrouble'' compared to ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry2DiddysKongQuest''. The second game was (and still is) the generally most well received in the series, and the very different style of the third is something that seems to have not quite lived up it in the same way. To a lesser extent, this also affected ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong64'', which also had to follow up the success of ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie''.
** ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryReturns'' would have been a lot more well-received, if it didn't have the ''Donkey Kong Country'' label. While a great game standing alone from the others, it was criticized because of the ditching of ice and underwater levels, having all Kongs but Donkey, Diddy, and Cranky suffer ChuckCunninghamSyndrome, and having [[ReplacementScrappy the Tiki Tak Tribe]] replace the Kremling Krew. ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze'', the follow-up, fixed all these problems except the last one, but made the new villains in ''that'' game seem more like [[{{Expy}} Expies]] of the Kremlings rather than entirely new antagonists, and thus became very popular among fans.
* In hindsight, Creator/{{Harmonix}} choosing to craft their first single-artist ''VideoGame/RockBand'' game around the musical output of Music/TheBeatles might have been a poorly considered move in the long term, because no matter how great your music is, it's very, very difficult to find another group as universally beloved as The Beatles. So who did they pick for their next game? Music/GreenDay. After making two overwhelmingly popular franchises (the aforementioned ''Rock Band'' and ''VideoGame/DanceCentral''), Harmonix announced that they were making a game based off of Creator/{{Disney}}'s legendary ''Disney/{{Fantasia}}'' films. So far what they had shown failed to impress fans as the gameplay requires you to use your arms rather than using your whole body like in ''Dance Central''. And the song count is quite low compared to their other games. Fans are still waiting for the next ''Dance Central'' or ''Rock Band'' to be announced.
* The ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' series is falling apart because of ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'' being a Tough Act to Follow, with its good battle system, horde of {{Ensemble Darkhorse}}s, SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic and an overall well-received plotline. Nintendo feared that later installments [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks would tread too much old ground]], so ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'', ''VideoGame/PaperMarioStickerStar'' and ''VideoGame/PaperMarioColorSplash'' all underwent an UnexpectedGenreChange, to platformer and sticker-collecting Metroidvania respectively. While the former was eventually VindicatedByHistory, the latter two weren't so lucky, as most fans still wish for a return of the series' original elements to this day.
* At this point, the entire ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' series is trapped in the shadow of the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight Symphony of the Night]]'' for most. On the other hand, ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Aria of Sorrow]]'' was really well-received for a unique battle system of collecting [[PowerCopying souls from defeated enemies]] ([[LuckBasedMission at random]]), a less crufty castle design, and a great TomatoSurprise PlotTwist of the game's protagonist. Its direct sequel, ''Dawn of Sorrow'', improved upon the game balance in many ways while not straying much, though received a bit of flak for the grinding of souls needed for upgrading weapons and the souls themselves, as well as the seals needed to destroy the bosses. ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaPortraitOfRuin'' is often considered either ItsTheSameNowItSucks or ItsEasySoItSucks, and ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaOrderOfEcclesia'' is, while well-received (and NintendoHard), a form of a stale formula. The game after that was the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaLordsOfShadow Lords of Shadow]]'' ContinuityReboot, which ended only [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaLordsOfShadowMirrorOfFate two]] [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaLordsOfShadow2 games]] later.
* Most of the Classic ''VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}}'' series' sequels (and their soundtracks) generally aren't considered quite as good and memorable as ''VideoGame/MegaMan2''. ''[[VideoGame/MegaMan9 9]]'', however, was good enough to revive the series and rival ''2'''s level of quality and popularity. This naturally became apparent, once ''[[VideoGame/MegaMan10 10]]'' came out, [[BrokenBase divided the fanbase again]] and performed below sales expectations. The only real alternatives to ''[=MM2=]'' you'll see fans frequently mention are ''VideoGame/MegaMan3'' (which counts as MagnumOpusDissonance, given Creator/KeijiInafune's thoughts on the game's development) and ''VideoGame/MegaManV'', and when discussing sequel series ''VideoGame/MegaManX'', the only title seen on equal footing with the [[VideoGame/MegaManX1 first]] is ''VideoGame/MegaManX4''.
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' is generally considered to be one of the greatest games in the franchise, and by many outside of it the greatest game ever. Future games in the series, while still very good, garner complaints because of how unlike (or, [[BrokenBase sometimes]], how ''like'') ''Ocarina of Time'' they are. Some of the later games, like ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Wind Waker]]'', were succesfully VindicatedByHistory, but in the grand scale of the series' lifetime they still suffered from the high bar left by the 1998 title.
* ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline'' is so beloved that private servers for the game are still operating across nearly every platform it was released on. ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarUniverse'' attempted to improve upon the original game, but in spite of the addition of a dedicated single-player campaign and expanded character creation systems and classes, the game received mix reviews and many considered it inferior to ''Online'' (although it would later find success with a series of games on the PSP). ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarZero'' played more similarly to ''Online'' and was considered a step up from ''Universe'', but wasn't as successful from a sales standpoint. Thankfully, ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline2'' proved to be a worthy successor, combining the best elements of the original ''Online'', ''Universe'', and ''Zero'' and having a large and dedicated player base in Japan [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff and beyond]].
* ''Franchise/SilentHill'':
** The series has struggled in the shadow of its [[EvenBetterSequel second incarnation]] through four sequels, numerous comics and its film release. ''VideoGame/SilentHill2'' is widely regarded as the definitive installment, which tragically influenced its subsequent media by having various elements recur when they were either unwelcome or poorly implemented (Sexy Monster Nurses, Pyramid Head, solipsistic protagonists fighting through suppressed trauma). Even Team Silent's third and fourth game failed to enthrall the wider public as their predecessor did.
** Music/AkiraYamaoka, the composer for ''seven'' of the ''Silent Hill'' games, and sound director responsible for most of the [[HellIsThatNoise hair-raising sounds]] in the [[VideoGame/SilentHill1 first]] [[VideoGame/SilentHill2 three]] [[VideoGame/SilentHill3 games]], also made for a big shadow over the series after he left Konami.
* Infinty Ward's [[VideoGame/CallOfDuty first two games]] were critical and commercial successes. Then they released ''Call of Duty 4: VideoGame/ModernWarfare''. They turned a good-selling series into a CashCowFranchise, perfected the single player experience, changed the perception of the "generic shooter" from World War II to modern, and created the possibly the most addictive multiplayer system of all time. Both Treyarch ''and'' I-Dub have had trouble following that act.
* ''VideoGame/TecmoBowl'' had this happen after ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' was released for the NES. In 1993, they released a sequel (not a port, contrary to popular belief), also named ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' for the SNES and Mega Drive (Genesis). One of the main reasons was because of the roster changes from the 1990 season to the 1993 preseason. Many teams and players got better or worse, such as Dallas improved the most and Chicago got worse. One common complaint was the three-season mode, where you play three seasons in a row with one team to get a better ending. Of course, it's an optional feature.
* This is one of many ways one can describe what's happened to ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog''. The original three games (this is taking ''Sonic 3'' and ''Sonic & Knuckles'' together as [[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles the complete title]]) and ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Sonic CD]]'' are hailed effectively universally as the shining gems of the series (and fantastic examples of high speed platforming in general). Many subsequent games have been trying to get out of this shadow, some (like the [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure Adventure]] [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 games]]) to far better results than others (such as the [[SonicTheHedgehog2006 disastrous 2006 title]]), and even then each one has an unfortunately strong FandomRivalry to go with it. It eventually started dying down with ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' and ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'', which have been very well received by critics. Even most fans consider the two to be well done. Naturally, these two games combined to create another tough act to follow when ''VideoGame/SonicLostWorld'' was released. Although ''that'' game was at least considered far superior to the ''VideoGame/SonicBoom'' games that followed. ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' was a widely acclaimed throwback to the Genesis era of the franchise, but proved itself to be yet another tough act to follow when ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' launched to mixed reception.
* The [[VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld2YoshisIsland original]] ''VideoGame/YoshisIsland'' was a great game, seen as a classic entry in the Mario series in all respects. However, ''VideoGame/YoshisStory'' and ''VideoGame/YoshisIslandDS'', despite being good games on their own, got incredibly badly overshadowed by the original, to the point of the former being ripped apart for not being the same style and general gameplay as ''Yoshi's Island''. They listened with ''VideoGame/YoshisNewIsland'', but with how it was executed, people started complaining ItsTheSameNowItSucks. Fortunately, it started to die down with ''VideoGame/YoshisWoollyWorld'', which is considered to be as good as Yoshi's Island, or [[SurprisinglyImprovedSequel even better, compared to the predecessors]].
* Most succeeding installments from the ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' series are generally regarded as better than their predecessors, at least when it comes to the same platform. ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsW'' for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS is a fan favorite, featuring a great cast of series and well-liked [[OriginalGeneration original characters]]. ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsK'', on the other hand, had a myriad of problems, alongside increased difficulty and standardization of many game mechanics. Many players didn't sit well with ''K'' when they thoroughly enjoyed ''W''.
* The Heaven's Feel scenario for ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', on top of the issues it has (due to time constraints), it follows up the very Popular Unlimited Blade Works scenario. This also applies to the heroines of both, [[{{Tsundere}} Rin]] and Sakura, with the latter's lack of real development causing some fans to see her as TheScrappy.
* The ''Franchise/DragonAge'' series sometimes comes across as this. The [[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins original game]] was heralded as a return to the good old days of the CRPG, a spiritual successor to the storied ''VideoGame/BaldursGate'' franchise. The [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII sequel]] is a good game on its own merits but often fares poorly when compared to its predecessor. ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' [[WinBackTheCrowd on the other hand...]]
* Just ''trying'' to live up to the first ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic''; the Obsidian-made [[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords second game]] is a [[BrokenBase point of contention]] that was unfortunately rushed for a Christmas release. ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'' is breaking the base not just for being an MMO, but also because some of the game's {{Backstory}} turned that epic first game into a textbook ShootTheShaggyDog.
* ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' was a fantastic two-part series ending on so many plot hooks the fans clamored for a sequel. ''VideoGame/GoldenSunDarkDawn'', released years later, [[SoOkayItsAverage didn't quite live up to the legacy]].
* The first ''VideoGame/StreetsOfRage'' was a decent counter to ''VideoGame/FinalFight''. However, ''Streets of Rage 2'' would easily be the best game in the series and one of the best games on the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis and among beat-em-ups in general. ''Streets of Rage 3'', even with its added features like cutscenes, was seen as inferior to ''2''.
* Depending on who you ask, ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIDaggerfall'', ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'', ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'', or ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' is the best game in the ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series. The fight began at ''Morrowind''[='s=] release, and continues to this very instant with only the original not having many people argue in its favor.
* While ''VideoGame/FableIII'' still got favorable reviews, it wasn't as good as the second. Possibly because one of the most common complaints was how [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks they changed the gaming mechanic]].
* Many of the complaints about ''VideoGame/TotalWarRomeII'' are essentially this: it's a pretty good game in its own right, but it's the immediate follow up to [[VideoGame/TotalWarShogun2 one of the best games in the series]] and a remake of [[VideoGame/RomeTotalWar the other best game in the series]].
* While ''VideoGame/Drakengard3'' is accepted by the fans as a worthy sequel to the [[Frachise/{{Drakengard}} main games]], it came after ''VideoGame/NieR'' which is regarded as the series' masterpiece and ''Drakengard 3'' being unable to live up to that game's legacy.
* ''VideoGame/{{Lemmings}} 2: The Tribes'' improved on its predecessors in many ways (and added many new abilities) -- so many, in fact, that almost every other game in the series (typically {{Mission Pack Sequel}}s to the original with some added gimmick, such as 3D environments or touch screen mechanics) has been generally considered SoOkayItsAverage by the fanbase.
* Creator/ArcSystemWorks are responsible for ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'', a series that has a respectable place among the UsefulNotes/FightingGameCommunity for its unique mechanics compared to other franchises like ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', with a very rock and roll-inspired art style and atmosphere that many appreciated. They would lose the rights to the series years later, but not wanting to discontinue their fighting game resume, they made a SpiritualSuccessor named ''Franchise/BlazBlue''. The series does well enough in its own country to not qualify for this trope, [[AmericansHateTingle but in America?]] It has a massive stigma against it for being "Anime!''Guilty Gear''," mostly due to its more {{Shonen}}-influenced character designs, slower and simpler gameplay (that counterintuitively requires a far steeper learning curve than ''GG'' ever did, at least on paper), and [[KudzuPlot very confusing]] ClicheStorm of a narrative ([[AudienceAlienatingPremise not helped by]] [[AllThereInTheManual several crucial supplemental materials]] [[NoExportForYou not making it out of Japan]] [[note]]the fandom has collectively managed to translate many of these works, fortunately, but there is a substantial amount of fans who are unaware of these materials to begin with[[/note]]). All ''[=BlazBlue=]'' did was just make the fanbase want another ''Guilty Gear'' after [[CapcomSequelStagnation years of updated releases]] (and one [[OddballInTheSeries very unorthodox sequel]] in the form of ''[=GG2=]: Overture'') rather than a new series entirely. When a true follow-up was received in the form of ''Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-'', American reception to ''[=BlazBlue=]''[='s=] [[VideoGame/BlazBlueChronophantasma latest releases]] was mostly lukewarm as the hype for a new ''Guilty Gear'' was felt all throughout the community. By the mid-2010s, however, ''[=BlazBlue=]'' had largely found a voice of its own independent from its sister franchise, so it's safe to say it may have averted this.
* There's a reason the [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]], with its robust game library, iconic gamepad, and impressive 2D visuals, is hailed by many Nintendo fans as not just Nintendo's greatest game console of all time but their ''last'' great one: Every console Nintendo has put out after has had elements that fans find highly questionable and has them pining for the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem 8-]] and 16-bit days of good ol' Ninty. The UsefulNotes/{{Nintendo 64}} was ill-received due to Nintendo's choice to continue using expensive cartridges instead of a disc-based format and a controller that is seen by many as the worst controller design Nintendo has ever put out. The UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube suffered from a poor third-party library compared to [[UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast its]] [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 three]] [[UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} competitors]]. Although the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} was more successful than the last two, its {{Waggle}}-bait motion controls and non-standard controller design on top of its perceived UsefulNotes/{{Shovelware}} library made many gamers see it ultimately as a joke. The UsefulNotes/WiiU suffered from a ''very'' rough start, a poor marketing campaign that failed to make clear that it was a new console and not an "upgrade" for the Wii, Nintendo falling back onto existing [=IPs=] for new games, and a pervasive lack of third-party support, ultimately leading to it being the company's first outright commercial failure since the UsefulNotes/VirtualBoy in spite of very well-received games like ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze'' and ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}''. The only console Nintendo has released to have achieved anywhere near the popularity of the SNES is the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, with its innovative portable design and a slew of strong titles in its first year alone (including enhanced ports of ''VideoGame/MarioKart8'' and ''VideoGame/PokkenTournament'', ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'', ''VideoGame/{{ARMS}}'', and ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'') leading to consistently strong hardware sales and notorious supply shortages as a result. Even so, many gamers remain skeptical about modern-day Nintendo.
* Take Nintendo's legacy and make the decline far, far worse, and you have Sega. The Sega Mega Drive, or UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis as North Americans know it, was seen as ''the'' console to have in the early 90s if you didn't want a SNES, or had one but felt like getting another console anyway--an excellent library and strong processing power make it a great platform, especially if you enjoy fast-paced games. However, Sega just kept slipping and slipping afterwards. The UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn was marred by its developer-unfriendliness especially for 3D titles in a period when 3D gaming was really starting to take off, as well as a decision to release it in North America early, pissing off many retailers and third-party developers, and Bernie Stolar running the system into the ground. Sega did manage to briefly get back in the groove with the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast, but a number of reasons, such as the hype for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 a few years later, prevented it from becoming the next Mega Drive and killed off Sega's days as a console industry force once and for all.
* Nintendo's 1989 UsefulNotes/GameBoy version of ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'', at least in the West, has yet to be topped by any newer version of ''Tetris'' in terms of iconic status, even though many newer versions introduce new modes and gameplay-streamlining features.
* ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'':
** The [[VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance Tellius]] [[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn duology]], despite their poor sales, was popular and beloved, especially by the more hardcore fans, for many reasons: strong characters (including a protagonist who ''wasn't'' nobility, but a simple mercenary with ClassicalAntiHero leanings), diversity and variety in character types, a ''very'' morally gray narrative full of political intrigue that also managed to touch upon [[FantasticRacism race relations]], plenty of HomoeroticSubtext, and a strong feminist undercurrent as many of the major territories ended up being ruled by female characters. Because of this, several hardcore fans considered ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight Shadow Dragon]]'', ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem New Mystery]]'', ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Awakening]]'', '''and''' ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemFates Fates]]'' to be inferior, though which is "worse" depends on said hardcore fan and [[BrokenBase what exactly they're looking for out of their gaming experience]]. (For example, ''Fates'' is generally agreed to have improved on ''Awakening'''s gameplay mechanics and boasts creative map design, but suffers greatly in the story department. Suffice to say, ''every'' installment [[NewbieBoom starting with]] ''Awakening'' gets the ContestedSequel label slapped on it at some point or another.)
** ActionGirl Lyn of ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade Blazing Sword]]'' was the first female lead character Western audiences were exposed to, causing some fans to consider the SkilledButNaive and more feminine Princess Eirika of ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones Sacred Stones]]'' to be a step backward and [[RealWomenNeverWearDresses antifeminist]] to boot.
* While both [[VideoGame/BatmanArkhamOrigins later]] [[VideoGame/BatmanArkhamKnight installments]] in the VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries were still well-received, they wound up having the misfortune of coming after the universally acclaimed ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'', still considered to be the best game in the series. ''Origins'' had to deal with having [[OnlyTheCreatorDoesItRight a different developer]] working on the game rather than Rocksteady, with many feeling that the gameplay [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks didn't really change much up]] and finding it to be much glitchier than normal. ''Knight'' had Rocksteady as the developers again, but that one had several Batmobile segments taking up a good portion of the game which many felt was a ScrappyMechanic, as well as Creator/PaulDini not returning to pen the story, causing several people to feel it was much weaker than the previous games' stories, including ''Origins'' interestingly enough.
* ''VideoGame/MadMax2015'' is an unusual cross-media example of this. Despite being an entirely separate project, it had the misfortune of coming out the exact same year as ''Film/MadMaxFuryRoad'', the first ''Mad Max'' film in 30 years, and one that not only brought acclaim and attention to the franchise that had never been seen before, [[OutOfTheGhetto but also acclaim rarely seen in the action genre]], being immediately praised as one of the best action movies of all time. Even with a completely different story and concept and being a decent game in its own right, it still had to go through being compared to a masterpiece of a completely different medium in a number of reviews.
* ''Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory'', the third game of the ''VideoGame/SplinterCell'' series, managed to be the second entry to totally outdo its predecessor back when the series was considered a pioneer of the stealth genre. Come fourth installment, ''Double Agent'', the game was changed up entirely with a convoluted plot booting Sam Fisher from his agency to act as a mole in a terrorist cell, and added several unpopular gimmicks (including a KarmaMeter and [[FakeDifficulty needlessly difficult]] daytime missions). Met with the first lukewarm response for the series, Ubisoft decided to go for a total change up: after several changes and delays spanning years, the series finally received an ActionizedSequel that was flat out ''hated'' by [[BrokenBase parts of the fanbase]]. This was then followed with Creator/MichaelIronside leaving as the iconic protagonist, meaning that as much as Ubisoft tried to fix things with ''Blacklist'', the repeat of a mixed response means the series is indefinitely on hold.
* ''VideoGame/{{Gradius}} V'' is hailed as one of the best games in the series, alongside ''Gradius Gaiden''. So when ''Gradius [=ReBirth=]'' was released four years later, most players wrote it off for a number of reasons, such as only having 5 stages and not being as theatrical as ''Gradius V''.
* Pixel (Daisuke Amaya) will probably never be able to top his best-received game ''VideoGame/CaveStory'''s success and recognition. His next game, the arcadey ''VideoGame/KeroBlaster'', was praised by the press as a well-made and engaging game, but it barely made a blip among the gaming community.
* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank''
** The second and third games in the franchise, ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando Going Commando]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal Up Your Arsenal]]'', are wildly considered to be the best games in the franchise. Both ''VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked'' and ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankSizeMatters'' were not as well liked from fans and critics alike, though while ''Deadlocked'' was later vindicated by later examples, ''Size Matters'' is the least favored of the traditional Ratchet games.
** ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime'' is also viewed as the best game of the [=PlayStation=] 3 games. Both of the successor games, ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankAll4One All 4 One]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFullFrontalAssault Full Frontal Assault]]'', are considered inferior due to a weaker story and focus on multiplayer. ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankIntoTheNexus'' is viewed as an improvement, but not enough to reinvigorate the franchise.
* ''Franchise/AceAttorney'':
** The best installment of the series is generally considered to be ''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney Trials and Tribulations]]''. All later games [[BrokenBase heavily split the fandom]] but are almost never considered better. All other cases have their high points compared to those of these cases.
** The last two cases of ''Justice for All'' invert this: The penultimate case, "Turnabout Big Top," is widely considered to be the worst case in the franchise history, due to its cartoony nature and several {{scrappy mechanic}}s that are featured. Thus, the case that follows it would have to be ''spectacular'' in comparison. Indeed, the next case is "Farewell, My Turnabout," widely considered to be the best case in ''Ace Attorney'' history.
* ''Franchise/DanganRonpa'' has examples about characters, rather than specific games:
** The BigBad of the first game, [[spoiler:[[HopeCrusher Junko Enoshima]]]] aka the Ultimate Despair, is widely agreed by fans to be the best villain of the entire franchise, even better than [[spoiler:her]] incarnations in other installments! The first two after [[spoiler:her]], [[HateSink Monaca]] and [[TragicVillain Izuru]], did get praise, but were still overshadowed. And the ones after them? [[spoiler:[[TechnicalPacifist Kazuo]] and [[MaddenIntoMisanthropy Ryota]]]] of ''[=DR3=]'' and [[spoiler:[[LoonyFan Tsumugi]]]] of ''VisualNovel/NewDanganronpaV3'' were flat-out ''hated'' by the fans, being considered weak, ineffectual, and outright stupid.
** From ''VisualNovel/NewDanganronpaV3'', [[spoiler:Kaede Akamatsu, the DecoyProtagonist of the game became this. Within her sole playable chapter, she was established as an IdealHero, and the one protagonist capable of giving a new spin to the already tired Danganronpa formula with her leadership and proactive attitude. But she is executed for committing murder in chapter 1, and the real protagonist (a shy, withdrawn detective) quickly became hated for replacing her.]]
* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'' set the gold standard for mainline ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games, featuring outstanding [[VideoGame3DLeap three-dimensional]] visuals, a brand new combat system, long and complex dungeons, [[NintendoHard challenging difficulty]] that never lets up, six different endings rather than just the traditional [[OrderVersusChaos Law/Neutral/Chaos]] branches including an ultimate ending where [[spoiler:you personally become Lucifer's right-hand man]], and [[MemeticMutation Dante from the Devil May Cry series]]. As a result, ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' had a lot to live up to, and that was just from mainline fans[[note]]it also faced opposition from ''[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona]]'' fans, as ''Persona'' was steadily growing into a CashCowFranchise at the time, and [[AmericansHateTingle this goes double in the West]] where ''Persona'' easily outdoes mainline in terms of commercial success[[/note]]; complaints include the step back to 2D sprites and portraits, reused the combat system from ''Nocturne'' with only minor tweaks, shorter and simpler dungeons devoid of puzzles, the decision to put the game on a Nintendo platform -- [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS a handheld one]], at that -- the [[SequelDifficultyDrop difficulty]] [[ItsEasySoItSucks reduction]] even on Master difficulty, [[RocketTagGameplay the removal of the defense stat]], and a more standard Law vs. Chaos plot.
* ''VideoGame/{{Injustice}}'' has an in-universe lampshading from Joker during his TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Superman during the Story Mode's prologue, when Superman interrupts Batman's interrogation and confronts him after Joker tricks him into killing Lois and his unborn son, the stopping of Lois's heartbeat detonating a nuke, wiping out eight million lives. "Now run along, so I can break out of here. I've got lots of planning to do to top this."
* ''VideoGame/LEGODimensions'':
** The Starter Pack's Story Mode ties most of the Year One dimensions together in such an epic MassiveMultiplayerCrossover, that several collectors have expressed disappointment that for Year Two, the developers seemed to focus more on simply adding new dimensions, then on linking them together. It doesn't help that none of the new levels expanded on TheStinger of the Story Mode. (Denizens of other dimensions at least often appear in the cutscenes, but mostly in a brief and inconsequential manner.)
** The ''[[WesternAnimation/TheLEGOBatmanMovie LEGO Batman Movie]]'' Portal Build, modeled after the Bat-Computer, disappointed collectors who found it less intricately detailed than the Builds included with the Starter Pack (Vorton's interdimensional Gateway) and the two previous Story Packs (backdrops modeled after [[Film/Ghostbusters2016 Zhu's Chinese Restaurant]] and [[Film/FantasticBeastsAndWhereToFindThem MACUSA]]). Apparently the budget for the ''LEGO Batman'' Story Pack allowed for two minifigures, or a large Bat-Computer, but not both.[[note]]The first two Story Packs each only came with one minifigure, while the one for ''The LEGO Batman Movie'' includes two: ComicBook/{{Robin}} and ComicBook/{{Batgirl}}.[[/note]]
* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', while not an example for the fanbase as a whole, has historically struggled to satisfy the TournamentPlay community with later installments. ''Melee'' was -- and still is -- recognized as a worthy fighting game, with its fast pace and in-depth techniques (a couple of which having been a result of GoodBadBugs) often providing intense rounds. When ''Brawl'' slowed down the overall pace, added a few cases of RandomNumberGod (most notably "tripping") and removed the aforementioned GoodBadBugs, potential for competitive play lowered as a consequence (to the point where [[VideoGame/ProjectM a fanmade mod]] was made in an attempt to bring back ''Melee'''s more well-received mechanics). ''For 3DS and Wii U'' approached a more competitive format by removing the random elements and making the game's pace slightly faster, but with ''Melee'' still making appearances in various fighting game tournaments, the former game remains standing in the shadows that the latter game has cast.
* ''VideoGame/Bayonetta2'' has a character example in the form of [[BigBad Loptr]]. While he isn't a hated character within the fandom, there are some fans who feel he doesn't quite measure up to Father Balder as he lacks some of Balder's charm and comes off as a bland villain. Also, the final battle with him as [[spoiler:Aesir]], while fun on its own merits, is seen by fans as underwhelming compared to the battle with Jubileus, who was a massive godlike being fought in space while [[spoiler:Aesir]] is roughly twice the size of Bayonetta and the fight with him takes place in a dimensional void within a mountain.
* ''VideoGame/HalfLife'' and ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'' are both two of the most critically acclaimed first-person shooters ever made, with this trope commonly cited as a reason a third installment has yet to be released. Anything less than outstanding and revolutionary from a ''Half-Life 3'' would face major scrutiny and backlash, not helped by the fact that many are now of the opinion that Valve is not the company that it used to be.
* ''Franchise/MassEffect'' is this trope escalating steadily as the series goes on. It's easiest to break it down by game:
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect1 The first game]] is mostly seen as a classic and one of the best sci-fi games ever. The next games get compared to this one, sometimes positively but more often negatively.
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect2 The second game]] is also largely beloved, but there is considerable debate as to whether it's better than the first or not. A sizable portion of the fanbase sees it as a slight step down from the first.
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect3 The third game]] frequently gets negative comparisons to the first two. While the streamlined gameplay is seen as an improvement, the rest of the game-especially the writing-is much more controversial. It also has an infamous GainaxEnding and is accused of [[AbortedArc failing to properly follow up on plot points from the previous games]].
** ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'' is hit the hardest. It's constantly compared to the original trilogy and the comparisons are almost ''never'' in ''Andromeda's'' favor. Everything about it, from the writing to the gameplay to the characters, is accused of being pale imitation of the previous games. Even the game's defenders tend to consider it weaker than the first three games.
* ''VideoGame/LufiaIIRiseOfTheSinistrals''. No ''VideoGame/{{Lufia}}'' game made since has ever reached its level of critical and popular acclaim, not even its VideoGameRemake, ''VideoGame/LufiaCurseOfTheSinistrals'', which drew much criticism in the vein of TheyChangedItNowItSucks
* Very few ''VideoGame/{{Worms}}'' games has gotten even close to achieve the same success as ''Armageddon'' did when it was released in 1999. The fact that the Two games following games hit the PolygonCeiling hard and the ones after those having been felt like they have been trying to remake ''Armageddon'' (with varying degrees of success) is often considered a reason.
* SaintsRowTheThird had this from fans coming from SaintsRow2. On it's own, SaintsRowTheThird did a lot right and in some aspects much better than Saint's Row 2 like weapon upgrades needed to be earned, shortening the amount of times activities needed to be done, reducing their overall frustration, tightening controls, and overall sillier aspects. However, for every great thing the third game introduced, it lost something in the process that made the second game memorable. Your story is much more streamlined and arguably focused in SR3, but the syndicate as a whole feels less memorable than the gangs from the first two games and the whole menace of them feels off when the leader [[spoiler: is offed in act 1, replaced with a LargeHam luchador]]. The town is much more easier to maneuver around in at the cost of Steelport being absolutely boring compared to Stillwater. The humor balanced with more of the serious aspects of the second gave the humor more impact and needed relief compared to the third which could pass as an AdultSwim cartoon, etc. It's not like the third game is atrocious by any means; but it's one where despite numerous improvements, one would still like the second game better.
* The first ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'' is considered a classic Wii game that successfully melded JRPG mechanics with the WideOpenSandbox worlds more emblematic of Western [=RPG=]s and was also a major SleeperHit CultClassic for a console that didn't see very many [=RPG=]s overall. While ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' are also well-regarded sequels, they've tended to receive much more criticism than the first game.
* ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' sits within the shadow not of the first game, but of ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII''. It is still the most critically acclaimed and beloved entry in the franchise, thanks in part to its sprawling story, charismatic hero, large cast of [[HistoricalDomainCharacter historical characters]] (and keeping those characters relevant to the plot), jaw-dropping period architecture, sweeping soundtrack, and for making the most improvements and innovations on the formula. Future games would add gimmicks, change up character approaches, use other interesting and dramatic settings and so forth, but none have managed to captivate the same way. In fact, despite being follow-ups to ''II'' and following the same time period and main character, ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedBrotherhood'' and ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedRevelations'' both garnered detractors as well.
* ''VideoGame/Rayman3HoodlumHavoc'' is not called a bad game, but considering it was a follow-up to [[VideoGame/{{Rayman 2}} one of the most critically acclaimed, best-selling 3D platformers of all time]], being what is considered the masterpiece of Creator/{{Ubisoft}}, its critical reception and sales did not live up to the previous game. Some have speculated that ''Rayman 3''[='s=] underwhelming performance was why ''Rayman 4'' was retooled from another 3D platformer into the mini-game-centric ''Rayman VideoGame/RavingRabbids'', as well as why another ''Rayman'' platformer was put on ice for years until ''VideoGame/RaymanOrigins'' came around.
* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
** ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' is considered [[FirstInstallmentWins the definitive incarnation of the franchise to most people]], with the first 151 Pokémon are still the most iconic of them all. The series, while still remaining popular, never came close to recapturing the original games' mainstream ubiquity until the [[VideoGame/PokemonGo 2016 mobile game]].
** To hardcore fans, however, ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' are viewed as {{even better|Sequel}} than their predecessors, and the best in the series until their Generation IV remakes. While still being good, ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' having to follow them up was viewed as somewhat of a burden. The fact that they downplayed the time factor and excluded many Pokémon didn't help matters either.
** Generation V had a hard time following ''itself''. ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2'', despite introducing loads of new features, were also received partly unfavorably by both critics and the fans for not being what ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' were (lacking the story that what made the original games, and traces of difficulty).
** On a similar note, the ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeon'' series has been highly regarded for its story and gameplay elements that variate from the main series. However, the 3DS installment ''[[VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonGatesToInfinity Gates to Infinity]]'' has also received quite a bit of panning from fans for not being what the [[VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonRescueTeam first]] [[VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonExplorers two]] were; most complaints being in regards to the story (which is considered by most to be weaker than ''Explorers'') and the small number of Pokémon available as starter/partner choices and for recruitment.
** ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' had it even tougher than ''Black 2 and White 2''. While the plot isn't bad by any means, it didn't stand a chance compared to ''Black/White'', which are widely agreed to have had the best plot of the series. The fact that the game also introduced only about 70 Pokémon, the least of any generation, was also all the more noticeable proceeding Gen V, which introduced over 150, the ''most'' of any generation since [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue the originals]].
** An odd character-specific variation occurred with a Pokémon species from Generation IV: Lucario. For whatever reason, Creator/GameFreak and Pokémon Co. decided to give it heavy promotion before the release of ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' (having one in the starring role of the anime's [[Anime/PokemonLucarioAndTheMysteryOfMew eighth movie]] and cameos in spin-off games). The marketing push ended up being well-handled enough to actually ''work'', and Lucario quickly became a fan-favorite (it helps its debut movie was [[SurprisinglyImprovedSequel well-received by fans]], and gamewise it's pretty powerful and is no slouch in the competitive scene). However, this proved to be a double-edged sword to the creators, as every attempt at trying to ape Lucario's success failed either partially or entirely because it couldn't live up to Lucario itself. [[labelnote:*]]Zoroark of Gen V was their first effort, but [[Anime/PokemonZoroarkMAsterOfIllusions its movie]] wasn't as well-received, and its use in-game was hampered by (originally) being an event-exclusive and being [[AwesomeButImpractical more gimmicky than useful]]. Mega Mewtwo Y was their second attempt, but [[Anime/PokemonGenesectAndTheLegendAwakened its movie]] proved to be so controversial as to taint its reputation.[[/labelnote]]
** The rivals get hit with this, too. Blue is the quintessential beloved "douchebag rival" for his cocky behavior and the memes surrounding him, while Silver is loved for the darkness to his character and his backstory as revealed in the remakes. As a consequence, any of the "friendly" rivals like Bianca and the Kalos kids are scoffed at as "boring and useless" (the Kalos kids being somewhat shafted in the character development department doesn't help much) and until the remakes, Brendan and May were considered the most boring rivals in the franchise. Cheren was more of a BaseBreakingCharacter, and while Barry was thought of as annoying by a lot of fans he wasn't bashed ''as'' heavily as Bianca or the Kalos rivals. Hau in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon Sun/Moon]]'' got some flack for being a friendly rival as well.
* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' was cursed from the beginning to never be as popular as ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', one of the most beloved games ever made.
* Games designer Creator/WillWright seems to be heading in this direction, considering the general reaction to his latest game, ''VideoGame/{{Spore}}'', hasn't been nearly as warm as with his seminal masterpiece, ''VideoGame/TheSims''. The quote from Yahtzee up top is from ''WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation'''s review of Spore. This is also true for post-Sims entries to the ''VideoGame/SimCity'' franchise, though Wright [[GodDoesNotOwnThisWorld hadn't been involved with those games]] since at least ''[=SimCity=] 4''. Even without Wright at the helm, ''4'' was critically acclaimed and is widely considered the apex of the series; just not ''[[OvershadowedByAwesome quite]]'' as popular as ''The Sims''.
* Apparently, Creator/HideoKojima regrets being remembered only for the ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' series, which overshadowed his earlier games and whose shadow looms on every possible future title.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
** The fandom is "[[BrokenBase divided]]," but it's probably safe to say that ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' didn't live up to what was expected after ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. Whether or not ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' lived up to what was expected after ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' is [[FandomRivalry the source of many]] {{flame war}}s.
** There is also a BrokenBase regarding whether ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' did or didn't live up to what was expected after ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', which is considered one of the top games in the series, because of its characters and heightened drama typical to many other games of the series. All of these are elements many fans felt the fifth installment of the series lacked. Other fans on the other hand felt that the game featured some of the best gameplay in the series, period, thanks to the evolved Job system, which has served as the basis for that of three spin-off titles: ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', ''VideoGames/FinalFantasyDimensions'' and ''VideoGame/BravelyDefault'' (albeit the former is a genre/franchise crossover with ''VideoGame/TacticsOgre''). Combine all of this with an annual (unofficial) charity run, and you have a franchise darkhorse, making ''it'' a tough act to follow of its own, especially when [[SpiritualSuccessor sizing up]] ''Dimensions'' and ''Default''. In the case of ''Default'', [[ZigZaggingTrope however]], it ''is'' credited for helping revive interest in traditional [=JRPGs=] after Square Enix's various attempts at experimentation in the mainline ''FF'' series, and was successful enough to warrant [[VideoGame/BravelySecond a sequel]].
** And then there's Music/NobuoUematsu: he has since produced many solid and great video game soundtracks, but after the [[AwesomeMusic/FinalFantasy dozens of anthems to video game awesomeness]] that pervade the sixth installment, for some people, everything he composed since is fated to be seen as "not as good as ''FFVI''[='s=] soundtrack." Uematsu himself considers ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'''s OST his masterpiece. For that matter, any other composer that works on the series, even in spinoffs, is destined to be held to Uematsu's standard.
* ''VideoGame/BioShock2'' is a decently good game, but it lives in the shadow of ''VideoGame/BioShock1'', one of the most renowned and critically acclaimed games of all time. Had it been released as its own animal, it might've gotten decent recognition; as is, it's often seen as little more than a pale imitation, repeating most of the same steps the original took in the hopes of creating the same magic while introducing an element of chaotic multiplayer into a game about fear and isolation. ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'', however, averted this and received praise on equal level to the original, some even finding themselves preferring ''Infinite'' over the original (it's notable that Ken Levine was not involved in ''[=BioShock=] 2'', so ''[=BioShockInfinite=]'' marking his return to the franchise made the original game a tough act to follow in two separate cases).
* ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'' [[TropeCodifier set a standard]] for every subsequent game in the ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' series and (by extension) the {{Metroidvania}} genre in general. This was the only reason fans didn't get ''Metroid 64'', as [[WordOfGod the creator said almost word for word that]] ''Super Metroid'' was a Tough Act to Follow. When the series ''did'' return, ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'' was fantastically well-received, smashing through the PolygonCeiling ''and'' successfully switching genres from platformer to [=FPS=] while appeasing the fans. Once the ''Prime'' subseries ended, the next 3D ''Metroid'' title was ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'', which had a very hard time following up both Retro Studios' games and ''Super Metroid''.
* ''VideoGame/FZero GX'' is hailed as not only the best game in the ''F-Zero'' series, but one of Nintendo's best racing games period and one of the best racers of its decade. So when ''F-Zero GP Legend'' was released a few years later, it was treated with lukewarm reception at best despite bearing a number of improvements to the sprite-based ''F-Zero'' games (although it being [[RecursiveAdaptation a tie-in to]] a poorly-received ''F-Zero'' anime may have something to do with it as well).
* ''VideoGame/DeusEx'', naturally. Provided you accept that there ''were'' [[VideoGame/DeusExInvisibleWar acts that followed it]] at all; [[FanonDiscontinuity quite a lot of fans don't]]. The prequel series starting with ''[[VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution Human Revolution]]'' started being held to the same standard as the original; considered an all-round fantastic game, the follow-up ''[[VideoGame/DeusExMankindDivided Mankind Divided]]'' now (unsurprisingly) has quite a few fans struggling to invest hype in it for fear of a repeat let down.
* One of the reasons why ''VideoGame/DukeNukemForever'' festered as long in development as it did, according to a [[http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/12/fail_duke_nukem/ Wired article,]] was simply because 3D Realms wanted their game to be as groundbreaking as ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D'' was back in its day. As a result, they were constantly adding more and more new features into the game, upgrading the technology and occasionally starting the entire project from scratch because what they had wasn't up to par, until they ran out of funding in 2009 and Gearbox finished off what they had two years later.
* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'':
** The reason fewer players like ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry3DixieKongsDoubleTrouble'' compared to ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry2DiddysKongQuest''. The second game was (and still is) the generally most well received in the series, and the very different style of the third is something that seems to have not quite lived up it in the same way. To a lesser extent, this also affected ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong64'', which also had to follow up the success of ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie''.
** ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryReturns'' would have been a lot more well-received, if it didn't have the ''Donkey Kong Country'' label. While a great game standing alone from the others, it was criticized because of the ditching of ice and underwater levels, having all Kongs but Donkey, Diddy, and Cranky suffer ChuckCunninghamSyndrome, and having [[ReplacementScrappy the Tiki Tak Tribe]] replace the Kremling Krew. ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze'', the follow-up, fixed all these problems except the last one, but made the new villains in ''that'' game seem more like [[{{Expy}} Expies]] of the Kremlings rather than entirely new antagonists, and thus became very popular among fans.
* In hindsight, Creator/{{Harmonix}} choosing to craft their first single-artist ''VideoGame/RockBand'' game around the musical output of Music/TheBeatles might have been a poorly considered move in the long term, because no matter how great your music is, it's very, very difficult to find another group as universally beloved as The Beatles. So who did they pick for their next game? Music/GreenDay. After making two overwhelmingly popular franchises (the aforementioned ''Rock Band'' and ''VideoGame/DanceCentral''), Harmonix announced that they were making a game based off of Creator/{{Disney}}'s legendary ''Disney/{{Fantasia}}'' films. So far what they had shown failed to impress fans as the gameplay requires you to use your arms rather than using your whole body like in ''Dance Central''. And the song count is quite low compared to their other games. Fans are still waiting for the next ''Dance Central'' or ''Rock Band'' to be announced.
* The ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' series is falling apart because of ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'' being a Tough Act to Follow, with its good battle system, horde of {{Ensemble Darkhorse}}s, SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic and an overall well-received plotline. Nintendo feared that later installments [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks would tread too much old ground]], so ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'', ''VideoGame/PaperMarioStickerStar'' and ''VideoGame/PaperMarioColorSplash'' all underwent an UnexpectedGenreChange, to platformer and sticker-collecting Metroidvania respectively. While the former was eventually VindicatedByHistory, the latter two weren't so lucky, as most fans still wish for a return of the series' original elements to this day.
* At this point, the entire ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' series is trapped in the shadow of the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight Symphony of the Night]]'' for most. On the other hand, ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Aria of Sorrow]]'' was really well-received for a unique battle system of collecting [[PowerCopying souls from defeated enemies]] ([[LuckBasedMission at random]]), a less crufty castle design, and a great TomatoSurprise PlotTwist of the game's protagonist. Its direct sequel, ''Dawn of Sorrow'', improved upon the game balance in many ways while not straying much, though received a bit of flak for the grinding of souls needed for upgrading weapons and the souls themselves, as well as the seals needed to destroy the bosses. ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaPortraitOfRuin'' is often considered either ItsTheSameNowItSucks or ItsEasySoItSucks, and ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaOrderOfEcclesia'' is, while well-received (and NintendoHard), a form of a stale formula. The game after that was the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaLordsOfShadow Lords of Shadow]]'' ContinuityReboot, which ended only [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaLordsOfShadowMirrorOfFate two]] [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaLordsOfShadow2 games]] later.
* Most of the Classic ''VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}}'' series' sequels (and their soundtracks) generally aren't considered quite as good and memorable as ''VideoGame/MegaMan2''. ''[[VideoGame/MegaMan9 9]]'', however, was good enough to revive the series and rival ''2'''s level of quality and popularity. This naturally became apparent, once ''[[VideoGame/MegaMan10 10]]'' came out, [[BrokenBase divided the fanbase again]] and performed below sales expectations. The only real alternatives to ''[=MM2=]'' you'll see fans frequently mention are ''VideoGame/MegaMan3'' (which counts as MagnumOpusDissonance, given Creator/KeijiInafune's thoughts on the game's development) and ''VideoGame/MegaManV'', and when discussing sequel series ''VideoGame/MegaManX'', the only title seen on equal footing with the [[VideoGame/MegaManX1 first]] is ''VideoGame/MegaManX4''.
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' is generally considered to be one of the greatest games in the franchise, and by many outside of it the greatest game ever. Future games in the series, while still very good, garner complaints because of how unlike (or, [[BrokenBase sometimes]], how ''like'') ''Ocarina of Time'' they are. Some of the later games, like ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Wind Waker]]'', were succesfully VindicatedByHistory, but in the grand scale of the series' lifetime they still suffered from the high bar left by the 1998 title.
* ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline'' is so beloved that private servers for the game are still operating across nearly every platform it was released on. ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarUniverse'' attempted to improve upon the original game, but in spite of the addition of a dedicated single-player campaign and expanded character creation systems and classes, the game received mix reviews and many considered it inferior to ''Online'' (although it would later find success with a series of games on the PSP). ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarZero'' played more similarly to ''Online'' and was considered a step up from ''Universe'', but wasn't as successful from a sales standpoint. Thankfully, ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline2'' proved to be a worthy successor, combining the best elements of the original ''Online'', ''Universe'', and ''Zero'' and having a large and dedicated player base in Japan [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff and beyond]].
* ''Franchise/SilentHill'':
** The series has struggled in the shadow of its [[EvenBetterSequel second incarnation]] through four sequels, numerous comics and its film release. ''VideoGame/SilentHill2'' is widely regarded as the definitive installment, which tragically influenced its subsequent media by having various elements recur when they were either unwelcome or poorly implemented (Sexy Monster Nurses, Pyramid Head, solipsistic protagonists fighting through suppressed trauma). Even Team Silent's third and fourth game failed to enthrall the wider public as their predecessor did.
** Music/AkiraYamaoka, the composer for ''seven'' of the ''Silent Hill'' games, and sound director responsible for most of the [[HellIsThatNoise hair-raising sounds]] in the [[VideoGame/SilentHill1 first]] [[VideoGame/SilentHill2 three]] [[VideoGame/SilentHill3 games]], also made for a big shadow over the series after he left Konami.
* Infinty Ward's [[VideoGame/CallOfDuty first two games]] were critical and commercial successes. Then they released ''Call of Duty 4: VideoGame/ModernWarfare''. They turned a good-selling series into a CashCowFranchise, perfected the single player experience, changed the perception of the "generic shooter" from World War II to modern, and created the possibly the most addictive multiplayer system of all time. Both Treyarch ''and'' I-Dub have had trouble following that act.
* ''VideoGame/TecmoBowl'' had this happen after ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' was released for the NES. In 1993, they released a sequel (not a port, contrary to popular belief), also named ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' for the SNES and Mega Drive (Genesis). One of the main reasons was because of the roster changes from the 1990 season to the 1993 preseason. Many teams and players got better or worse, such as Dallas improved the most and Chicago got worse. One common complaint was the three-season mode, where you play three seasons in a row with one team to get a better ending. Of course, it's an optional feature.
* This is one of many ways one can describe what's happened to ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog''. The original three games (this is taking ''Sonic 3'' and ''Sonic & Knuckles'' together as [[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles the complete title]]) and ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Sonic CD]]'' are hailed effectively universally as the shining gems of the series (and fantastic examples of high speed platforming in general). Many subsequent games have been trying to get out of this shadow, some (like the [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure Adventure]] [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 games]]) to far better results than others (such as the [[SonicTheHedgehog2006 disastrous 2006 title]]), and even then each one has an unfortunately strong FandomRivalry to go with it. It eventually started dying down with ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' and ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'', which have been very well received by critics. Even most fans consider the two to be well done. Naturally, these two games combined to create another tough act to follow when ''VideoGame/SonicLostWorld'' was released. Although ''that'' game was at least considered far superior to the ''VideoGame/SonicBoom'' games that followed. ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' was a widely acclaimed throwback to the Genesis era of the franchise, but proved itself to be yet another tough act to follow when ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' launched to mixed reception.
* The [[VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld2YoshisIsland original]] ''VideoGame/YoshisIsland'' was a great game, seen as a classic entry in the Mario series in all respects. However, ''VideoGame/YoshisStory'' and ''VideoGame/YoshisIslandDS'', despite being good games on their own, got incredibly badly overshadowed by the original, to the point of the former being ripped apart for not being the same style and general gameplay as ''Yoshi's Island''. They listened with ''VideoGame/YoshisNewIsland'', but with how it was executed, people started complaining ItsTheSameNowItSucks. Fortunately, it started to die down with ''VideoGame/YoshisWoollyWorld'', which is considered to be as good as Yoshi's Island, or [[SurprisinglyImprovedSequel even better, compared to the predecessors]].
* Most succeeding installments from the ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' series are generally regarded as better than their predecessors, at least when it comes to the same platform. ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsW'' for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS is a fan favorite, featuring a great cast of series and well-liked [[OriginalGeneration original characters]]. ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsK'', on the other hand, had a myriad of problems, alongside increased difficulty and standardization of many game mechanics. Many players didn't sit well with ''K'' when they thoroughly enjoyed ''W''.
* The Heaven's Feel scenario for ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', on top of the issues it has (due to time constraints), it follows up the very Popular Unlimited Blade Works scenario. This also applies to the heroines of both, [[{{Tsundere}} Rin]] and Sakura, with the latter's lack of real development causing some fans to see her as TheScrappy.
* The ''Franchise/DragonAge'' series sometimes comes across as this. The [[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins original game]] was heralded as a return to the good old days of the CRPG, a spiritual successor to the storied ''VideoGame/BaldursGate'' franchise. The [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII sequel]] is a good game on its own merits but often fares poorly when compared to its predecessor. ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' [[WinBackTheCrowd on the other hand...]]
* Just ''trying'' to live up to the first ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic''; the Obsidian-made [[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords second game]] is a [[BrokenBase point of contention]] that was unfortunately rushed for a Christmas release. ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'' is breaking the base not just for being an MMO, but also because some of the game's {{Backstory}} turned that epic first game into a textbook ShootTheShaggyDog.
* ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' was a fantastic two-part series ending on so many plot hooks the fans clamored for a sequel. ''VideoGame/GoldenSunDarkDawn'', released years later, [[SoOkayItsAverage didn't quite live up to the legacy]].
* The first ''VideoGame/StreetsOfRage'' was a decent counter to ''VideoGame/FinalFight''. However, ''Streets of Rage 2'' would easily be the best game in the series and one of the best games on the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis and among beat-em-ups in general. ''Streets of Rage 3'', even with its added features like cutscenes, was seen as inferior to ''2''.
* Depending on who you ask, ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIDaggerfall'', ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'', ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'', or ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' is the best game in the ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series. The fight began at ''Morrowind''[='s=] release, and continues to this very instant with only the original not having many people argue in its favor.
* While ''VideoGame/FableIII'' still got favorable reviews, it wasn't as good as the second. Possibly because one of the most common complaints was how [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks they changed the gaming mechanic]].
* Many of the complaints about ''VideoGame/TotalWarRomeII'' are essentially this: it's a pretty good game in its own right, but it's the immediate follow up to [[VideoGame/TotalWarShogun2 one of the best games in the series]] and a remake of [[VideoGame/RomeTotalWar the other best game in the series]].
* While ''VideoGame/Drakengard3'' is accepted by the fans as a worthy sequel to the [[Frachise/{{Drakengard}} main games]], it came after ''VideoGame/NieR'' which is regarded as the series' masterpiece and ''Drakengard 3'' being unable to live up to that game's legacy.
* ''VideoGame/{{Lemmings}} 2: The Tribes'' improved on its predecessors in many ways (and added many new abilities) -- so many, in fact, that almost every other game in the series (typically {{Mission Pack Sequel}}s to the original with some added gimmick, such as 3D environments or touch screen mechanics) has been generally considered SoOkayItsAverage by the fanbase.
* Creator/ArcSystemWorks are responsible for ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'', a series that has a respectable place among the UsefulNotes/FightingGameCommunity for its unique mechanics compared to other franchises like ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', with a very rock and roll-inspired art style and atmosphere that many appreciated. They would lose the rights to the series years later, but not wanting to discontinue their fighting game resume, they made a SpiritualSuccessor named ''Franchise/BlazBlue''. The series does well enough in its own country to not qualify for this trope, [[AmericansHateTingle but in America?]] It has a massive stigma against it for being "Anime!''Guilty Gear''," mostly due to its more {{Shonen}}-influenced character designs, slower and simpler gameplay (that counterintuitively requires a far steeper learning curve than ''GG'' ever did, at least on paper), and [[KudzuPlot very confusing]] ClicheStorm of a narrative ([[AudienceAlienatingPremise not helped by]] [[AllThereInTheManual several crucial supplemental materials]] [[NoExportForYou not making it out of Japan]] [[note]]the fandom has collectively managed to translate many of these works, fortunately, but there is a substantial amount of fans who are unaware of these materials to begin with[[/note]]). All ''[=BlazBlue=]'' did was just make the fanbase want another ''Guilty Gear'' after [[CapcomSequelStagnation years of updated releases]] (and one [[OddballInTheSeries very unorthodox sequel]] in the form of ''[=GG2=]: Overture'') rather than a new series entirely. When a true follow-up was received in the form of ''Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-'', American reception to ''[=BlazBlue=]''[='s=] [[VideoGame/BlazBlueChronophantasma latest releases]] was mostly lukewarm as the hype for a new ''Guilty Gear'' was felt all throughout the community. By the mid-2010s, however, ''[=BlazBlue=]'' had largely found a voice of its own independent from its sister franchise, so it's safe to say it may have averted this.
* There's a reason the [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]], with its robust game library, iconic gamepad, and impressive 2D visuals, is hailed by many Nintendo fans as not just Nintendo's greatest game console of all time but their ''last'' great one: Every console Nintendo has put out after has had elements that fans find highly questionable and has them pining for the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem 8-]] and 16-bit days of good ol' Ninty. The UsefulNotes/{{Nintendo 64}} was ill-received due to Nintendo's choice to continue using expensive cartridges instead of a disc-based format and a controller that is seen by many as the worst controller design Nintendo has ever put out. The UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube suffered from a poor third-party library compared to [[UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast its]] [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 three]] [[UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} competitors]]. Although the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} was more successful than the last two, its {{Waggle}}-bait motion controls and non-standard controller design on top of its perceived UsefulNotes/{{Shovelware}} library made many gamers see it ultimately as a joke. The UsefulNotes/WiiU suffered from a ''very'' rough start, a poor marketing campaign that failed to make clear that it was a new console and not an "upgrade" for the Wii, Nintendo falling back onto existing [=IPs=] for new games, and a pervasive lack of third-party support, ultimately leading to it being the company's first outright commercial failure since the UsefulNotes/VirtualBoy in spite of very well-received games like ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze'' and ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}''. The only console Nintendo has released to have achieved anywhere near the popularity of the SNES is the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, with its innovative portable design and a slew of strong titles in its first year alone (including enhanced ports of ''VideoGame/MarioKart8'' and ''VideoGame/PokkenTournament'', ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'', ''VideoGame/{{ARMS}}'', and ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'') leading to consistently strong hardware sales and notorious supply shortages as a result. Even so, many gamers remain skeptical about modern-day Nintendo.
* Take Nintendo's legacy and make the decline far, far worse, and you have Sega. The Sega Mega Drive, or UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis as North Americans know it, was seen as ''the'' console to have in the early 90s if you didn't want a SNES, or had one but felt like getting another console anyway--an excellent library and strong processing power make it a great platform, especially if you enjoy fast-paced games. However, Sega just kept slipping and slipping afterwards. The UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn was marred by its developer-unfriendliness especially for 3D titles in a period when 3D gaming was really starting to take off, as well as a decision to release it in North America early, pissing off many retailers and third-party developers, and Bernie Stolar running the system into the ground. Sega did manage to briefly get back in the groove with the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast, but a number of reasons, such as the hype for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 a few years later, prevented it from becoming the next Mega Drive and killed off Sega's days as a console industry force once and for all.
* Nintendo's 1989 UsefulNotes/GameBoy version of ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'', at least in the West, has yet to be topped by any newer version of ''Tetris'' in terms of iconic status, even though many newer versions introduce new modes and gameplay-streamlining features.
* ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'':
** The [[VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance Tellius]] [[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn duology]], despite their poor sales, was popular and beloved, especially by the more hardcore fans, for many reasons: strong characters (including a protagonist who ''wasn't'' nobility, but a simple mercenary with ClassicalAntiHero leanings), diversity and variety in character types, a ''very'' morally gray narrative full of political intrigue that also managed to touch upon [[FantasticRacism race relations]], plenty of HomoeroticSubtext, and a strong feminist undercurrent as many of the major territories ended up being ruled by female characters. Because of this, several hardcore fans considered ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight Shadow Dragon]]'', ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem New Mystery]]'', ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Awakening]]'', '''and''' ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemFates Fates]]'' to be inferior, though which is "worse" depends on said hardcore fan and [[BrokenBase what exactly they're looking for out of their gaming experience]]. (For example, ''Fates'' is generally agreed to have improved on ''Awakening'''s gameplay mechanics and boasts creative map design, but suffers greatly in the story department. Suffice to say, ''every'' installment [[NewbieBoom starting with]] ''Awakening'' gets the ContestedSequel label slapped on it at some point or another.)
** ActionGirl Lyn of ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade Blazing Sword]]'' was the first female lead character Western audiences were exposed to, causing some fans to consider the SkilledButNaive and more feminine Princess Eirika of ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones Sacred Stones]]'' to be a step backward and [[RealWomenNeverWearDresses antifeminist]] to boot.
* While both [[VideoGame/BatmanArkhamOrigins later]] [[VideoGame/BatmanArkhamKnight installments]] in the VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries were still well-received, they wound up having the misfortune of coming after the universally acclaimed ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'', still considered to be the best game in the series. ''Origins'' had to deal with having [[OnlyTheCreatorDoesItRight a different developer]] working on the game rather than Rocksteady, with many feeling that the gameplay [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks didn't really change much up]] and finding it to be much glitchier than normal. ''Knight'' had Rocksteady as the developers again, but that one had several Batmobile segments taking up a good portion of the game which many felt was a ScrappyMechanic, as well as Creator/PaulDini not returning to pen the story, causing several people to feel it was much weaker than the previous games' stories, including ''Origins'' interestingly enough.
* ''VideoGame/MadMax2015'' is an unusual cross-media example of this. Despite being an entirely separate project, it had the misfortune of coming out the exact same year as ''Film/MadMaxFuryRoad'', the first ''Mad Max'' film in 30 years, and one that not only brought acclaim and attention to the franchise that had never been seen before, [[OutOfTheGhetto but also acclaim rarely seen in the action genre]], being immediately praised as one of the best action movies of all time. Even with a completely different story and concept and being a decent game in its own right, it still had to go through being compared to a masterpiece of a completely different medium in a number of reviews.
* ''Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory'', the third game of the ''VideoGame/SplinterCell'' series, managed to be the second entry to totally outdo its predecessor back when the series was considered a pioneer of the stealth genre. Come fourth installment, ''Double Agent'', the game was changed up entirely with a convoluted plot booting Sam Fisher from his agency to act as a mole in a terrorist cell, and added several unpopular gimmicks (including a KarmaMeter and [[FakeDifficulty needlessly difficult]] daytime missions). Met with the first lukewarm response for the series, Ubisoft decided to go for a total change up: after several changes and delays spanning years, the series finally received an ActionizedSequel that was flat out ''hated'' by [[BrokenBase parts of the fanbase]]. This was then followed with Creator/MichaelIronside leaving as the iconic protagonist, meaning that as much as Ubisoft tried to fix things with ''Blacklist'', the repeat of a mixed response means the series is indefinitely on hold.
* ''VideoGame/{{Gradius}} V'' is hailed as one of the best games in the series, alongside ''Gradius Gaiden''. So when ''Gradius [=ReBirth=]'' was released four years later, most players wrote it off for a number of reasons, such as only having 5 stages and not being as theatrical as ''Gradius V''.
* Pixel (Daisuke Amaya) will probably never be able to top his best-received game ''VideoGame/CaveStory'''s success and recognition. His next game, the arcadey ''VideoGame/KeroBlaster'', was praised by the press as a well-made and engaging game, but it barely made a blip among the gaming community.
* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank''
** The second and third games in the franchise, ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando Going Commando]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal Up Your Arsenal]]'', are wildly considered to be the best games in the franchise. Both ''VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked'' and ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankSizeMatters'' were not as well liked from fans and critics alike, though while ''Deadlocked'' was later vindicated by later examples, ''Size Matters'' is the least favored of the traditional Ratchet games.
** ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime'' is also viewed as the best game of the [=PlayStation=] 3 games. Both of the successor games, ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankAll4One All 4 One]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFullFrontalAssault Full Frontal Assault]]'', are considered inferior due to a weaker story and focus on multiplayer. ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankIntoTheNexus'' is viewed as an improvement, but not enough to reinvigorate the franchise.
* ''Franchise/AceAttorney'':
** The best installment of the series is generally considered to be ''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney Trials and Tribulations]]''. All later games [[BrokenBase heavily split the fandom]] but are almost never considered better. All other cases have their high points compared to those of these cases.
** The last two cases of ''Justice for All'' invert this: The penultimate case, "Turnabout Big Top," is widely considered to be the worst case in the franchise history, due to its cartoony nature and several {{scrappy mechanic}}s that are featured. Thus, the case that follows it would have to be ''spectacular'' in comparison. Indeed, the next case is "Farewell, My Turnabout," widely considered to be the best case in ''Ace Attorney'' history.
* ''Franchise/DanganRonpa'' has examples about characters, rather than specific games:
** The BigBad of the first game, [[spoiler:[[HopeCrusher Junko Enoshima]]]] aka the Ultimate Despair, is widely agreed by fans to be the best villain of the entire franchise, even better than [[spoiler:her]] incarnations in other installments! The first two after [[spoiler:her]], [[HateSink Monaca]] and [[TragicVillain Izuru]], did get praise, but were still overshadowed. And the ones after them? [[spoiler:[[TechnicalPacifist Kazuo]] and [[MaddenIntoMisanthropy Ryota]]]] of ''[=DR3=]'' and [[spoiler:[[LoonyFan Tsumugi]]]] of ''VisualNovel/NewDanganronpaV3'' were flat-out ''hated'' by the fans, being considered weak, ineffectual, and outright stupid.
** From ''VisualNovel/NewDanganronpaV3'', [[spoiler:Kaede Akamatsu, the DecoyProtagonist of the game became this. Within her sole playable chapter, she was established as an IdealHero, and the one protagonist capable of giving a new spin to the already tired Danganronpa formula with her leadership and proactive attitude. But she is executed for committing murder in chapter 1, and the real protagonist (a shy, withdrawn detective) quickly became hated for replacing her.]]
* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'' set the gold standard for mainline ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games, featuring outstanding [[VideoGame3DLeap three-dimensional]] visuals, a brand new combat system, long and complex dungeons, [[NintendoHard challenging difficulty]] that never lets up, six different endings rather than just the traditional [[OrderVersusChaos Law/Neutral/Chaos]] branches including an ultimate ending where [[spoiler:you personally become Lucifer's right-hand man]], and [[MemeticMutation Dante from the Devil May Cry series]]. As a result, ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' had a lot to live up to, and that was just from mainline fans[[note]]it also faced opposition from ''[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona]]'' fans, as ''Persona'' was steadily growing into a CashCowFranchise at the time, and [[AmericansHateTingle this goes double in the West]] where ''Persona'' easily outdoes mainline in terms of commercial success[[/note]]; complaints include the step back to 2D sprites and portraits, reused the combat system from ''Nocturne'' with only minor tweaks, shorter and simpler dungeons devoid of puzzles, the decision to put the game on a Nintendo platform -- [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS a handheld one]], at that -- the [[SequelDifficultyDrop difficulty]] [[ItsEasySoItSucks reduction]] even on Master difficulty, [[RocketTagGameplay the removal of the defense stat]], and a more standard Law vs. Chaos plot.
* ''VideoGame/{{Injustice}}'' has an in-universe lampshading from Joker during his TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Superman during the Story Mode's prologue, when Superman interrupts Batman's interrogation and confronts him after Joker tricks him into killing Lois and his unborn son, the stopping of Lois's heartbeat detonating a nuke, wiping out eight million lives. "Now run along, so I can break out of here. I've got lots of planning to do to top this."
* ''VideoGame/LEGODimensions'':
** The Starter Pack's Story Mode ties most of the Year One dimensions together in such an epic MassiveMultiplayerCrossover, that several collectors have expressed disappointment that for Year Two, the developers seemed to focus more on simply adding new dimensions, then on linking them together. It doesn't help that none of the new levels expanded on TheStinger of the Story Mode. (Denizens of other dimensions at least often appear in the cutscenes, but mostly in a brief and inconsequential manner.)
** The ''[[WesternAnimation/TheLEGOBatmanMovie LEGO Batman Movie]]'' Portal Build, modeled after the Bat-Computer, disappointed collectors who found it less intricately detailed than the Builds included with the Starter Pack (Vorton's interdimensional Gateway) and the two previous Story Packs (backdrops modeled after [[Film/Ghostbusters2016 Zhu's Chinese Restaurant]] and [[Film/FantasticBeastsAndWhereToFindThem MACUSA]]). Apparently the budget for the ''LEGO Batman'' Story Pack allowed for two minifigures, or a large Bat-Computer, but not both.[[note]]The first two Story Packs each only came with one minifigure, while the one for ''The LEGO Batman Movie'' includes two: ComicBook/{{Robin}} and ComicBook/{{Batgirl}}.[[/note]]
* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', while not an example for the fanbase as a whole, has historically struggled to satisfy the TournamentPlay community with later installments. ''Melee'' was -- and still is -- recognized as a worthy fighting game, with its fast pace and in-depth techniques (a couple of which having been a result of GoodBadBugs) often providing intense rounds. When ''Brawl'' slowed down the overall pace, added a few cases of RandomNumberGod (most notably "tripping") and removed the aforementioned GoodBadBugs, potential for competitive play lowered as a consequence (to the point where [[VideoGame/ProjectM a fanmade mod]] was made in an attempt to bring back ''Melee'''s more well-received mechanics). ''For 3DS and Wii U'' approached a more competitive format by removing the random elements and making the game's pace slightly faster, but with ''Melee'' still making appearances in various fighting game tournaments, the former game remains standing in the shadows that the latter game has cast.
* ''VideoGame/Bayonetta2'' has a character example in the form of [[BigBad Loptr]]. While he isn't a hated character within the fandom, there are some fans who feel he doesn't quite measure up to Father Balder as he lacks some of Balder's charm and comes off as a bland villain. Also, the final battle with him as [[spoiler:Aesir]], while fun on its own merits, is seen by fans as underwhelming compared to the battle with Jubileus, who was a massive godlike being fought in space while [[spoiler:Aesir]] is roughly twice the size of Bayonetta and the fight with him takes place in a dimensional void within a mountain.
* ''VideoGame/HalfLife'' and ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'' are both two of the most critically acclaimed first-person shooters ever made, with this trope commonly cited as a reason a third installment has yet to be released. Anything less than outstanding and revolutionary from a ''Half-Life 3'' would face major scrutiny and backlash, not helped by the fact that many are now of the opinion that Valve is not the company that it used to be.
* ''Franchise/MassEffect'' is this trope escalating steadily as the series goes on. It's easiest to break it down by game:
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect1 The first game]] is mostly seen as a classic and one of the best sci-fi games ever. The next games get compared to this one, sometimes positively but more often negatively.
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect2 The second game]] is also largely beloved, but there is considerable debate as to whether it's better than the first or not. A sizable portion of the fanbase sees it as a slight step down from the first.
** [[VideoGame/MassEffect3 The third game]] frequently gets negative comparisons to the first two. While the streamlined gameplay is seen as an improvement, the rest of the game-especially the writing-is much more controversial. It also has an infamous GainaxEnding and is accused of [[AbortedArc failing to properly follow up on plot points from the previous games]].
** ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'' is hit the hardest. It's constantly compared to the original trilogy and the comparisons are almost ''never'' in ''Andromeda's'' favor. Everything about it, from the writing to the gameplay to the characters, is accused of being pale imitation of the previous games. Even the game's defenders tend to consider it weaker than the first three games.
* ''VideoGame/LufiaIIRiseOfTheSinistrals''. No ''VideoGame/{{Lufia}}'' game made since has ever reached its level of critical and popular acclaim, not even its VideoGameRemake, ''VideoGame/LufiaCurseOfTheSinistrals'', which drew much criticism in the vein of TheyChangedItNowItSucks
* Very few ''VideoGame/{{Worms}}'' games has gotten even close to achieve the same success as ''Armageddon'' did when it was released in 1999. The fact that the Two games following games hit the PolygonCeiling hard and the ones after those having been felt like they have been trying to remake ''Armageddon'' (with varying degrees of success) is often considered a reason.
* SaintsRowTheThird had this from fans coming from SaintsRow2. On it's own, SaintsRowTheThird did a lot right and in some aspects much better than Saint's Row 2 like weapon upgrades needed to be earned, shortening the amount of times activities needed to be done, reducing their overall frustration, tightening controls, and overall sillier aspects. However, for every great thing the third game introduced, it lost something in the process that made the second game memorable. Your story is much more streamlined and arguably focused in SR3, but the syndicate as a whole feels less memorable than the gangs from the first two games and the whole menace of them feels off when the leader [[spoiler: is offed in act 1, replaced with a LargeHam luchador]]. The town is much more easier to maneuver around in at the cost of Steelport being absolutely boring compared to Stillwater. The humor balanced with more of the serious aspects of the second gave the humor more impact and needed relief compared to the third which could pass as an AdultSwim cartoon, etc. It's not like the third game is atrocious by any means; but it's one where despite numerous improvements, one would still like the second game better.
* The first ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'' is considered a classic Wii game that successfully melded JRPG mechanics with the WideOpenSandbox worlds more emblematic of Western [=RPG=]s and was also a major SleeperHit CultClassic for a console that didn't see very many [=RPG=]s overall. While ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' are also well-regarded sequels, they've tended to receive much more criticism than the first game.
