History VindicatedByHistory / VideoGames

* ''VideoGame/MegaManLegends'': Back in 1998, ''Legends'' wasn't exactly the most loved iteration of the ''Franchise/MegaMan'' franchise. Its sales (at the very least, the sales of the sequel) did not satisfy Capcom, many veteran fans (who grew up with the [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Classic]] and/or ''[[VideoGame/MegaManX X]]'' series) were unsupportive of it for being [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks a completely different kind of game]] and critical reception was mixed-to-negative ([=ScrewAttack=] even included it in their "Top Ten Worst 2D to 3D Games" list). With time, though, its fanbase grew strong, especially since Creator/KeijiInafune declared the ''Legends'' series to be his favorite part of the ''Mega Man'' series, and since the 2010s ''Legends'' is now a beloved series with its early open world gameplay, charming characters, and interesting story.

** [[VideoGame/DMCDevilMayCry The reboot itself]] has been getting some fonder looks as time passes on, with the release of ''[=DMC5=]'' and [[{{Unreboot}} return to the main canon]] helping to cool heads. While very few will defend its story as a "good" or even serviceable ''DMC'' story, a lot of people do look back on its unique spin on the character action gameplay formula, interesting setpieces, and grim worldbuilding with some degree of enjoyment, with many saying that if it was an original series instead of trying to drastically reinvent an existing one (not getting into the aforementioned hostility from Ninja Theory) it likely would have received a much warmer reception to start with.

* ''VideoGame/Bioshock2'': The game was released to generally positive reviews, but still mixed fan reception, many of which considered it an unworthy sequel to the highly acclaimed first game with less interesting villain and themes. Come the third game in the franchise, ''VideoGame/BioshockInfinite'', ''Bioshock 2'' seemed to be quietly forgotten and possibly RetConned (though that is still debated). In the years since, as ''Infinite'' has gotten more controversial due to certain writing choices and its dated combat mechanics, ''Bioshock 2'' became more and more praised for some genuinely heartfelt moments in the relationship between Delta and Eleanor and the very interesting exploration of the exact opposite philosophy explored on the first game.

** When ''VideoGame/NieR'' first came out, the game was left to rot on store shelves by uninterested gamers and was largely forgotten, which ended up [[CreatorKiller (temporarily) killing Cavia Studios]]. Nowadays, it is well-known as an amazing game and is considered to one of Creator/YokoTaro's best games. It's also well-regarded for its [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic incredible soundtrack]] and for the story being very ahead of its time. For just one example, Joystiq initially slapped the game with a ''zero'', only for them to later acknowledge it as one of the best games of the last decade. A sequel by the original team, ''VideoGame/NierAutomata'', was announced out of nowhere at E3 2015 and released in 2017 thanks to this trope -- and promptly became a critical and commercial hit surpassing its predecessor thanks to the reputation of the original. When ''[=NieR=]'' was given the remake treatment in 2021, it had far better sales and reviews than the original, making the vindication rock-solid.

* ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII'' is an odd case of this, because it actually received glowing reviews when it first came out and even won several Game of the Year Awards in 2014. However, many series fans loathed this entry for its deviation from [[VideoGame/DarkSoulsI the previous entry]] in tone, level design, gameplay, and the fact that series' creator/director Creator/HidetakaMiyazaki was not lead director, rather it was handled by Yui Tanimura. However, as time went on, and information regarding the game's TroubledProduction became more known among fans, many ''Dark Souls'' fans have taken a more forgiving attitude towards ''DSII'', with many fans appreciating the game ''because'' of how it does try to be different from the previous entry. Another thing helping matters is the release of the acclaimed ''VideoGame/EldenRing'', which was co-directed by both Miyazaki and Tanimura and incorporated several of ''II's'' more open-ended designs & elements, and the fact that [[https://www.pcgamer.com/vindication-for-dark-souls-2-defenders-as-hidetaka-miyazaki-says-many-of-its-ideas-carried-the-rest-of-the-series/ Miyazaki himself]] regards the game warmly and as a large source of ideas that were explored better in other titles. Nowadays, ''Dark Souls II'' is widely regarded as a worthy addition to the series, if still somewhat controversial.

* ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII'' is an odd case of this, because it actually ''did'' receive glowing reviews when it first came out and even won several Game of the Year Awards in 2014. However, many series fans loathed this entry for its deviation from [[VideoGame/DarkSoulsI the previous entry]] in tone, level design, gameplay, and the fact that series' creator/director Creator/HidetakaMiyazaki was not lead director, rather it was handled by Yui Tanimura. However, as time went on, and information regarding the game's TroubledProduction became more known among fans, many ''Dark Souls'' fans have taken a more forgiving attitude towards ''DSII'', with many fans appreciating the game ''because'' of how it does try to be different from the previous entry. Another thing helping matters is the release of the acclaimed ''VideoGame/EldenRing'', which was co-directed by both Miyazaki and Tanimura and incorporated several of ''II's'' more open-ended designs & elements, and the fact that [[https://www.pcgamer.com/vindication-for-dark-souls-2-defenders-as-hidetaka-miyazaki-says-many-of-its-ideas-carried-the-rest-of-the-series/ Miyazaki himself]] regards the game warmly and considers it a backbone for the series. Nowadays, ''Dark Souls II'' is widely regarded as a worthy addition to the series and among Creator/FromSoftware's finest games. And even fans who continue to bash the game are now seen as a VocalMinority of the fandom (in fact, its likely they ''always'' were this).

[[folder:''Sonic the Hedgehog'']]
Games in the ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' series have a tendency to gain a lot more respect about 8 to 10 years after they come out.

* As much as it's widely pointed to by [[Platform/SegaGenesis Genesis-era]] Sonic fans as the pinnacle of the hedgehog's career, it may surprise some that ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'' wasn't quite on this pedestal at the time of its release -- specifically, when the game [[OneGameForThePriceOfTwo was released as]] ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' and ''Sonic & Knuckles''. Compared to the runaway critical and commercial successes of the first two games, both titles only managed modest sales[[note]]though a major reason for this was due to the first two games being bundled with the Sega Genesis shortly after their release, a benefit ''Sonic & Knuckles'' only received much later[[/note]]; and each title was also accused of being [[ItsTheSameSoItSucks too similar]] to past games and [[MissionPackSequel not innovative enough]] by reviewers, especially [[ToughActToFollow when compared to the preceding]] ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2 Sonic 2]]'' (though both titles still received mostly positive reviews). Not helping matters was ''Sonic 3'' being ''very'' [[ObviousBeta bug-ridden]] due to the game's rushed production and having the notorious [[GuideDangIt "Barrel of Doom" puzzle]], while ''Sonic & Knuckles'' following its release would be promptly overshadowed by the release of the highly-anticipated [[DuelingGames dueling game]] ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'' for the SNES. It would take years before reviewers and fans began to re-assess the two games as the singular ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles'' through ''Sonic & Knuckles's'' "[[OldSaveBonus digital lock-on technology]]" and then discovered [[SerialEscalation how much of a incredible refinement of the Sonic formula]] the game was -- better gameplay and graphics, varied playable characters, larger and more balanced level design, and a more compelling story and presentation, among other enhancements. Nowadays, the game is rarely referred to its initial two parts, complaints about the games' lack of freshness are hardly even remembered, and the game is usually considered an EvenBetterSequel to ''Sonic 2'' (although the general public [[FirstInstallmentWins tends to recognize the first two titles far more]]).
* When ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'' was released on PC with the ''[[https://sonic.fandom.com/wiki/Sonic_%26_Knuckles_Collection Sonic & Knuckles Collection]]'', a handful of themes from ''Sonic 3'' were changed -- most notably, the themes of Carnival Night, [=IceCap=], and Launch Base. Official reasoning at the time was because the Genesis versions of the songs were very sample-heavy, making it hard to adapt them to the MIDI format used in the PC version. Another likely reason is due to the involvement of Music/MichaelJackson in the making of the soundtrack of ''Sonic 3'', and Sega either lacking the rights to include the music in the PC collection, or lacking the rights to modify them to work in MIDI format. In any case, the new themes used to replace the ones removed were not very well received by fans at the time. Several years later, the discovery of a beta version of ''Sonic 3'' from before the game was split into two parts revealed that the arrangements used in the PC collection were OlderThanTheyThink: the PC collection songs had originally been composed for the Genesis version of ''Sonic 3'' before Jackson's involvement. Following this revelation, reception of the PC collection's music improved a bit: while most fans argue that the Jackson-made Genesis themes are better (and their replacement with the prototype tracks in the CompilationRerelease ''Sonic Origins'' was met with some displeasure), it is now generally agreed that the PC collection themes are better than they were given credit for at the time.
* ''VideoGame/SonicTheFighters'', on its release, it was one of the most critically reviled spin-offs of the franchise due to its unbalanced cast, overly simple gameplay, and due to it being perceived as a poor FollowTheLeader attempt to cash-in on the popular fighting game trend at the time. Even when it was re-released as part of ''[[CompilationRerelease Sonic Gems Collection]]'', it was largely written off as a dated relic of the era that wasn't worth revisiting. As time has gone by, nostalgia for the game has greatly lessened its initially poor reception, and it is now considered a fun spin-off with unique characters and gameplay. While the game long struggled with a reputation for being a mindless button-masher, the [=Model2=] Collection port's online lobbies would plant the seeds for a serious competitive scene, with a small grassroots community pushing the game to greater heights in TheNewTwenties.
* ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' was subjected to mixed to negative reception back in 2008, with the "Non-Sonic" portions of the game being a strong point of contention, [[UnexpectedGameplayChange the]] [[BaseBreakingCharacter Werehog]] in particular catching a ton of heat. The game was considered a 2000s "Dark Age" Sonic title, and was even among the de-listed Sonic games by Sega. A decade later, it isn't uncommon to find a lot more defenders towards ''Unleashed'' in particular citing the game's creativity, production values that many took for granted at the time, [[SceneryPorn awesome graphics]] done by the Hedgehog Engine (that still look great even today, perhaps even better than some 2010s titles), the extremely varied but [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic excellent]] [[AwesomeMusic/SonicTheHedgehog soundtrack]], and a plot that is generally considered very solid. The warming reception is likely what caused Sega to relist and reprint the game after it was delisted in 2010.
* ''VideoGame/SonicRiders'': The games were divisive at the time as they came out during what was widely considered to be the series' second AudienceAlienatingEra ([[AudienceAlienatingEra/SonicTheHedgehog see here for more details]]). The third entry, ''VideoGame/SonicFreeRiders'' for the Platform/Xbox360, ended up [[FranchiseKiller killing the sub-series]] with its mandatory Kinect controls. However, as time went on and especially after the release of ''VideoGame/TeamSonicRacing'', the first two games began to get a lot more love, receiving praise for its unique concept of a racing game that didn't copy ''VideoGame/MarioKart'' like ''Team Sonic Racing'' (and ''VideoGame/SonicDrift'' before it) did. There was also praise for the first two games having [[GuestFighter guest characters]] from other Sega franchises as unlockables whereas ''Team Sonic Racing'' was criticized for cutting out the guest characters from the ''VideoGame/SegaSuperstars'' games. Nowadays, you'll see a lot more fans placing ''Riders'' and its sequel ''[[VideoGame/SonicRidersZeroGravity Zero Gravity]]'' among the best Sonic games during the late [=2000s=], with several fans now wanting a HD port of the first two games with online or a fourth entry that combines all the positive aspects of the ''Riders'' trilogy.
** Speaking of, with the recent fan patch of ''Sonic Free Riders'' that removes the Kinect restriction and allows it to be played with a normal controller, fans are starting to really warm up to the game, going so far as to admit that -- were it made with controllers in mind from the get-go -- it would be just as enjoyable, if not more so, than the original and ''Zero Gravity''.
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* ''Franchise/{{Drakengard}}'':
** When ''VideoGame/NieR'' first came out, the game was left to rot on store shelves by uninterested gamers and was largely forgotten, which ended up [[CreatorKiller (temporarily) killing Cavia Studios]]. Nowadays, it is well-known as an amazing game and is considered to one of Creator/YokoTaro's best games. It's also well-regarded for its [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic incredible soundtrack]] and for the story being very ahead of its time. For just one example, Joystiq initially slapped the game with a ''zero'', only for them to later acknowledge it as one of the best games of the last decade. A sequel by the original team, ''VideoGame/NierAutomata'', was announced out of nowhere at E3 2015 and released in 2017 thanks to this trope -- and promptly became a critical and commercial hit surpassing its predecessor thanks to the reputation of the original. When ''[=NieR=]'' was given the remake treatment in 2021, it had far better sales and reviews than the original, making the vindication rock-solid.
** The original ''VideoGame/{{Drakengard}}'' as well, to a lesser extent. It didn't sell hugely well and was only given average-to-good reviews on it original 2003 release. However, it has gained more recognition over the years thanks to its [[CrapsackWorld sheer]] [[EvilVersusEvil bleakness]] and [[MindScrew what-the-fuck storyline]]. This trope was eventually why Taro Yoko decided to release ''VideoGame/Drakengard3'' for the original game's 10th anniversary.

* ''Franchise/SpyroTheDragon'':
** When announced in 2010, ''VideoGame/{{Skylanders}}'' was the bane of the internet. For years it had a loud periphery hatedom of ''Spyro'' fans and people who hated its MerchandiseDriven nature. As time has gone on, its reception has changed. Many kids who grew up on the games praise it, which has put ''Skylanders'' into more divisive territory.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfSpyro'': Many elements of this series can be found in ''Skylanders''. Even classic fans who hated it initially saw it in a new light if only because Spyro wasn't a side character in his own game. Bringing in fan favorite characters like [[DarkActionGirl Cynder]] and [[BigBad Malefor]] would also help, with many fans even asking they make their debut in the main series.

* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV''[='=]s online multiplayer mode, ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoOnline'', suffered a disastrous launch that saw it unplayable for weeks, and even after the servers were stabilized, many slammed it as suffering from a dearth of features beyond basic deathmatches and races. Features that had been promised before launch, most notably heist missions, were nowhere to be seen. Many wrote it off as a failed experiment and stuck with the single-player story. [[Creator/TakeTwoInteractive Rockstar Games]], however, never abandoned it, and continued adding content (the long-awaited heists being just the start)... and never stopping. To say that ''GTA Online'' made a comeback would be the understatement of the decade, as it would keep ''GTA V'' near the top of the sales charts for ''years'' after its already record-breaking launch. As of this writing, ''GTA V'' is the second-best-selling video game in history with over 190 million copies sold (second only to ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'') and annual sales figures remaining above 10 million even a decade after its initial release in 2013, a long tail that owes almost everything to the runaway success of ''GTA Online''. In fact, the next full ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' game (barring remasters of older titles for newer consoles, including ''GTA V'' itself) not being announced until 2023 has been [[https://videogames.si.com/news/gta-5-sales-q2-fy-2024 attributed]] to the fact that Rockstar was still making money hand-over-fist off of ''GTA Online'' and adding new content to the game to meet demand.

** The [=PS2=]-era trilogy of ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance Deadly Alliance]]'', ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception Deception]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatArmageddon Armageddon]]'' is considered to be another AudienceAlienatingEra of the franchise, only selling as decently as it did due to most other mainstream FightingGame series either being dead, forgotten, or underperforming during the very early 2000s (outliers like ''[[VideoGame/SoulSeries Soulcalibur II]]'' and ''VideoGame/Tekken5'' notwithstanding). The ''DA-D-A'' trilogy received endless flack for its milquetoast gameplay as well as having a cavalcade of new characters -- many of whom were poorly designed and silly (e.g. Hsu Hao). Despite some bright spots among the new additions (like Nitara and Havik), and some fans finding the narrative turn the series took following [[spoiler:Liu Kang's death]] to be an interesting idea in theory, things reached a point where ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat9 MK9]]'' had to pull a ContinuityReboot to escape from the fallout. Since then, and in the wake of the trajectory taken by ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' and its ''second'' universe reboot with ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1'', far more people have reconsidered the [=PS2=] games and acknowledged their positives. In particular, ''MK'' fans reconsider that they genuinely tried out new ideas and committed to the {{worldbuilding}} (even if it was often poorly executed) rather than being a cash crossover vehicle for Creator/WarnerBrothers with the ''MK'' world as set dressing, as a good portion of fans accuse ''[=MK11=]'' and ''[=MK1=]'' of being. ''Deception'' and ''Armageddon'' also respectively introduced open world gameplay (via Konquest Mode) and CharacterCustomization to series, both of which even detractors admit were fun and -- perhaps more importantly -- were ideas direct competitor ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' would effectively utilise in the immensely successful ''VideoGame/StreetFighter6''.

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'': It was praised for improving on and addressing complaints with ''Phantom Hourglass'' (like the repetitive, time-limited central dungeon), but was also criticized by some for elements like the train mechanics, implementation of the Spirit Flute, and for being too similar to its predecessor. However, several factors have come to bring it into fans' good graces. So much so that the game would later get its own stage in the ''VideoGamr/SuperSmashBros'' series

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'': It was praised for improving on and addressing complaints with ''Phantom Hourglass'' (like the repetitive, time-limited central dungeon), but was also criticized by some for elements like the train mechanics, implementation of the Spirit Flute, and for being too similar to its predecessor. However, several factors have come to bring it into fans' good graces: