History Main / ContestedSequel

* As the sequel to the popular manga ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', ''Manga/UQHolder'' has had [[ToughActToFollow a lot to live up to]]. Opinions on the series tend to vary on how much of a sequel it should actually be, since ''Negima'' ended [[EndingAversion very abruptly]] and [[LeftHanging did not resolve many of the major plotlines]] in a satisfying fashion. While ''Manga/UQHolder'' has addressed some of them, some people feel it should've been a brand new series, a more direct sequel, or is fine the way it is. Moreover, fans have felt at times the series relies far too much on its predecessor and refuses to stand on its own merits and thus allows ''Negima'' to overshadow its setting and characters.

** ''Series/StarTrekDiscovery'' ran into this as soon as details about the series were announced, ranging from the decision to set it ten years [[{{Interquel}} prior to the Original Series]], to the [[Film/StarTrek2009 Abrams-esque]] redesigns of the Starfleet uniforms, the Klingons, the ships and other elements, and the decision to make the show much more serialized as well as DarkerAndEdgier, as opposed to the LighterAndSofter episodic format that had predominated (and [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks grown tired]]) on both ''Voyager'' and ''Enterprise''. If anything, the severity and vehemence of the BrokenBase has only ''[[UpToEleven intensified]]'' after the first season began airing, with a large {{hatedom}} passionately dedicated to savaging everything about ''Discovery'' for not immediately living up to their ideas about "what a ''Trek'' series [[PanderingToTheBase should be]]".

** ''VideoGame/SeriousSam3BFE'': Some think it's a great sequel that gets the series back on track after the cartoonish excesses of the previous game and features some of the most intense and exciting combat in the genre thanks to a generous case of SequelEscalation while others think it's one of the weaker installment with criticisms going toward the SlowPacedBeginning, the abundance of DemonicSpiders (which the ''Fusion' release goes some way toward rectifying) and the [[CutAndPasteEnvironments uninteresting]] modern Egypt setting. The additions of modern shooters conventions like sprinting, reloading and aiming down sights is also contentious.

** The sequel to ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', ''WesternAnimation/RalphBreaksTheInternet'', became considerably divisive not very long after it was released. While a good number of folks like the sequel just fine and find it a worthy follow-up to the first movie, some others find it inferior for varying reasons. The most popular points of contention seem to be the premise itself [[note]]that takes place away from the arcade and other video game characters[[/note]], its sense of humor [[note]]some finding it hilarious, others found it lackluster and/or cringey[[/note]], and how Vanellope's character arc was handled [[note]]with some thinking it worked well and led to a meaningful lesson in not getting in the way of your friend's dreams and aspirations, while others absolutely reviled it for allegedly [[BrokenAesop going against the message of the first movie]] and [[UnintentionallyUnsympathetic painting an unpleasant picture of Vanellope's character]][[/note]]. There are also some people, even Disney fans, who see the whole movie just as a marketing ploy from Disney to push their various brands. Some even suggest that the reason this film isn't panned as much as ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'' even though they have similar premises is due to Creator/SonyPicturesAnimation's infamous reputation for bad movies and the large brand loyalty people have towards Disney.

* ''VideoGame/SeriousSam3BFE'': Some think it's a great sequel that gets the series back on track after the cartoonish excesses of ''VideoGame/SeriousSamII'' and features some of the most intense and exciting combat in the genre thanks to a generous case of SequelEscalation while others think it's one of the weaker installment with criticisms going toward the SlowPacedBeginning, the abundance of DemonicSpiders (which the ''Fusion' release goes some way toward rectifying) and the [[CutAndPasteEnvironments uninteresting]] modern Egypt setting. The additions of modern shooters conventions like sprinting, reloading and aiming down sights is also contentious.

See also FirstInstallmentWins, LoveItOrHateIt, and CriticalBacklash.

*** ''WesternAnimation/PocahontasIIJourneyToANewWorld'' did something that none of the others dared to try: permanently break up the main couple. As a result, many ''WesternAnimation/{{Pocahontas}}'' fans hate it. However, given how [[LoveItOrHateIt divisive]] that film is, many who ''don't'' like the original think that the sequel is an improvement, noting that it is more historically accurate and gives Pocahontas herself a stronger character arc.

* ''Film/BillAndTed'' fans are split on the second film, ''Film/BillAndTedsBogusJourney''. Most say that, at the very least, it isn't as good as ''Film/BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure'', there are those who think it is as good or even better.
* ''Film/{{Babe}}'' is a very well received film from both critics and the general audience and was well liked due to its lighthearted plot and charming farm setting. The sequel, on the other hand, is [[DarkerAndEdgier much darker]], including images of a dog being drowned in a lake, and a clown having a heart attack and dying. To some, it's a terrible film that simply doesn't do the original justice because of how dark it is and because it takes Babe off the familiar farm setting. To others, it's a brilliant follow up to an already great film, and some people (including both Siskel & Ebert) thought it was even better than the original.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobMovieSpongeOutOfWater'', depending on whom you ask, it's either [[EvenBetterSequel better than]] ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobSquarePantsMovie'', [[{{Sequelitis}} worse than]] ''[[{{Sequelitis}} The [=SpongeBob=] [=SquarePants=] Movie]]'', or good, but not as good as ''The [=SpongeBob=] [=SquarePants=] Movie''. Most agree it's an improvement over [[DorkAge seasons 6 through 8]] of [[WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants the show]], though. However, it takes place before the events of the first movie.

* ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'' went on for a very long time, and almost every fan can agree that, at some point, the books started a sharp decline in quality. Getting them to agree exactly ''which'' book marks the point of decline is impossible, and every fan has at least one or two books during the DorkAge that they still enjoy.

** ''Series/StargateUniverse''. In addition to the complaints about simply ripping off Voyager (after ripping off Deep Space Nine through Atlantis), the other major argument mirrors the ''Battlestar Galactica'' remake: was it an honest attempt to breathe new life into a franchise that had been going on for a dozen or so years on largely the same formula uninterrupted, or was it a botched attempt at making it DarkerAndEdgier that went straight into the series' DorkAge and thus became the FranchiseKiller, all in an attempt to [[FollowTheLeader mine the success]] of ''Battlestar Galactica''?

** ''Metal Slug 6''. Many look down on it for sharing several themes to ''3'' and being [[ItsEasySoItSucks considerably easier than the other games]], whilst many others love it for those very same reasons. Either way though, it is generally agreed that it is where the series got out of its DorkAge.

** Next up is ''Film/AlienCovenant'', which gained both favor and disfavor from fans of both the original films ''and'' Prometheus. To some, it has a plot full of [[WhatAnIdiot thoughtless character decisions]] and unimpressively retreads familiar territory from the first films. To others, it's a frightening, atmospheric meditation on the nature of creation and the failures and costs of human ambition.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', the sequel series to the much-beloved ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''. The shows differ greatly in character, setting, structure, tone, and art style, which is enough to ruffle some feathers. With a second season [[SophomoreSlump that even those who love the show dislike]], ''Korra'' is considered to have [[GrowingTheBeard come into its own]] during its third season. But thanks to some perceived missteps throughout its run, especially during its first two seasons, the fanbase was divided mainly into those who consider it a worthy-but-flawed successor to the first series and those that consider it to have too many failures to be considered a good follow-up. And in the years since its conclusion, there's been a growing group who believe ''Korra'' [[EvenBetterSequel to be the superior cartoon]], with even the divisive first two seasons seen as fantastic in their own right.

* The first three ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot'' games and ''VideoGame/CrashTeamRacing'' were made by Creator/NaughtyDog. Everything after that is [[BrokenBase hotly contested]]. Some say ''VideoGame/CrashBash'' and ''VideoGame/CrashTwinsanity'' were still good, some say more or all of the games were good, and a very small portion only like the new games.

* ''VideoGame/BaldursGateIII'' has become this for the series ever since the first demo playthroughs were shown to public. Supporters of the game applaud it for it's excellent "turn-based" combat, use of 5th Edition D&D rules, good world building and amazing graphical representation. Detractors, on the other hand, slam it for abolishing the "real-time with pause" gameplay from the previous games, it's lower party size (four instead of six members), it's somewhat lighter looking atmosphere (which reminds them of the Divinity: Original Sin series) and the (relatively) unlikeable character companions. From these points of contention, the juxtaposition between "turn-based" and "real-time with pause" seems to yield the greatest amount of discussion, nevertheless. Furthermore, there is a (relatively small) group of fans who find that this game should have been called "Divinity: Original Sin 3" and who long for a Baldur's III game made by another developer entirely.

* ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'' ended up being praised for its improved gameplay mechanics and bonus content, but criticized for the [[EndingAversion last chapter's]] [[BrokenBase plot twist]] (and to a lesser extent, for [[spoiler:[[StuffedIntoTheFridge killing off the first female protagonist in the main series]]]] in the first chapter), as well as for [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks a general inability to break away from or subvert the traditions set by the first two games]].

* ''[[Borat Subsequent Moviefilm]]'' is either a significant step down from the first ''Film/{{Borat}}'', mostly rehashing the original's gags while overusing gross-out humour and being much more one-sided with its targets, or an EvenBetterSequel for its more progressive message, the additional main character adding new dynamics and CharacterDevelopment, and having less of a RandomEventsPlot than the original.

** ''The Ancient Gods'' [=DLCs=] are contentious for the game itself. ''Part 1'' is a significant difficulty spike from the base campaign, with some majorly dickish enemy placements and the addition of even worse DemonicSpiders that [[FakeDifficulty seem like they were added solely to force the players to use the underpowered weapon mods more often]]. ''Part 2'' wierdly suffers from [[SequelDifficultyDrop being easier]] than the hell ''Part 1'' put players through, but oddly both easier and harder than the main game because you still have those Demonic Spiders from ''Part 1'' but you also have a GameBreaker of a utility weapon in the form of the Sentinel Hammer, and it all ends with a [[GoddamnedBoss Goddamned]] AntiClimaxBoss.

* The ''VideoGame/{{Shantae}}'' series ran into this trope with ''Half-Genie Hero'', after every previous installment was generally considered to unquestionably improve upon the last. Defenders praise its higher budget, the new art style, the soundtrack, and the various additional modes such as "Friends to the End". Meanwhile, detractors bemoan the switch to a level-based progression system, the significantly more linear stages in a series that had been a pure {{Metroidvania}} up to that point, and feel that the decision to make the game a SoftReboot wasn't for the better.

** The sequel to ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', ''WesternAnimation/RalphBreaksTheInternet'', became considerably divisive not very long after it was released. While a good number of folks like the sequel just fine and find it a worthy follow-up to the first movie, some others find it inferior for varying reasons. The most popular points of contention seem to be the premise itself [[note]]that takes place away from the arcade and other video game characters[[/note]], its sense of humor [[note]]some finding it hilarious, others found it lackluster and/or "cringe-y"[[/note]], and how Vanellope's character arc was handled [[note]]with some thinking it worked well and led to a meaningful lesson in not getting in the way of your friend's dreams and aspirations, while others absolutely reviled it for allegedly [[BrokenAesop going against the message of the first movie]] and [[UnintentionallyUnsympathetic painting an unpleasant picture of Vanellope's character]][[/note]]. There are also some people, even Disney fans, who see the whole movie just as a marketing ploy from Disney to push their various brands. Some even suggest that the reason this film isn't panned as much as ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'' even though they have similar premises is due to Creator/SonyPicturesAnimation's infamous reputation for bad movies and the large brand loyalty people have towards Disney.

* ''WesternAnimation/IceAge3DawnOfTheDinosaurs'' is quite contested; some consider it an absolute disaster, while others call it the best of the series.

** ''Film/Ghostbusters2016'' is either a fun, campy action flick, a cheesy, cash-grabbing reboot, or anything in between. In particular, the contention that they only swapped the genders of the main cast to profit off the controversy (and, in turn, the belief that liking/hating it makes you a feminist/sexist, regardless of the film's actual merits), as well as the [[spoiler:murder of Creator/BillMurray's character]] which some fans saw as a metaphorical middle finger to the original franchise, did not win the film any favors. Most fans will agree that ''Film/{{Ghostbusters|1984}}'' is the best of the three, and ''II'' and ''2016'' fight for 2nd and 3rd place.

** Although ''Film/GhostbustersII'' is said to be inferior to the first, many accusing it of being a rehash that doesn't bring much of anything new to the table, it still has some fans who argue that even so, it doesn't really represent a drop in quality from the first, and it gives some characters who were previously in side-roles more focus and material.
** ''Film/Ghostbusters2016'' can either be a fun, campy action flick, a cheesy, cash-grabbing reboot, or anything in between. In particular, the contention that they only swapped the genders of the main cast to profit off the controversy (and, in turn, the belief that liking/hating it made you a feminist/sexist, regardless of the film's actual merits), as well as the [[spoiler:murder of Creator/BillMurray's character]], which some fans saw as a metaphorical middle finger to the original franchise, did not win the film any favors. Most fans will agree that ''Film/{{Ghostbusters|1984}}'' is the best of the three, and ''II'' and ''2016'' fight for 2nd and 3rd place.

** ''The Ancient Gods'' [=DLCs=] are contentious for the game itself. ''Part 1'' is a significant difficulty spike from the base campaign, with some majorly dickish enemy placements and the addition of even worse DemonicSpiders that [[FakeDifficulty seem like they were added solely to force the players to use the underpowered weapon mods more often]]. ''Part 2'' wierdly suffers from [[SequelDifficultyDrop being easier]] than the hell ''Part 1'' put players through, but oddly both easier and harder than the main game because you still have those Demonic Spiders from ''Part 1'' but you also have a GameBreaker of a utility weapon in the form of the Sentinel Hammer, and it all ends with a [[GoddamnBoss Goddamn]] AntiClimaxBoss.

** Even though the game is generally praised, there are people who are unhappy with the changes from ''VideoGame/Doom2016''. ''Doom Eternal'' tries to combat against [[ComplacentGamingSyndrome using the same high-powered weapons and mods for most of the encounters]] by giving enemies generally tougher but giving them more weaknesses that require certain weapons to exploit, and reducing the max ammo count significantly to encourage switching weapons more frequently. A consequence of this is that it breaks up the pace of combat by having you run away to find a fodder to chainsaw to restock and EarlyGameHell is in full effect due to how low your ammo capacity starts with, and enemies having an intended weakness can be seen as a form of FakeDifficulty that limits player expression more than anything.
** ''The Ancient Gods'' [=DLCs=] are Contested Sequels in an of itself. ''Part 1'' is a significant difficulty spike from the base campaign, with some dickish enemy placements and the addition of even worse DemonicSpiders that [[FakeDifficulty seem like they were added solely to force the players to use the underpowered weapon mods more often]]. ''Part 2'' wierdly suffer from [[SequelDifficultyDrop being easier]] than the hell ''Part 1'' put players through, a GameBreaker of a utility weapon in the form of the Sentinel Hammer, and an AntiClimaxBoss at the end.

* ''WesternAnimation/FindingDory'' is an odd case among Pixar movies. Its Rotten Tomatoes score is in the mid-90s, putting it nearly on par with ''WesternAnimation/FindingNemo'' and Pixar's other acclaimed classics, but the reviews themselves frequently note that [[ToughActToFollow the movie isn't as good as its predecessor]]. If one looks at Metacritic, its score is a respectable 77, whereas the first film has a score of 90. In any case, [[OverlyNarrowSuperlative it's considered the best-reviewed Pixar sequel that isn't a follow-up to]] ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'', and still seen as a worthy sequel and a good movie in its own right. And there are many who feel it's an EvenBetterSequel for the deeper story, faster pace, superior humor, and Hank.

* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory4'' [[ToughActToFollow was already met with skepticism]] that it would stack up to the standards set up by the [[WesternAnimation/ToyStory first]] [[WesternAnimation/ToyStory2 three]] [[WesternAnimation/ToyStory3 movies]] (''especially'' the third movie, which had been regarded as the perfect GrandFinale to the series). Following the release of ''4'', reception was mostly positive among fans, critics, and audiences, who regarded the movie as a suitable and quality cap-off to the series. Despite this, some still took issue with the movie and found it a weaker grand finale than ''3'', with the biggest points of contention being two main things: [[spoiler: Bonnie (unwittingly or not) forgetting her promise to Andy at the end of ''3'' when Woody ultimately has become TheUnfavorite among her toys a year or two later]] and the ending where [[spoiler:Woody parts ways with long-time best friend Buzz and the other toys and joins his long-lost LoveInterest Bo Peep and her friends in their mission to help toys in need wherever the carnival goes]]; aspects fans who still swear by the ending of ''3'' feel [[HappyEndingOverride cheapens or outright ruins that movie's heartwarming but]] [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet]] [[HappyEndingOverride conclusion]].

** ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories Chain of Memories]]'' gets this for its card-based battle system, ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsCoded Coded]]'' for its perceived contrived and {{Filler}}-esque story, and ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts358DaysOver2 358/2 Days]]'' for the character portrayal of several fan favorites, a deconstruction of a MarySue that some say CrossesTheLineTwice into real MarySue territory, and the new ability system. And then there's ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance Dream Drop Distance]]'', contested for the VirtualPet mechanics, its EPIC MindScrew nature and a surprise or two.

* Meanwhile, the other Whedon series, ''Series/Firefly}}'' has it with the Boom! Studios comics. The Dark Horse comics and Titan books are fairly well liked, but the Boom! comics have become contested due to the Boom! writers not keeping up with previous material and making a lot of SeriesContinuityErrors with them.