History Main / NonLinearSequel

* The ''VideoGame/{{Castlevania}}'' series is the reigning king of bouncing around in the timeline, though the games all take place in the same continuity. Games have been set as far back as the year 1094 and as far forward as 2036. Konami didn't even wait till the series left the NES before starting this habit -- ''Castlevania III'' was set more than 200 years before the first game.

** To date, only ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVII'' and ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX'' seem to be standalone titles, as ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII'' hints at a multiverse due to [[spoiler:the Godbird Empyrea actually being one and the same as [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Ramia/Lamia]] from ''III''.]] Torneko Taloon from ''IV'' also cameos as an opponent in Morrie's Monster Arena in ''VIII''. Just to complicate matters, ''IX'' features character cameos and cosplay gear from all eight previous games and the ''VideoGame/DragonQuestSwords'' spin-off, which may mean something or may just be {{Mythology Gag}}s. Then there's the early ''VideoGame/DragonQuestMonsters'' games - one's a prequel to ''VI'', another had a ''VII'' character wind up in the Erdrick Trilogy world long after the events of ''I - III''.

** It goes like this: ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' start off the series. At the same time that these are happening, the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'', games released six years later as part of the third generation, take place. Three years later, the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' take place. Starting around when the red Gyarados business goes down, the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' occur. (It helps if you consider the remakes; ''Ruby and Sapphire'' and ''[=FireRed and LeafGreen=]'' are part of the same generation and take place at roughly the same time, as are ''Diamond and Pearl'' and ''[=HeartGold and SoulSilver=]''.) And then, some unknown, as of right now, time later, (likely multiple years) the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' take place, followed by ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2''. ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' then takes place after an unknown set of time from ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2'', as evidenced when a NPC spoke of Team Plasma (the villainous team of Black, White, Black 2 and White2) in the past tense. ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum'' and ''[[VideoGame/PokemonColosseum Pokemon XD]]'' go wherever you want them to.

* ''{{Disgaea}}'', though there are a few recurring characters. The fact that all the games take place in different Netherworlds helps. Though Infinite messes some stuff up, most fans agree that Mao and Beryls appearance are before D3, but the canon best ending of Infinite doesn't match up with why Etna was in D2.

** [[AllThereInTheManual Depending which region's version]] you follow, ''Tails Adventure'' is the first game, then ''Sonic 1'', or Tails Adventure takes place in the same chronology it was released.
** ''Sonic CD'' was developed at the same time as ''Sonic 2'', but takes place after ''Sonic & Knuckles'', and that ''Sonic 4'' is a direct continuation of it.

** It goes like this: ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' start off the series. At the same time that these are happening, the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'', games released six years later as part of the third generation, take place. Three years later, the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' take place. Starting around when the red Gyarados business goes down, the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' occur. (It helps if you consider the remakes; ''Ruby and Sapphire'' and ''[=FireRed and LeafGreen=]'' are part of the same generation and take place at roughly the same time, as are ''Diamond and Pearl'' and ''[=HeartGold and SoulSilver=]''.) And then, some unknown, as of right now, time later, (likely multiple years) the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' take place, followed by VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2. ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum'' and ''[[VideoGame/PokemonColosseum Pokemon XD]]'' go wherever you want them to.

* The continuity between the ''WorldOfMana'' games is rather loose. At least one game, ''LegendOfMana'', has been declared non-canon by WordOfGod, and the mobile phone game ''Friends of Mana'' takes place in a totally different world.

* All the numbered ''Franchise/MetalGear'' sequels followed a linear chronology with one notable exception: ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' serves as a prequel to the entire ''Metal Gear'' canon, being set decades before the events of the very first ''VideoGame/MetalGear''. ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidPortableOps'' and ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidPeaceWalker'', both for the PSP, serve as sequels to the plot of ''[=MGS3=]'' and follow Big Boss' further adventures before the first ''Metal Gear''.
** And now ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain'' is another game starring Big Boss set years before Metal Gear Solid, or even the original Metal Gear for that matter, but is the fifth game in the MGS series to be numbered. Strangely, it is the first one to use a roman numeral instead of a numerical digit. It's also been confirmed by Kojima that ''Peace Walker'' was to be called Metal Gear Solid 5 at one point during development, but the number was removed mainly on the basis that the game was a handheld release.

* There are only two continuities in the ''TalesSeries'', non-canonical {{crossover}}s ''TalesOfTheWorld'' notwithstanding. The first is the "Aselia" timeline, encompassing two ''[[VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia Symphonia]]'' games and ''[[VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia Phantasia]]''. All of them have different protagonists (the ''Symphonia'' sequel has a different protagonist, and both are set around 4000 years before ''Phantasia''). The second is the ''[[VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny Destiny]]'' timeline, the second game being about the son of the heroes of the first. In all cases, no BagOfSpilling is invoked.
* Due to an unusual twist of plot [[spoiler:involving Lezard time traveling from the end of the first game to the past of the sequel]], ''Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria'' comes both before and after ''ValkyrieProfile''. And ''Covenant Of The Plume'' is a prequel.
* ''BreathOfFire'' has a remarkably similar situation going to ''Zelda'', only complicated by two, possibly three, ''canonical'' AlternateUniverse scenarios:
** ''BreathOfFire I-III'' are canonically (per [[WordOfGod Word Of Capcom]] and storyline) in the same universe but separated by millenia between games.
** ''VideoGame/BreathOfFireDragonQuarter'' is (per [[WordOfGod Word Of Capcom]]) in its own AlternateUniverse completely unrelated to other games in the series. The gameplay is also radically different, to the point it actually resulted in a BrokenBase within that fandom.
** The real mess comes in sorting out where ''VideoGame/BreathOfFireIV'' fits, because there ''is'' no [[WordOfGod Word Of Capcom]] where the game fits, the game was rushed to production to outrun AuthorExistenceFailure, and subsequent [[AllThereInTheManual supplementary material]] (like the artbook, a {{Novelization}}, a second ''BreathOfFire'' Complete Works artbook, no less than two side-stories that were released for [[NoExportForYou Japanese smartphones]], and finally a [[ComicBookAdaptation manga]] that relied ''heavily'' on info from the artbook and Capcom's production staff) have done ''absolutely nothing'' to clarify this. As a result, a ''lot'' of {{Fanon}} and occasional FanWank occurs as to whether ''IV'' is an AlternateUniverse or a NonLinearSequel (with the most popular {{Fanon}} Timeline going towards it being a NonLinearSequel that is a prequel to ''I-III'').

** To date, only ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVII'' and ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX'' seem to be standalone titles, as ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII'' hints at a multiverse due to [[spoiler:the Godbird Empyrea actually being one and the same as [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Ramia/Lamia]] from ''III''.]] Torneko Taloon from ''IV'' also cameos as an opponent in Morrie's Monster Arena in ''VIII''. Just to complicate matters, ''IX'' features character cameos and cosplay gear from all eight previous games and the ''VideoGame/DragonQuestSwords'' spinoff, which may mean something or may just be {{Mythology Gag}}s. Then there's the early ''VideoGame/DragonQuestMonsters'' games - one's a prequel to ''VI'', another had a ''VII'' character wind up in the Erdrick Trilogy world long after the events of ''I - III''.

* The ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series has, as of the eleventh installment, five different [[TheVerse Verses]], each with their own characters, settings, mythologies, and plots. The MacGuffin in each universe is almost always the titular ''Fire Emblem'', although it's called something completely different except for one line thrown in about how some people (who you'll never meet) call it the ''Fire Emblem''.
** WordOfGod claims the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemJugdral Jugdral]] games take place in the same universe as the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAkaneia Archaneia]] games, but 1000 years prior. Other than that, there are no links between 'Verses. Sacred Stones remains the only game in the series not linked to any other, though it is a SpiritualSuccessor to Gaiden.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' seems to tie everything together. The game definitely takes in the same universe as the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAkaneia Archaneia]] games, but several thousand years later. From this we can assume that the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemJugdral Jugdral]] games are also in the same universe. One downloadable character is a descendant of Ike from the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTellius Tellius]] games, and the DLC confirms that the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemElibe remaining]] [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones two]] verses exist at least as legends within Awakening's world, if not explicit history that just hasn't been placed yet.

* ''KamenRiderAgito'' explicitly takes place in the same universe as ''KamenRiderKuuga''; the only on-screen references to this are a couple of off-hand mentions of the Grongi (Kuuga's enemies) and the G3 suit being built by the police based off of data taken on "Unidentified Lifeform #4" (the Tokyo Police's callname for Kuuga). There was also said to be a GreatOfscreenWar where the Grongi were killed off by the Lords, Agito's enemies.
** This all gets referenced in ''KamenRiderDecade'', where the AlternateUniverse Agito World they visit is also an alternate Kuuga World, with the GreatOffscreenWar actively happening and an alternate version of Decade!Kuuga's CoolBigSis mentor showing up as the head scientist behind the G3 Project.
** ''KamenRider'' is thought to do this because of how SupermanStaysOutOfGotham was law for the first ten years of its' revival, to the degree that aside from the occasional mention of "#4" in ''Agito'' (in ''Kuuga,'' "Unidentified Lifeform #4" was the mundane authorities' name for Kuuga, as they didn't know him from the monstrous Grongi.) there was no sign in any series that any of the others had ever taken place; the incoming season seems to replace the outgoing one rather than follow it, with no sign that monsters and Riders ever were a thing. Then ''KamenRiderDecade'' comes along and presents {{Alternate Universe}}s based on its predecessors (all but ''Den-O'' being different from the original series and ''very'' clearly not the worlds of the originals) and this somehow led to the assumption that the true series were also parallel universes (everything pre-revival going into one, Kuuga and Agito going into another, and everything from Ryuki through Kiva each having its own.) However, with and after ''Decade,'' we enter an age of {{Massively Multiplayer Crossover}}s, smaller {{Reunion Show}}s, and future Rider characters and concepts debuting in the final episodes of the outgoing series. This has led to EpilepticTrees such as "Each series really is its own universe, but there's also a Summer Movie Dimension and a Movie Wars film dimension and an All Riders film dimension!" You laugh, but stuff like this is taken as canon by ''many,'' and ''much'' discussion goes to explaining what fits where dimensionally; it's similar to the Zelda timeline debate (including the part where the soundest theory never survives the next installment. You're back to square one when a powerup from a ''Movie Wars'' film shows up in the series!)

* The ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' franchise chronologically goes: ''VideoGame/HaloWars'', ''VideoGame/HaloReach'', ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'', ''VideoGame/{{Halo 2}}'' / ''VideoGame/Halo3ODST'', ''VideoGame/{{Halo 3}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Halo 4}}''. The core trilogy was released first, followed by ''Halo Wars'', ''Halo 3: ODST'', then ''Halo: Reach''.

** To date, only ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVII'' and ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX'' seem to be standalone titles, as ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII'' hints at a multiverse due to [[spoiler:the Godbird Empyrea actually being one and the same as [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Ramia/Lamia]] from ''III''.]] Torneko Taloon from ''IV'' also cameos as an opponent in Morrie's Monster Arena in ''VIII''. Just to complicate matters, ''IX'' features character cameos and cosplay gear from all eight previous games and the ''VideoGame/DragonQuestSwords'' spinoff, which may mean something or may just be {{Mythology Gag}}s. Then there's the early ''DragonQuestMonsters'' games - one's a prequel to ''VI'', another had a ''VII'' character wind up in the Erdrick Trilogy world long after the events of ''I - III''.

->''"So any belief that Nintendo will make a sequel to ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'' is deader than $#*&. They can't even make them follow consecutive order! We have a sequel to the original, a prequel to the original, a ''sequel'' to the prequel, a '''prequel''' to the prequel, and a sequel to the young Link of the prequel's prequel! [-WHAT THE *&%^!?-]"''

** ''KamenRider'' is thought to do this because of how SupermanStaysOutOfGotham was law for the first ten years of its' revival, to the degree that aside from the occasional mention of "#4" in ''Agito'' (in ''Kuuga,'' "Unidentified Lifeform #4" was the mundane authorities' name for Kuuga, as they didn't know him from the monstrous Grongi.) there was no sign in any series that any of the others had ever taken place; ''Blade'' (for example) seems to ''replace 555'' rather than following it, with no sign that monsters and Riders ever were a thing. ''KamenRiderDecade'' comes along and presents {{Alternate Universe}}s based on its predecessors (all but ''Den-O'' being different from the original series and clearly not the originals) and this led to the theory that the true series were also parallel universes (everything pre-revival going into one, Kuuga and Agito going into another, and everything from Ryuki through Kiva each having its own.) However, with and after ''Decade,'' we enter an age of {{Massively Multiplayer Crossover}}s, smaller {{Reunion Show}}s, and future Rider characters and concepts debuting in the final episodes of the outgoing series. This has led to EpilepticTrees such as "Each series really is its own universe, but there's also a Summer Movie Dimension and a Movie Wars film dimension and an All Riders film dimension!" You laugh, but stuff like this is taken as canon by ''many,'' and ''much'' discussion goes to explaining what fits where dimensionally; it's similar to the Zelda timeline debate (including the part where the soundest theory never survives the next installment. You're back to square one when a powerup from a ''Movie Wars'' film shows up in the series!)

* The games in the [[AtlantisTheLostTales Atlantis]] series take part, in order: In prehistoric times, in the middle ages, in 2020, in the eary 20th century, in 1937.

* The ''FireEmblem'' series has, as of the eleventh installment, five different [[TheVerse Verses]], each with their own characters, settings, mythologies, and plots. The MacGuffin in each universe is almost always the titular ''Fire Emblem'', although it's called something completely different except for one line thrown in about how some people (who you'll never meet) call it the ''Fire Emblem''.
** WordOfGod claims the [[FireEmblemJugdral Jugdral]] games take place in the same universe as the [[FireEmblemAkaneia Archaneia]] games, but 1000 years prior. Other than that, there are no links between 'Verses. Sacred Stones remains the only game in the series not linked to any other, though it is a SpiritualSuccessor to Gaiden.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' seems to tie everything together. The game definitely takes in the same universe as the [[FireEmblemAkaneia Archaneia]] games, but several thousand years later. From this we can assume that the [[FireEmblemJugdral Jugdral]] games are also in the same universe. One downloadable character is a descendant of Ike from the [[FireEmblemTellius Tellius]] games, and the DLC confirms that the [[FireEmblemElibe remaining]] [[FireEmblemTheSacredStones two]] verses exist at least as legends within Awakening's world, if not explicit history that just hasn't been placed yet.

** Or at least, WordOfGod says that that's his personal interpretation, and [[DeathOfTheAuthor everyone is free to come up with a different one if they want]].

** Of course, it is entirely possible that the Crystal Lara had several similar adventures to her Core counterpart. It can't be that hard to believe that the two Laras have followed similar paths in life; after all, they are both armed archeologists who hunt mystical treasures.

* In chronological order of the plotline, the ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' series goes as follows: ''Devil May Cry 3'', ''Devil May Cry'', ''Devil May Cry 4'', then ''Devil May Cry 2''.
** It's worth noting that the chronology came out like that because ''Devil May Cry 2'' was such a mess the devs were jumping around to avoid mentioning anything about that game.
** And now there's ''[[VideoGame/DmCDevilMayCry DmC: Devil May Cry]]'', which was originally ''another'' prequel (well, more like ContinuityReboot) set ''before'' ''3'' [[FlipFlopOfGod and is now set in]] [[AlternateContinuity a parallel universe]].

** ''Sonic CD'' was developed at the same time as ''Sonic 2''. A piece of bonus artwork (Tails with a caption saying "See you next game"), suggests to some of the fandom that this means ''Sonic CD'' is before ''Sonic 2''.
*** WordOfGod has declared that ''Sonic CD'' takes place after ''Sonic & Knuckles'', and that ''Sonic 4'' is a direct continuation of it.
** The ResetButton ending of ''Sonic '06'' officially removed it from the canon. However, the game says that Blaze the Cat is from the same future as Silver the Hedgehog. ''Sonic Rush'' and its sequel directly contradict this saying that Blaze is from AnotherDimension.
*** Also thanks to the TimeyWimeyBall nonsense, Silver's future is perpetually doomed by something entirely different, and Eggman Nega is somehow from both the Future and another dimension.

*** Unless that's the reason Sonic is trashing an Eggman armada at the start of ''Unleashed''.
** In ''VideoGame/SonicBattle'', Shadow has his memory back, or at least remembers the events of ''Sonic Adventure 2''. ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' contradicts this, with Shadow having contracted amnesia thanks to his fall at the end of ''[=SA2=]'' ([[LaserGuidedAmnesia and maybe some other factors]]) and he still doesn't have memory of ''[=SA2=]''[='s=] events by the end of ''ShadowTheHedgehog'', making ''Battle'''s place in continuity very iffy.
*** ''Battle'' occurs after ''Shadow'' (as Shadow clearly remembers his past) but was released slightly before ''Heroes''. Where it falls into the overall timeline is unknown, but it is referenced heavily in ''Chronicles''.
** Really, when it comes to the Sonic canon, everything is canon, though every game is in NegativeContinuity unless another game feels like providing a sequel to a story.
*** Unless it's ''VideoGame/KnucklesChaotix'', which was confirmed by the creator as CanonDiscontinuity.

** Though it could be argued that since it's simply called ''Super Mario: Yoshi's Island'' in Japan, it was never meant to be connected to Super Mario World.

** Square Enix's Ivalice realm is a consistent world visited by the player at various different point in history, each time centered on completely unrelated protagonists. The titles are non linear; the ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'' games, ''Vagrant Story'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII''.
*** That said, even Ivalice's continuity is a little haphazard. Back when they were new, the only indication of a connection between ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'' and ''VagrantStory'' was a few small references; FFT's own sequel later on, ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTacticsAdvance'', also had ''very'' little to do with its predecessor. Making Ivalice a more explicitly consistent setting was a later development, and it's [[ContinuityDrift still a bit different than it started out]] since it took some {{retcon}}ning to fit things together.
** However, some games are now getting sequels, probably inspired by the success of the ''Compilation of VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. For example, ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' has a cellphone[=/WiiWare=] game sequel, ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIVTheAfterYears Final Fantasy IV: The After Years]]''.
** And as of ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'', the entire series takes place in a larger [[TheMultiverse Multiverse]]. Provided ''Dissidia'' is {{Canon}}, anyway.
*** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'' already hinted at a multiverse; ''Dissidia'' just elaborated on it.
*** As did ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX2 Final Fantasy X-2]]''. The [[AllThereInTheManual Ultimania]] notes that [[spoiler:Shinra, the kid genius of the Gullwings, was the ancestor of [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Rufus Shinra]]. He even babbles about a concept remarkably similar to that of TheLifestream at one point in the game.]]
*** A Japanese guide for ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' (''[[AllThereInTheManual Final Fantasy IV Settei Shiryou Hen]]'', [[http://www.sceneryrecalled.com/trans/ff4comp.htm for those curious]]) states that the Blue Planet is the same world as that of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'', only 100 years later. It also states that the Deathbringer that King Fabul gives to Cecil was left to him by Leon from ''II'', who then renounced his status as a Dark Knight to become a priest (as a parallel to Cecil's own class change from Dark Knight to Paladin). However, this is possibly shot down ''[[ShrugOfGod again]]'' in ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIVTheAfterYears The After Years]]'', which reverts the whole "Kain being Ricard's son" thing back to a RetroactiveLegacy MythologyGag; there, Kain says that he was roughly the same age as Ceodore (17) when he heard news [[spoiler:of his father's death against an evil empire]], while the Kain seen in ''II'' is a young boy (not to mention that a difference of 100 years makes it difficult for the 21-year-old Kain to be the son of the already middle-aged Ricard).

* Likewise, there are only two continuities in the ''TalesSeries'', non-canonical {{crossover}}s ''TalesOfTheWorld'' notwithstanding. The first is the "Aselia" timeline, encompassing two ''[[VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia Symphonia]]'' games and ''[[VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia Phantasia]]''. All of them have different protagonists (the ''Symphonia'' sequel has a different protagonist, and both are set around 4000 years before ''Phantasia''). The second is the ''[[VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny Destiny]]'' timeline, the second game being about the son of the heroes of the first. In all cases, no BagOfSpilling is invoked.
* Due to an unusual twist of plot [[spoiler:involving Lezard time traveling from the end of the first game to the past of the sequel]], ''Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria'' comes both before and after ''ValkyrieProfile''.
** And ''Covenant Of The Plume'' is a prequel. I suppose when the first game features the end of the world, there's nowhere to go but backward.

* The ''{{Suikoden}}'' games all take place in the same world (except for ''[[SuikodenTierkreis Tierkreis]]''), but all take place in different regions and, more importantly, different times. To be specific, the first game to occur chronologically was ''VideoGame/SuikodenIV''. One hundred and fifty years later, we experience the events of ''VideoGame/SuikodenV'', then we get the original ''VideoGame/SuikodenI'' five years later, with ''VideoGame/SuikodenII'' following it up with the shortest time span between games (a mere three years), then we get ''VideoGame/SuikodenIII 15'' years after that.
** One strange thing about this series is the character Viki, who is well-known for not only teleporting to different regions, but through time as well (though this is not intentional, as she just has very bad luck and is a huge klutz). What's interesting is that she teleports through the games in ''numerical'' order, rather than chronologically. In other words, she teleports from the events of ''SuikodenI'' to ''SuikodenII'', then to ''SuikodenIII'', and so on.
*** Viki teleporting in numerical order is debatable. There are events that occur in Suikogaiden with Viki that, if she moved in numerical order, would imply her having knowledge of events that occurred (or knowing people she met) in earlier games. Her lack of knowledge of who Lorelai is in SuikodenV, even though they are both members of the Hero's army in [[SuikodenI I]] and [[SuikodenII II]], is telling.
**** That, and there are two different versions of Viki in ''[[SuikodenIII III]]''.

* The ''{{Wild ARMs}}'' games were assumed to be non-linear at first, but WordOfGod says that they all take place on the same planet. This doesn't make much sense.
** If that's the case, the games take place at least multiple millennia apart with FridgeLogic mass-reconfiguration of the planet's continental crust fragments. But hey, if the planet's center is filled with supernatural blue mud, you can HandWave just about anything.
** Actually, it was set in the same "universe" but not the same planet.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series all take place in the same world and are roughly chronological, but have different locations and, for the most part, characters.
** Except for the spin-offs. ''Battlespire'' takes place just before and during the first game, while ''Redguard'' takes place roughly 300 years before the first game.
** The up-coming ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' is going to take place two centuries after Oblivion, but has been announced as a more direct sequel, events-wise.

** It goes like this: ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' start off the series. At the same time that these are happening, the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'', games released six years later as part of the third generation, take place. Three years later, the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' take place. Starting around when the red Gyarados business goes down, the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' occur. (It helps if you consider the remakes; ''Ruby and Sapphire'' and ''[=FireRed and LeafGreen=]'' are part of the same generation and take place at roughly the same time, as are ''Diamond and Pearl'' and ''[=HeartGold and SoulSilver=]''.) And then, some unknown, as of right now, time later, (likely multiple years) the events of ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' take place. ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum'' and ''[[VideoGame/PokemonColosseum Pokemon XD]]'' go wherever you want them to.
** Until now, when VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2 are coming out.

* The ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore'' series is a great example of this. Each successive game takes place several years, sometimes even decades after previous one and casts the player in the role of a new {{AFGNCAAP}} with no connection to the previous one. Usually [[CapcomSequelStagnation the presence of a number in the title indicates]] a ContinuityReboot. So far, ''Armored Core'', ''Project Phantasma'', ''Master of Arena'', ''Armored Core 2'' and ''Another Age'' take place in one continuity. ''Armored Core 3'', ''Silent Line'', ''Nexus'', ''[[FanonDiscontinuity Nine Breaker]]'', and ''Last Raven'' take place in a second continuity. ''Armored Core 4'' and ''for Answer'' take place in a third. And ''Armored Core V'' takes place in a fourth continuity.
** There's also the GaidenGame ''Formula Front'', which uses elements from the ''Armored Core 3'' universe, but it clearly not set in it. It's really just a FightingGame [[HumongousMecha with Robots]]... [[VideoGame/VirtualOn No, not that one]].

*** The recently released ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' seems to tie everything together. The game definitely takes in the same universe as the [[FireEmblemAkaneia Archaneia]] games, but several thousand years later. From this we can assume that the [[FireEmblemJugdral Jugdral]] games are also in the same universe. One downloadable character is a descendant of Ike from the [[FireEmblemTellius Tellius]] games, and the DLC confirms that the [[FireEmblemElibe remaining]] [[FireEmblemTheSacredStones two]] verses exist at least as legends within Awakening's world, if not explicit history that just hasn't been placed yet.
* ''{{Disgaea}}'', though there are a few recurring characters.
** The fact that all the games take place in different Netherworlds helps. Though Infinite messes some stuff up, most fans agree that Mao and Beryls appearance are before D3, but the canon best ending of Infinite doesn't match up with why Etna was in D2.

* The [=PS2=]-era ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' game chronology goes: ''Vice City Stories'' (set in 1984; released 2006), ''Vice City'' (1986; 2002), ''San Andreas'' (1992; 2004), ''Liberty City Stories'' (1998; 2005), ''Grand Theft Auto Advance'' (2000; 2004), ''Grand Theft Auto III'' (2001; 2001).
** From ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto 4'' onwards, the games are effectively set in [[AlternativeContinuity Another Dimension]].

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' was the first game in the series to be envisioned with other games (''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' for example) sharing a continuity in mind, although from the get-go that "continuity" was outlined as a theme involving crystals steeped in mythology and nothing else, for the most part. While it eventually gained direct sequels, ''VideoGame/{{Final Fantasy XIII-2}}'' and the upcoming ''VideoGame/LightningReturnsFinalFantasyXIII'', the original vision changed quite a lot over the years, with ''Type-0'', originally sharing the XIII title as ''Agito XIII'', renamed before its release, and with the third game--the very well-anticipated ''Versus XIII''--announced way back in 2006 along with the other two changing into a large, separate verse so much that it's finally been renamed '''''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV''''. The end of the E3 trailer that announced this even implies that, as "a world in the Versus epic" (quote), Noctis will have his own saga in ''Fabula Nova Crystallis'' (its title can be faintly seen at the beginning of the trailer), as Lightning has had.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' was the first game in the series to be envisioned with other games (''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' for example) sharing a continuity in mind, although from the get-go that "continuity" was outlined as a theme involving crystals steeped in mythology and nothing else, for the most part. While it eventually gained direct sequels, ''VideoGame/{{Final Fantasy XIII-2}}'' and the upcoming ''VideoGame/LightningReturnsFinalFantasyXIII'', the original vision changed quite a lot over the years, with ''Type-0'', originally sharing the XIII title as ''Agito XIII'', renamed before its release (but still considered a part of its Fabula Nova project), and with the third game--the very well-anticipated ''Versus XIII''--announced way back in 2006 along with the other two changing into a large, separate verse so much (despite still retaining a plot involving a powerful crystal) that it's finally been renamed '''''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'''''. The end of the E3 trailer that announced this even implies that it will have its own saga, as it's merely "a world in the Versus epic" (quote), after all.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' was the first game in the series to be envisioned with other games (''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' for example) sharing a continuity in mind, although from the get-go that "continuity" was outlined as a theme involving crystals steeped in mythology and nothing else, for the most part. While it eventually gained direct sequels, ''VideoGame/{{Final Fantasy XIII-2}}'' and the upcoming ''VideoGame/LightningReturnsFinalFantasyXIII'', the original vision changed quite a lot over the years, with ''Type-0'', originally sharing the XIII title as ''Agito XIII'', renamed before its release (but still considered a part of its Fabula Nova project), and with the third game--the well-anticipated ''Versus XIII''--announced way back in 2006 along with the other two changing into a large, separate verse so much (despite still retaining a plot involving a powerful crystal) that it's finally been renamed '''''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'''''. The end of the E3 trailer that announced this even implies that it will have its own saga, as it's merely "a world in the Versus epic" (quote), after all.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' was the first game in the series to be envisioned with other games (''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' for example) sharing a continuity in mind, although from the get-go that "continuity" was outlined as a theme involving crystals steeped in mythology and nothing else, for the most part. While it eventually gained direct sequels, ''VideoGame/{{Final Fantasy XIII-2}}'' and the upcoming ''VideoGame/LightningReturnsFinalFantasyXIII'', the original vision changed quite a lot over the years, with ''Type-0'', originally sharing the XIII title as ''Agito XIII'', renamed before its release (but still considered a part of its Fabula Nova project), and with the third game announced way back in 2006 along with the other two changing into a large, separate verse so much (despite still retaining a plot involving a powerful crystal) that it's finally been renamed '''''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'''''. The end of the E3 trailer that announced this even implies that it will have its own saga, as it's merely "a world in the Versus epic" (quote), after all.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' is the first game to be made with other games (''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVersusXIII'' for example) in the same setting in mind. However they have nothing to do with each other for the most part, with the exception with the direct sequel ''VideoGame/{{Final Fantasy XIII-2}}''.

* ''TheFastAndTheFurious'' film series is bookended by the original movie and ''Tokyo Drift'' (the third installment). The second movie (''2 Fast 2 Furious'') is a direct sequel to the first and the fourth (''Fast & Furious''), fifth (''Fast Five'') and sixth (''Fast & Furious 6'') follow that one [[spoiler: and ''Fast & Furious 6'''s [[stinger TheStinger]] sets things up for the plotline of the eventual seventh film potentially beginning during ''Tokyo Drift'' and carrying on from there.]]

* ''TheFastAndTheFurious'' film series is bookended by the original movie and ''Tokyo Drift'' (the third installment). The second movie (''2 Fast 2 Furious'') is a direct sequel to the first and the fourth (''Fast & Furious''), fifth (''Fast Five'') and sixth (''Fast & Furious 6") follow that one [[spoiler: and ''Fast & Furious 6'''s [[stinger TheStinger]] sets things up for the plotline of the eventual seventh film potentially beginning during ''Tokyo Drift'' and carrying on from there.]]

* ''TheFastAndTheFurious'' film series is bookended by the original movie and ''Tokyo Drift'' (the third installment). The second movie (''2 Fast 2 Furious'') is a direct sequel to the first and the fourth (''Fast & Furious'') and fifth (''Fast Five'') follow that one and are set before ''Tokyo Drift''. The sixth movie (which is due in 2013) will follow ''Five''.

* Most of the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' sequels are like this, the major exceptions being ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII'', ''VideoGame/{{Persona 2}}'', ''[[VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga Digital Devil Saga 2]]'', and ''[[RaidouKuzunohaVsKingAbaddon Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon]]''. Some other games are hinted/confirmed to take place in the same continuity as their predecessors, such as ''[[VideoGame/SoulHackers Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers]]'', 'VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'', and ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' and ''[[VideoGame/{{Persona 4}} 4]]'', but feature completely different plotlines and characters, with only a handful of [[CallBack Call Backs]] connecting them.

* Most of the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' sequels are like this, the major exceptions being ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII'', ''VideoGame/{{Persona 2}}'', ''[[VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga Digital Devil Saga 2]]'', and ''RaidouKuzunohaVsKingAbaddon''. Some other games are hinted/confirmed to take place in the same continuity as their predecessors, such as ''VideoGame/Soul Hackers'', 'VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'', and ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' and ''[[VideoGame/{{Persona 4}} 4]]'', but feature completely different plotlines and characters, with only a handful of [[CallBack Call Backs]] connecting them.

* Most of the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' sequels are like this, the major exceptions being ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII'', the second ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga'' game, and the [[RaidouKuzunohaVsTheSoullessArmy Raidou Kuzu]][[RaidouKuzunohaVsKingAbaddon noha games]]. Some games are hinted/confirmed to take place in the same continuity as their predecessors (''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'', ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'') but feature completely different plotlines and characters, with only a handful of [[CallBack Call Backs]] connecting them.