An excellent storyline is one of the greatest gifts of all when it comes to a video game. We have iconic franchises to thank for giving us these kinds of stories that feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A lot of the time, as these iconic series' become successful, more of their games can be put in the spotlight later down the line.
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While sequels are works of art, there are times when it could feel as though the story possibly moved too quickly. This is where glorious prequels come in, giving us a look into how everything led us to the point that we found ourselves in the original game. Without further ado, here are the best prequels of all time that enhanced their franchises.
10Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequelis a unique prequel to theBorderlandsseries. Set between the original game andBorderlands 2; we follow four aspiring Vault Hunters while they fight alongside Handsome Jack. Unlike previous games where the events occur as they happen, the Pre-Sequel is told by Athena to an audience after she’s been captured while the story progresses.
This game showcases a lot of improvement when looking back on previous games. Better gameplay with fascinating characters is one of this game’s most significant strong points. On the other hand, there are bits and pieces where it could’ve been improved, such as the storyline. Regardless, it’s utterly entertaining at the end of the day.
9Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening
While it may have aged in a few places, the third installment in the iconicDevil May Cryvideo game series is an incredible hack-and-slash.Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakeningis a prequel to the first game, setting the story a decade before the events in Devil May Cry.
Devil May Cry 3 is one of the most difficult in the series. It was also the first game in the series on multiple platforms, allowing a broader audience to become engrossed in this fascinating franchise based on an Italian poem. If you ignore its technical issues, this game is a wonderful addition to the series.
8God Of War: Chains Of Olympus
Being a prequel to the firstGod of War, this game was exclusively released on the PSP. God of War: Chains of Olympus did an incredible job utilizing the PSP’s mechanics, featuring puzzles and platforming elements. Even though it was on a different console, the classic gameplay that fans were so familiar with was featured.
With vengeance as its central motif, we join Kratos halfway through his years of serving the Gods in Olympus. It’s simple and short, showcasing ruthless combat with nearly endless anger behind it. God of War: Chains of Olympus is a classic prequel in the series with beautiful graphics for its time.
7Resident Evil 0
Setting us back to 1998,Resident Evil 0is a direct prequel to the firstResident Evilgame. Taking place a day before the iconic Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield entered the Spencer Mansion, we accompany a rookie cop and an ex-convict as they explore the outskirts of Racoon City.
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Resident Evil 0 is equally terrifying compared toother games in the series. Facing cannibalistic enemies, you must fight through chilling environments to make it out alive. Along the way, you’ll switch between the characters to figure out puzzles and uncover the mystery that plagues Racoon City.
6Halo Reach
When humanity is locked in a war with the alien Covenant, you must play as an elite supersoldier squad member to save the day.Halo Reachis a direct sequel toHalo: Combat Evolved, taking place shortly before the game and during the events in the novel Halo: The Fall of Reach.
Halo Reach is considerably one of the most challenging games in the entire franchise. It makes for a fantastic experience, offering loads of new content than had ever been delivered before in a Halo game. Fighting with your whole being, you’ll want to endure the difficult combat to see this game through until the very end due to its fantastic epilogue.
TheYakuzavideo game series is comedic at its core. But, at the same time, it’s also a thrilling experience that dives into the lives of the Yakuza.Every game in the seriesis a unique experience, especially when it comes to this prequel.
Yakuza 0is a masterpiece in a variety of ways. It allows us to uncover more about the lives of our beloved protagonists from the first game and more. Showcasing the fantastic dynamic between Kiryu and others in the Yakuza groups, the story is far from dull. On top of this, the prequel is an excellent gateway for new fans to the series.
4Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eatertells a well-paced story full of emotion. In 1964, thirty-one years before the original Metal Gear Solid events, we center around a FOX operative named Naked Snake. Attempting to rescue a Russian rocket scientist and assassinate his former boss, following Naked Snake’s adventure is a whirlwind.
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Told through various cutscenes and radio conversations, the story in this game is quirky. With its elements of fourth-wall breaks and references to the series, Metal Gear Solid 3 has gone down in history as one of the greatest prequels ever and deserves its upcoming remake. It laid the foundation for future games, creating a well-developed franchise forever.
3Metroid Prime
Considered to be one of Nintendo’s greatest achievements in gaming,Metroid Primehas an incredible legacy. It transformed the classic 2D adventure thatMetroidhad become known for and changed it into an exhilarating 3D-adventure experience.
Metroid Prime was released after an eight-year hiatus for the series. Following the events between the original Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus, this game tags along on Samus' journey of battling space pirates due to their experiments on planet Tallon IV. Remaining to this day as one of the highest-rated games, Metroid Prime will always be universally beloved.
2Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
The first game in theLegend of Zeldaseries to have 3D graphics,Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Timeshowcases a wildly well-developed storyline for its time. Including exciting characters and plot points, this game is undoubtedly a timeless masterpiece from Nintendo.
Set in an expansive world, Ocarina of Time encourages you to go on a quest to explore Hyrule and defeat the evil king Ganondorf. Released as a prequel to A Link to the Past, this game dives into Link as a character. From all of this, Ocarina of Time has a legacy of setting the stage for the direction that games in the series would take.
Red Dead Redemption 2reigns supreme in a variety of areas. Besides being one of the best-selling video games of all time, the second game in theRed Dead Redemptionseries is more than just a usual prequel to the original game.
Following Arthur Morgan on his journey filled with redemption and outlaws, we experience a vast open world before us that features characters that stick with us even after we’ve finished the game itself. And, based on how long it takes to finish this game, that is a fantastic feat. Bringing new life into the Wild West, Red Dead Redemption 2 has left an everlasting impression on us for good.
