A video game really isn’t successful unless it’s able to spawn sequels. Plenty of sequels are released every year, but only a few capture the experience of the original game while being innovative and creative. These five sequels releasing in 2012 should be ones that get it right.
Max Payne 3
It’s been nine years since the last Max Payne game was released. The third one is set to come out in March 2012 for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Gamers will see an older, more cynical Max who is in San Paulo, Brazil and working as a security guard. “Bullet Time” slow motion will be back and the environments are destructible. Rockstar has added multiplayer, but few details are known about how it will work in the story driven game.
Halo 4
Reach was the last Halo game Bungie made. Now the franchise is being developed by 343 Industries and they have a lot of expectations to live up to. Halo 4 will take place after the third game, with Master Chief as the main character. This game is suppose to be the start of a new trilogy. It will be released in fall/winter of 2012 and be exclusive to the Xbox 360.
Borderlands 2
With it’s great mix of RPG and FPS elements, cel-shading, and list of colorful characters, the first Borderlands was a huge success. Gearbox will let players revisit Pandora in 2012. The four playable characters from the original will be NPCs this time around. The AI will be able to heal each other and use teammates as shields. It will be released for the Xbox 360 and PS3.
Ninja Gaiden 3
Ryu Hayabusa is back in the upcoming 2012 Ninja Gaiden game. Ryu’s cursed right arm from the second game will play a major part in the story. He will be sent to London to fight terrorists. The game features new moves like Kunai Climb which lets Ryu climb onto certain walls and attack from above. The PS3 version will be compatible with Move. The Wii U one will also have a special control scheme.
Mass Effects 3
Commander Shepherd’s story comes to an end on March 6, 2012 for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Mass Effect 3 will take saved game data from the first two titles and use that to shape how the new game is played. The combat is suppose to be radically different in the new game, as it will feel more like a Third Person Shooter. There are many characters that are returning, as along as you didn’t kill them in the first two games. Mass Effect 3 will feature multiplayer for the first time. Up to four people can play and what happens in the co-op will change the main campaign.
2012 looks like it’s going to be another crowded year for video game sequels. While many of them will fail to deliver the experience of the original game, plenty of others like these five will provide innovation along with elements that made the franchises hits in the first place.