Good games definitely deserve to have their sequels release. And this year, we mark out five sequel titles that are creating hype in the gaming industry.

Why do developer make sequel?

Sales

Making a sequel for a game is similar to making a sequel for a movie. Most of the time, gamers who like the previous title will enjoy the sequel as well. Therefore, it is almost like the developers can ensure the sales of the sequel even before making it. A game with a good storyline coupled with a cliffhanger at the end of the game should be able to attract gamers to spend their money on the next title. However, in games such as Final Fantasy, each sequels aren’t really a continuation of the previous title but a new one. Only Final Fantasy X has a sequel called Final Fantasy X-2. Final Fantasy XIII on the other hand is rumoured to  have a direct sequel too apart from the already announced Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII. Sequel can thus be seen as a form of insurance, of course, that is only true if the first game is good enough to have a strong fanbase.

Speed

Creating an entire new universe isn’t an easy job. It requires much work from graphic artist, 3D modeler, creative director etc. to completely generate the landscape, environment, physic engine etc. seen in the games. By creating a sequel, developers can build on the existing arsenal of 3D models they already have. While there is still a need to come out with new environment and perhaps characters, time is saved from creating everything from scratch.

Next Mario?

We all know how much revenue gaming franchise can bring in. From its humble beginning on the NES, Super Mario is now a widely known household name. Talk about Pikachu, the cute furry yellow creature from Pokemon. Producing sequel will allow the gamers to better associate with the character in games. Money from the derived product of game franchises are easier to make than creating the game itself.

LIST OF UP-COMING SEQUELS TO LOOK OUT FOR

[Prototype 2] – Release date: 2012

Trailer video

In first installment of the prototype franchise, you’ve played as the protagonist, Alex Mercer. Now, in this sequel, the roles are reversed and the player controls James Heller who is on a quest to find the one responsible for the death of his family. And he is none other than Alex Mercer. Expect more mutant-slashing fun and more military arsenal at your disposal in 2012.

[Infamous 2]– Release date: 2011

Trailer video

When Infamous 2 was announced, it didn’t come as a surprise to many of the gamers. Infamous 2 picks off nicely after the ending of Infamous where Cole MacGrath (the main protagonist) knew of a new enemy from his future counterpart, known as the Beast. So you can pretty much guess that a sequel for Infamous 2 is coming out given such ending in Infamous.

Gameplay video

From the gameplay video above, the graphic of the game has improved over its predecessor. But what is with that lightning rod Cole is carrying? Sucker Punch could be thinking of adding more combat dynamic as they have thought of almost every possible way for Cole to fight with his infused lightning powers in Infamous. The lightning tornado is pretty cool. Since when did they infuse him with Storm‘s power?

[Little Big Planet 2]– Release date: Jan 2011

Not so long ago, I have written a review on LBP2’s demo. With this sequel, LBP is now not only restricted to the platform world that we are all familiar with. Players can experience different genre of game such as racing, shooter and many more. Just wondering whether they can do first-person-shooter? This game is  coming out real soon! Expect more Sackboy fun! Woohoo!

[Killzone 3]– Release date: Feb 2011

For those who like futuristic FPS, Killzone 3 is a title that you will like to look out for. If you have yet to play Killzone 2, starting looking for a copy at GameTrader.SG before this sequel comes out. Killzone 2 has set a pretty high standard for this upcoming sequel. Killzone 3 is one of the few new games that supports stereoscopic 3D viewing for PS3. Got a 3DTv? Then this game is a must!

[Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception]– Release date: November 2011

The superb graphics of Uncharted 2 is by far one of the best among all console games. Will Uncharted 3 push the PS3 further? Co-op and multi-player features will be included in this sequel and yes, it will also be available in stereoscopic 3D.

Little Big Planet 2 (LBP 2) demo was available for download at Playstation Store about a month or two ago. Trust that some of you might have already downloaded it and tried out the much anticipated title. The demo features three playable levels which demonstrated the various tools that are unique to LBP 2.

In the beginning of the first level, you might not feel that you are playing LBP2 but LBP 1 since the level outlook, physic and controls are almost the same as its predecessor. However, you soon get to try your hands on the new Grappling Hook which allows you to swing around. For those who played Worms 2 before, it is the same as the ninja rope in that game. Nothing amazing in my opinion.

For the second level in the demo, you are introduced to several of these robots that you can control. The first robot you get to ride on is a rabbit. Controlling the robo-rabbit does pose some challenge and you might lose control of it as times. Will be fun if you are playing with your friends and family seeing how they lose control of their robo-rabbit and get electrocuted when they touches those electrified pads.

After jumping your way around the first part of this level, you are presented with another robot. This time it is a dog that can emit ultrasonic wave. The waves emitted by the dog can push away movable platform making path for you to cross.

Finally, the last creature that you can ride on is a furry hamster that in my opinion looks kind of mutated. The ‘robo-hamster’ can charge in the direction it is facing much like Sonic. This part of the level is also designed to be a bit ‘Sonic-like’. Ok so much for my reminiscence. It can be inferred in some of the trailers I have seen that you might be able to create your own robot to ride on.

After playing through level two, you should have a basic idea of how sackboy can now ride on different kinds of robots. Until this point, I feel that LBP2 still lacks of something innovative, something that can really deliver the punch to make our money worth while buying this sequel. Basically, I feel that the first two level can be easily done with a patch to LBP 1.

In the last level, Media Molecule (the company who made LBP) included a multiplayer head-on level. Unlike traditional platform level, players are now thrown into a small area where the sackboys are equipped with a rocket launcher on their head. The objective of the game is to shoot each other and gain points. I think the developers have learnt the importance of multiplayer from LBP1 and are trying to provide a new competitive ways that players can compete with each other in LBP2.

This is kind of new compared to LBP1 but honestly, I think that players would want more than shooting rockets at each other. The demo ends with this playable level. However, if you have been following news on LBP2, you would know that there is more that this title can offer compared to the demo. In some of the videos I have seen, you can play shooter, racing and even real-time strategy games on LBP2. And it supports PS Move as well! You can also compose your own musical track this time!

LBP2 is coming to you this month! Look out for it!