by MORGAN Jack - Published 2 months ago

9 Highly Anticipated Sequels Worth the Wait

Highlight

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has lived up to the hype, despite the long wait for its release.
Fallout 3 and Doom: Eternal both demonstrate that highly anticipated sequels can revitalize and evolve cherished franchises.
Psychonauts 2, Persona 5, and Baldur's Gate 3 prove that patience for sequels can yield exceptional games.

It's a common occurrence in the world of video games: a sequel to a beloved game is announced, only to be followed by a seemingly endless wait. Fans hope the final product will justify the anticipation and hype.

Many highly anticipated video game sequels fall victim to development hell, but some emerge from their lengthy development cycles not only unscathed but even better than expected.

9 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

The highly anticipated sequel to The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild is in the works

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The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom was announced what feels like an eternity ago. For most of the time we waited, it didn't even have a name. The initial chilling announcement teaser came in 2019, and the game didn't receive a title until 2022. By then, the hype had reached a fever pitch, but the final game still managed to impress.

Despite some criticisms since its release, the game's massive scale of new additions, its compelling story, and its imaginative new mechanics make it hard to deny that Link's second open world adventure was truly fantastic.

8 Fallout 3

After a long wait, Fallout 3 is finally available

Ten years after the release of Fallout 2, Bethesda, the developer of Elder Scrolls, released Fallout 3. It's still considered one of the most important and influential video games ever made.

The series' return provided everything the Fallout world needed to thrive in the 2008 market. But beyond that, Fallout 3 attracted a whole new wave of fans to the wasteland. Reviving the series after a decade and making it something truly special that has stood the test of time, it's easy to see why Fallout 3 has earned such a strong reputation.

7 Doom: Eternal

Experience intense action with guns, guts, and demons in Doom: Eternal

In 2016, the reboot of Doom breathed new life into a franchise that many fans considered dead. After four years of wondering if the smash hit was just a fluke, id Software proved they still knew how to make the best brutal shooters with Doom: Eternal, released in 2020.

Doom: Eternal is a much harder game than its predecessor, requiring players to work for their victories. While this may be off-putting to some, it results in a game that is a brutal evolution of the original, challenging players to fight back against all odds.

6 Psychonauts 2

Psychonauts 2 showcases the power of the mind

Psychonauts 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 2005 psychological action platformer Psychonauts, was in development hell for a long time. Many fans had given up hope of a sequel, let alone a good one.

However, Psychonauts 2 was finally released in 2021 as one of the best examples of cinematic action adventure in video games. It combines quirky and colorful characters with delightful platforming gameplay. Like its predecessor, Psychonauts 2 surpasses expectations.

5 Pikmin 3

Explore a vast world with the help of adorable Pikmin in Pikmin 3

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Any game with the Pikmin name attached to it, following the Gamecube's Pikmin 2, is considered a must-have game, despite a long wait. While Pikmin 4 is the most highly anticipated sequel, true Pikmin fans remember the agonizing wait for Pikmin 3 and how worth it that wait was.

Pikmin 3 deviates from the series' usual protagonist, Olimar, and instead features three new captains controlling new Pikmin. With stunning visuals on both Wii U and Nintendo Switch, Pikmin 3 is a dream come true for strategy lovers.

4 Prey

Is Prey 2 or System Shock 3 the next installment in this franchise?

It's unclear what 2017's Prey is actually a sequel to, although it's definitely a follow-up of some kind. Elements of the canceled Prey 2 are likely present, and the developers claim it's a spiritual successor to System Shock 2.

Released 18 years after System Shock 2 and 11 years after Prey 2006, Prey 2017 was worth the wait, even if we weren't sure what we were waiting for. The game requires players to survive an alien threat on an art-deco style space station and is a must-play for sci-fi horror fans.

3 Mother 3

Prepare for an epic battle in Mother 3

While Western fans are still waiting for a localized release of *Mother 3*, the game has already been available in Japan since 2006 on the Game Boy Advance. Its development was long and challenging, including a scrapped Nintendo 64 project and numerous delays. *Mother 3* remains available via Nintendo Switch Online in Japan.

*Mother 3* is an evolution of the *Earthbound* series, featuring a poignant story, unique rhythmic combat, and captivating visuals. I can personally attest to the game's worth, having played it in Japanese.

2 Persona 5

A game that's worth every penny, Persona 5 will leave you wanting more

*Persona 4* was a beloved RPG, but its highly anticipated sequel, *Persona 5*, faced significant expectations when it launched in 2017 (2016 in Japan). Despite the hype, the game was met with universal praise from both critics and fans.

*Persona 5*'s visual style is captivating, but its impressive length and expansive content set it apart in the RPG space. It's a testament to the potential of turn-based RPGs.

1 Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 has earned its spot as the Game Of The Year for 2023

The long-awaited sequel, *Baldur's Gate 3*, released after 23 years, and it's a remarkable achievement in gaming. Its immense possibilities, striking visuals, and engaging gameplay make it a contender for one of the greatest games ever created.

*Baldur's Gate 3* is set in the *Dungeons & Dragons* world, brilliantly translating the tabletop RPG's imagination into a video game. The sequel to the 2000 game, *Baldur's Gate 2*, was certainly worth the wait.