Starting a new franchise with a surprising title can be both a gift and a curse. While perfect for a new IP hitting the ground running with a game loved by fans and critics alike, this can become a burden going forward as fans and critics expect the same or higher level of subtitle quality as future games will have the difficult task of holding the light in a bottle twice, thrice, or even more.
Many franchises have struggled to live up to their original releases and faded away, but thankfully, there is a subset of IPs that started with a bang, and instead of letting it define their legacy, used it as a jumping pad for countless great games that make the franchises on this list cornerstones of their respective genres.
DOOM
First Release – DOOM (1993)
Other notable releases:
- Doom 2: Hell on Earth
- DOOM Infinite
- Doom: The Dark Ages
original DOOM It is one of the most influential video games of all time, thanks to its fast-paced gameplay, mix of 2D and 3D graphics, and multiplayer death matches.
The franchise stuck to its winning formula DOOM Subsequent releases such as sequels, Doom 2: Hell on EarthAnd of 1997 Doom 64. The series then went on hiatus until 2020 Doom 3which aimed to modernize the franchise by updating the visuals, adding more storytelling with cutscenes and voice acting, and even leaning into the horror side of the series. The game was well received by critics but received a mixed reception from fans, some of whom struggled to see it as a game. DOOM game at all.
After some time DOOM 3It looked like the series might not be the next big release. However, a reboot of the franchise was released in 2016 to great critical and commercial success, leading to a sequel, DOOM Infiniteand a prequel, Doom: The Dark Ageswhich changed the fast-paced combat to a slower and more methodical approach.
Crash Bandicoot
First Release – Crash Bandicoot (1996)
Other notable releases:
- Crash Bandicoot : Perverted
- Crash Team Racing
- Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
The Crash Bandicoot The franchise had a huge weight of expectations on its shoulders before it hit stores, as the orange marsupial was killed off by Sony and pushed as PlayStation's answer to Sonic, meaning original game developer Naughty Dog had little room for error. Although some aspects of the game have aged poorly, especially the save mechanic, the game was brilliant for its time and a worthy competitor to Nintendo and Sega's mascots. Naughty Dog went on to develop Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Crash Bandicoot : Pervertedand Crash Team RacingThree games that, along with the original, would define the PlayStation 1 era.
The series suffered a significant decline in quality after Naughty Dog stopped developing games in the franchise, and many thought that the IP had run its course after the decline. Crash: Minds Over Mutants. However, Bandicoot made a comeback with the original trilogy and Ramasters Crash Team Racing – which was influential in the rapid growth of remakes and remasters throughout the gaming industry – with brand new adventures, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Timewhich was released to very positive reception, showing that the platforming hero can still be successful in 2020.
The Legend of Zelda
First Release – The Legend of Zelda (1986)
The Legend of Zelda
- issued
-
February 21, 1986
- ESRB
-
E for everyone because of mild fantasy violence
Other notable releases:
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
original The Legend of Zelda The game is one of the most important video game releases of all time. Game Kick is one of gaming's most legendary franchises, it was instrumental in sparking interest among Western audiences in home consoles after the video game crash of 1983, and it offered a level of freedom that was unprecedented at the time. Younger gamers may find it hard to believe if they revisit the original The Legend of ZeldaBut the 1986 release blew audiences away with how they had complete control over where they went and when they tackled certain dungeons, a map that felt much larger than anything else seen at the time.
The The Legend of Zelda The franchise went on to become a cornerstone of the action-adventure genre Ocarina of Time, Pawan Walkerand Breath of the Wild Considered as one of the greatest games ever released in any genre.
hello
First Release – Halo: Combat Evolve (2001)
Other notable releases:
- Halo 2
- Hello 3
- Hello: Reach out
Bungie was in a similar boat with the aforementioned Naughty Dog Crash Bandicoot When it came to development Halo: Combat EvolvedThe pressure was not only to sell consoles as a launch title for the original Xbox but also to prove that Microsoft's system was a worthy competitor to offerings from Sony and Nintendo.
Thanks to Microsoft and first-person shooter fans, Halo: Combat Evolved Expectations met, an instant must play FPS game. The hello The franchise has become one of the biggest names in action gaming, thanks to its multiplayer offerings that have played a huge role in the growth of online gaming, along with the countless great single-player campaigns the franchise has to offer.
god of war
First Release – God of War (2005)
Other notable releases:
- God of War 3
- God of War: Chains of Olympus
- God of War (2018)
First god of war The game immediately attracted gamers with an ancient Greece setting that seemed extraordinary for its time, icons of Greek mythology, and an unforgettable story and boss fights featuring stellar hack and slash gameplay. The rest of the original trilogy did not disappoint, and the PSP games were also among the best released on the handheld console.
The god of war The franchise went on hiatus for several years after somewhat faltering God of War: AscensionAnd some questioned when it would return. but, god of war (2018) was announced to great buzz, and did not disappoint with its modern hack and slash gameplay, switch from Greek mythology to Norse mythology, and surprisingly emotional storytelling – a winning formula that continued. God of War Ragnarök.
Metroid
First Release – Metroid (1986)
Other notable releases:
- Super Metroid
- Metroid Prime
- Metroid Fear
The Metroid The franchise will always be an important and studied video game release, thanks to it being one half of the name Metroidvania – a subgenre of action-adventure games. Metroid and Castlevania Credited for creating franchises.
The Metroid The franchise didn't stay a pioneer of the Metroidvania subgenre, however, as the franchise has consistently tried to stay on top of the game style, with titles such as Super Metroid, Metroid FearAnd 3D too Metroid Prime Looking for new and exciting ways to improve and innovate on the foundations the series has established and continues to lay.
Resident Evil
First Release – Resident Evil (1996)
Resident Evil
- issued
-
March 22, 1996
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ // Blood and gore, language, violence
Other notable releases:
- Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
- Resident Evil 4
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
When one thinks of horror video games, the Resident Evil Franchise is often the first name that comes to mind. The first game in the franchise is credited with shaping the survival horror genre; Resident Evil 4 stands out for shifting the direction of the franchise in a more action-heavy direction, with an over-the-shoulder scene, and Resident Evil 7 Notable for taking the franchise to the dark depths of pure horror.
Those three games are perhaps the most notable, but the franchise has had many great releases in countless sub-genres of horror, and doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon, thanks to the excellent form of remakes and original releases that continue to impress fans and critics alike.
