Sequel No-Brainers We Never Got
In a sea of sequels, remakes, and reboots, the gaming industry is full of brilliant one-hit wonders that never got the sequels they truly deserved. We all remember waiting for that "coming soon" announcement that never came. These 20 games stole our hearts, broke sales records, and then... nothing. So, let’s look back at a few of the most egregious examples of awesome games that never got a follow-up.
The Simpsons Hit and Run - The Full Game by Hollow
1. Star Wars: Republic Commando (2005)
Ever wonder what happened to Delta Squad after that cliffhanger ending? LucasArts' tactical FPS revolutionized squad-based combat with intuitive controls and genuine camaraderie between clones. The canceled Imperial Commando sequel leaves a painful void in Star Wars gaming lore that persists nearly two decades later.
STAR WARS™: Republic Commando | 2005 | v1.0 | Playthrough - Part 1 (Geonosis) by Games from Charon
2. Skies Of Arcadia (2000)
Released on the Sega Dreamcast (later ported to the GameCube as Skies of Arcadia Legends), it stood out with its distinct sky pirate setting, epic airship battles, and charming characters. The floating continents and airship exploration were ahead of their time. Also, it featured traditional turn-based battles and strategic airship fights.
Skies of Arcadia Review | Why This Game Still Matters by Wes Does Games
3. Brutal Legend (2009)
Jack Black's outstanding casting as roadie Eddie Riggs uplifted this heavy metal odyssey. Why did Double Fine's unique blend of action-adventure and real-time strategy never continue? Though critically praised for its world-building and soundtrack featuring 107 metal tracks, poor sales convinced publishers to abandon the planned trilogy.
Brütal Legend (2009) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
4. Spec Ops: The Line (2012)
The psychological horror hiding beneath this military shooter still haunts players. Yager Development crafted one of gaming's most powerful anti-war statements, subverting player expectations with devastating narrative twists. The development team has explicitly stated they have no interest in returning to this dark, PTSD-inducing world.
Spec Ops: The Line - Launch Trailer by VG247.com
5. Sanity’s Requiem (2002)
Many consider this game ahead of its time, offering psychological horror elements that broke the fourth wall. These include fake system errors, sudden volume changes, and even the illusion of deleting save files. Silicon Knights attempted to work on a follow-up called Shadow of the Eternals, but legal troubles led to its cancellation.
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem | GameCube Gameplay by IGS | Impact Game Station
6. Bully (2006)
Rockstar's infamous schoolyard adventure gave players the keys to Bullworth Academy as teenage troublemaker Jimmy Hopkins. Released between Grand Theft Auto titles, this cult classic sold over 1.5 million copies. Regarding those sequel rumors, multiple sources confirmed that the development started twice but was ultimately canceled.
[#2] Bully PS2 Gameplay HD (PCSX2) by xTimelessGaming
7. Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy (2004)
The mind-bending psychic powers in this third-person shooter made some satisfying gameplay moments. Telekinetically throwing enemies into spinning fan blades never gets old! Midway's bankruptcy left the deliberately planned sequel in limbo after the original's infamous ending, despite director Brian Eddy confirming a completed script existed.
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy【FULL GAME】walkthrough | Longplay by Global Gaming
8. The Legend Of Dragoon (1999)
Did you ever master the challenging Additions combat system? Japan Studio's crazy four-disc PlayStation RPG featured transformation sequences and a sweeping story across fictional continents. Though it sold more than 1 million copies worldwide, the directors revealed Sony canceled the sequel during early development to prioritize other projects.
9. Jade Empire (2005)
BioWare designed an intricate world inspired by Chinese mythology before they became synonymous with Mass Effect. The alignment system displaying the Way of the Open Palm against the Way of the Closed Fist delivered meaningful moral choices. However, they received numerous Game of the Year nominations.
Jade Empire (2005) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
10. Sunset Overdrive (2014)
The vibrant, post-apocalyptic playground by Insomniac Games turned traversal into an art form. Grinding, wall-running, and bouncing through Sunset City while battling mutants felt exhilarating. Microsoft's exclusive sold below expectations at around 1.16 million copies, and Sony's acquisition of Insomniac further complicated sequel possibilities.
Sunset Overdrive Gameplay | 4K 60FPS by Ozone
11. Shadow Of Rome (2005)
The story of this masterpiece follows Agrippa, a Roman soldier seeking to clear his father’s name after being falsely accused of assassinating Julius Caesar. Players switched between Agrippa and Octavianus. Unfortunately, poor sales in the West cut the adventure short, leaving the story unfinished.
Shadow of Rome HD Edition with Reshade - Playthrough Gameplay by D'Flayer
12. Vanquish (2010)
Vanquish is one of the most stylish and high-energy action shooters ever made, yet it never received the sequel it so clearly deserved. It was developed by PlatinumGames and directed by Shinji Mikami (of Resident Evil 4 fame). The game delivered fast-paced third-person shooting with a unique sliding boost mechanic.
13. Pokemon Conquest (2012)
In this feudal Japan game, players got to take control of historical warlords and team them up with Pokemon for battles on grid-based maps. It introduced deep tactical battles. Apparently, the developer, Tecmo Koei, showed interest in making a sequel, but Nintendo never gave the green light for another one.
14. The Simpsons: Hit & Run (2003)
You surely remember speeding through Springfield in this beloved Grand Theft Auto-inspired adventure. Radical Entertainment held the show's humor with authentic voice acting and deep cut references from the show's long tenure on TV. The blend of The Simpsons humor with open-world gameplay made it an instant hit.
The Simpsons: Hit & Run (2003) - PC Gameplay / Win 10 / 4k 2160p by FirstPlays HD
15. Vagrant Story (2000)
Let’s talk about Square Enix’s most beloved RPGs. Released on the original PlayStation, this action RPG stood out with its deep weapon customization, intricate battle system, and mature, political storyline. Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy XII later shared the same medieval world of Ivalice.
VAGRANT STORY (2000) PS1 4K60ᶠᵖˢ | Full Game - Gameplay Movie Walkthrough【4K UHD】by Weiss Network TV
16. L.A. Noire (2011)
Facial motion capture technology made interrogations unnervingly realistic in this 1940s detective thriller. The studio's closure following workplace controversy and disappointing sales versus its massive budget made continuing Detective Cole Phelps' story impossible. It was praised for its facial animation technology and noir-inspired atmosphere.
L.A. Noire: Complete Edition (2011) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
17. Grim Fandango (1998)
Tim Schafer's noir adventure through the Mexican Land of the Dead remains a masterpiece. The mix of Art Deco and Aztec visuals created an unforgettable afterlife backdrop for travel agent Manny Calavera. It won GameSpot's Game of the Year, but LucasArts' commercial disappointment eliminated sequel possibilities.
Grim Fandango - Full Longplay by The Adventure Gamer
18. Alien: Isolation (2014)
Though it sold over 2.1 million copies, SEGA deemed this commercial performance insufficient. Unlike other Alien titles that leaned into action, Isolation held on to the horror and stealth survival aspects of the franchise very well. An addition could refine the mechanics and introduce new enemies.
Alien Isolation Gameplay Trailer [E3 2014] 1080p by ONE Media +
19. Bloodborne (2015)
Well, PlayStation should have capitalized on this beloved exclusive. Set in the gothic, Lovecraftian city of Yharnam, players take on the role of a Hunter, battling grotesque monsters and uncovering cosmic horrors. The game was loved by many for its fast-paced combat, haunting atmosphere, and deep lore.
Bloodborne GAMEPLAY TRAILER | #PlayStationGC by PlayStation Australia
20. Sleeping Dogs (2012)
In spite of positive reviews, Square Enix's "unrealistic expectations" led to the studio's eventual closure following the sequel's cancellation. Developed by United Front Games, Sleeping Dogs is an open-world action game. While the main story wrapped up, the world of Hong Kong’s Triads and law enforcement has room for expansion.
