The gaming world is full of exceptional franchises of all kinds, spanning countless consoles and generations, but sometimes, amazing games can be hidden behind bigger releases and more popular IPs. It can be hard for some games to break out into the mainstream and have the same success as the more established ones, which means that some of the best franchises out there can go decades without ever being touched by the masses.
6 Greatest Video Game Trilogies You Didn't Know Existed
Despite the success necessary for a video game to receive not one but two sequels, these video game trilogies have been completely overlooked.
Thankfully, video games have the ability to be timeless and playable many years after their initial release, giving players a chance to revisit incredible stories and intense action sequences well after the first launch. There are plenty of amazing series out there waiting to be discovered, from RPGs to stealth action epics; it is just a case of discovering them and giving them a chance.
Styx
As Sneaky As Can Be
Details:
- Large open sections full of different traversal routes
- Stealth gameplay that rewards creative thinking
The Styx series stands as one of the purest stealth-focused franchises in modern gaming, delivering a mechanically complex experience within a fantasy medieval world. Centered around the cynical goblin assassin Styx, the games strip away power fantasies in favor of patience and observation, forcing players to pay close attention to their surroundings in order to avoid enemies and
to unlock new paths to escape into.
What makes the games so great is how non-linear the areas are. Rather than one strict path to the next section, players can approach the various challenges in a variety of ways, taking high paths above the action, or getting stuck in by assassinating targets one by one. It also rewards game knowledge far more than other titles in the genre, giving players a real rush when they finally pull off a cleanly executed getaway after a long period of planning and careful waiting.
Shadow Hearts
Revolutionary Turn-based Action
Details:
- Real-world setting blended with Lovecraftian horror
- Narrative maturity exploring darker themes
Shadow Hearts is an incredibly distinct RPG series that comes from the early PlayStation 2 era, blending traditional turn-based mechanics with a grim, historically grounded fantasy world. Set in an alternate version of early 20th-century Europe and Asia, the series mixes real-world political tension with occult horror, creating a tone that is equal parts unsettling and deeply atmospheric. It stands apart from typical high-fantasy RPGs by telling a story that is far more mature and emotionally driven, sending players on a psychological roller-coaster from which they may never recover.
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Its defining combat feature, the Judgment Ring system, transforms basic turn-based actions into timing-based challenges that demand player precision at all times. This feature revolutionized how games in the genre were perceived, turning every attack and spell into a test of reflexes rather than just a simple button input. The series remains a rare example of an RPG willing to experiment and push into new ground, both in terms of the gameplay and the thematic explored within.
Earth Defense Force
A Love Letter To Chaos
Details:
- Massive enemy swarms and destruction in every mission
- Hundreds of absurd guns, vehicles, and individual class tools
Earth Defense Force is a series defined by pure spectacle. At its core, it is a third-person shooter about humanity’s last stand against overwhelming alien invasions, featuring skyscraper-sized insects, city-levelling weapons, and missions that almost always dissolve into complete chaos. But what initially appears absurd quickly reveals itself as a tightly structured experience that offers a huge amount of creative freedom and the ability to embody a real power fantasy that feels earned rather than granted.
The true strength of the series lies in its sandbox-like combat design. Players can choose from multiple soldier classes, each with radically different movement options and weapon types, which turns each battlefield into a playground to try new things that would otherwise go untouched. It might not be as visually polished as some of the more modern blockbuster shooters, but the franchise is still a load of fun and perfect for players who want to become a true unstoppable force.
The Darkness
Unparalleled FPS Insanity
Details:
- Traditional gunplay mixed with supernatural abilities
- Dense, moody atmosphere that reinforces the noir-horror tone
The Darkness is a series that is equal parts emotional and action, sending players on an introspective journey as a supernaturally infused mobster. The games blend grounded crime drama with cosmic horror in a way that no other game has ever attempted, and the world feels so brutal yet intimate that players will find themselves becoming fully immersed in the experience the moment they set foot into it.
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From a gameplay point of view, the shooter action is visceral and responsive, allowing players to unleash a range of attacks on their enemies from basic shots to entire dismemberment combo chains. The duality of the character and gameplay gives it a unique feel that creates plenty of memorable moments of all kinds, some of human vulnerability and others of terrifying power. Above all else, it is a series about moral ambiguity and the lengths that people will go to survive, forcing players down a dark path that explores every aspect of humanity.
Zero Escape Trilogy
Each Game A New Puzzle To Solve
Details:
- Escape-room style challenges integrated into the narrative
- Decisions affect core arcs and major plot points within the story
The Zero Escape trilogy is a masterclass in narrative-driven puzzle design, blending escape-room mechanics with complex science fiction storytelling. Each entry traps its characters in deadly games governed by cryptic rules, some following time loops, and others tricky moral dilemmas, forcing players to make fast decisions that can dramatically alter the outcome of the individuals in the story and the world around them.
The series thrives on its branching timelines, where each success and failure plays a role in unraveling the larger story at hand.
It also manages to seamlessly fuse the puzzles into the narrative structure, ensuring that every obstacle feels purposeful within the context of the plot and not just an extra barrier in their way. It might not be as popular as other franchises in the space, but it is still an unforgettable experience full of emotional twists and unpredictable arcs that will keep players guessing even after the credits roll.
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