Original IPs often come with a lot of pressure for the studio to prove itself and make a stellar game out of the gate. Things don't always work out that way, though, as creating something new from the ground up can be a challenging task, and it isn't until the sequel to a game that developers can truly showcase their creativity.
5 Sequels That Are Superior To The First Game In Every Way
While some original titles spawn amazing franchises, more often than not, many are overshadowed by their sequels. Here are a few good examples.
Sony has an incredible lineup of first-party franchises. From Uncharted to God of War, PlayStation games are instantly recognizable to players. Coincidentally, a lot of their long-running series have incredible sequels that helped elevate their franchises to the next level. Here are ten of the best sequels to first-party PlayStation games.
10 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
An Iconic Sequel For An Iconic Superhero
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Franchise
- Spider-Man
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Marvel's Spider-Man was a sure bet for Sony. It also helped that Insomniac Games expended a lot of effort and made Marvel's Spider-Man one of 2018's biggest games. It was followed up with a standalone game featuring Miles Morales in 2020, and the two Spider-Men came together for the 2023 sequel.
While fans may not have enjoyed the story of Spider-Man 2 as much as its predecessors, there is no denying the sheer scope and scale of the sequel. Playing as two Spider-Men in a bigger world with more skills and abilities was an absolute joy, especially when the PS5's SSD allowed for faster web-swinging and gliding.
9 Horizon Forbidden West
Expanding The Horizon By Going West
Horizon Forbidden West
- Released
- February 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Guerrilla Games
- Franchise
- Horizon
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Guerrilla Games moved on to Horizon following their great work on the Killzone series. While Killzone is an FPS franchise, Horizon was their first foray into the third-person open-world genre. Horizon: Zero Dawn was great in its own right, but it wasn't until the sequel that the developers found their footing.
Forbidden West is a meaningful improvement on the original in every way. The climbing is significantly more free-form, the melee combat much more refined, the story more engaging, and the world is bigger and more detailed by taking advantage of the capabilities of the PS5 hardware.
8 Helldivers 2
More Chaotic In The Best Way
Helldivers 2
- Released
- February 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Arrowhead crafted something very interesting and fun with the original Helldivers and took it to the next level with the sequel. Helldivers 2 is a vastly different experience from the original while keeping the core of the latter intact.
The original was a chaotic isometric co-op shooter. Helldivers 2 shifted the camera to a third-person perspective and moved from the original's set campaign to an ever-evolving live service model. The squeal also ratcheted up the chaos, allowing for more memorable gameplay scenarios and moments with friends.
Arrowhead is not a PlayStation Studio, but it does count as a PlayStation title.
7 Infamous 2
Choices and Superpowers
inFAMOUS 2
- Released
- June 7, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Franchise
- Infamous
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3
Infamous is one of the best superhero/supervillain game franchises of its time. The original told the story of Cole McGrath as he gained superpowers and tried to decide what to do with them. Just as Cole grew and became more comfortable with his powers, Sucker Punch became more comfortable with the game and delivered the beloved sequel in 2011.
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Infamous 2 expanded the suite of powers from the first while telling a more compelling story filled with more morally complex choices. While some might prefer the map, twists, and aesthetics of the first game, there's no denying the emotional connection and powers of Infamous 2.
6 Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Tearing Through Alternate Universes
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Released
- June 11, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Franchise
- ratchet and clank
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Third-Person Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
This is one of PlayStation's longest-running franchises, with 16 entries as of 2025. As such, Ratchet & Clank has had multiple reinventions over the years since its inception. Arguably, the best reinvention for the franchise was the 2016 reboot, which was followed up by the even more excellent PS5 launch game, Rift Apart.
Rift Apart was one of the first games to showcase the technical prowess of the PlayStation 5. The game introduced the new duo of Rivet and Kit as an extension of the story, which involved dimension-hopping. This was incorporated into the gameplay, seamlessly transporting players between worlds thanks to the PS5's impressive and now market-standard SSD.
5 Killzone 2
Establishing The Franchise
Killzone 2
- Released
- February 26, 2009
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Guerrilla Games
2004's Killzone saw Guerrilla Games' attempt at a Halo competitor. The original Killzone was received well, but by no means did it set the world on fire. Gamers had to wait five years for Killzone 2, which truly realized the franchise's potential by delivering an incredibly unique experience.
Killzone 2 is a brilliant dark sci-fi first-person shooter that tells a great story of the Vektans' fight against the fascist Helghast. The game was brutally challenging, which was unusual for a first-person shooter at the time, with the final boss fight against Radec attaining legendary status.
4 The Last Of Us Part 2
Improving The Gameplay
The Last of Us Part 2
- Released
- June 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Franchise
- The Last of Us
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The Last of Us is one of the best games of the 2010s, and has turned into an incredible franchise with the 2020 sequel and the TV show. The Last of Us Part 2 had a lot to live up to following the original's impact on the gaming landscape, and it delivered, even if that came with plenty of controversy.
While the story proved to be somewhat divisive among fans, the gameplay in the sequel was an undeniable upgrade on the original. The significant improvements to combat, stealth, movement, and graphics, as well as the inclusion of more open levels, make it a great sequel, and one that will certainly have players feel intense and unbridled emotion as they deal with grief and anger during Ellie's revenge odyssey.
3 Astro Bot
Defying Expectations, Defining Creativity as a 3D Platformer
Astro Bot
- Released
- September 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Team Asobi
- Franchise
- Astro Bot
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Astro has long been a beloved character, but their popularity skyrocketed with Astro's Playroom, which came with all PS5s free of cost. Team Asobi decided to capitalize on Astro's newfound popularity by releasing 2024's Game of the Year, Astro Bot.
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Team Asobi flexed their significant creativity with this game. Each level in the game is different from the next, with some incredible mechanics and unique power-ups, which would be the selling point in other games, but are only one of many here. Astro Bot is easily one of the best platformers in recent memory.
2 God Of War
The Evolution Of Kratos in Terms of Emotion and Gameplay
God of War
- Released
- April 20, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Franchise
- God of War
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The original God of War trilogy is great for its isometric hack-and-slash action gameplay and the incredible boss fights. One problem with the trilogy is the characterization of Kratos. Kratos is overly violent and full of rage, and while it fits his character at the time, it's one that certainly deserved an evolution.
The 2018 sequel transformed the character into a mature and grieving husband and father, with considerable depth. The third-person action gameplay of the 2018 game was also more measured as a reflection of the changed Kratos. The one-take cinematic camera follows Kratos and Atreus through the best story in the series that shows how characters and franchises can evolve just as much as players do.
1 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Among the Best for Riveting Action-Packed Sequels
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Released
- October 13, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Franchise
- Uncharted
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
Uncharted is one of PlayStation's most iconic franchises. Nathan Drake has become the favorite modern-day action hero for many fans. The series started in 2007 with Drake's Fortune, but Nathan Drake's ascent into the upper echelons of PlayStation characters didn't happen until the sequel.
The sequel ramped up the action significantly, with multiple iconic set pieces like the opening train section to immediately grip players into the narrative. While the original had its moments, there was nothing in Drake's Fortune that stood the test of time quite like Among Thieves. The story was also significantly better with Among Thieves, taking players on a globe-trotting journey to discover Shambhala.
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