2022 has already been an excellent year for dormant video game franchises making a comeback. Earlier this year, gamers witnessed the release of the second installment of the Horizon series in February, The Horizon Forbidden West, after five years. What a comeback it turned out to be.
So far, Horizon Forbidden West has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with some critics even hailing it as a masterpiece.
2022 was also a golden year for new stand-alone entrants. Indie titles like Elden Ring and Stray are selling like hotcakes right now, and the best part is the year isn’t over yet.
Indeed, 2022-23 is going to be a phenomenal calendar year, with some dormant video game franchises set to re-emerge. Below is a list of some video game franchises that will be returning soon with new titles.
Dormant video game franchises that will make a comeback
1) The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Fans of the Lord of the Rings universe can celebrate as the epic fantasy adventure series will return with The Lord of the Rings: Gollum by the end of this year. The game was originally set to release on September 1, but the video game’s developer, Daedalic Entertainment, delayed it for a few more months in a recent announcement in late June.
Unlike previous Lord of the Rings editions, Lord of the Rings: Gollum will have players control Gollum in a timeline before the events described in JJ. Tolkien’s novel series.
With Gollum’s agile body and timid nature, the franchise has also moved away from the action-packed open-world adventure of the previous Lord of the Rings game to a more stealth-based action-adventure game in Lord of the Rings: Gollum. A bold move by the franchise. It will be exciting to see how a stealth-based Lord of the Rings sequel plays out.
2) The Witcher: New Saga
Developed by CD Projekt, the Witcher series is set in a medieval fantasy world where players follow the journeys of Geralt of Rivia, a traveling monster hunter.
The Witcher series is an adaptation of the popular novel by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Game events take place years after the main saga depicted in the novels.
The Witcher series is adored for its completeness. From beautifully created open worlds to brilliant combat mechanics and good storytelling, this video game series has everything an open world gamer desires.
For many gamers, the final installment of Witcher: Wild Hunt, released in 2015, was one of the best role-playing action-adventure video games ever made. Not just the storyline, but everything from character interactions to facial expressions is top notch in Witcher: Wild Hunt.
Finally, after nearly eight years of waiting, the next installment of the Witcher series has been confirmed by game developer CD Projekt via a blog post.
The blog post says,
“This is an exciting moment as we move from REDengine to Unreal Engine 5 and begin a multi-year strategic partnership with Epic Games. It includes not only licenses, but also technical development of Unreal Engine 5, as well as possible future versions of Unreal Engine”
Regarding the release of the Witcher title, the blog post further states, “We will be working closely with the developers at Epic Games with the primary goal of adapting the engine for open-world experiences. No further details about the game, such as development time or release date, are available.”
3) The Elder Scrolls 6
Bethesda Game Studios, makers of the Elder Scrolls series and the Fallout series, are sure to have their plate full for years to come. The developers at Bethesda are working hard to release Starfield in early 2023. Once the Starfield project is complete, the developers will move to take down one of the most anticipated video games of recent times, The Elder Scrolls 6.
Elder Scrolls is a series of open-world action-adventure games that allow players to explore anywhere and do anything they want. What makes the Elder Scrolls series unique are its excellent storylines, well-crafted heroes and other characters, and probably some of the most exciting side missions in an open-world game.
Entries such as Elder Scrolls 4 and Elder Scrolls: Skyrim have already proven themselves as genre-defining titles. There are plenty of reasons to be excited, as Bethesda Game Studios are said to be actively working on Elder Scrolls 6. Fans will have to wait a little longer, though, as Elder Scrolls 6 won’t be released until after Starfield. As a result, Elder Scrolls 6 may be released in 2023.
4) Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate is a role-playing action-adventure series with cutting edge graphics and non-stop combat that puts many future competitor RPG titles to shame. Baldur’s Gate is based on the Dungeons & Dragons open world system. Released in 1998, this particular RPG video game franchise released two series in 2013, the Bhaalspawn Saga and the Dark Alliance.
It’s been about ten years since the RPG series came out with a new title. Fortunately, fans of Baldur Gate won’t have to wait too long, as the RPG franchise will finally launch its highly anticipated third main entry, The Baldur’s Gate 3, in 2023.
In October 2020, game developers Larian Studios had already given access to the first mission of Baldur Gate III to online gamers to try out for free. In the early access version, players can play solo or team up with online players to be the first to try and escape a deadly creature in the world of Baldur’s Gate.
5) Saints Row
Combine GTA’s open world with supernatural mutant-like combat skills, and you get Saints Row. Since the first Saints Row title came out in 2006, the action-adventure video game series has been widely acclaimed for its non-stop action-packed combat.
This particular action-adventure video game franchise, by the year 2013, sold over 13 million copies of its various titles, making it one of the best-selling action-adventure video game franchises.
A reboot of the Saints Row franchise is finally underway and will launch on August 2, 232022. The title was originally supposed to be found in February 2022, but the developers had to postpone it. The new rebooted version of Saints Row will also take place in a fictional city called Santo.
These franchises need to be revived
1) Spyro the Dragon
Spyro is a fairly light-hearted, easy-to-play 3D platform adventure video game series that follows the adventures of Spyro, the dragon. Since the launch of the first Spyro game in 1998, the video game franchise has released numerous Spyro the Dragon sequels and a reboot trilogy.
Spyro the Dragon emerged from an era where Activision released one side game after another. Spyro the Dragon was possibly one of the best side games made.
However, this particular gem of a 3D adventure game has not reached the popularity levels it deserved. With mobile gaming getting big these days, Spyro the Dragon has the potential to dominate the 3D adventure genre.
2) Metal Gear Solid
One of the oldest video game franchises, the Metal Gear Solid series has spawned some of the best stealth-based gameplay in video game history. This action-adventure survival series offers everything from genre-defining gameplay, revolutionary graphics, solid storylines inspired by Hollywood movies, and overall gameplay that relies more on stealth than fast-paced action.
In all Metal Gear Solid games, players take on the role of Commander Snake, an American super agent. Metal Gear Solid games take players on a quest for survival in an open world where there are multiple ways to complete a mission or take out enemies. It is up to the players to decide how to approach their business.
Released in 2018, Metal Gear Survive was the last popular action-adventure survival title. While most of the gameplay mechanics have been retained from previous Metal Gear Solid games, the latest installment was heavily criticized for its sloppy story build and character’s poor backstory. The time has come for the Metal Gear Solid franchise to make amends and come back even stronger.
2) The Simpsons
Created and co-authored by Matt Groening, The Simpsons is one of the longest-running animated sitcoms in American television history. The animated series follows the comedy family drama of the working-class father Homer Simpson and his family. Over the years, the Simpsons have achieved legendary status. Some of the Simpsons episodes and side stories are so creative that an entire series could be split out of them.
Despite the Simpsons gaining gold status, hardly anyone knows that the Simpsons franchise also has an action-adventure game. Developed by Visceral Games in 2007, the game follows five playable characters from the Simpsons family: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. They have to solve different situations through certain superpowers that they acquire as they progress through the different stages of the game.
Overall, it is a fun and addictive 3D adventure game. Imagine an open-world action-adventure game as vast and engaging as GTA, but players take control of Homer Simpson and his family instead of CJ. A Simpsons reboot with an open-world action-adventure has written success everywhere.
3) Virtua tennis
Virtua Tennis is arguably the best tennis simulation game series ever created. The tennis franchise reached its peak in 2011 with its third sequel, Virtua Tennis 4. Many game critics, including British professional tennis player Andy Murray, argue that Virtua Tennis 4 is the most accurate representation of tennis in a game.
Virtua Tennis 4’s World Tour Edition gives players the chance to put themselves in the shoes of some of today’s tennis players as they tour the world. The World Tour Edition allows players to customize their tennis star and go on a world tour in a turn-based campaign map to compete in minor tournaments and Grand Slam events.
The developers of Virtua Tennis SEGA still own the IP rights and player licenses to the series. Despite this, there is no word on a future launch of Virtua Tennis. Virtua Tennis is one of the most underrated video game franchises that deserves to be revived.
5) Convicted Series
Developed by Monolith Productions, the Condemned series is possibly the most underrated horror survival game series of the 2000s decade. The video game franchise has released two titles, Condemned: Criminal Origins (2005) and Condemned 2 (2008) . Both Condemned games are surprisingly fast paced and action packed for a horror survival game.
The Condemned games have brilliant sound effects and the timing of each suspense throughout the storyline is perfect. Both Condemned games never became bestsellers and the franchise has gone under the radar. Maybe it’s time for this underrated horror franchise to get some attention and possibly a revival.
Disclaimer: This article reflects the opinion of the writer.
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