Games and Sequels

Why We Love Them and How They Keep Us Hooked

Games and Sequels: If you are a gamer, chances are you have played at least one sequel in your life. Maybe you are a fan of the Assassin’s Creed series, or the Call of Duty franchise, or the Legend of Zelda saga. Whatever your preference, you probably enjoy revisiting familiar worlds, characters, and gameplay mechanics that make you feel at home.

But what makes a good sequel? And why do we keep coming back for more? In this blog post, we will explore some of the reasons why games and sequels are so popular and successful, and how they can improve our gaming experience.

What is a sequel?

A sequel is a game that continues or expands the story, setting, or gameplay of a previous game. A sequel can be a direct continuation of the events of the first game, such as Half-Life 2 or Mass Effect 2, or it can be a spin-off that explores a different aspect of the same universe, such as Halo: Reach or Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.

A sequel can also be a reboot that reimagines or updates the original game for a new audience, such as Tomb Raider (2013) or God of War (2018). A sequel can also be a remake that recreates the original game with improved graphics, sound, or gameplay, such as Resident Evil 2 (2019) or Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020).

Why do we love sequels?

There are many reasons why we love sequels, but here are some of the most common ones:

• They offer familiarity and nostalgia. Playing a sequel can feel like coming home to a place or a person that you know and love. You can relive your favorite moments, see how your favorite characters have changed or grown, and enjoy the same gameplay style that you are used to. Sequels can also evoke nostalgia for the past, reminding you of when you first played the original game and how it made you feel.
• They offer innovation and improvement. Playing a sequel can also feel like discovering something new and exciting. You can see how the developers have improved the graphics, sound, or gameplay of the original game, adding new features, mechanics, or modes that enhance your enjoyment. Sequels can also introduce new characters, locations, or stories that expand the scope and depth of the game world, making it more immersive and engaging.
• They offer challenge and reward. Playing a sequel can also feel like overcoming a challenge and earning a reward. You can test your skills and knowledge against new enemies, puzzles, or missions that require you to adapt and learn. Sequels can also reward you with new items, abilities, or secrets that make you feel powerful and satisfied.

How do sequels keep us hooked?

Sequels are not only enjoyable to play, but they also keep us hooked for longer. Here are some of the ways that sequels keep us engaged and motivated:

• They create anticipation and curiosity. Sequels often end with cliffhangers or teasers that make us want to know what happens next. They also create hype and buzz around their release dates, trailers, or demos. These things make us eager to get our hands on them. Sequels also spark our curiosity about how they will differ from or improve upon the original game.
• They create loyalty and attachment. Sequels often make us feel loyal and attached to the game series, the developers, or the community. We want to support the creators who have given us so much joy and entertainment. We also want to connect with other fans who share our passion and enthusiasm. Sequels also make us feel invested in the game world and its characters. Sequels make us care about the characters fate and future.
• They create variety and replayability. Sequels often offer more variety and replayability than standalone games. They may have different difficulty levels, modes, endings, or choices that make each playthrough unique and interesting. They may also have extra content, such as DLCs, expansions, or mods that add more hours of gameplay and fun.

Conclusion

Games and sequels are an integral part of gaming culture and history. They offer us familiarity and nostalgia, innovation and improvement, challenge and reward. They also keep us hooked with anticipation and curiosity, loyalty and attachment, variety and replayability.

Whether you prefer to stick with your favorite series or try out new ones, there is no doubt that games and sequels can enrich your gaming experience and make you happy.