Stepping into the grand realm of video gaming often feels like an unending adventure, with each new title holding the promise of a unique journey filled with riveting stories and immersive experiences. Yet, for all the novelty and innovation that the gaming industry continually delivers, there’s an undeniable allure about the classics – those beloved franchises that have shaped our gaming history and left indelible imprints on our hearts.
As we look forward with anticipation to new releases and gaming technology, there’s also a longing look cast backward, towards the cherished series of yesteryears that defined many of our gaming adventures. This piece aims to rekindle that nostalgic flame, igniting a journey of discovery that harks back to gaming’s golden days. We’re delving into the vaults, dusting off the archives, and exploring ten classic game series that stand poised, ready to make a triumphant comeback.
Join us as we traverse the annals of gaming history, embarking on a grand expedition through worlds filled with fast cars, gigantic dinosaurs, mob bosses, and more. We’ll navigate the vast landscapes of long-lost realms, revealing the incredible potential that lies within these dormant franchises, just waiting to be awakened. Each holds the promise of revitalizing the current gaming scene, infusing it with a blend of nostalgia and innovation that could appeal to both veteran gamers and the newer generation.
Our exploration of these treasured franchises uncovers the captivating narratives, immersive worlds, and unique gameplay mechanics that made these series remarkable in their heyday. Yet, we’ll also be probing the untapped potential that these series could bring to the modern gaming landscape. As we journey through these timeless realms, we’ll contemplate how each franchise could be reinvented, reimagined, and reintroduced to a new generation of gamers hungry for quality, immersive, and engaging experiences.
So fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a wild ride as we rediscover gaming’s glory days and ponder the exciting prospects of a potential renaissance. We’re about to delve into the worlds of beloved franchises that shaped our gaming history, exploring the potential they hold for a remarkable comeback. Who knows, by the end of our journey, you might find your fingers itching to grab that controller, yearning to revisit these classic realms, or even better, to experience their modern avatars. The countdown is on; let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Dino Crisis Series
Among gaming enthusiasts, there’s a fervent faction who, with bated breath, passionately implore Capcom to breathe new life into the dormant Dino Crisis franchise. For some, the name might trigger a vague sense of nostalgia; for others, it might be an unfamiliar IP. The original game, crafted by the renowned game designer Shinji Mikami, ingeniously melded elements of horror with adrenaline-pumping dinosaur-infused action.
Fast forward to today, the gaming landscape seems primed to welcome a Dino Crisis revival, possibly even in the form of a remake powered by the impressive RE Engine. While there’s no shortage of action games, those featuring dinosaurs are a rarity, leaving Dino Crisis with a near untapped market to conquer. Although the brand carries some years on its shoulders, making it an entirely fresh proposition for most gamers, I firmly believe there’s room for it in the contemporary gaming scene.
Capcom, the powerhouse behind Dino Crisis, has been enjoying quite the successful streak with franchises like Resident Evil and Monster Hunter, and Street Fighter continues to hold its own. If there’s ever been a prime time to ignite the spark of a new flagship brand, it’s now. With its unique blend of horror and dinosaur action, Dino Crisis has all the elements needed to make a triumphant comeback.
The Getaway Series
As we traverse the broad landscape of gaming, a theme that recurrently arises is the lingering void left by the absence of new Grand Theft Auto (GTA) releases. Delving deeper into this theme, let’s turn our attention to another franchise that shares a kinship with GTA – The Getaway, which is closely tied to the Sony brand. Like its contemporary, The Getaway serves up an expansive open world, liberating players with a wealth of choices as they navigate through a narrative deeply intertwined with the mafia, gang warfare, and law enforcement.
The unique selling point of The Getaway, distinguishing it from Rockstar’s legendary series, is its authentic portrayal of law enforcement. Players have the opportunity to step into the shoes of law enforcers, offering a more serious and lawful perspective than most games in the genre. Back during the reign of PlayStation 3, Sony had commenced work on a subsequent installment of the series but unfortunately, it never came to fruition. This promising edition was discarded, sharing a similar fate with another axed project, Eight Days.
In the present era, I would be thrilled to see Bend Studio take up the baton and breathe new life into The Getaway. After their experience with Days Gone, they could offer a fresh take on the series. The gaming market unquestionably has a vacancy for a brand like The Getaway. I consciously chose this IP over True Crime, another game series with parallels, from Activision’s extensive catalog. I am convinced that Sony, if they were to greenlight such a project, could not only make it happen but ensure it exceeds expectations, delivering a top-tier gaming experience.
Freedom Fighters
Reflecting on the past, it’s clear to see that there once was an abundance of games much like the “Freedom Fighters”. These games, whether played from a third-person perspective (TPP) or first-person perspective (FPP), offered linear campaigns infused with raw emotion and unforgettable narratives. However, in the present gaming market, this genre seems to be underrepresented, leaving a gaping void just waiting to be filled. The resurgence of Freedom Fighters could potentially fill this gap perfectly.
Freedom Fighters masterfully portrayed the struggle for liberation within an oppressed nation, providing a fertile ground for an engrossing story that resonates deeply with players. The game also offers ample opportunities to craft a dynamic multiplayer mode. In such a mode, players could immerse themselves in the visceral reality of both sides of a conflict, defending their territory or launching strategic attacks to reclaim crucial locations. This would be akin to the game Homefront, but ideally, elevated to a higher level of gameplay and narrative sophistication.
Wolfenstein attempts to capture a similar atmosphere, but it is primarily set within the context of World War II, often teetering on the brink of absurdity with its wildly imaginative plot. On the other hand, IO Interactive, the creative brains behind the original Freedom Fighters, have been diversifying their creative output beyond the Hitman series. Given these circumstances, the gaming community might witness a revival of the Freedom Fighters franchise. It could make a powerful comeback, reinvigorating the genre with its intense, emotion-driven gameplay and compelling storylines.
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The Godfather Series
In a departure from the norm, let’s delve into a licensed brand – The Godfather. Though it might be argued that an entirely new IP could fit the bill, it’s the distinctive ambience that this iconic franchise brings to the table that’s of interest here. Throughout this discussion, the recurrent theme has been the noticeable vacuum left by the absence of new GTA games and potential franchises that could step up to fill it.
However, let’s not forget that even if we swap out modern gang dynamics with the nostalgic Mafia from a century ago, the issue still persists. The Mafia series, which theoretically should dominate this niche, has somewhat stumbled under the helm of Hangar 13. So, could it be time to revisit the storied IP of The Godfather? Perhaps this time around, we could see a game not merely mimicking the narrative of the iconic books, but presenting an alternate storyline featuring familiar characters?
The prospect is intriguing, to say the least, especially considering the glaring dearth of quality Mafia games currently on the market. It’s quite surprising to witness such a gap in this specific genre, presenting a prime opportunity for a well-crafted game to make its mark. A revival of The Godfather, with its rich lore and memorable characters, could be just the solution.
Call of Juarez Series
Could the success of Red Dead Redemption 2 open the doors for another western-themed game? It’s a question worth pondering. An addition to the Call of Juarez franchise may not aim to rival the narrative prowess of Rockstar Games’ masterpiece, but there’s ample room for differentiation. Picture a sprawling open world – a domain where Techland has demonstrated their competence – and a storyline focused on a bounty-hunting cowboy who stumbles upon a hidden treasure.
The game could address some of the common complaints lodged against Red Dead Redemption 2 – providing a brisker pace, a higher dose of action, and a map teeming with engaging tasks to accomplish. Instead of directly challenging Rockstar, Techland could carve a unique niche for itself within the genre. While many fans might anticipate a Gunslinger sequel, the prospect of an open-world reboot is certainly tantalizing. Red Dead Redemption 2 has already proven that gamers have a strong appetite for this form of entertainment, paving the way for other franchises to venture into this territory.
Blood Series
Casting our minds back to the 90s, often hailed as the golden age for first-person shooters, we recall a rival to the titans of id Software – the Blood series. While it adhered to the conventional FPS style of the time, it distinguished itself with unique features, such as its occult-inspired ambiance. Does a reboot of this series have a place in today’s gaming world? The revivals of franchises like Wolfenstein, Shadow Warrior, and especially Doom suggest a resounding ‘yes’.
So, why not anticipate another throwback shooter, where the player can skewer a demon on a pitchfork in a thrillingly macabre twist? The concept holds promise, but there’s a catch. Blood was the brainchild of Monolith Studios, which, under the umbrella of Warner Bros., has shifted focus towards comic book-licensed games. However, there’s always the possibility that the studio might steer towards nurturing their own IPs in the future, and in such a scenario, reviving the Blood franchise might be a savvy move.
Command & Conquer Series
Is there a vacant slot in the contemporary gaming scene for grand strategy games? Given the overwhelming popularity of Age of Empires IV, the answer seems to be a resounding yes. With this in mind, why shouldn’t Command & Conquer, a formerly celebrated franchise beloved by real-time strategy (RTS) aficionados, make a comeback? The enthusiastic reception to the Remastered Collection released a couple of years ago attests to the enduring appeal of the brand among modern gamers.
We have the ingredients for a successful revival here: a powerful IP and an eager, underserved market. The unanswered question lies with Electronic Arts (EA), the franchise’s publisher. It remains ambiguous whether EA is willing to commit to this direction. Could it be that the aforementioned Remastered Collection served as a litmus test, an experiment to gauge player interest before proceeding with a new, fully-fledged installment? Only time will tell. But as we speak, somewhere out there in the world, the next Command & Conquer could very well be under development.
Siphon Filter Series
Our journey takes us next to another title from Sony’s extensive roster, an IP that’s been gathering dust on the shelves, probably unbeknownst to the younger gaming generation – Siphon Filter. This series was once known for its enthralling blend of spy and anti-terrorist action. Given the absence of similar brands such as Splinter Cell or Metal Gear Solid in the current gaming landscape, Siphon Filter could well step in to fill this considerable void.
Admittedly, from a publisher’s perspective, such projects are laden with risk, a point we won’t delve into as our understanding of the complexities involved may not be entirely comprehensive. However, the premise is undeniably attractive and could draw a sizeable audience in today’s gaming climate. The themes and gameplay mechanics it embodies are not commonly exploited in the current gaming catalog, making it a unique proposition. The upcoming Perfect Dark might be poised to address this gap to an extent, but Sony could potentially offer a compelling counter with a Siphon Filter revival. The franchise is virtually on standby, just waiting for its chance to shine again.
Midnight Club Series
The extraordinary success of Forza Horizon 5 is a testament to the gaming community’s insatiable appetite for high-quality racing games. Amid the struggles of franchises like Need for Speed, there’s a glaring vacancy in the racing genre. One contender capable of stepping up to the plate is the Midnight Club series, hailing from the creative powerhouse of Rockstar Games.
I firmly believe that Rockstar could conjure up an immersive cityscape, an engaging narrative, and visually stunning graphics to reinvigorate this franchise. Although the odds for a sequel might seem stacked against it, it’s fair to say that a new Midnight Club installment could potentially end the dry spell in the arcade racing market. As it stands, it’s hard to find a better candidate capable of replicating, or even surpassing, the peak popularity that Need for Speed once enjoyed. A revived Midnight Club could well be the breath of fresh air this genre needs.
Driver Series
There was a period in gaming history when the “Driver” series was seen as a strong contender, ranking almost shoulder to shoulder with the acclaimed Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series. However, as the trajectory of the gaming industry unfolded, the fates of these two franchises took markedly different routes. Rockstar Games, the mastermind behind GTA, carved out an indomitable space for itself in the gaming landscape, while its rival seemed to have faltered. With the unfortunate debacle of the overly expensive third installment and the less than stellar reception to the San Francisco sequel, the once esteemed Driver franchise inadvertently hastened the downfall of its publisher, Atari.
Presently, it seems we are poised on the precipice of an opportune moment for the Driver series to stage a triumphant comeback. Ubisoft, a leading game publisher, could infuse some new life into its line-up by reviving the brand. It’s true, Ubisoft’s recent offerings have left something to be desired in terms of innovation and quality, and the return of Driver could rectify this issue. The series, known for its immersive sandbox style gameplay, is a strong contender in a landscape that’s currently lacking in new GTA iterations. The revival could capitalize on this void and offer gamers something reminiscent, yet fresh.
A reimagined Driver series could feature a novel protagonist, exploring exciting new cities, driving high-speed cars, getting involved in thrilling shootouts, and all while unraveling a compelling narrative. The market potential for such a reboot, if executed skillfully, is significant, at least in my humble opinion.
