Yeah the sequels better...BUT

[Ephemera1_]

Have you ever played a critically acclaimed/well loved sequel, that, on a technical level, IS definitely better than the first game....but you enjoy the first game more? I know a title that fits that description for some is Super Mario Galaxy 1 over the second game. In my opinion those two are on equal footing with a slight edge actually going to Galaxy 2. A personal choice for me is Batman Arkham Asylum over Arkham city.

YES, Arkham City does have a better and more intricate story. YES City is a larger, more ambitious game, and it succeeds in what it tries to accomplish in that area. City also fixes many of the clipping issues the first game had creating a more consistent experience visually. But the atmosphere of the first game, the gothic hallways of the prison, the creepy feeling of anything can happen on this small island, how creative some of the riddler trophies were placed. I enjoyed the more linear experience compared to the open world one in city.

I wanted to know this forums thoughts on such a topic, what is the original game you like more than the "improved on" sequel?

 

[RuckusMcGuckus]

This is a trash take, but with the Kingdom Hearts games. I feel like it has to be out of pure nostalgia because 2 is obviously and objectively a better game, but given the option Id rather play 1 over 2.

Another series that I feel this way about would have to be Dead Space. I played both the originals for the first time about a year ago. Dead space 2 felt better, looked better, was way more fleshed out, and had more weapons and monsters. Don't remember all the differences and cant give a lot of examples why I like the first game more, but one would have to be certain boss fights from the game. It just felt very creative and fun even compared to the final boss of 2 which felt bland and unrewarding. I also think 1 just hit on the 'horror' aspect a bit better

Also I completely agree with what you said about Arkham Asylum the vibes are crazy.

 

[DrakeDarkHunter]

For me, it's the original Mass Effect. Mass Effect 2 may have improved the combat and made the game much less janky. But in the process got rid of much of the RPGness of the original and made it more of a Action game. I also liked how in 1 you are building the legend of Shepard whereas in the sequel you're considered a hero from the very beginning.

I'm not willing to stake my claim that the first game is objectively better in really anyway. But I get absorbed every time I try and replay the series. Mass Effect 2 however I get bored pretty early on for whatever reason.

 

[Stare best girl]

I like more Sands of Time than Warrior Within

 

[Max]

Earthworm jim 2, people say it's better than the first game (new moves, new weapons, new mechanics), but the "puppy love" levels kill all the pace, every level is longer and harder than the last one.
Plus the use of the whip is completely optional, useless if you want to

 

[Stingy Perry Stingy Perry]

Parasite Eve 2 is tweaked to make it more of a survival horror experience. Even they made the graphics more detailed and tried everything to improve it but I still how the first one plays.

 

[RuckusMcGuckus]

For me, it's the original Mass Effect. Mass Effect 2 may have improved the combat and made the game much less janky. But in the process got rid of much of the RPGness of the original and made it more of a Action game.

Never Played but I really really need to. I think you and others might feel that way because that's when Bioware was truly Bioware. I could be wrong but I feel like they started to loose their identity at the time and then shortly after EA bought them. They made some fantastic action rpgs. Other than Mass Effect they also made baldurs gate, Dragon Age, and Knights of the Old Republic.

 

[Ephemera1_]

but with the Kingdom Hearts games. I feel like it has to be out of pure nostalgia because 2 is obviously and objectively a better game, but given the option Id rather play 1 over 2

Ive heard someone say this before and its mainly due to the vibes of the first game and how fresh of an idea it was when it dropped. I dont have much of a horse in this race because i haven't beaten either and played the second game before the first one

 

[RuckusMcGuckus]

Ive heard someone say this before and its mainly due to the vibes of the first game and how fresh of an idea it was when it dropped. I dont have much of a horse in this race because i haven't beaten either and played the second game before the first one

Hey that's the right move if you weren't trying to play them all. Again its the best one. I love them both EXCLUSIVELY for their gameplay

 

[Lena CE]

Halo 2 for sure. I prefer CE in nearly every way. Yea sure I love Arbiter's storyline in this game, but CE's minimalist narrative and sense of adventure/wonder is something that the franchise never came close to recapturing. No moment in Halo 2 matches the feeling of stepping out of the drop pod in level 2 of CE. No level in Halo 2 feels like this massive sprawling island to explore with tons of secrets, nooks and crannies the way level 4 does. Plus most of Chief's levels lack that sense of purpose and momentum for me. Whilst CE definitely has a similar lack of motivation and narrative momentum in its first half, Halo 2's levels inspire far less mystery and awe within me. Even after dozens of playthroughs, I still feel that sense of childlike wonder and tension exploring every corner of Halo CE's levels.

I even prefer how CE looks compared to Halo 2 in terms of the original versions. Sure Halo 2 has a higher resolution, higher polygon counts and a handful of extra visual bells and whistles to be a solid technical showcase of the upper limits of that hardware, but the fact that they had to do stuff like gut the lighting system without getting to redo art direction or visual framing means that the game just looks unbelievably lifeless and flat all the time. Sure its mostly due to rushed development, but the end result is the same. In terms of the anniversary updates though I'll take Halo 2's facelift over CE's anyday. Definitely not a fan of what Saber did with CE's artstyle even if I respect trying to merge CE and Reach's aesthetics.

The multiplayer is also objectively better in nearly every way for Halo 2, but man oh man I still adore Halo CE's multiplayer suite. A lot of issues end up being shared across both titles such as highly abuseable spawn systems, lots of insanely unbalanced but unique maps, uber overpowered primary weapon in the Magnum/Battle Rifle respectively etc. However, there is just something about the Battle Rifle and all of its unintended button combinations that makes the game feel far more ruthless than CE for me. Don't get me wrong, I adore both multiplayer offerings and this section is really a take it or leave it, but while most people play Halo 2 and never consider playing CE mutliplayer again, I'm absolutely someone that adores both and I prefer how the Magnum affects the overall sandbox more than the Battle Rifle.

Both are fantastic games, but CE will always have my heart.

 

[Pinballbuzzbro]

Streets of Rage. Second game is better in every way, but the first game just has that immaculate atmosphere and moodiness to it that the second game completely lacks IMO. In the first game it feels like you're fighting for your life through a run-down urban hellscape beyond saving, whereas 2 feels more cartoony and comic book-y with the neon colors and more energetic music. I'm so glad 4 returned to the more atmospheric tone rather than trying to be the second game again lol

 

[Lena CE]

This is a trash take, but with the Kingdom Hearts games. I feel like it has to be out of pure nostalgia because 2 is obviously and objectively a better game, but given the option Id rather play 1 over 2.

I definitely feel the same and both games would absolutely make it in my top 25 all time favs. Yea combat feels better in nearly every way, but I just adore KH1's atmosphere and level design sooooo damn much. When it comes to imbuing your adventure with a sense of whimsy and exploration, few games do it as good as KH1 and the fact that the gigantic levels full of endless secrets and little details got distilled into a handful of tiny, flat square rooms in KH2 always makes me sad even if the combat is much more polished.

Like KH1 is a game I've played 10+ times and yet everytime I find something new, be it a secret chest hidden somewhere, some new cutscene/event I was unaware of or just some new way to abuse the jank-yet-fun platforming to get something a bit earlier than expected. Did you know that if you save Monstro until AFTER you go to Hollow Bastion for the first time Riku just isn't there and none of those scene play? I didn't find that until many playthroughs in on total accident because I was trying to do a low level run. The attention to detail in KH1 is just absurd, I love how ambitious and unique that experience is!

 

[Rox00]

Sonic Adventure 1 for me will always be that game. I really like Adventure 2 still but Adventure 1 holds a special spot in my heart for how charming the game is. I think the fact they made a cast of playable characters with different styles even if it's far from perfect alongside a world hub that has charming dialogue with the humans if you seek it out (check out Cybershell's video on it if curious). Also it has Gamma who always makes me sad anytime I go through his story. Adventure 1 is my beloved overall and the jank is in my blood.

 

[Dr.Kisaragi]

This is a trash take, but with the Kingdom Hearts games. I feel like it has to be out of pure nostalgia because 2 is obviously and objectively a better game, but given the option Id rather play 1 over 2.

Another series that I feel this way about would have to be Dead Space. I played both the originals for the first time about a year ago. Dead space 2 felt better, looked better, was way more fleshed out, and had more weapons and monsters. Don't remember all the differences and cant give a lot of examples why I like the first game more, but one would have to be certain boss fights from the game. It just felt very creative and fun even compared to the final boss of 2 which felt bland and unrewarding. I also think 1 just hit on the 'horror' aspect a bit better

Also I completely agree with what you said about Arkham Asylum the vibes are crazy.

Oh yes I agree KH1 is better than 2 for worlds gummi ship and the battle system I prefer the simple ones and to this day I prefer thr Disney worlds of Kingdom hearts (and of course Atlantis and Arabic world are still my favorite)

Post automatically merged: Today at 7:55 AM

Even though I like Dark Cloud 2 I prefer the story of Dark Cloud 1 the fallen Kingdom the dark genie and of course the Georama of towns I prefer that than 2.

 

[RuckusMcGuckus]

I definitely feel the same and both games would absolutely make it in my top 25 all time favs. Yea combat feels better in nearly every way, but I just adore KH1's atmosphere and level design sooooo damn much. When it comes to imbuing your adventure with a sense of whimsy and exploration, few games do it as good as KH1 and the fact that the gigantic levels full of endless secrets and little details got distilled into a handful of tiny, flat square rooms in KH2 always makes me sad even if the combat is much more polished.

I couldn't put it into words myself but that's probably why I like it more as well, but i don't think i noticed it in KH before. I think level design is a huge deal to me, even subconsciously. You even made me think of two more examples.

Dark Souls 1 is the best From Software game imo. Again because of the level design, and even though future titles really clean up the janky ass gameplay they lack in exploration. Well i guess not Elden ring

Paper Mario 64 I like more than TTYD, and yet again I think its due to level design. Paper Mario 64 you can walk to just about anywhere in the world from spawn and in TTYD all the levels/chapters are separated by warp pipes in the sewer making it not feel like one unified world but rather multiple different ones

Wish I had something to say about Halo but I haven't played much from what I hear though that also seems like a pretty hot take

 

[Rox00]

This is a trash take, but with the Kingdom Hearts games. I feel like it has to be out of pure nostalgia because 2 is obviously and objectively a better game, but given the option Id rather play 1 over 2.

Another series that I feel this way about would have to be Dead Space. I played both the originals for the first time about a year ago. Dead space 2 felt better, looked better, was way more fleshed out, and had more weapons and monsters. Don't remember all the differences and cant give a lot of examples why I like the first game more, but one would have to be certain boss fights from the game. It just felt very creative and fun even compared to the final boss of 2 which felt bland and unrewarding. I also think 1 just hit on the 'horror' aspect a bit better

Also I completely agree with what you said about Arkham Asylum the vibes are crazy.

Honestly as a fan of both KH 1 and KH 2 (KH 2 is like my favorite KH game ever), I do get why some would prefer KH 1 over KH 2. KH 1 is a charming game that still holds up well and it really lived up to the experimental title it was initially lol. The game has a ton of depth if you look into it from exploration to gameplay so I'll always give it that at least.

As well Dead Space 1 felt more survival horror than Dead Space 2 did to be frank. Having played the Remake a long while back as a revisit, a lot of the moments in the original all felt different from the different encounters like The Brute, The Hive Mind, and The Leviathan. Not to say Dead Space 2 is bad as it went a different direction but it never got the feel Dead Space 1 had.

 

[Frickinfrik]

M&L: Partners in Time may be great and all, but M&L: Superstar Saga is still better. Superstar Saga feels more open ended and complex. Partners in Time feels very linear. Partners in Time feels like a smaller game compared to SS and BIS.

 

[RuckusMcGuckus]

M&L: Partners in Time may be great and all, but M&L: Superstar Saga is still better. Superstar Saga feels more open ended and complex. Partners in Time feels very linear. Partners in Time feels like a smaller game compared to SS and BIS.

No arguments here at all but would you personally put Superstar Saga over BIS. I don't even know if I could answer that as they're both amazing

 

[Frickinfrik]

No arguments here at all but would you personally put Superstar Saga over BIS. I don't even know if I could answer that as they're both amazing

Nah, I don’t think I would put SS over BIS.

 

[ThunderBoy]

Age of Empires II
It's better than the first one in every way.

But I will always prefer the first one.
The civilizations, the music, the menu... I find the first Age of Empires much more nostalgic and satisfying.

 

[Leo-Dash]

This is a trash take, but with the Kingdom Hearts games. I feel like it has to be out of pure nostalgia because 2 is obviously and objectively a better game, but given the option Id rather play 1 over 2.

I absolutely get you, and Im a Huge KH2:FM fan, but KH1:FM did the whole things RIGHT with the atmosphere and the vibes that unfortunately got dropped as the series went on and I absolutely Miss!

KH1:FM has this fuzzy feeling and vibe with it's story telling! With it's Platforming, it's secrets across the maps, Treasure chest you could only access with platforming or future skills

Spoiler: DEEP FREEZE

(who knew you can FREEZE the water bubbles in Hallow Bastion to create platforms!?),

the Disney worlds being connected with the main story, Final Fantasy characters still being relevant!
And it has Traverse Town for extra comfy points!
You were going to an adventure with this game!

KH2:FM has 100% the best combat, but unfortunately they sacrificed the atmosphere, the platforming (hallways maps) and the secrets! I play KH2 like it's a Devil May Cry game!
The treasure chests are not even hidden or requiring platform to get, they are all placed across the hallways

The story is still good in my opinion, thanks to being carried to Good voice acting and voice direction
It's interesting to not that the Final Mix added more content compared to the vanilla KH2, and in an attempt to bring back KH1 parts (the platforming with skill growth in the Cave on Remembrances, Puzzles with the Mushroom Organizaion XIII, AND A SHIT TONS OF EXTRA POSTGAME BOSSES)

and then there is KH3... it belongs to the T R A S H 🗑 along with BBS and DDD

Hey remember on the over glorified Demo, Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-, they brought back platforming for hidden chests, along with character customization (by dressing up Aqua) only for them to completely drop it in KH3?

 

[qw90700]

Metal Gear Solid 1: 2nd game "technically" a better game but execution of the 2nd game drags down the game by making it boring + introduces something no one asked.

Red Dead Redemption 1: It's way way empty than 2nd game, but at least does what it does properly as a cowboy game while 2nd game is more like Korean drama I didn't like at all going beyond of what I would want from a cowboy game.

Persona 1: Persona 1 establishes its core "Persona" identity by being a serious game and all, however 2nd game downgrades this identity by making the game more like a game filled with generic anime elements of its time so it feels weird to play Persona 2 after the 1st game. In its own context Persona 2 is not worst game, it just I prefer Persona 1.

Witcher 1: 2nd game technically a better game but design choices of anything seem so weird to me when 1st game is "more properly developed game".

Dishonored 1: 2nd game feels just off and it's beyond the visual style of the game. 2nd game really a better game on paper but 1st game presses all the right buttons making me feel better playing the 1st game.

Bioshock 1: 2nd game is same as case of Dishonored's case minus visual style. I just didn't like the situations in the 2nd game, it feels more like a trivial DLC content.

StarCraft 1: I have no idea how they ruined what was good in 1st game so much in 2nd game.

Alan Wake 1: I think they forgot what Alan Wake was about. They couldn't improve the idea therefore 2nd game felt so flat.

Dues Ex 1: They never developed a Deus Ex game without being so lazy and stingy so rest of the games in the series are very empty compared to 1st game.

Portal 1: I didn't like the Korean drama aspect of 2nd game. Who cares about characters and dramatic situations? It was supposed to be a puzzle game. Not to mention, the 1st game was better at puzzles, and the 2nd game wasn't intentionally decent at puzzles just to make people enjoy a Netflix + Korean drama collaboration BS I guess lol.

Well that's all my disappointments from 2nd games as far as I remember.

 

[Bonkers225]

Bushido Blade 1 > 2

 

[Pearly]

I would think Metal gear solid is a prime example of this.

The second game is better, objectively so in most ways. The story, music and setting of the first was never topped, save by maybe phantom pain, phantom pain is just as good but modern and the exact opposite in every way.

There is no other game in existence that is this realistic. The most accurate usage of a stairs, ever!

 

[UnDubious]

I like Suikoden better than Suikoden 2. The pacing is just perfect for a turn-based RPG, the dungeons are short, the dialogues don't drag, battles are fast. Plus the whole "108 party members" thing is a lot more impressive the first time around.

Almost agree with Streets of Rage. It's grittier and harder than the 2nd. I still like 2 at least as much, though, for other reasons.