The Xbox has been a part of gaming history ever since Microsoft launched it back in 2001. With four more additions to its line-up over the years, alongside other services under its umbrella, the console has long been a thorn in Sony’s side, with the best Xbox games matching Sony’s own exclusive titles on many occasions.
While the latest generation of Xbox consoles may be struggling to hold their own against Sony’s behemoth PlayStation 5, the Xbox has nonetheless received several exclusive titles over the years.
While some were more successful than others, there are a few Xbox titles that deserved a sequel but were somehow sidelined for varying reasons. Here are 9 of the best Xbox games that deserved a sequel but didn’t get one.
9. Jade Empire
While Jade Empire marked a rare solo attempt at creating an IP back in 2005 for Bioware, the action RPG could not manage to gain enough traction to justify a sequel despite its excellent hack n’ slash mechanics and well-implemented dialogue trees.
Considering how Chinese mythology has begun to influence modern games today, it’s surprising that Jade Empire never managed to catch on back in the day.
8. Phantom Dust
Developed by Code Mystics and published by Xbox Game Studios, Phantom Dust combined an arena shooter with a collectible card game that looked and felt truly unique. Players could use a multitude of different skills against their opponents in a very engaging single-player narrative or in exciting multiplayer matches.
Despite its sequel’s announcement, it remains a standalone title to this day, but there could still be hope for a sequel or remake in the future.
7. Lost Odyssey
Following the adventures of a man who lives for a thousand years, finding joy, sorrow, and a multitude of experiences along the way, Lost Odyssey was a truly engaging RPG that sadly never got a sequel after its 2008 launch on the Xbox 360.
It is a shame, considering its immense potential and brilliant narrative, it would have been a unique franchise that could have easily spanned numerous titles.
6. Too Human
A game in which Norse Gods were cybernetically enhanced beings taking on Loki’s forces should have been given a sequel, considering it was intended to be the start of a trilogy.
However, Silicon Knights’ legal troubles meant that Baldur’s adventures could not continue as planned, making Too Human an excellent beginning to an unfinished story.
5. Dark Dreams Don’t Die
An exclusive for the Xbox One, this title remained incomplete despite a gripping tale following David Young, whose memory loss impeded his mission to solve his wife’s murder.
It was unfortunate that Access Games did not get to finish their story considering how quickly the first few episodes of the game managed to get its players hooked!
4. Ryse, Son of Rome
A story of revenge that followed a Roman soldier’s search for his family’s killers, Ryse, Son of Rome, was an Xbox One launch that sadly did not get a sequel despite its compelling main story and exploration of the ancient Roman Empire.
Disputes over ownership rights to the original title stopped developer Crytek from going forward with another installment, limiting Marius Titus to a standalone adventure that was captivating nonetheless.
3. Operation Darkness
Operation Darkness, a fantasy tactical RPG that pits werewolf Allied forces against vampiric Nazis, was a highly enjoyable title that was marred by technical issues that prevented the game from gaining the popularity it deserved from players and critics alike.
However, its difficulty and challenging missions set it apart from other titles and made it a game that deserves a place among the finest tactical RPGs in history.
2. Jet Set Radio Future
A unique premise that allowed players to engage in a different kind of gang war, Jet Set Future from Blit Software and SEGA combined unique rollerblading mechanics with the ability to paint graffiti in a cel-shaded package that had many players hooked on its addictive gameplay loop.
Its premise held a lot of promise at the time of its release, making it all the more baffling that this excellent title did not receive a sequel.
1. BLiNX: The Time Sweeper
With gorgeous visuals and an engaging gameplay loop that was challenging enough to make it stand out, BLiNX: The Time Sweeper was a sublime blend of platforming missions in which players needed to be clever about their use of time manipulation in order to beat its many levels.
It was a great addition to the Xbox library and a title that deserved a sequel many times over.
Were there any Xbox titles that you believed deserved a sequel? Let us know in the comments below!
