Spiritual successors often face criticism for being seen as mere imitations of their predecessors, lacking originality. While some of these games have achieved considerable success, many have faded into obscurity, often overlooked due to their perceived similarities or simply because they did not meet players’ expectations of the original titles they followed.
Yet, among these spiritual successors are hidden gems that truly deserve more recognition. Factors like poor marketing timing or choosing too close a reference point can hinder their success, but hindsight allows us to appreciate titles that were previously underestimated.
Here, we highlight several underrated spiritual successors that failed to capture the attention they warranted during their launch, showcasing their unique qualities and contributions to gaming.
The term “spiritual successor”can be somewhat ambiguous. For our purposes, we define it as titles that are not direct sequels but feature similar developers and represent a clear evolution of earlier games. These games can also pay homage to their predecessors through aspects such as gameplay and artistic style.
10 The Technomancer
A Unique Journey Inspired by Witcher 3
As a spiritual successor to Mars: War Logs, The Technomancer entered the gaming scene with minimal anticipation due to its predecessor’s lackluster performance. However, this title offers a wealth of engaging content within its unique sci-fi universe. The narrative is rich, exploring themes of betrayal, purpose, and enslavement, prompting players to reflect critically on their journey.
The game’s diverse gameplay mechanics stand out, presenting players with three distinct styles of play, each featuring unique skill trees and unlockable attacks. While the combat may not rival AAA titles, it remains engaging and well-integrated with the captivating storyline and lore delivered by various characters.
Despite its lack of recognition, The Technomancer creates a compelling world that truly warrants a more substantial sequel, even if its chances of receiving one seem slim.
9 Dante’s Inferno
Dante’s Additional Descent into Hell
A notable spiritual successor to the Devil May Cry series, Dante’s Inferno incorporates similar gameplay mechanics and an evocative tone. Unfortunately, it was often dismissed due to its parallels to established franchises, which is unfortunate as it presents fantastic action-packed experiences.
The fast-paced and brutal combat draws inspiration from titles like God of War, especially during intense boss battles that showcase inventive and grotesque designs. The story adapts Dante’s Inferno in a refreshing manner, offering unexpected narrative twists.
Released during a time saturated with action-adventure titles similar to God of War and Devil May Cry, Dante’s Inferno struggled to make its mark, ultimately becoming an overlooked gem.
8 Prey
A Space Horror Experience
Released in the 2010s, Prey is often regarded as an underappreciated masterpiece that would have gained greater traction if its launch aligned with the conclusion of the BioShock trilogy. Strongly influenced by both the BioShock and System Shock franchises, players navigate a desolate space station, piecing together the mystery of a catastrophic event.
With immersive world-building reminiscent of the Shock series, the game engages players through carefully crafted lore and a significant plot twist that reshapes their understanding of the narrative. Iconic powers and gameplay mechanics evoke a familiar experience for fans of the BioShock series, enhancing the game’s appeal.
Prey stands as an exemplary immersive sim that deserves to be played by a wider audience and represents a natural evolution of its enigmatic predecessors.
7 The Callisto Protocol
A New Dimension of Space Horror
Although The Callisto Protocol faced a lukewarm reception upon its release, it succeeded in delivering a profoundly immersive space horror experience. Drawing clear inspiration from Dead Space, the game captivates players with its atmosphere, clothing design, and supernatural abilities encountered throughout the journey.
The cinematic quality of the game mirrors the intensity typically found in horror titles like Hellblade, characterized by stunning visuals and thrilling body horror elements. Players feel a tangible sense of dread as they explore the haunting game world.
Featuring commendable performances, including that of Jacob, portrayed by Josh Duhamel, the narrative unfolds with mounting tension, akin to Dead Space. In a market lacking similar titles aside from a recent remake, The Callisto Protocol deserves a chance to shine.
6 Perfect Dark
A Spy Thriller for the Ages
Perfect Dark stands as a tenacious successor to GoldenEye, embodying the essence of a sequel without officially claiming the title. Rare’s conceptualization of Joanna Dark reflects a strong desire to revolutionize the shooter genre, resulting in a game that, though overshadowed, is remarkably impactful.
Sharper mechanics and more creative mission objectives set it apart from its predecessor. However, the time of its release posed challenges for female-led games, and lingering memories of GoldenEye affected Perfect Dark‘s reception.
For those seeking nostalgia blended with solid gameplay, Perfect Dark is undoubtedly a delightful option.
5 Dark Cloud
An Innovator in Action RPGs
Billed as a potential rival to Zelda, Dark Cloud ultimately found its own footing on the PlayStation 2. With a protagonist sporting a sword and a green cap, the similarities to Zelda in design were glaring. However, it transcended those comparisons by integrating settlement building and survival elements, distinguishing itself from traditional dungeon-crawling experiences.
Features like unique duel mechanics and quick-time events further enriched the gameplay. While it struggled to firmly establish its identity as an independent franchise, it remains a fun and unique experience worthy of revisiting.
4 Trepang2
Reimagining Fear
F. E.A. R.franchise, convincingly blending military shooter dynamics with supernatural elements. Delivering an experience aligned with its predecessor, this title excels in high-quality graphics and immersive gameplay mechanics, distinguishing itself as one of the premier first-person shooters available.
The incorporation of a slow-motion mechanic reminiscent of Max Payne amplifies the thrill during gunfights. However, its unusual title may have hindered its visibility, showcasing the importance of effective branding in the gaming industry.
3 The Getaway
A Realistic Crime Narrative
The Getaway embodies several qualities of the Grand Theft Auto series while maintaining its unique identity. Set against the gritty backdrop of London, it offers a thoughtfully crafted crime narrative deserving of greater recognition.
Released in 2003, during the height of the GTA phenomenon, it struggled to carve out its niche. Despite its mature narrative that emphasized realism over chaos, it provided riveting car chases and warehouse shootouts that felt captivating and grounded.
With outstanding voice acting that evokes comparisons to a Guy Ritchie film, The Getaway offers an alternative to the grandeur of its counterparts, presenting a more nuanced perspective on crime storytelling.
2 The Evil Within
A Haunting Experience
Created by the visionary behind Resident Evil, The Evil Within arrived with unparalleled expectations. While it may not have fully met them, it incorporates fresh ideas to deliver a genuinely impressive horror experience.
The game’s boss encounters are particularly striking, with enemies showcasing creative designs, such as a monstrous foe featuring a detachable safe as a head that waits behind other safes throughout the level.
Drawing upon elements similar to Resident Evil 4, the gameplay presents a modern twist with limited ammunition, strategic third-person shooting, and an increasingly tense atmosphere. Sebastian’s harrowing journey includes truly unique scares that deserve to be experienced firsthand, even if they may not rank entirely alongside the title that inspired them.
1 Xenosaga
On the Path to Rethink Sci-Fi RPGs
Beloved among fans, Xenogears left an indelible mark on the world of JRPGs despite its abrupt termination by Square Enix. Formed by the original creators, Monolith Soft endeavored to continue this legacy through Xenosaga, aiming to redefine and expand upon the foundations set by its predecessor.
Xenosaga ventures into similar thematic territory while utilizing a comparable combat system. With an eclectic blend of 3D graphics and anime aesthetics, the title sets itself apart through its ambitious storytelling, memorable characters, and a rich atmosphere that remains underserved by mainstream recognition.
Although Xenosaga blossomed into a trilogy, none of its installments achieved the same acclaim as the cherished Xenogears. For avid RPG fans, this series offers a captivating, deeper sci-fi experience that feels distinct from any gaming title available today.
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