Ben-DutkaObviously, there's no such thing as the long-running flawless video game franchise (typically, there are one or two stinkers even in the most revered franchises), but for some, certain names have an immediate impact on a player. And the impact I'm talking about is the "yep, if that name is on the box, I'm buying it" impact.
Over time, the "must-buy" franchise tends to dissipate because something could happen: maybe the aforementioned stinker comes out, or maybe the series simply takes a turn for the worse. For example, despite the early days, Arnold sobbed uncontrollably for months when he learned that the great blue streak might never reclaim his former glory. No, seriously. Sobbing. He almost had to go to a mental ward for a while (;), Arnold). Anyway, this type of thing can happen. But are there still franchises out there that make you rush to the store whenever a new installment arrives, regardless of what any friend or critic has to say? Back when I was a lot less diverse and really only cared about RPGs, I would've said I'd always play anything with Final Fantasy , Suikoden , Wild ARMs , Lunar , and Star Ocean in the title. Then, we got stuff like Suikoden IV in the PS2 era, they didn't make any more Lunar s, and Wild ARMs just went downhill on the PS2. But FF…
Now, I'm not talking about spin-offs like Chocobo Dungeon or Crystal Chronicles ; I'm talking about the actual entries in the main franchise. This means I absolutely would get Final Fantasy XIII with no questions asked. Final Fantasy Versus XIII , on the other hand…I might have to do a little research first. So I'm going to count FF as one franchise that I will always reward with my hard-earned money. Another franchise that gets this kind of automatic attention from me is Gran Turismo . Actually, it's one of the very few franchises that have never suffered from a merely average installment; they all kicked ass and redefined the simulation driving genre as we know it. GT5 will do the same thing, I'm sure, so there's no question there, either. As for Grand Theft Auto , I'm going to count that one because I've adored every single one from GTAIII on, and I will buy GTA5. Again, no questions asked. But I have to point out I never played a GTA before GTAIII. Lastly, I'm going to include God of War . Any game with that name on the box, and I'm definitely buying it.
In the future, I'd like to say I'll buy anything with Metal Gear , Gears of War and Resistance in the title, although I can't say that with 100% accuracy right now. Thing is, I wasn't into MGS back in the PS1 days (never even played MGS2), and both Gears and Resistance are a little too new. I will say that MGS3 and MGS4 were so incredible that there's a 99.99% chance I will buy any new game with Metal Gear in the title. Besides this, there's not much else out there…I almost always have to see the reviews first. Devil May Cry is a fantastic franchise and I'm really looking forward to DMC5, but remember DMC2…? RE5 will rule just like RE4 did, but I wasn't so enamored with RE3… I've played every Onimusha , so I might be very willing to buy another entry if Capcom decided to do one, but it wouldn't be crazy high on my priority list. I'd like to put Uncharted on the "no questions asked" list at some point, but again, it's too early, and the last possibility is Prince of Persia . I've played them all from Sands of Time on, and I've really loved them all, buuut…you never know.
So that's mine. What about yours?
killzone hopefully will become a big franchise
I agree with God of War, wherever Kratos is i'm along for the ride. Final Fantasy will always be on my list because as long as it is an entry in the main series I know it will not dissapoint.
I will also always pic up any game with the Title Metal Gear, Rachet and Clank ,and Jack n Daxter. Those games are of the highest pedagree and NEVER FAIL TO EXITE AND BRING FUN.
Last and not least is Twitsed Metal,I dont care what yall say I WILL ALWAYS PIC THOSE UP!!
technically team ICO's games are a franchise(storys are connected), defenetly one that I would get, and final fantasy but lately have been doubting it(yes I know immature). Outside of ps3 I would say starcraft and warcraft rts, and the zelda franchise is also a must for me.
I back you up 100% on Team ICO, can't believe I forgot about them. Blizzard is also very wonderful with the quality of there games ,and tend to never rush there prodject. AS they say for there motto "When it's done it's done.It will be released, nothing more nothing less" lol
Blizzard is the best. I can't vouch for Warcraft's quality, but Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 will be the first in their respective series' for over 10 years. If it takes THAT long, it has to be good.
Final Fantasy, Tekken, Gran Turismo, Resident Evil, Grand Theft Auto, Street Fighter, and any thing related to Star Wars.
wait…wait…wait….
you NEVER played mgs or mgs2?
WOAH!
man MGS1 is in my top5 alltime favourite game list.
*edit* MGS1 and MGS4 are tied equally on that list.
mgs2 was an awesome game aswell.
my must have list:
Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, Killzone, Dragon Ball Z, Ace Combat, Call of Duty(but only ones that arent WW2), Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Half Life, Warcraft (rts), Starcraft, Warhammer40k DOW, Command & Conquer, Quake, Doom, Kingdom Hearts.
Last edited by Akuma_ on 1/30/2009 11:12:19 PM
No, I played MGS, just not until recently.
I played 1 and 2 in the last week of the year, then played the 4th. I have yet to play the 3rd, and was wondering if it is worthwhile, considering that I've been spoiled by the 4th. I still got a nostalgic effect, especially during the return to Shadow-Moses part, and it was pretty cool to see how far the tech came along over the years.
To be fair, I never talked about MGS as if I "grew up on it." In fact, I've really only talked about MGS4 from a personal standpoint.
"Call of Duty(but only ones that arent WW2"
So that leaves one game.
Jak & Dax, Ratchet and Clank, Team ICO games, Battlefield, Burnout, Soul Calibur, and top-down Zelda games.
and @ akuma, there's only one COD out so far that isn't WWII =D
Mine is just Final Fantasy and MGS games 🙂
I'd have to say certain sports ones of course – MLB: The Show and Madden.
Elsewhere, I'd go with Resident Evil first. I agree with you Ben that RE3 could cause one to question the franchise, but RE4 was so great, that it sucked me in to anything Resident Evil again. RE has me for good now.
Grand Theft Auto is pretty much a gimme after GTA4.
I'm also going to include Uncharted. I know it is awfully young in it's "franchise" lifespan, but Uncharted was good enough to me, that anything Uncharted has me for life….until we see something subpar from them, and I doubt we will.
You mean you buy EVERY Madden game?!
*somethingrandom, No I guess I haven't buy every Madden game so that might not count. I have 07 on the PSP and 09 on the PS3.
After 09 though I might. 08 was a letdown on the PS3, but 09 brought it back.
MLB: The Show is the main sports franchise that I'll always buy into. It's the best baseball game I've ever played.
That probably doesn't matter to too many people on this site as most people on here don't seem to be into sports games as much as I am, but that's ok…
Absolute must have would be THE KING OF FIGHTERS series it a 2d fighting game that boast a total of about 20 releases accross different platform and its the only fighting game with a coherent and has a excellent story. I cant wait to get the knew one (KOFXII) which is the rebirth of the series & sporting new hi-def graphics. fighting games are my bread & buttre. Second will be the amazing Virtua Fighter ever since vf4 this game is at the top of 3d fighters list. Other games will be Uncharted,KILLZONE,RESISTANCE,GOW,FF SEREIS,JAK & DAXTER, R&C. Hope they make another Kane&lynch i love't.
Just one: MGS.
twisted metal almost makes the cut, and i'm still a fan of syphon filter.
and not too long ago i would have said the guitar hero franchise… but i'm burned out on that one now.
Good one Ben! For me Final Fantasy,GTA,Star Ocean,Hitman & The Sims!
I don't understand how someone can be a fan of GTA AND The Sims.
What's wrong with liking both??
I'll keep buying/enjoying/borrowing/playing:
Jak & Daxter
Ratchet & Clank
Dragon Ball Z (well, only if it's mad fun)
Star Ocean
Gran Turismo
(Now) Resistance
(Hopefully) Killzone
Final Fantasy
(Hopefully) Kingdom Hearts
Halo (Bungie FTW lol)
God of War
Grand Theft Auto
Zone of The Enders!
(Though not a series) Legend of The Dragoon!!!
🙂
Last edited by Banky A on 1/31/2009 12:15:07 AM
LEGENDS OF DRAGOON ROCKED HARD CORE lol, its was the first PS1 RPG i played next to Final Fantasy 7 and the combo system made you forget all about it being turn based. The only reason I think it got low review scores was that everyone back then was in a Big FF7 craze and any other RPG couldn't hold a candle to it.
I'd get a Legend of Dragoon 2 if they'd just make the damn thing.
•Ratchet and Clank. Thats the reason i even own a ps3.
•GTA as well for me, though i did find 4 to be a bit annoying (i later figured out i could turn off my phone, lol), it was much better than SA, so they are moving back to the right direction.
•Final Fantasy. Nothing to explain here 😀
I used to buy every Tony Hawk game, but after 4 it went downhill fast. I bought Underground, but not Underground 2. Neversoft let me down.
Last edited by NoSmokingBandit on 1/31/2009 12:23:35 AM
Yeyahahah.
Ratchet AND Clank = win.
I can't even imagine how cool the multiplayer 'could' be with PSN and PS3 o_O
😉
Metal Gear, Street Fighter, TEKKEN, King of Fighters, Grand Theft Auto, Resident Evil, Soul Calibur, Samurai Shodown, God of War. I'd also easily pick up sequels to Dead Space, Uncharted, and Bioshock.
Oh, and Afro Samurai. Just because it's Afro Samurai.
For me, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, Resident Evil, Star Ocean, Suikoden and God of War are the game franchises that i'll always buy. no questions asked. I just hope that there will be a suikoden VI and star ocean 4 will be ported to ps3. As for the Gran turismo series, i never played any of those games but i think i'll buy GT5 once it been released.
Final Fantasy hands down. Star Ocean was amazing on the ps2. how many were there on the ps2? just one? cuz i remember i couldnt keep all characters :S. anyways final fantasy is always a must from how they have new characters,storylines,animations,weapons,etc,etc. lol.
Just SO: Till The End of Time, and that game was truly epic, loved the matrix-yness aspect.
No Street Fighter? :O
Call of Duty (only modern warfare variety), Resistance, Unreal Tournament, Diablo, Starcraft, The Elder Scrolls, Killzone, probably Neef for Speed, and even a couple of series's that I've never played. Is it that hard to believe that I've never played a Final Fantasy? The reason I said some that I've never played is cuz when the first ones came out, I was too young to have enough money to buy them.
Silent Hill, Splinter Cell, FFTactics, and Team ICO games are must-buys, though I have (nearly) all the MGS, SOCOM, GTA, Ace Combat, POP, and FF games (PS/PS2 era only).
Last edited by Fane1024 on 1/31/2009 2:10:46 AM
Final Fantasy but 11 didn't count because I don't play mmorpgs.
Metal Gear.
that's it right now
ben, does the franchise have to be of a video game origin, cause any game with the title evangelion is a must for me. heck if they made an rpg based on the show exclusively for 360 I would denounce the title of ps3 fanboy and go 360 worshipper.
Final Fantasy, Tekken, Street Fighter, Gran Turismo, Silent Hill, Unreal, Quake, Half Life, Diablo, Metal Gear, Resident Evil, and WipEout. All games I grew up on and have evolved but sometimes not in great ways. It would be nice for Wild Arms to come back on the ps3, the first one was awesome. Oh yes and Xenogears.
Spyro! I was between games, and I couldn't help myself. I was just nostalgic. I tried to pass it off as a gift for my wife, but that was wrong. Sonic, Spyro…I think I learned my lesson.
Silent Hill; Fatal Frame; Resident Evil; Metal Gear; Twisted Metal; any NHL series; Metal Slug; Diablo; Samurai Shodown; DOOM; Dawn of War; Final Fantasy; Zelda; Fallout; Hitman; Hot Shots Golf; Xenosaga; Warcraft (RTS); Tomb Raider; GTA; Heroes of Might and Magic; Champions of Norrath; Dragon Quest; Castlevania; Sims; Rollercoaster Tycoon.
Among others lol
Castlevania FTW
games i will always play are
mgs
jak and daxter
uncharted
timesplitters (if it ever does see the light of day)
god of war
call of duty
gta (as over rated as it is….i'll buy it everyone else does lol)
resident evil ( didnt like the old ones at all but resi 4 was epic)
and now final fantasy( was never really into rpgs i h8 the anime stuff but then my mate finally got my to play final fantasy X about 2 years ago and i luved it! also liked 12)
Last edited by Godslim on 1/31/2009 5:06:38 AM
Aye but there is an long-running flawless franchise » Gran Turismo 😀
I be playing DMC heck every game that I had in the past I still be getting the sequels
Wipeout, Gran Turismo, GOW (and possibly Gears), Uncharted, possibly DMC (though I liked the 3rd a lot more than the 4th), anything Insomniac (especially Ratchet), Ninja Gaiden (although I don't think we'll be seeing anymore of those anytime soon). Basically, I get every game in a favorite genre that rates at 9, and any game in other genres that rates 9.4 and above. So reviews are important to me, though, with some games you are sure about the score, even before review (Killzone 2, GOW).
I agree with the Onimusha series, I never rushed out to buy them on release day, but my hand always gravitated towards the case if I saw it on the shelf. Another one I loved was the Tenchu series, If they ever come out with a good one on the PS3 I'll probably buy it, although I hear they did a crappy job on the one they put on the 360 so maybe that series has dried up already.
I would love a good Tenchu game (or any game that treats ninja like, you know, ninja).
Right now I'd have to say FF. But I will be buying resident evil5 , just not right off the bat… Oh and Guitar Hero as well! If Guitar Hero is in the title, Im there. Except for Guiter Herosmith (thats right that just happened) that one didn't appeal to me, because it's aerosmith and it wasn't hard enough… Guitar Hero Metallica though, I'm getting that release day. And about your RE splurge Ben, RE3 happens to be my favorite out of the main series lol.
I also agree with your Onimusha comments. My favorite was definately dawn of dreams, the co-op was amazing I clocked in many hours of that playing with my dad, and that cut scene at the end where you go super onimusha is without a doubt the best graphics I've seen on a PS2 game, and that DOES include FF12.
Last edited by Riku994 on 1/31/2009 8:46:53 AM
Fifa, every single year I wait anxiously for the new entry.
Socom, no matter what I'll be getting this game.
Nowadays, Resistance and Gears of War… they're new franchises, but I'll be getting any new entry.
Heres are the TITLES that no gamer should be without.
Gran Turismo: I dont even say why. If you love cars you love this game.
GTA: It takes you in its own world. The music, people, and things to do make it a must have for anyone.
Halo: A epic FPS. It will forever be a legend.
Call of Duty: If you love realistic Warfare where you fight IN the battles. This is the benchmark for greatness.
Forza/PGR: These titles just keep getting better and better. A must play for any car nut.
Gears: A badass storyline and great gameplay make this title a must play.
lol you don't give up man.
I keep bringen the HEAT. For those who cant handle it it stay out of the oven.;)