Summary
- Video game series often tell unique stories, resetting the status quo without stretching out a narrative.
- Many franchises create different experiences, letting players dive into fresh concepts with each entry.
- Games like Final Fantasy, GTA, and Legend of Zelda offer standalone adventures within the same universe.
Video game series are a great way to expand a world with one story after another. While they usually follow the narrative of one character, they can also disconnect themselves from one another to create unique experiences each time.
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This can mean resetting the status quo with only a few lingering similarities to remind players that the games are in the same franchise, or expanding the world but telling different stories. This gives some franchises more freedom to double down on a fresh concept without having to take into account character arcs that have come to a close or stretching out a story till it overstays its welcome.
10
Final Fantasy
Save The Planet Or Go On A Road Trip?
Final Fantasy is a franchise with multiple different main characters, worlds, and plotlines to follow. While there are a few similarities every now and then, such as the creatures found in these worlds, every title is pretty much its own separate thing.
Of course, if one world is interesting enough, there is a merit for returning back to it in side games and remakes. For the most part, every new entry resets the stage for its own cast of characters, whether it means going on road trip with the boys or trying to stop the planet from collapsing.
9
Grand Theft Auto
From Vice City To Los Santos
Grand Theft Auto shares some locations throughout the series, but for the most part, the stories remain unconnected. Each entry is a standalone game that can be enjoyed for what it brings to the table.
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Of course, some things are always going to be the same, such as your ability to wreak havoc around town, steal cars, and maxing out your wanted level. The Grand Theft Auto series has many unique stories to tell, whether you want to chase the American dream or take control of the black market through conquest.
8
The Legend Of Zelda
New Link, New Zelda, More Or Less The Same Hyrule
All Legend of Zelda Games fall somewhere in the expanded timeline. Some events happen in the distant past while others are shaped by the outcome of a specific event. Most games don’t even need you to have played any of the previous titles to know what’s going on.
The gameplay of every entry in the series also varies from 2D dungeon Crawlers to 3D action adventure games. Very rarely will a title take place featuring the same Link as a game prior to it, even then, the stories could be taken as unconnected by anyone new to the franchise.
Where Will You Wake Up This Time?
If there is one connecting thread between all the Elder Scrolls games, it’s the existence of powerful Scrolls that give you insight into the world. This insight often comes at the price of your very own eyesight.
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However, there are hundreds of years between each Elder Scrolls title, whether it takes place during the Oblivion Crisis or the return of the dragons. Any references to other games are far and few between allowing players to jump into Tamriel at any point without needing to catch up with prior titles.
6
Fallout
Always On The Search For Someone
After the nukes fall in the world of Fallout, it leaves the entirety of the world in shambles. Of course, this does not mean that humanity is down for the count, as they find numerous ways to keep going.
Each Fallout game takes place in the same dystopian America but lets you explore a completely different part of it. This can mean exploring the capital wasteland or the city or the bustling city of New Vegas. Some things never change and humanity is as hungry as always.
5
Dark Pictures Anthology
Your Choice Of Horror Story
The Dark Pictures Anthology has a very loose thread connecting each new entry. However, they are all strange tales of horror that can be experienced on their own whenever the mood comes up.
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What happens when sea-faring college students board a haunted ship? How about an expedition that uncovers an ancient evil from its slumber? Every tale is a unique spin on common horror tropes, almost like campfire stories to tell in the dark. You also get to choose your own paths each time, allowing for many unique interactions you didn’t see the last time you played.
4
Far Cry
Hostile Locations On Earth
The Far Cry series takes players to the most remote places across the world. However, they aren’t always alone. There are tyrants who have assumed power, cults that believe in the end times, and leaders who are on the brink of war with their people.
Far Cry’s story contains a few recurring characters and miniscule references to events in the past, however they rarely delve into the territory of sequels. However, the franchise has asked the question “what if?” With Far Cry 5: New Dawn, which does follow up on the ending of Far Cry 5.
3
Nier
Spinoffs And Vaguely Connected Sequels
The Nier games are best known for the hit title Nier Automata. However, there have been other Nier games. In fact, Nier Automata is based off of one of the endings to the original Nier, which in turn is loosely based on Drakenguard.
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Despite being part of the same franchise, every Nier game does its own thing. The original Nier follows the search for a cure to a deadly disease, while Nier Automata shows the aftermath of androids attempting to adopt human customs.
2
Persona
School Simulator
Persona is a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series that sticks to the high school setting. Each game takes you on a wild JRPG ride which blends slice of life events with turn-based combat in different dimensions.
The games primarily focus on building character relations and exploring the cast’s inner turmoil. However, you are not required to follow the games in any particular order unless you find one particular cast of characters that you love and want to see where their side games go.
1
Monster Hunter
Hunting Monsters Across The World
Every Monster Hunter title has you tracking down vicious creatures to collect their resources. Some spin-off games even have you taming them like Pokemon. Monster Hunter games take place in regions far away from one another, leaving very little space for them to cross over with each other.
Every now and then, characters will make a reappearance. They will make vague references to their prior travels or have handy relatives that happen to be in the latest region. You’ll also find similar species of monsters that exist across every game.
