Video games underwent a revolution during the 2010s, where photorealism in big-budget games reached new heights and the first virtual-reality consoles were introduced to gamers. At the same time, despite mobile gaming becoming prominent, consoles still sold extremely well.
While there were many massive critical and financial successes in the video game space during the decade, there are other works that have been forgotten, for one reason or another. Some rightfully left little trace in the minds of gamers, but other older games merit a sequel.
L.A. Noire (2011)
Inspired by some of the best film noir movies ever made, L.A. Noire takes players into the underbelly of the glitz and glamor of classic Hollywood, seen through the eyes of World War II veteran Cole Phelps. Even though Phelps meets a tragic end in the game, it doesn’t rule out a future for the franchise as a whole.
Although developed by the now-defunct Australian studio Team Bondi, L.A. Noire was published by Rockstar Games and definitely carries some hallmarks from its publisher. Rockstar’s involvement also means that the game belongs to the studio, making a sequel possible, although with Grand Theft Auto VI in the works it’s unlikely to come anytime soon.
Starhawk (2012)
Set in the far future in a distant solar system, the 2012 game Starhawk follows Emmett as he acts as a futuristic gunslinger protecting miners from humans mutated through direct exposure to “Rift Energy,” the very thing being mined. It’s an old-west meets outer space vibe, and stars Khary Payton, best known from The Walking Dead, as Emmett.
Although definitely obscure, the game has intriguing worldbuilding that pulled players in, offering a completely new sci-fi franchise for gaming. However, no plans for a sequel have ever been announced, even though the game is terrific and definitely lends itself to a series.
Spec Ops: The Line (2012)
Video games have proven over and over again that they are capable of delving into sophisticated subject matter, but for many gamers, Spec Ops: The Line was the first time that this became crystal clear, and a follow-up of some sort is long overdue.
Inspired by Heart of Darkness, the novel that provided the basis for Apocalypse Now, Spec Ops: The Line sees soldiers led by Martin Walker sent into a sandstorm-swept Dubai to retrieve rogue soldiers led by a man named John Konrad. It provided a serious meditation on war, especially as it’s traditionally depicted in games, and the psychological toll it puts on individuals. No medium could do it better than video games.
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist (2013)
The Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell series began all the way back in 2002, and was clearly inspired by the Metal Gear Solid games, although the Splinter Cell franchise managed to stand out as a stealth-action series on its own.
However, 2013’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist is still the most recent game in the series, making it by far the biggest gap between releases of a game in the franchise ever since its beginnings. The writer of the game has even expressed interest in a sequel, although a single-player-focused game doesn’t fit with Ubisoft’s strategy for this console generation. Still, fans definitely want one, and it’s more than warranted.
Call Of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
Even though it’s considered one of the worst Call of Duty games, Call of Duty: Ghosts is also one of the most underrated. The first COD game from Infinity Ward after Modern Warfare 3, Ghosts introduced a new storyline as well as its own version of Zombies, called “Extinction,” where the main threat is aliens.
What’s most underrated about the game, however, is its storyline. Sure, there are some weak points about it, and it does feel like another alternate-history just like the Modern Warfare series, but like Starhawk, it’s the worldbuilding that intrigues. A sequel that resolves the cliffhanger ending may understandably never come, but it’s certainly worth a try.
Sunset Overdrive (2014)
Developed by Insomniac Games at a time before they had been purchased by Sony, and released shortly before they began development on the 2018 Spider-Man game, Sunset Overdrive is nothing short of bizarre, but in the best way possible.
Humans have turned into zombies thanks to an energy drink, and the players are tasked with fighting them. It’s a weird but charming take on the zombie trope, with a bit of skater-game energy thrown into the mix. With Insomniac now a Sony-exclusive developer with Spider-Man and Wolverine properties at the front of the line, a sequel may be a pipe dream, but it’s a dream worth having.
The Order: 1886 (2015)
There are two ways to take a complaint about a game being too short: it thrilled all the way through, or it had potential but flopped. For the steampunk-inspired 2015 release The Order: 1886, it was definitely the second case.
There was so much excitement surrounding this game before it released; it seemed like a mix of BioShock Infinite, Sherlock Holmes, and vampire hunting. While it somewhat delivered on its premise, it fell far short of comparable games when it came to content, although it had some other minor issues. A sequel could resolve all of that.
République (2016)
In an age where data and surveillance are part of everyday conversation and concern, République is a unique game that specifically deals with those fears. The game has players guide the main character around a mysterious facility, with the view provided through tons of surveillance cameras.
Initially released on mobile devices starting in December 2013, it came to players in 5 episodes, although it took 2.5 years until the final installment was released in March 2016 along with a complete console version. Although the original clearly isn’t optimized for consoles, a sequel designed specifically for that market could pick up on its story and make an even bigger splash. Regardless, it’s worth a playthrough.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (2017)
Not only is Nathan Drake the best video game role of Nolan North, but he’s also the flagship character of the Uncharted franchise. That’s what made 2017’s standalone expansion to Uncharted 4, The Lost Legacy, a risk. Sure, Chloe Frazer was a popular character, but she had never headlined a game before.
While not as great as some of the Uncharted games, when judged on its own, it’s a fun adventure with several characters from across the franchise. Nathan Drake’s story may be done, but a sequel to Lost Legacy could explore so much more. Or, perhaps, it could even bring in other fan favorites, such as Uncharted 3‘s Charlie Cutter.
