The world of video games is full of successes and failures, with some titles living up to their hype and others falling short of expectations. Backgammon-online.net compiled a list of the most disappointing video game sequels of all time according to Metacritic ratings.
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 stands out as the most disappointing according to its significantly lower rating compared to its highly acclaimed predecessor.
- Dino Crisis 3, Super Monkey Ball 3D, Syberia 3, and Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade rounded out the top five most disappointing video game sequels.
- These games fell short due to a range of factors such as technical issues, diminished gameplay experiences, and a failure to capture the essence and appeal of their original counterparts, resulting in disappointment among players and critics.
Metacritic is a widely recognized platform that aggregates reviews and assigns scores to video games based on the opinions of various critics.
Backgammon-online.net followed a methodology to determine the most disappointing sequels by retrieving the Metacritic ratings of the original games and their sequels for each selected title. By calculating the difference between these ratings, the website identified which franchises experienced the most significant fall from grace.
Top 10 most disappointing video game sequels
| Original game | Sequel | Original game Metacritic rating | Sequel Metacritic rating | Difference |
| Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 | Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 | 94 | 39 | 55 |
| Dino Crisis 2 | Dino Crisis 3 | 86 | 51 | 35 |
| Super Monkey Ball 2 | Super Monkey Ball 3D | 87 | 55 | 32 |
| Family Party: 30 Great Games | Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade | 42 | 11 | 31 |
| Syberia II | Syberia 3 | 80 | 51 | 29 |
| Empire Earth II | Empire Earth III | 79 | 50 | 29 |
| Spy Hunter | Spy Hunter 2 | 84 | 57 | 27 |
| Earthworm Jim | Earthworm Jim 2 | 72 | 45 | 27 |
| State of Emergency | State of Emergency 2 | 71 | 44 | 27 |
| America’s Army: Rise of a Soldier | America’s Army: True Soldiers | 70 | 43 | 27 |
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 vs. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5:
Original game Metacritic rating: 94 | Sequel Metacritic rating: 39 | Difference: 55
The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series was once a benchmark for skateboarding games, but Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 failed to recapture the magic. Numerous technical issues, lackluster level design, and unresponsive controls plagued the game, leading to a disappointing experience for fans.
Dino Crisis 2 vs. Dino Crisis 3:
Original game Metacritic rating: 86 | Sequel Metacritic rating: 51 | Difference: 35
Dino Crisis 2 was a beloved survival horror game that provided an intense and engaging experience. Unfortunately, Dino Crisis 3 veered away from its roots, abandoning the horror elements in favor of a more action-oriented approach. This departure left fans disheartened, leading to a notable drop in the sequel’s Metacritic score.
Super Monkey Ball 2 vs. Super Monkey Ball 3D:
Original game Metacritic rating: 87 | Sequel Metacritic rating: 55 | Difference: 32
Super Monkey Ball 2 was a delightful and challenging puzzle platformer, but Super Monkey Ball 3D failed to replicate its success. The transition to 3D gameplay proved to be a stumbling block, resulting in imprecise controls and a lack of the series’ trademark charm.
Family Party: 30 Great Games vs. Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade:
Original game Metacritic rating: 42 | Sequel Metacritic rating: 11 | Difference: 31
Family Party: 30 Great Games promised a collection of entertaining mini-games, however its sequel, Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade, fell far short of expectations. The lack of variety, poor controls, and overall mediocrity made it a disappointing follow-up.
Syberia II vs. Syberia 3:
Original game Metacritic rating: 80 | Sequel Metacritic rating: 51 | Difference: 29
Syberia II was renowned for its captivating story and immersive world, unfortunately Syberia 3 failed to maintain the same level of quality. Technical issues, clunky controls, and an unsatisfying narrative progression left fans feeling let down by this long-awaited sequel.
Empire Earth II vs. Empire Earth III:
Original game Metacritic rating: 79 | Sequel Metacritic rating: 50 | Difference: 29
Empire Earth II offered a robust real-time strategy experience, yet Empire Earth III did not live up to its predecessor’s standards. Simplified gameplay mechanics, uninspired graphics, and a lack of innovation left fans disappointed with this installment.
Spy Hunter vs. Spy Hunter 2:
Original game Metacritic rating: 84 | Sequel Metacritic rating: 57 | Difference: 27
The original Spy Hunter captured the excitement of high-speed chases and espionage, Spy Hunter 2 failed to replicate that thrill. The sequel suffered from repetitive gameplay, a lack of innovation, and a general sense of stagnation, leading to its underwhelming reception.
Earthworm Jim vs. Earthworm Jim 2:
Original game Metacritic rating: 72 | Sequel Metacritic rating: 45 | Difference: 27
Earthworm Jim was a quirky and humorous platformer that became a cult classic. However, Earthworm Jim 2 struggled to recapture the same level of charm and creativity, leading to its diminished critical acclaim.
State of Emergency vs. State of Emergency 2:
Original game Metacritic rating: 71 | Sequel Metacritic rating: 44 | Difference: 27
State of Emergency provided players with chaotic open-world mayhem, regrettably State of Emergency 2 failed to evolve the formula in a meaningful way. The sequel felt stagnant and lacked the excitement and novelty that made the original enjoyable.
America’s Army: Rise of a Soldier vs. America’s Army: True Soldiers:
Original game Metacritic rating: 70 | Sequel Metacritic rating: 43 | Difference: 27
America’s Army: Rise of a Soldier aimed to provide an authentic military experience, but its sequel, America’s Army: True Soldiers, fell short. Poor controls, lackluster visuals, and a failure to innovate left players disappointed and longing for the quality of the original.
A spokesperson from backgammon-online.net commented, “These video games serve as cautionary tales in the industry, demonstrating that even successful franchises can stumble when sequels fail to meet expectations.”
They continued, “While the disappointment may linger, it is essential to remember that the industry is constantly evolving, and for every letdown, there are remarkable games waiting to be discovered!”
Backgammon-online.net is a website focused on the game of backgammon, providing information, resources, and an online platform to play the beloved game.