Over time, some video game series just fade into the background. Even the most highly acclaimed blockbusters can go dormant, and new juggernauts rise to take their place in the industry landscape. But that doesn’t mean your forgotten favorites are gone forever; they may come back when the time is right, revitalized and better than ever. The transition to a new hardware generation is the perfect opportunity for this kind of rebirth, combining untapped potential with familiar properties to make the old feel new.
But what long-lost series should make a comeback? We’re not talking about things like Metroid and BioShock; we already know they have confirmed entries in development. We’re talking about neglected franchises that, despite the odds, we’re hoping against hope to see again soon. Here are 10 of our top picks, and why now is the right time to bring them back.
Chrono Trigger
Why Now? Chrono Trigger is widely considered one of the best RPGs ever made, and Chrono Cross is a wonderful and unique follow-up. So the real question is, when isn't the right time for a new entry? Reuniting the original creative team of A-list development talent would be a complicated undertaking, to say the least, but a new big-budget RPG bearing the Chrono name could be a smashing success. We’ve seen artist Akira Toriyama’s work come to life in recent games like Dragon Ball FighterZ and Dragon Quest XI, and picturing the world and characters of Chrono Trigger depicted so beautifully seems almost too good to be true.
Legacy of Kain
Why Now? When fans think about the Legacy of Kain games, they remember the grim heroes, the twisting storylines, and the haunting atmosphere. Unfortunately, the last game in the Legacy of Kain universe was Nosgoth, a free-to-play multiplayer action title that possessed none of those strengths. Now is the time to put Kain and Raziel back in the spotlight; we want a game that builds on the vampire mythology by focusing on their unnatural powers, combat prowess, and ability to bend lesser beings to their will. Games like Vampyr have given us a flawed glimpse of this concept, but Legacy of Kain’s established world and characters could really bring it to life. Or unlife.
Dragon's Dogma
Why Now? Open-world games are hugely popular, and that isn’t likely to change in the next generation. If anything, the worlds, characters, and stories will only get more impressive. That’s why this fantasy/RPG series is a perfect candidate; Dragon’s Dogma is known for hulking beasts, surprising narrative twists, and deeply customizable combat. Plus, its Pawn System is a remarkable and intriguing approach to asynchronous multiplayer. Though Japanese gamers were able to play another entry, Dragon’s Dogma Online, the rest of the world only got the original game and its expansion, Dark Arisen. That is simply not enough.
Dead Space
Why Now? Dead Space is known for blending taut sci-fi action and cosmic horror, with hero Isaac Clarke touched by a Lovecraftian madness. We want to peer into that void again and square off against a new legion of space abominations with our plasma cutter in hand. Though the continuation of Isaac’s story is definitely appealing, the big reason to bring Dead Space back now is how the new consoles could allow for even more elaborate dismemberment. Firing shots to slice off limbs was a big part of the strategy in the previous entries, and building on that with a new layer of precision would make Isaac’s encounters even more terrifying.