Waiting for a new video game in a series is like waiting for the next season of a show, or the next installment in a book trilogy. It can feel all-consuming in moments of boredom, and it inspires much excitement for each and every little tidbit of information out there.
So with E3 so close at hand, it's not hard to understand why fans of various series are starting to get hyped for what's to come. Whether or not anything has been confirmed for sure, these upcoming sequels are keeping fan's attention, and if fans are lucky, they'll get their hands on these titles very soon!
Rune Factory 5
This game's predecessor, Rune Factory 4, was such a big hit on the 3DS that it was re-released on the Switch. While the Rune Factory series has always been entertaining, the 4th installment really brought a new level of fun to the franchise, with better writing, more complex characters, and insanely addictive gameplay.
Therefore, fans are eager for the 5th installment to drop. It's already been released in Japan to rave reviews, so now, it's all about the waiting game. And with lovely graphics and an intriguing plot, the waiting is all the more stressful.
Horizon: Forbidden West
The first Horizon game was such a phenomenal hit, it became one of Sony's flagship titles, with protagonist Aloy as a sort of poster-girl for the PS4 era. It brought ingenuity to a genre of games that desperately needed something new, and it delivered with a flourish, with fresh ideas, fun gameplay, and a protagonist who stood out amongst most others.
So a sequel was all but guaranteed, and after seeing the gorgeous gameplay at the most recent State Of Play, fans are even more excited to see Aloy tackle the colorful ruins of San Francisco.
Life Is Strange: True Colors
There's a lot of reasons to get excited about this game. It's featuring its first twenties-something protagonist, its first Asian American protagonist, and it's also being handled by the studio Deck Nine - the writers and producers of the beloved series prequel Life Is Strange: Before The Storm.
Releasing this fall, True Colors will tell the story of Alex, a quiet musician with the power of empathy, who reconnects with her brother after years of being estranged. Fans are excited to finally dive back into the emotionally turbulent and beautiful world of Life Is Strange, even though it will absolutely break their hearts at some point, as it always does.
My Time At Sandrock
Pathea Games' My Time At Portia was a surprising hit amongst the "cozy games" demographic, with a fun spin on the lifestyle-sim genre. So after all their commercial success, the developers - with help from a Kickstarter campaign - are going to be able to release a sequel sometime next year.
Sandrock will take place in an arid desert, where water is scarce and the presence of a builder more necessary than ever. Fans are already plotting who they'll marry and what sorts of secrets they'll uncover, such as the identity of the Rogue Knight, the results of the Atara Project, and more.
Fable 4
The Fable series has been the subject of much acclaim, both positive and otherwise, but it cannot be denied that it has a certain charm that always pulls in new players. And after last year's insanely whimsical trailer, longtime fans of the series are salivating at this long-awaited sequel.
Although the trailer didn't reveal too much, it revealed just enough to get tongues wagging. Was the castle in the background Bowerstone? Does the fairy symbolize anything, other than portraying classic Fable humor via her frog-induced demise? Whatever the case, let's keep our fingers crossed that this entry will be as enchanting as the first.
Final Fantasy VII Remake: Part 2
It's so utterly telling of this generation of games that sequels are being made for remakes! Fortunately for fans, this particular remake is a gem among piles of lackluster RPGs, and although it didn't exactly capture the particular feel of its predecessor, it was still able to create a feel that was all it's own.
And with the way it ended, the sequel can go any which way the developers want it to go, with little obligation to abide by the source material. Seeing how well they treated the source material to begin with, fans are chomping at the bit to see how things pan out for their beloved crew of conservationists.
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2
Because VTMB2 has suffered so many developmental setbacks, fans are reluctant to get too invested at this point. With many having refunded their pre-orders, it might feel too difficult to get excited over this title, especially with the firing of its original writer, Brian Mitsoda.
Yet many still maintain a small amount of hope for this title, because fans waited so long for a sequel in the first place. Bloodlines was a special game, as well as an entry in an already special series, so it's not out of the question to maintain some optimism that this sequel will be just as special. It may lack the bite of the first game, but the same can be said about lots of titles, for better or for worse.
Dragon Age 4
Oh, Grey Wardens, how fans miss thee. After 7 years and EA's notoriously poor management of Bioware, it would seem that Dragon Age 4 is finally making its way to the public scene. With a few trailers of substance already put out, as well as new source material via books, the game seems at a point where it should be able to release by next year.
But as always with its active fanbase, fans are hoping to see some more content this summer at E3. They want the elves, the dragons, and, of course, more of the pretty street lights of Tevinter. After so many years of waiting, it would thankfully seem that their pining will soon come to an end!
The Elder Scrolls 6
Unfortunately, fans of this series cannot say the same as of yet. Bethesda is really taking their time with this title, which could mean one of two things: either they are doing their best to make this a bug-less and engaging experience, or they are suffering from development hell.
Either way, fans can't help but get their hopes up, as they consistently have since its teaser trailer dropped in 2018. With little bits of info being dropped here and there - such as a confirmation that the Dwemer will not be explored as fully as some would like - there's just enough to keep fans interested. Then again, even if there was no information, it's an Elder Scrolls title - people will play it all the same.
Breath Of The Wild 2
Of course, no sequel list would be complete without mentioning one of the most anticipated games of the year. With confirmation that some sort of stage presence will be made this summer, fans of BOTW will finally get a glimpse into their next adventure with Link and Zelda.
There's plenty of reasons why so many people are excited for this game. It appealed to nearly everyone, from lifelong gamers to newcomers, and from Zelda veterans to those who didn't even know the main character's name wasn't Zelda. Should they stick to what worked, as well as fine-tune new mechanics, there's no reason why the sequel won't be as magical and unforgettable as the first game.