These Games Only Got Better With Each Release In The Series

We've all seen series rise and fall. Whether it's a television show that goes on too long or a video game series turned into a cash cow, there are just some things that should be better left untouched and finished. Occasionally, there comes a surprising series which just gets better and better. With each new installment, the series is elevated to a whole new level that you didn't even think it could reach.

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Before these video game series lost popularity, their sequels (or remakes) revitalized them and brought them back into the limelight.

These series may sometimes be rare, but they are definitely relished and appreciated for what they are, a true testament to the passion and craft of creatives to be able to create a series that seeks to improve upon what came last. So, without further ado, here are the best video game series that got better with each game.

8 Uncharted

From Fun Action To Gaming Legend

Uncharted is one of the most cinematic video games of all time, being a fun action-adventure that makes use of scripted events to create some memorable action packed moments that leave you on the edge of your seat. Though the first game was great, there was still time for it to improve.

But with each game, came about a new adventure for Nathan Drake with better visuals, gameplay, scripted sequences, story, characters and more, all of it to crescendo into Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. The last game had the most involved story, stunning graphics and even has the best villain of the entire series in Rafe Adler.

7 Tomb Raider

One Of The Best To Ever Do It

The only thing more impressive about having a series that gets better with each game is to have a series as old as Tomb Raider get better and better. When the first Tomb Raider came out, it impressed gamers with how incredible the level design, atmosphere, and gameplay were. So it was even more surprising when the developers created hit after hit with each subsequent sequel.

Even when the game was faltering and thought to be dying, Tomb Raider: Legend rebooted the series and brought it to new heights with modernised graphics, a new Lara design and a thrilling story delving into her past. Since then the games just keep getting better and helped the series survive for decades.

6 Grand Theft Auto

One Of The Most Innovative Series

The Grand Theft Auto games truly fit the definition of remaking the wheel. Although the first two games were somewhat successful top-down shooters, it was Grand Theft Auto 3 that really elevated the franchise and ushered in a new wave of open-world sandbox games that are still going on to this day.

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Each and every game since has focused on better visuals, a new location, different music, weapons and mechanics from the ability to fly planes in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City to the ability to switch between three different characters in Grand Theft Auto 5. The series is a spectacular demonstration of constant innovation.

5 The Witcher

The Third Is The Best

Some series don't have the best games to start with so it's not too surprising when each game gets better. That is the case with The Witcher franchise. Besieged by glitches and dated graphics, the first two Witcher games, although enjoyable, haven't aged all too well.

So it's no wonder that when The Witcher 3 hit scenes with its expansive open world, brilliant graphics, and modernised gameplay that despite it being the third game in the series, gamers flocked to it. It's now considered easily the best game in the series and is so popular it helped put developer CD PROJEKT RED on the map.

4 The Legend Of Zelda

Constantly Raising The Bar

Another well-established game series that has stood the test of time with better sequel after better sequel is The Legend Of Zelda. Compared to the first game, which was a 2D pixel top-down adventure, the technology blows it out of the water.

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Along with its alluring mythos, fun characters, beautiful visuals, and innovative gameplay, it's hardly surprising that its nineteenth installment, The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, is considered one of the greatest videogames of all time.

3 God Of War

A Simple Revenge Story To A Great Greek Tragedy

God Of War seemed to have done all it could by the time it ended with the final game, God Of War: Ascension, a prequel. Kratos' story seemed to have been over, leaving much of the Olympians dead and Kratos having accomplished his revenge, as empty as it was.

So it was incredible that not only did God Of War gain a soft reboot simply titled God Of War, but also a universally acclaimed sequel in God Of War: Ragnarok. They not only expanded the franchise and updated it with great open levels, but introduced different beloved characters like Atreus and Freya. It breathed fresh new life into the franchise and coupled with some incredible combat gameplay really drove the storytelling of the franchise to new heights.

2 Red Dead

People Forget About The First

Funnily enough, not many remember that the Red Dead series actually began with Red Dead Revolver, a decent shooter that was released to mixed reception. However, its sequel, Red Dead Redemption, was so good that it almost felt like it was an entirely new game series. From its stellar story to its great open world, Red Dead Redemption seemed like it couldn't be topped.

Then came Red Dead Redemption 2 with a somehow even more heart-wrenching story, one of Rockstar's most realistic open worlds, and incredible attention to detail. The series has surely come a long way.

1 Max Payne

A Groundbreaking Trilogy

When Max Payne hit the scene, it was known as the creator of bullet time, a popular gaming mechanic utilising slow-motion to create cinematic gameplay. The game was gritty, known for its stellar writing in the form of monologuing from protagonist, Max Payne.

But the gameplay has grown somewhat dated making the gameplay tedious and clunky. Even then, as each game improved upon gameplay and story, Max Payne 3 was the perfect finale, featuring sharp graphics, a new fantastic story, and great gameplay.

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Spoiler alert: this article contains spoilers for games that you may already love. Or hate. But probably don't feel neutral toward.