Yesterday we reported on a domain registration related to Legacy of Kain, lending some credence to the rumours that the series will be making a return. I’ve never actually played the Legacy of Kain series, and its potential return doesn’t have me interested in the least. However, in the way that pieces of news often do, it sparked off a thought about what games I’d like to see come back or be rebooted.
The first one to leap to mind was Crash Bandicoot, a series that I desperately want to see come back. It was never as significant a part of my childhood as the Sonic series was, probably because it came into my life when I was older, but I absolutely adored it. It was obvious that many others did too, with Crash becoming the de facto mascot for PlayStation.
Ultimately there were eighteen games in the series including spinoffs, although I’d say there were six core games and we haven’t had one of those since 2007. I mean technically you could include 2008’s Mind over Mutant, but I don’t believe it was a proper platformer like earlier entries.
I know that, to some extent, platformers have become old hat now; the once dominant genre has largely fallen by the wayside to be replaced with action adventure titles and first person shooters. I accept that, it’s just the way of things, and maybe it isn’t the right time for a platformer like Crash Bandicoot to make a return.
On the other hand the popularity of Rayman, and the fury about Legends’ delay and loss of exclusivity, does seem to indicate that there’s still a market for that kind of bright, cartoonesque platformer.
A more likely return, and one I indicated earlier this week that I’d love to see, is the Syphon filter series. Much like Crash Bandicoot it hasn’t cropped up since 2007, a gap that I’d say is long enough to warrant a return from the wilderness. Perhaps some see the series as too close to Splinter Cell in tone, but I think it’s got enough to set it apart, as well as being in a nice position for either a reboot or simply a new game in the series.
Syphon Filter does seem like it would be a better fit for the general attitude in gaming right now, and whether it comes as a reboot or a sequel I could see a returning Syphon Filter as a strong candidate for a PS4 launch title. I’ve no idea if the series has really stuck in anyone else’s memory like it has mine, but beyond the name on the box the series is just a good fit for this moment in time, while being just different enough from most of what’s already out there to make it grab hold of the public.
The announcement of launch titles for next-gen consoles that will, in all likelihood, dominate E3 has had me vaguely wondering about the concept of returning titles for a little while now. Although I’m a big backer of new IP for a new generation, the success of Uncharted and Assassin’s Creed this generation make it clear just why, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with dusting off something that’s been sitting in the cupboard for a while and seeing if something can be made of that.
While there are plenty of games that deserve another shot at greatness, Crash Bandicoot and Syphon Filter are the two that really perk my interest. However, I’m really interested to know if there’s anything you’d like to see make its way back into the spotlight. Hopefully you’ll spark my interest in something else as well.
RocketSOL
Crash Bandicoot…YES!
Syphon Filter….HELL YES! SF1 and 2 were amazing games that I still enjoy playing now.
How about another Future Cop LAPD? That was a great game.
The Lone Steven
I’ve played the first 3 games as well as Crash Bash and CTR and enjoyed them. But when ND stopped doing the games, Crash started to go downhill. If Crash is to be revived then i believe ND should develop it. I would like to see a proper Spyro game as well. So many memories of Enter the Dragonfly(the third game).
It is a shame that the Getaway is on hold as TG3 could have been the game that turned it from a fairly good franchise to a franchise that rivals GTA.
I would like more original IPs then returning franchises for the PS4 as franchises that are 10 or more years old tend to suffer from franchise fatigue and even a reboot can fail to draw interest to it.
PS3RULEZ890
The third spyro game is called ‘Year of the Dragron’ not ‘Enter the Dragronfly’
Jakster123x
Bring Jak back. We’ve not had a ‘proper’ console game (Jak 3) since 2004. I can’t believe that’s almost ten years ago. TEN.
cc_star
WipEout?
Destruction Derby? Maybe so, although Dirt Showdown showed how an arena mode could be added to Motorstorm for the same effect.
Looking forward to new stuff like Watch Dogs mainly though.
KeRaSh
Yes, Watch Dog! Probably the game I’m looking forward to finding out more about the most.
SH Number 7/Mini-Lipscombe
Yeah I would be up for that. But I would be scared that a new Syphon Filter would just be a poor Splinter Cell copy with an awful CoD multiplayer that would over shadow an ok but ultimately forgettable game. Obviously this wasn’t what it was in the past but I can imagine someone in Sony to want to bring it back but not convince anyone higher to pour much money into it.
Crash would be an awesome idea I don’t know why they dropped him, I used to love him,. Is he in the PS All Stars game? If he is does anyone know if he’s any popular? As other people said a new proper Spyro game would be awesome as well.
It’s been mentioned on the podcast loads of times but what would get me would be a new micro machines game, with all the karting games that come out now this would be a nice fit while still being different from the rest.
A good starting line up with some good reboots and some good new IPs could really get me thinking about getting the PS4 as my eyes are currently (but not only) on the neXtBox.
dave87fez
I’ve said before I’d love Crash to come back.
Not many people will support me on this one, but I would love to see a sequel to a PS2 game from THQ called Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy. Part epic adventure, part comedy platformer. Loved it!