Video game prequels redefine the series

A critical look at IGN's ranking of top video game prequels and what it reveals about franchise storytelling

Prequels redefine the video game canon

IGN has ranked ten video game prequels, led by Red Dead Redemption 2 and including Metal Gear Solid 3, Halo Reach, and Yakuza 0. The piece argues that prequels often benefit from modern technology and help deepen players' understanding of familiar worlds. It celebrates how these games extend backstories, retell origin moments, and in some cases reshape character arcs, citing Mafia The Old Country as a contemporary example of the trend.

The article notes that a strong prequel does more than look new. It can expand the lore, create new tension, and affect fans' perception of the original games. It also acknowledges that prequels vary in quality and impact.

The rise of strong prequels mirrors a broader shift in game design where studios use engine and tool advances to fill gaps in lore. The best entries use a prequel frame to illuminate motivations and origins without simply repeating old beats.

For new players, prequels offer welcoming entry points into a world. For longtime fans, they provide fresh context that can reframe favorite moments. The risk is that some franchises lean too hard on nostalgia or redefine canon in ways that alienate loyal supporters. Still, when done well, prequels sharpen what a series already is and extend its future.

Highlights

Origins keep fueling the thrill of new game chapters