The trilogy is a tried and true format for telling stories. But there's no guarantee that sequels will be better than their predecessors. When it comes to video game trilogies, it just seems like so few can do them right. It just might be the reason why Valve appears incapable of releasing a third entry to any of their series. Here's why the third entry in a video game series is so likely to not be as good:
1) The first entry has the "new franchise" feel
Liken it to a new car smell if you will. What's more exciting than an upcoming game that isn't a sequel? The first of a series comes on to the scene with a bang and leaves fans wanting more. They can't wait to see what an improved version of this title looks like, which leads to the second reason...
2) The first entry leaves so much to improve
The original will always have gameplay elements to improve, or features that fans ask for like co-op modes or more diverse settings. Because of all these obvious areas that leave room for improvement a second entry is likely to be superior the the first in many ways. As a result...
3) The second entry feels significantly better than the first
While the feeling of a fresh new experience won't be as strong as it was in the first game, the second one more than likely improves on numerous aspects of the original. Fans continue to love the series and more than likely the fan base expands which leads to...
4) The anticipation for the third is highest, but room for improvement is smallest
Usually the time spent developing the three games is roughly the same length. But most of the areas that needed improving were addressed in the second game. Which means the third entry has less room for improvement. And with all that additional hype and anticipation, any part of the third entry that is considered disappointing will likely be criticized even more harshly.
Concluding thoughts
Of course this doesn't hold true to all trilogies. There are many trilogies that break this mold and follow a completely different pattern in terms of quality of each game. But I like to think of the trilogy as the storytelling equivalent of siblings. Eldest siblings tend to be more intelligent because they are surrounded by adults in their early years (1). An only child may become more spoiled and will effect their personality later in life (2). There are of course exceptions to these theories, but you can't help but ignore the pattern in so many families. And I can't help but notice this pattern in many video game trilogies.
Examples of trilogies that fit this pattern:
- Mass Effect
- Fable
- Uncharted
- Silent Hill
- Assassin's Creed
- Polit D. F., Falbo T. (1988). "The intellectual achievement of only children". Journal of Biosocial Science 20 (3): 275-285.
- Adler, A. (1964). Problems of neurosis. New York: Harper and Row.
