A video game sequel fans had no idea existed

When it comes to giant franchises, even die-hard fans may not know about or play every game. For example, Final Fantasy it has been around since its debut on the NES in 1987 in Japan, with new games or ports still appearing today. Most of the games came to the West, but some Final Fantasy plays that are still unofficially translated and as such may have been overlooked by Western audiences.

This is the theme for the following games. Gamers may not know they're missing out on games from some of their favorite franchises because they're stuck in Japan. Do they ever leave and is it even worth it? Let's go through some of the best killer examples video game sequels that completely flew under the radar.

Lika And Dragon: It's Coming!

Samurai Yakuza

• Developer: New Entertainment R&D Dept.
• Publisher: Sega
• Released: March 6, 2008 (Japan)
• Platform: PS3

Like a dragon: It's coming! was released for PS3 in 2008 in Japan, and this is the basic translation of the title, while the official title is Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! The game reuses characters from Yakuza series such as Kazuma to re-enact some moments from Japanese history.

In fact, the entire game is set in the feudal era of Japanese history. This was the first samurai game in the franchise, but there was another game that eventually saw a western release, Like a dragon: Ishin!so there is hope Like a dragon: It's coming! also.

Dragon's Dogma Online

A wider sequel

Before Dragon's Dogma 2fans probably thought they had been waiting twelve years for a sequel. However, Japan got Dragon's Dogma Online in 2015, featuring the same intense action as the 2012 original, but with even more co-op support.

Players could create their character and then venture into a dangerous world full of monsters to fight and climb, just like in the first game. Unfortunately, there are probably no plans to bring this game to the West as the servers were shut down in 2019.

Valkyrie Chronicles 3

The best game in the series is hidden

Valkyrie Chronicles 3 is the only missing game in the tactical RPG series in the West, and that's a shame because it's also a better PSP title. It was originally released for the PSP in 2011 in Japan, but the good news is that there is a good English fan translation for those who can't wait for the official port.

Like every installment in the series, players will take their troops to large, open-ended maps where they can use their troops to take over bases and take down fighters in a combination of real-time and turn-based strategy.

Front Mission 5: Scars Of The War

Mechs marching forward

The The front mission the series has a lot of sequels and games hiding in Japan, and Front Mission 5: Scars of the War is the last main numbered title on the PS2. There is a fan translation for the game, but with plans to re-release the first three games in the series, fans may want to wait for a potential remaster for now.

Originally released in 2005, this tactical RPG features linear missions where players can customize their mechs (aka Wanzers) before battle. Units move around on a gridded battlefield and attacking an enemy unit can kill them or simply blow up a part such as an arm.

.hack//LINK

No trilogy or quadrilogy for you

• Developer: CyberConnect2
• Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
• Released: March 4, 2010 (Japan)
• Platform: PSP

There was a quadrilogy on the PS2 .hack games, followed by a trilogy, and then there was the PSP game that ostensibly tied the series together via the aptly named .hack//LINK.

This action RPG was released for the PSP in 2010 and sent players into dungeons with famous characters from around the world. .hack universe, including games and anime created by CyberConnect2 developer. It was a more linear game without the wider MMO aspect to support it, and the dungeon experience was less as a result. An English fan patch is out for those interested.

Star Ocean: Blue Orb

Lost In Blue

• Developer: three-Ace
• Publisher: Enix
• Released: June 28, 2001 (GBC version, Japan)
• Platform: Color Game Boy, Mobile

Star Ocean: Blue Orb is a Game Boy Color action RPG released in 2001 and its direct sequel Star Ocean: The Second Storywith familiar characters. At the crash site of their spaceship, players can choose which party members to take with them into battle. It doesn't affect the story though, as they can swap characters later like any traditional RPG.

For anyone familiar with Star ocean games, this spinoff/sequel will feel familiar, even if it's more 2D than 2.5D when it comes to fighting enemies. There is also an English fan patch.

Mosquito 2: Let's Go Hawaii

Attack on the beaches

• Developer: Zoom in
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Released: July 2, 2003 (Japan)
• Platform: PS2

Mosquito 2: Let's Go Hawaii is the technical name of the game, but basically it is Mr. Mosquito 2the sequel to one of the weirdest PS2 games ever made. Just like in the original, players will take on the role of a hungry mosquito that must stealthily sneak past its prey and undetected to drain blood from certain pressure points.

It's a stealth game combined with massive chaos Shadow of the Colossusbecause these people have real greatness. Mosquito 2 will probably never be officially translated, but the original is still playable on PS5.

Boktai 3: Sabata's Counterattack

My lost sun

• Developer: Konami
• Publisher: Konami
• Released: July 28, 2005 (Japan)
• Platform: Game Boy Advance

Boktai 3: Sabata's Counterattack is the only game in the series that was never released in the West, and like all other Game Boy Advance entries, the cartridge has an attached solar panel. In order to fight vampires, players had to physically go outside and literally absorb the sun's rays to power their solar weapons.

It was released in 2005, deep into the handheld's life cycle, which may be why it was never ported to the western market. Fortunately, there is an English fan patch waiting for all would-be vampire hunters.

Destiny Of An Emperor 2: The Story of Zhuge Liang

Warriors of the Turn Dynasty

• Developer: Capcom
• Publisher: Capcom
• Released: April 5, 1991
• Platform: NES

The fate of the emperor is an obscure little NES RPG from Capcom, probably one that not many people played, and certainly even less played than Destiny of an Emperor 2: The Story of Zhuge Liang, which was released in 1991 in Japan. Yes, there is an English fan patch for anyone interested.

Like the original, Destiny of an Emperor 2 can be compared to Dragon Quest missing Dynasty Warriorsbecause historical Chinese influences are everywhere in world design. In battle, HP is represented by the strength of each character's army, which is a nice way to differentiate the combat system, but overall it's a simple little RPG that doesn't really challenge the player.

Splatterhouse: Naughty Graffiti

Friday the 13th but cute

• Developer: Now Production
• Publisher: Namco
• Released: 31 July 1989
• Platform: NES

For most children of the 80s and 90s, Splatterhouse he was like unofficial Friday the 13th video game series. Players controlled a masked assassin who fought waves of grotesque enemies, and it was quite popular, especially in the 90s.

In Japan in 1989 there was a spin-off on the NES, which made the killer a little softer on the eyes, the so-called Splatterhouse: Naughty Graffiti. The game featured a little more platforming and a lot less gore in exchange for a cuter action game that could be better than the main entries.