A disillusioned reader has compiled a list of 15 video game franchises he believes should be retired, including Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, Mortal Kombat, and The Last of Us. The feature, published by GameCentral, argues that many long-running series have become stale and repetitive, existing primarily to generate revenue rather than to push creative boundaries.
Franchises That Have Outlived Their Welcome
The reader, Shahzaib Sadiq, begins with Outlast, noting that Red Barrels' 2013 horror hit spawned DLC, a sequel, and a multiplayer title. He argues that after 13 years, the formula is tired and hopes the next title will be the last, allowing the developer to pursue new IPs and genres.
Doom is next, with Sadiq suggesting that the recent The Dark Ages was a disappointment and that id Software should reset, possibly exploring a third-person narrative game. He also targets Amnesia, calling Rebirth an awful title and urging Frictional to move on from a series that should have ended years ago.
Horror and Sports Titles Under Fire
Five Nights at Freddy's is described as the most tired and bland of the horror franchises, with Sadiq criticizing its sequels, films, and spin-offs. He directly addresses creator Scott Cawthon, saying, "Let it die Scott, for all of our sakes."
Sports franchises like NBA, EA Sports FC, Madden, and WWE 2K are accused of squeezing money from consumers with minimal annual updates. Sadiq expresses fatigue, saying, "I'm just tired, boss." Call of Duty is singled out, with the failure of Black Ops 7 seen as a wake-up call, but Sadiq doubts it will change anything as long as players keep buying.
Ubisoft and Other Major Series
Far Cry peaked with the third game, according to Sadiq, and he laments that Ubisoft is already developing a seventh installment. Dragon Age should have ended after Inquisition, he argues, especially after the failure of The Veilguard. Metal Gear Solid should have concluded with the fourth title, and a disappointing remake of the third game signals it's time for Snake to rest.
The Last of Us has seen more remasters, remakes, and a TV series than a third game, leaving Naughty Dog without a PlayStation 5 title this generation. Assassin's Creed is called Ubisoft's golden goose that refuses to die, with Hexe upcoming. Ninja Gaiden is deemed boring and overdone, despite being the first new entry in 13 years.
Westerns, Fighting Games, and Sci-Fi Epics
Red Dead Redemption has told a complete tale of outlaws and modernization, making a third title unnecessary. Mortal Kombat has lasted too long despite innovative fatalities. Halo lost its magic when 343 Industries took over from Bungie, and it is no longer Xbox's exclusive flagship, now appearing on PlayStation.
Sadiq adds a bonus entry, Gears of War, hoping a sixth game would end the Locust War and Marcus Fenix's story. He concludes, "This war is long overdue its finality."
