Chances are that your favorite gaming franchise gets its identity from a single, repeatable gameplay loop. Though this kind of consistency is always good to have when a series is thriving, sometimes departing from it can bring more success.

Variety is indeed the spice of life, and the entries on this list took a chance by changing what fundamentally made them great, making them even better.

8

Super Mario 64

Originally a 2D side-scrolling platformer, the Mario franchise took its first leap into 3D with Super Mario 64. Despite coming out in 1996, it is still commonly referenced as one of the best 3D Mario games ever made.

Super Mario 64 is one of the defining games of the Nintendo 64, and it’s easy to see why. Though the controls and camera take some getting used to, once you get a feel for them, the 3D setting provides the same platforming precision and satisfaction of the 2D games. Every zone you visit is unique, and the amount of detail present makes exploration a natural inclination while playing.

Super Mario 64‘s success paved the way for classics such as Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy, and the more recent Super Mario Odyssey. I won’t say the 3D Mario games are inherently better, but the fact that fans of the series have access to them, as well as more traditional 2D platformers, means there’s something for everyone to love.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars

Systems

Released

September 18, 2020

ESRB

E for Everyone: Mild Cartoon Violence

Developer(s)

Nintendo

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

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7

Fallout 3

Originally beginning as an isometric, turn-based RPG, the Fallout series experienced a radical change with its third game. Fallout 3 is a first/third-person shooter with heavy RPG elements, and it introduced the revolutionary V.A.T.S. system.

Fallout 3 retains much from its predecessors, such as attribute and skill points, as well as dialogue options with NPCs, but it is quite different in other respects. For instance, combat occurs in real-time, with the player aiming, firing, reloading, and moving all on their own. The V.A.T.S. system is a sort of middle ground between real-time and how the series previously handled combat in that you can target an enemy’s body parts. As long as you have Action Points, the game will try to hit whatever you’re aiming at. NPC interactions are also simplified. Previous games let you type in what you wanted to say or ask about, but Fallout 3 has you select from a set of dialogue options.

Purists may not like the direction the Fallout series has taken, but it has seen critical success since then, particularly with Fallout: New Vegas. The developers seemingly wanted a more approachable game, while not alienating fans of the previous ones, and it was a brilliant move.

Fallout 3

Released

October 28, 2008

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

Developer(s)

Bethesda Game Studios

Publisher(s)

Bethesda Softworks

Engine

Gamebryo

6

Persona 3

Originating as a spinoff of the Shin Megami Tensei series, Persona games functioned quite differently prior to Persona 3. The first two games had more traditional RPG elements, while the later ones shifted the gameplay loop to include sim and dungeon-crawler elements.

Make no mistake, the Persona games are all RPGs, but Persona 3 introduced what have become series staples, such as the calendar system and social links. The sim aspect provides players a finite amount of time each day to do something of their choosing, be it increasing stats, dungeon-crawling, or building a rapport with others. The latter is especially important, as social links not only add a dating element to the protagonist’s interactions with others, but they make teammates stronger in later games.

This is even more notable in Persona 5, as every social link provides some type of mechanical benefit, encouraging players to strengthen their bonds with everyone, whether they’re a persona user or not. These new mechanics are so ingrained with the Persona name that removing them would undoubtedly be met with overwhelming backlash. If you’ve never tried a game in the series, the remake is one of the best RPGs you can play on Xbox Game Pass, and I highly recommend it.

Persona 3 Reload

Released

February 2, 2024

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

Developer(s)

P-Studio

Publisher(s)

Atlus

5

Resident Evil 4

Though still a survival horror game, Resident Evil 4 significantly departs from previous entries because it emphasizes action combat and incorporates third-person shooter mechanics.

Until Resident Evil 4, the series featured tank controls with fixed camera positions at every location, while gameplay focused on simply surviving while solving puzzles to progress. Resident Evil 4 does retain elements such as puzzles, but they’re toned down, and combat is more of the game’s focus. The camera is also now over-the-shoulder and moves with the player, providing more immersion than before.

I should note this improvement in the series had negative repercussions, as I’m sure many would agree with me that Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 taking a more action-filled, blockbuster movie approach wasn’t a step in the right direction. I’d say it was worth it though since we did eventually get the critically acclaimed (and personal favorite) remake of Resident Evil 2, which took heavy inspiration from Resident Evil 4.

Resident Evil 4

Released

March 24, 2023

ESRB

M for Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Developer(s)

Capcom

Publisher(s)

Capcom

4

Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 took the world by storm when it dropped in 2024, and that could be because of how different it is from the first game. The now third-person shooter began as a top-down shooter, a seemingly small alteration, yet one that made all the difference.

The tone and general gameplay loop remain the same between the two games, but the shift to a third-person perspective helped the sequel appeal to a wider demographic. This genre change also led to the gameplay being much faster and more hectic. The first game definitely did a fine job of creating tension between you and your squad, but it pales in comparison to the sheer panic and excitement Helldivers 2 instills when enemies begin overwhelming you.

Helldivers 2

Systems

Released

February 8, 2024

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

Developer(s)

Arrowhead Game Studios

Publisher(s)

Sony

3

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

The Pokémon formula is one of the most consistent in gaming. Though subsequent entries have tweaked gameplay elements or added new mechanics, the core remained the same until Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus retains turn-based battles, but changes the properties of quite a few Pokémon abilities, while adding Styles you can use to adapt to your current situation. Pokémon are also visible in the overworld, but unlike other entries that do this, like the Let’s Go games, you can engage them in battle or try to catch them where they stand. On that note, Pokémon exhibit their own behavior, with some being timid and passive, while others are overtly aggressive. In fact, some wild Pokémon will go after you and can knock you out, if you’re not careful.

It’s not a stretch to say Pokémon Legends: Arceus is one of the most innovative games in the series. Fan feedback has also been exceptional, and it’s often praised as the perfect RPG to try for people who don’t like RPGs.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Systems

Released

January 28, 2022

ESRB

E for Everyone: Mild Fantasy Violence

Developer(s)

Game Freak

Publisher(s)

Nintendo, The Pokemon Company

2

Grand Theft Auto III

The Grand Theft Auto series always had the player controlling a criminal, but Grand Theft Auto III changed the perspective from top-down to third-person.

Prior to Grand Theft Auto III, the camera still followed you around as you explored, but from a birds-eye view. The swap to what we know and love now gives us a more detailed look at the world around us and a more personal experience with the eccentric people we happen to meet. Grand Theft Auto III also has a more robust, narrative-driven story, involving cutscenes and voice acting, which really bring Liberty City to life.

I’m not sure the series would have survived this long if things had stayed the way they were in the first three games. At the very least, I can confidently say the franchise wouldn’t be the gaming juggernaut it is today. It’s very telling when a new Grand Theft Auto is about to come out that other publishers do their best to avoid a launch date for their own games that is even remotely close to it.

Grand Theft Auto 3

Released

October 23, 2001

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence

Developer(s)

Rockstar Games

Publisher(s)

Rockstar Games

1

World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft is by far the most radical departure from its roots on this list. I’d argue when someone mentions Warcraft now, they think of the MMO, as opposed to the real-time strategy games that kickstarted the series.

World of Warcraft differs from its predecessors gameplay-wise in almost every respect. Players create and control a single character in a class of their choosing as they explore, complete quests, and fight every assortment of creature you can imagine. Because it’s an MMO, World of Warcraft focuses heavily on players interacting with one another. For example, most end-game content revolves around group PvP or raids orchestrated by up to dozens of other players to take down bosses and complete dungeons.

Saying this jump into the MMO space paid off is a gross understatement. World of Warcraft remained the undisputed champion of the genre for years, to the point where upcoming MMOs were only worth paying attention to if they had the possibility of being a “WoW killer.” Considering the game is still massively successful more than 20 years later, no MMO can claim to have done it yet.

World of Warcraft

Systems

Released

November 23, 2004

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence (online interactions not rated)

Developer(s)

Blizzard

Publisher(s)

Blizzard

Engine

Unreal Engine

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A popular phrase that applies to most aspects of life is that you shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken. However, innovation is all about taking chances, and these franchises are all blossoming because they tried something different. You could say we need more games that dare to be different.

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