Really great concept for an article and I agree with all your picks from the series that I’ve played here
Also came to a horrible realisation that my favourite series: Metal Gear Solid probably doesn’t pass the test. 1 - 3 are universally beloved, MGS4 is a hot mess but still enjoyable and MGS5 is quite divisive.
I'm not too familiar with MGS games, but I feel like there's got to be a five-game run somewhere in there? Even if you count some of the handheld games like Portable Ops and Peace Walker. Maybe I'm wrong, but it would be a fun one to dig into!
GTA certainly feels like it’s should pass the test. I guess it depends on what games you consider for the run: just the core games like you mentioned or a list that’s inclusive of all the spin-offs (and possibly even DLC). Probably would still pass either way haha
Steven Hyden is one of my top 3 music critics, and the fact that you lovingly transformed his five-album test into a five-game test is incredible.
Honestly, I think OG Sonic passes.
Sonic 1 (Gen)
Sonic 1 (Master System/GG)
Sonic 2 (Gen)
Sonic 2 (MS/GG)
Sonic CD
I'd even go further and say Sonic Spinball and Sonic Chaos are top tier, right into Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles, but I know most will disagree with Sonic Spinball.
I'm really glad you enjoyed the post, and I agree, Steven Hyden typically does great work!
I also really like Sonic Spinball! I guess you could argue it's not a core Sonic platformer and therefore the streak would well and truly stay alive until Sonic 3 & Knuckles. But either way, retro Sonic has this test in the bag!
Fantastic post! I really enjoyed your concept of putting these series through a five-games test. It inspired me to think about other long-standing franchises that I could evaluate using this metric. I hope you think about creating more "five-games test" entries in the future!
Now, here’s my quirky and somewhat unpopular opinion: based on my criteria, Final Fantasy would ace the test with flying colors because I truly adore VIII! I know, the Junction system is completely broken and the plot twist of every character coming from the same orphanage is weird, but I have a soft spot for its presentation, music (Liberi Fatali and Eyes On Me are on my Top 10 best FF songs of all time) and characters. Squall is among my favorite FF protagonists in the series, and his romantic relationship with Rinoa is beautifully crafted.
Hahaha this is so fair. I totally understand there is a sizeable portion of the FF fanbase who would have no issue with that nine-game streak staying intact. I just couldn't escape the feeling that VIII's divisiness was a bridge too far to justify giving the series a pass mark. But thanks for the kind words! I look forward to seeing Squall appear at some point in your FF leadership series :)
As a lifelong Valve fan, thinking of the number 5 in a series is just unfathomable.
Awesome post! It's an interesting framework to put series against and fun to see and discuss. I'd never have thought God of War made the cut (with an asterix) but it definitely would without that mobile game. Can't wait to read what you put out next!
It's funny you mention Valve, as I did consider basing this article on developers and not series. If I went down that path, then I'm sure Valve would ace it. One of the funamental flaws of this test is that it discounts any series with fewer than five games, of which Valve has plenty under its wing haha
Really great concept for an article and I agree with all your picks from the series that I’ve played here
Also came to a horrible realisation that my favourite series: Metal Gear Solid probably doesn’t pass the test. 1 - 3 are universally beloved, MGS4 is a hot mess but still enjoyable and MGS5 is quite divisive.
I'm not too familiar with MGS games, but I feel like there's got to be a five-game run somewhere in there? Even if you count some of the handheld games like Portable Ops and Peace Walker. Maybe I'm wrong, but it would be a fun one to dig into!
I'm sure some people love MGS4 as much as the first 3 and might count it but otherwise? I think I would say it had 4:
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid 2
Metal Gear Solid 3
Hmm. GTA has had a pretty good run for itself. GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, GTA IV, and GTA V were all really well received I’d say haha!
GTA certainly feels like it’s should pass the test. I guess it depends on what games you consider for the run: just the core games like you mentioned or a list that’s inclusive of all the spin-offs (and possibly even DLC). Probably would still pass either way haha
Oh god we could go all day if we counted spinoffs 😆
Love this! Do more. Kingdom Hearts?
I’ll have to pass this on to my KH inclined friends haha
I love this post.
Steven Hyden is one of my top 3 music critics, and the fact that you lovingly transformed his five-album test into a five-game test is incredible.
Honestly, I think OG Sonic passes.
Sonic 1 (Gen)
Sonic 1 (Master System/GG)
Sonic 2 (Gen)
Sonic 2 (MS/GG)
Sonic CD
I'd even go further and say Sonic Spinball and Sonic Chaos are top tier, right into Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles, but I know most will disagree with Sonic Spinball.
They're wrong, but that's fine.
I'm really glad you enjoyed the post, and I agree, Steven Hyden typically does great work!
I also really like Sonic Spinball! I guess you could argue it's not a core Sonic platformer and therefore the streak would well and truly stay alive until Sonic 3 & Knuckles. But either way, retro Sonic has this test in the bag!
Fantastic post! I really enjoyed your concept of putting these series through a five-games test. It inspired me to think about other long-standing franchises that I could evaluate using this metric. I hope you think about creating more "five-games test" entries in the future!
Now, here’s my quirky and somewhat unpopular opinion: based on my criteria, Final Fantasy would ace the test with flying colors because I truly adore VIII! I know, the Junction system is completely broken and the plot twist of every character coming from the same orphanage is weird, but I have a soft spot for its presentation, music (Liberi Fatali and Eyes On Me are on my Top 10 best FF songs of all time) and characters. Squall is among my favorite FF protagonists in the series, and his romantic relationship with Rinoa is beautifully crafted.
In any case, for the other entries, I agree 100%!
Hahaha this is so fair. I totally understand there is a sizeable portion of the FF fanbase who would have no issue with that nine-game streak staying intact. I just couldn't escape the feeling that VIII's divisiness was a bridge too far to justify giving the series a pass mark. But thanks for the kind words! I look forward to seeing Squall appear at some point in your FF leadership series :)
As a lifelong Valve fan, thinking of the number 5 in a series is just unfathomable.
Awesome post! It's an interesting framework to put series against and fun to see and discuss. I'd never have thought God of War made the cut (with an asterix) but it definitely would without that mobile game. Can't wait to read what you put out next!
It's funny you mention Valve, as I did consider basing this article on developers and not series. If I went down that path, then I'm sure Valve would ace it. One of the funamental flaws of this test is that it discounts any series with fewer than five games, of which Valve has plenty under its wing haha