CORRECTION: We referred to the "Army of Two" series as an FPS franchise. The games are actually third-person shooters.
Sometimes it's best to let sleeping dogs lie. When the PS4 and, presumably, the next Xbox launch later this year, the world of gaming will enter a period of extreme turmoil. With an influx of new titles from developers looking to make a fresh start, many of this generation's recognizable franchises won't be making the transition. Some publishers retire their characters on purpose, like Naughty Dog who traded in "Ratchet and Clank" for "Uncharted." Others just don't make the cut.
Knowing that there are only a finite number of spots on the proverbial next-gen lifeboat, we'd prefer to see series at the top of their game move on. While cream generally rises in gaming, there are also franchises that just keep coming back. These are a few of the franchises we think have been run into the ground.
(For the record, we'd be perfectly happy to play more "Sleeping Dogs.")
1. "Army of Two"
The last five years have been littered with shooters. Released in 2008, the first "Army of Two" was first created to fill a specific niche for FPS shooter fans: A campaign designed specifically to be played with a co-op partner. The game featured systems that encouraged co-ordinated, if not tactical, approaches to combat. While the game may have been fun with a partner, the game's terrible parter AI held the single-player game back.
In 2013, co-op play may not be standard, but there are plenty of games offering interesting co-op campaign experiences. There really isn't a need for a dedicated co-op campaign franchise if it doesn't add anything to the larger conversation of the genre.
"Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel," the third game in the franchise, is set to release this month. Its most recent trailer shows exactly what the game has to offer: Guns and explosions. And while we have no with problems guns or explosions, there are better places to get that fix.
2. "Call of Juarez"
There aren't enough westerns in video games. Before "Red Dead Redemption," there wasn't a particularly large demand for it—realistically there still isn't—but it seems like there is enough room for two games set in the old west. Even though the original "Call of Juarez," released long before "Redemption" for many gamers it was "that other old west-themed game."
Unfortunately, the series decided to ditch the old west theme and, in doing so, became a completely bland shooter with no real reason for existing. After two passable, if not stellar, games, "Call of Juarez: The Cartel" promised a "modern western" that fixed some of the series long-standing issues. Universally panned by reviewers, "The Cartel" lost the good faith it had earned working in largely uncharted territory. While there might be room for a "Call of Juarez" reboot down the line, it's time to make way for some new Western stories.
3. "Final Fantasy"
Technically, the "Final Fantasy" can never die. Every game is the first and last game in the story, right? Not anymore. Developer Square Enix has lost sight of the one defining characteristic of its most prolific franchise: Every "Final Fantasy" is the final fantasy.
While many of the "FF" sequels—"Final Fantasy X-2," "Final Fantasy XIII-2," and "Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core"—were mechanically passable, they all lack the imagination and wonder of the games that built the worlds they're meant to evoke. Though they're successful at preying on fans' nostalgia, they will never be able to surpass their source material. Square Enix has diluted the magic associated with the "Final Fantasy" brand, so maybe it's time ditch the name and build a new flagship RPG franchise.
4. "Resident Evil"
"Resident Evil" is not an every-man franchise. It can't compete with "Assassin's Creed." It is not a "Call of Duty"-killer. With "Resident Evil 6," Capcom tried to make gaming's first name in horror into something it's not. Though, the series has steadily transitioned away from scare tactics towards frantic action since "Resident Evil 4," the newest game seems to have been the straw that broke the camel's back.
Though the "Resident Evil" brand, with its history and longervity, is definitely one of those "too big to fail" franchises, without its luster the series is in a position where its more likely to hurt fans than make them happy, so maybe it's time "Resident Evil" stayed dead for a litte while.
5. "God of War"
Unlike the rest of the games on this list, the "God of War" series hasn't given any signs that it will decline into mediocrity if it were to make it to nex-gen consoles. Except it will, because there's nowhere to go but down. With the timeline of the series capped and a prequel, "God of War: Ascension," coming next month, the franchise has run out of places to go. All the Greek gods are dead. Kratos already killed them all.
Kratos himself has also played himself out. A man with an unending amount of rage and strength is a great character concept, but after six games—seven if you include "God of War: Betrayal" on smartphones—Kratos' angry energy has exhausted us.
