10 Best Video Game Trilogies Worth Replaying

Video game trilogies like those from Mass Effect and Dragon Age give players a special reason to replay the games, going beyond just enjoying each one separately. The story builds on what was established in the first game, leading to a greater appreciation when playing the whole series again. Players can see how characters, gameplay mechanics, and design choices change throughout the trilogy, recognizing the developers’ thoughtful decisions. Plus, when all three games are finished, players often feel a stronger emotional connection than just one game.

Playing through a longer story helps players connect better with the characters and feel the impact of their choices. Being familiar with the game lets players immerse themselves easily, allowing them to catch details they might have missed at first. This can be the world’s background, character interactions, or gameplay features. Returning to certain trilogies is a great idea, especially if it’s been a while.

10 Mass Effect – Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, & Mass Effect 3

A Galaxy-Spanning Space Opera

The Mass Effect trilogy is still a fantastic experience years after it first came out, thanks to its depth and replay value that few other games can match. Its lasting appeal comes from several key factors, starting with its detailed universe. BioWare created a believable galaxy filled with different alien races, each with their own cultures, histories, and motivations. Exploring this universe and interacting with its characters feels truly immersive, showcasing the strong world-building of the game.

The real highlight of the trilogy is its story. The player’s choices have significant consequences, affecting individual characters’ journeys and the entire galaxy’s fate. This branching storyline encourages multiple playthroughs, each offering a unique experience and highlighting how important Commander Shepard’s decisions are. The characters, such as the loyal Garrus Vakarian and the mysterious Liara T’Soni, add to this emotional connection. They are not just background characters; they are complex individuals with their own dreams and fears, forming real relationships with the player along the way.

9 Dragon Age – Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, & Dragon Age: Inquisition

BioWare’s Fantasy Anthology

The Dragon Age trilogy, comprised of Origins, 2, and Inquisition is definitely worth playing again. Each game has its own unique story but is connected to the others, exploring the rich world of Thedas. These three games provide a mature and fascinating fantasy experience that still resonates with players long after their release, making them well worth revisiting. Origins is a classic fantasy game that introduces players to character customization and different story paths, allowing them to shape their journey as a Grey Warden.

Dragon Age 2 got mixed reviews at first because it has a more straightforward story and some repeated locations, but it tells a gripping personal story about Hawke and their family in Kirkwall. This game dives deep into themes like prejudice, political issues, and the consequences of war, providing a more character-focused experience than the first game. Inquisition, the third game, is grand in scale and visually stunning.

8 The Witcher – The Witcher, The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings, & The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The White Wolf

The Witcher trilogy remains a great experience for several reasons. Its lasting appeal comes from not only its interesting story but also its complex characters and morally tricky world. Geralt of Rivia, the main character, isn’t a perfect hero; he has a cynical outlook, feels worn down, and sometimes makes harsh decisions, making him a well-rounded protagonist. The world he lives in, influenced by Slavic folklore and the books by Andrzej Sapkowski, is immersive, full of political drama, monsters, and complex moral issues.

Players’ choices often lead to significant consequences, challenging them to face tough decisions without easy solutions. Aside from the main story, the side quests are also engaging, giving insight into the lives of regular people and the larger world around them. The trilogy tackles heavy themes like prejudice, political corruption, the cost of war, and the nature of good and evil, which resonate with players and add depth that’s hard to find in many fantasy games.

7 Uncharted – Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves, & Drake’s Deception

Nathan’s Younger Years

The original Uncharted trilogy is worth revisiting for several reasons beyond nostalgia. First, the gameplay is consistently polished and enjoyable. Naughty Dog has done a great job with cover-based shooting, smooth movement mechanics, and exciting action-packed scenes, making the games fun even today. The impressive level design features beautiful environments that combine cinematic moments with clever puzzles and combat areas.

In addition to the great gameplay, the Uncharted trilogy has a strong story. Nathan Drake’s journey from an eager treasure hunter to a reluctant hero is captivating. The supporting characters, like his partner Sully and Elena Fisher, are memorable and well-developed. The series wisely mixes action with moments of real character growth and emotional depth, leading to an engaging story beyond typical action-adventure norms. The clever dialogue, charming characters, and heartfelt moments help keep the story fresh.

6 God Of War – God Of War, God Of War 2, & God Of War 3

Kratos Before Character Development

The original God of War trilogy is beloved mostly because of its combat. Kratos, the main character, is incredibly powerful, using his Blades of Chaos and various other weapons to fight with impressive skill. Each battle feels like an epic performance, complete with over-the-top finishing moves. The action’s scale is huge, from fighting crowds of mythological monsters to taking on giant bosses. While the graphics may look dated now, they still have a gritty style that adds to the game’s intensity.

Beyond the fighting, Kratos’ story is compelling. His journey through anger and revenge, driven by betrayal and a desire for vengeance, is dark and tragic. At first, he seems like a simple anti-hero, but as the games progress, we see the complexities of his character and themes of revenge, family, and redemption. The games draw on Greek mythology, creating a rich and fantastic world filled with legendary creatures and gods. Playing the Greek trilogy makes Kratos’ journey through Norse mythology in the newer games more impactful.

5 Fallout – Fallout, Fallout 2, & Fallout 3

From Isometric To FPS

The Fallout series, including both its early isometric games and the later ones developed by Bethesda, has a strong appeal for several reasons. First, the gameplay is really engaging, even if Fallout and Fallout 2 can feel dated. The expansive and detailed worlds are full of lore, side quests, and interesting characters, encouraging players to explore and make thoughtful choices. Although the visuals have changed significantly over time, the overall feeling of surviving in a post-apocalyptic world still holds up.

Bethesda took over the series’ mainline development with
Fallout 3
, transitioning from turn-based isometric gameplay to a first- and third-person RPG.

Another reason for its appeal is the storytelling. Each game offers an interesting plot that ties into a rich background of history and societal breakdown. Players also see characters from other games get older and have a more significant influence. It’s kind of like knowing that even if the protagonist is gone, the wasteland survives. It’s a calming feeling when playing the games again.

4 Borderlands – Borderlands, Borderlands 2, & Borderlands 3

The Definitive Looter Shooter Series

The Borderlands trilogy is a fun series for fans of action-packed shooting games. What keeps players coming back is not only the addictive gameplay of finding and upgrading a bunch of wacky weapons, but also the interesting world and memorable characters on the planet Pandora. Each game improves on the last, making the gameplay even better and the story more engaging.

Borderlands
,
Borderlands 2
, and
Borderlands 3
comprise the mainline trilogy, but there is also an FPS spin-off,
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
, and two interactive narrative games,
Tales from the Borderlands
and
New Tales from the Borderlands
.

Humor plays a big role in the trilogy, mixing dark comedy with genuinely funny moments and dialogue. The Vault Hunters, each with their own unique traits and abilities, are easy to connect with, making the gameplay more enjoyable. There’s a huge variety of weapons, each with different features and random effects, which makes every playthrough feel new and exciting. The side quests are also fun and rewarding, featuring memorable characters and quirky stories that add to the overall experience.

3 BioShock – BioShock, BioShock 2, & BioShock Infinite

All We Have So Far

The BioShock trilogy draws players in with its strong storytelling, thought-provoking themes, and engaging gameplay. The first game, BioShock, takes place in the underwater city of Rapture, which offers a haunting atmosphere as it shows the downfall of an overly ambitious society. It grapples with ideas stemming from Ayn Rand’s writing about individualism and the dangers that come with it while combining this deep story with exciting combat and special powers called Plasmids.

In BioShock 2, players see the world from a Big Daddy’s perspective but still enjoy Rapture’s eerie beauty, learning more about the city’s backstory and seeing a different side of its collapse. BioShock Infinite shifts to a new setting: the floating city of Columbia. This new location is stunning but also flawed, and it tackles heavy themes like religion, racism, and American exceptionalism in a way that is both shocking and thought-provoking. Overall, the trilogy highlights the importance of narrative-driven gameplay, mixing deep themes with beautiful, haunting environments and challenging gameplay.

2 Prince Of Persia – The Sands of Time, Warrior Within, & The Two Thrones

Ubisoft’s Beloved Trilogy

The Prince of Persia trilogy is older but is so underrated by today’s audience. The original is still a great game that sets a high standard for action-adventure games. The combat system is fluid and combines acrobatics with precise timing that stays throughout the series. The ability to rewind time in The Sands of Time was a unique feature that added strategy and allowed players to correct mistakes during tough platforming challenges. Each game is built on this foundation, introducing new moves and enemies to keep things exciting.

The trilogy also has a strong story that connects all three games. Each entry has its own plot, but they share a common main character and explore themes like fate, free will, and the impact of choices. The Sands of Time starts with a classic hero’s journey that includes unexpected twists, while Warrior Within takes a darker turn, focusing on themes of desperation and survival with a more complex hero. The Two Thrones wraps up the story by revisiting earlier events and characters, forcing the Prince to confront the consequences of his actions.

1 Halo – Combat Evolved, Halo 2, & Halo 3

When Bungie Was In Charge

The original Halo trilogy is a major milestone in first-person shooter games and is definitely worth revisiting for several reasons. There’s a lot of nostalgia for fans who played it when it first came out, but even those new to the series will like the story. The trilogy covers the Human-Covenant War and the discovery of the Forerunner civilization, featuring great characters, complex moral choices, and an engaging mystery that unfolds throughout the games.

The character development of Master Chief is particularly noteworthy; he starts off as a mostly quiet hero in Combat Evolved and grows into a more layered and emotionally rich character by Halo 3. The level design, especially in the memorable settings of Combat Evolved, is impressive, combining exploration with well-thought-out combat scenarios. Although newer shooters have better mechanics and graphics, the original trilogy’s gameplay is still fun to play. Halo joins Mass Effect among the all-time great sci-fi game series, but won’t provide the same roleplaying opportunities as a series like Dragon Age.