Games
Most Experimental Video Game Spin-Offs, Ranked
Summary
Table of Contents
- Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub Zero introduced an action-adventure genre to the fight-heavy series.
- Dead Space Extraction changed the camera angle and added horror elements to the gameplay.
- Pokémon Snap stands out from traditional games by focusing on photography in a unique approach.
When creating a spin-off to a set of mainline games, developers are free to get a little more creative with the gameplay, esthetics, and story, considering these titles aren’t technically direct sequels. As a result, there’s been a plethora of spin-off games spanning a wide range of genres that incorporate very experimental and unique mechanics that help them stand out but which also took a lot of fans by surprise when jumping into them for the first time.
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While not all of these ambitious spin-off games hit the mark, with some feeling just a little too outlandish and weird, when done right, they can provide a breath of fresh air from the traditional experience. Thankfully, there are a ton of experimental spin-offs out there that are a ton of fun to jump into after playing enough of the mainline series, and it’s these games this list will be taking a closer look at today. To preface, while the quality of these games will be considered, they will primarily be ranked by how experimental and creative they are as extra installments to their respective series.
8
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub Zero
Mortal Kombat Took An Ambitious Step Into The Action Adventure Genre With MK Mythologies
Action-Adventure
Beat ‘Em Up
Fighting
Platformer
- Released
-
October 1, 1997
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ // Animated Violence, Animated Blood and Gore
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub Zero is the first game in the series to not be a fighting game, which is surprising considering it was released in 1996 at the height of the series’ popularity. Instead, MK Mythologies is more of a side-scrolling action adventure game where players assume control of Sub-Zero; an iconic character who actually receives a fair amount of development, which helps to establish his character before the beginning of the first tournament kicks off.
As players make their way through the Netherealm and Shaolin Temples, they can acquire some of Sub Zero’s iconic special moves to unlock new parts of the map and take down enemies. Speaking of enemies, the amount of damage that Sub Zero’s foes will deal to him makes the game incredibly difficult, which is a big reason why it is such a divisive spin-off, but it’s hard to deny that it isn’t still an incredibly creative concept in and of itself.
Dead Space: Extraction
- Released
-
September 25, 2009
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+
After the first Dead Space game ended up becoming a critically acclaimed survival horror experience upon its release, EA decided to drop a spin-off to hold fans over until the second game was finally released a few years later, in 2011. While Dead Space Extraction still features the terrifying Necromorph enemies and the U.S.G Ishimura setting, this time around, the camera angle has shifted from third to first person, which has a big impact on the overall gameplay.
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Since the game was released for the Nintendo Wii, Extraction has done a brilliant job at immersing players into the experience, as they are forced to line up their shots perfectly when getting up close and personal with the Necromorphs. Another way this game mixes it up from the mainline series is by putting the entire story on rails, meaning while there’s less player freedom, in turn, there are plenty of more scripted action scenes to catch them off-guard.
6
Dirge Of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7
Dirge Of Cerberus Is A Lot More Action-Heavy And Fast Paced Than The Typical Final Fantasy Game
Dirge of Cerberus, a spin-off to the immensely popular Final Fantasy 7, plays like a game from an entirely different series altogether. This game, which follows the fan-favorite party member Vincent Valentine, is a third-person shooter where players are tasked with gunning down swarms of enemies and vehicles throughout each of the game’s 12 chapters. While there are still a few very light RPG elements thrown in for good measure, this is mostly tied to Vincent’s guns and the many ways they can be customized.
Despite coming out of left field and being drastically different from what fans are used to, Dirge of Cerberus still provides an enjoyable experience through its intense gameplay while also offering quite a bit of intriguing lore to the Final Fantasy 7 universe as a whole.
5
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles
Assassin’s Creed, But With A 2D Perspective And A Whole Lot More Platforming
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India
By the time Assassin’s Creed Chronicles was released in 2016, Ubisoft’s stealth series was riding high off the success of the mainline entries. As a result, a few spin-offs started releasing around this time to keep up the momentum, but while Assassin’s Creed Rogue plays virtually identical to the other games, Chronicles is a different story. Chronicles, which contains three games in one package, takes a 2.5D perspective to turn the games into side scrollers.
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Still, despite the camera change, this is still Assassin’s Creed, so players are free to sneak their way around each area to pick their targets off guard with their stealthy assassin tools. The games featured in Chronicles take place in India, China, and Russia, providing players with plenty of variety in terms of the environments, all of which still look jaw-dropping even to this day, thanks to the vibrant art style.
4
Tales From The Borderlands
Tales From The Borderlands Thrusts The Run-And-Gun Series Into An Entirely New Genre
- Released
-
November 25, 2014
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
Aside from the cel-shaded art style and quirky cast of characters, pretty much everything about Tales From the Borderlands is different from the original games. Because the game was developed by Telltale, the minds behind The Walking Dead game, the game is much more story-focused, with the gameplay revolving around players making decisions that will affect the narrative and its characters.
In contrast, Borderlands 1,2 and 3 are fast-paced FPS shooters that are in an entirely different genre, making this episodic spin-off a pretty risky gamble. However, Tales From the Borderlands succeeded in impressing many fans with its surprisingly deep story and choice system while also allowing players to learn more about Pandora and the dangerous inhabitants that reside within it.
3
Pokemon Snap
Out Of All The Pokemon Spin-Offs, Snap Feels The Most Weird, Bizarre, And Creative
- Released
-
July 26, 1999
- ESRB
-
E For Everyone
Anyone who is even remotely interested in video games will be well aware of how a Pokemon game plays by now. Collecting pocket monsters, taking on Gym leaders, and earning badges, these crucial elements are what make a Pokemon game, and while the spin-offs tend to do their own thing, Pokemon Snap is the game that feels the most out there and experimental.
Just as the name implies, Pokemon Snap is a game all about taking pictures of Pokemon out in the wild, though the game’s mechanics go a lot deeper than this. Being able to catch different expressions and movements within an image will score the player more points once they return to Professor Oak, and with so many unique environments to explore, it makes for a relaxing, chilled-out entry in the hugely popular Pokemon franchise.
2
Hyrule Warriors
Hyrule Warriors Manages To Still Be A Zelda Game While Playing Completely Different from the Mainline Series
- Released
-
September 26, 2014
- ESRB
-
T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
Every Zelda game will incorporate new mechanics, gimmicks, and environments for players to enjoy, but Hyrule Warriors switches up virtually everything. The name Hyrule Warriors references that the gameplay leans heavily into the Dynasty Warriors series, where players must duke it out with hundreds of enemies at a time while using devastating special weapon abilities and skills to obliterate anyone who gets too close.
While the main cast of the Zelda series makes an appearance here, it also includes some basic RPG systems like character and weapon leveling to complement the chaotic yet addictive core gameplay loop. While it was surprising Nintendo was willing to get this creative with a spin-off to one of their most popular franchises, it’s a good thing they took the risk, considering it’s an absolute blast to play, and the same goes for its sequels.
Nobody Could Have Expected A Metal Gear Game Would Go The Hack-And-Slash Route
- Released
-
February 19, 2013
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Though Raiden has played the role of protagonist before in the Metal Gear series, back then, he was still a naive soldier who relied heavily on stealth to navigate his way around his enemies. In Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, however, ‘Jack the Ripper’ prefers to slice his enemies into ribbons, which players can actually do in-game through the game’s cutting system, which gives them full control of each and every swing.
Suffice it to say, this game plays wildly different from anything else seen in this legendary series, but that’s certainly not a bad thing. Being able to upgrade Raiden’s abilities to unleash new combo attacks against regular enemies and even giant Metal Gear mechs makes this an incredibly satisfying hack-and-slash title that Platinum Games managed to pull off despite the odds.
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