Summary
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 andunique mechanicsthat help them stand out but which also took a lot of fans by surprise when jumping into them for the first time.
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.
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub Zerois 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 Mythologiesis more of a side-scrolling action adventure game where players assume control ofSub-Zero; an iconic characterwho 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.
After the firstDead Spacegame 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. WhileDead Space Extractionstill features theterrifying Necromorph enemiesand 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.
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.
Dirge of Cerberus, a spin-off to the immensely popularFinal Fantasy 7, plays like a game from an entirely different series altogether. This game, which follows the fan-favorite party member Vincent Valentine, is athird-person shooterwhere 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 Cerberusstill provides an enjoyable experience through its intense gameplay while also offering quite a bit of intriguing lore to theFinal Fantasy 7universe as a whole.
By the timeAssassin’s Creed Chronicleswas 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 whileAssassin’s Creed Rogueplays virtually identical to the other games,Chroniclesis a different story.Chronicles, which contains three games in one package, takes a 2.5D perspective to turn the games intoside scrollers.
Still, despite the camera change, this is stillAssassin’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 inChroniclestake 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.
Aside from the cel-shaded art style and quirky cast of characters, pretty much everything aboutTales From the Borderlands is different from the original games. Because the game was developed by Telltale, the minds behindThe Walking Deadgame, 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 1,2and3arefast-paced FPS shootersthat are in an entirely different genre, making this episodic spin-off a pretty risky gamble. However,Tales From the Borderlandssucceeded 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.
Anyone who is even remotely interested in video games will be well aware of how aPokemongame plays by now. Collecting pocket monsters, taking on Gym leaders, and earning badges, these crucial elements are what make aPokemongame, and whilethe spin-offstend to do their own thing,Pokemon Snapis the game that feels the most out there and experimental.
Just as the name implies,Pokemon Snapis 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 popularPokemonfranchise.
EveryZeldagame will incorporate new mechanics, gimmicks, and environments for players to enjoy, butHyrule Warriorsswitches up virtually everything. The nameHyrule Warriorsreferences that the gameplay leans heavily into theDynasty Warriorsseries, 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 theZeldaseries 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.
Though Raiden has played the role of protagonist before in theMetal Gearseries, back then, he was still a naive soldier who relied heavily on stealth to navigate his way around his enemies. InMetal 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.
