Do You Need to Play the Original Before Its Sequel?

No, you generally do not need to play the original before its sequel, but doing so can enrich your understanding of the story, characters, and world. The answer depends on the genre, the specific franchise, and what you value most in a game—whether that’s narrative continuity, gameplay mechanics, or simply saving time. This guide breaks down when skipping the original is fine, when it might hurt your experience, and how to decide for any sequel you’re considering.

Why the Original Often Isn’t Required

Most sequels are designed to be accessible to newcomers. Developers know that not everyone played the first game, so they typically include:

• Recaps or summaries of previous events (e.g., in the opening cutscene or codex entries).
• Independent story arcs that stand alone, even if they share a universe.
• Tutorials that teach mechanics from scratch, so you don’t need prior experience.

For example, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt works perfectly fine as a standalone experience—you might miss some references, but the main plot is self-contained. Similarly, Final Fantasy games are almost all separate stories with no connection to each other, so playing the previous entry is completely unnecessary.

When Playing the Original Matters Most

There are cases where the original is strongly recommended, or even essential:

• Direct narrative sequels: Games like Mass Effect 2 or The Last of Us Part II continue the exact same story with the same characters. Skipping the first game means you’ll miss emotional beats and character motivations.
• Choices that carry over: Some sequels import your save file from the original, affecting the story (e.g., Mass Effect trilogy, Dragon Age series). Playing the original lets you shape that continuity.
• Gameplay evolution: If the sequel builds directly on the mechanics of the original (like Dark Souls II or God of War Ragnarök), you might struggle with the difficulty curve if you’re not familiar with the basics.

How to Decide for Any Specific Sequel

To make a quick decision, ask yourself these questions:

1. Is the story continuous? If the sequel picks up immediately after the original’s ending, you’ll probably want to play the first one.
2. Does the sequel recap? Search for “do I need to play [game] before [sequel]” or check if the game has a “previously on” feature.
3. How much time do you have? If you’re short on time, look up the average playtime of the original (e.g., on HowLongToBeat) and decide if it’s worth the investment.
4. What do you care about? If you only care about gameplay, you can often skip the original. If you care about story, you might want to play it.

For example, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel, so you can play it before the first game without any issues. Assassin’s Creed games are mostly standalone, though some modern ones connect loosely.

Common Misconceptions

One common myth is that you must play the original to understand the sequel. In reality, most sequels are designed to be entry points. Another misconception is that playing the original will ruin the sequel’s surprises. Sometimes the opposite is true: playing the original can make you appreciate the sequel’s callbacks and foreshadowing more.

Another misconception is that skipping the original means you’ll be lost in the lore. While you might miss some world-building, most games provide in-game codex entries, lore logs, or dialogue that fill you in.

Alternatives to Playing the Original

If you don’t want to invest dozens of hours into the original, consider these alternatives:

• Watch a story recap on YouTube: Many channels provide 10–20 minute summaries of the full plot.
• Read a wiki summary: Sites like Fandom have detailed plot summaries that take minutes to read.
• Use the sequel’s built-in recap: Some games offer a “previously on” video or text summary.
• Play the original on easy difficulty: If you want the experience but not the challenge, lower the difficulty to rush through.

Cost and Time Considerations

Playing the original costs money (unless it’s free or on a subscription service) and time. The average game takes about 20–30 hours to complete, but some RPGs can take 100+ hours. If you’re on a tight budget, you might prefer to invest in the sequel only. Many older originals are heavily discounted during sales, so you could pick them up cheaply if you ever want to play them.

Also, consider that some sequels are better than the original, and playing the original might sour your experience. For instance, if the original has clunky controls or outdated graphics, you might find it hard to get through, which could diminish your excitement for the sequel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to play The Witcher 1 and 2 before The Witcher 3?
A: No. The Witcher 3 is designed to be a standalone experience. You’ll miss some references and character cameos, but the main plot is self-contained. If you want more context, you can watch a recap or read the books.

Q: Should I play the original God of War before God of War Ragnarök?
A: Yes, strongly recommended. Ragnarök is a direct sequel to the 2018 God of War, continuing the same story with the same characters. Playing the original will make you care about the characters and understand the emotional stakes.

Q: Can I skip the original if I watch a recap?
A: Yes, for most games. A good recap will give you the essential plot points and character motivations. However, you’ll miss the emotional impact of playing through the events yourself, which can affect how much you care about the sequel.

Q: Are there any sequels that are better to play without the original?
A: Yes. Some sequels are so different in tone or gameplay that playing the original might give you wrong expectations. For example, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is very different from the original Assassin’s Creed, and you can enjoy it without any prior knowledge.

Q: How do I know if a sequel is a direct continuation?
A: Check the game’s description or reviews. If it says “direct sequel” or “continues the story of,” it’s probably a continuation. You can also search online forums for “do I need to play the first game?”

Q: Is it okay to play the sequel first and then the original?
A: Yes, but be prepared for spoilers. If the sequel reveals major plot twists of the original, playing it first will spoil those moments. However, some players enjoy seeing how the story began after experiencing the sequel.

Related

• Wet Weather Commuting: Best Non-Shell Jacket Alternatives
• Workstation vs Desktop: Key Differences
• Field Hockey vs Ice Hockey Rules, Gear, Surfaces