In the world of gaming, sequels have always been about larger-than-life narratives, bigger worlds, and, more often than not, longer playtimes. But what if the future of AAA gaming is not about making things more enormous, but rather, a more focused kind of game? Enter the era of the "half-sequel."
Take a moment to look back at the PlayStation's recent gaming milestones, with games like Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy - and, to some extent, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut and Death Stranding Director's Cut - though not as sprawling as their predecessors, have captured the hearts of many gamers. These weren't mere additions nor re-releases for the sake of making more money from the same game; they felt complete, offering a welcome mix of rich narratives and unique experiences all squeezed into a few hours. By all standards, they were highly successful, praised not just for their content but for their digestible length and focus. Such titles exemplify how a short, compelling gaming experience can leave as lasting an impression as any 40-hour epic.
Now, whispers in the gaming grapevine hint that another fan-favorite, the renowned God of War series, might be next in line for a similar treatment.