Trilogies are one of the most common ways in the video game industry to develop a fictional universe’s full potential.
Revolving around the same character, story, or message,these sets give depth to a developer’s work, which has multiple opportunities to expand and improve its creation.
From capitalizing on the success of the first installment to improving the shortcomings of an original title with untapped potential, the reasons for creating a trilogy are varied and numerous.
Therefore, to celebrate the large number of series that consist of three games, here is ourlist of the ten best video game trilogies. Some of our choices live on their own island as isolated trilogies, while others are trilogies that exist inside a larger universe of their namesake.
10Borderlands
Vault Hunters Forever
Borderlands 1, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3
As one of the series that best handlescombining different genres,Borderlandshas amassed such a degree of success that it’s now more than just a trilogy.
With a movie and several spin-offs, Gearbox Software’s creation is a multimedia phenomenon, butits three main games are the essential basis of everything.
The first entry created the looter shooter genre, the second made it popular and the third refined it, thus becoming one of the most fun, addictive, and humorous trilogies in the interactive medium.
Although the three video games have different ranges of quality,they all offer great experiences, especially for fans of shooters and role-playing games.
9Darksiders
We Still Need One More
Darksiders, Darksiders 2, and Darksiders 3
Even though the series won’t be complete until its fourth installment hopefully arrives,Darksidershas already become a hack-and-slash icon.
The adventures of War, Death, and Fury are among the best of their kind,each standing out for different reasonsand contributing from their spaces to create a magnificent universe.
Between an action-adventure title, an open-world RPG, and a soulslike,the Horsemen of the Apocalypse have amazed the gaming community through various genres, always respecting their hack-and-slash foundation.
That said,I insistDarksiders 4is more than necessary, so thank goodness it’s already been announced because, if not, my life as a player wouldn’t be complete.
8Assassin’s Creed
Requiescat In Pace
Assassin’s Creed 2, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed Revelations
Assassin’s Creedis a franchise with many installments, but none of them match Ezio Auditore’s iconic adventures.
Being the main figure inAssassin’s Creed 2,Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, andAssassin’s Creed Revelations, the Italian assassin is one of the most recognizable characters in the interactive medium.
This isn’t only due to his remarkable role as a protagonist, but also to the magnificent video games that support him. The trilogy is a superb work in terms of story, setting, and gameplay, and it’s a great example of how to evolve with each installment.
Despite Ubisoft’s attempts to recreate it,Assassin’s Creed’s journey between 2009 and 2011 remains the best in the series and one of the most memorable of the entire generation.
A Light at The End of The Tunnel
Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light, and Metro Exodus
Given the franchise has a handful of thebest post-apocalyptic games,Metrois an inevitable mention regarding the best trilogies in gaming.
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Every episode of Artyom’s journey has been memorable, allowing us to delve deeper into the wonderful universe created by Dmitry Glukhovsky.
With its immersive gameplay, fantastic setting, and grand narrative,it’s a delight to see 4A Games' interpretation of a world ravaged by human nature and the consequences of its actions.
If you add its atmosphere and soundtrack, you have a very complete and complex series of games that deserves a greater appreciation from the public.
6Mass Effect
Order Amidst Chaos
Mass Effect 1, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3
While I had a hard time deciding between BioWare’s two iconic franchises, I ultimately settled on the sci-fi masterpieceMass Effect.
The choice was difficult, but I went with Commander Shepard’s epic quest because of how cohesive the trilogy is, witheach installment fulfilling a vital role in the grand scheme of its narrative.
The entire series revolves around the epic fight to save the whole galaxy, and it does so in an incredibly engaging way that always leaves you wanting more.
All the events, characters, and developments that take place during each entry are unique and unforgettable, even despite its controversial ending.
Mass Effectis a symbol of role-playing games, and its impact on the genre andstory-driven titlesis so significant that not mentioning it on this list would be sacrilege.
5The Witcher
A Story to Remember
The Witcher, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcheris one of those series that has so much quality that it’s difficult not to place it on every list where it’s possible to do so.
Geralt of Rivia has become a video game legend, and each of its adventures is part of thebest RPGsthanks to being excellent in the genre’s most beloved aspects.
However, even above the trilogy’s overall level, its universe and spontaneity are the keys to its excellence, making you feel immersion like few video games can.
As a living franchise with exquisite writing and an enthralling mythology that makes you immediately passionate,The Witcherisa beautiful ode to world-building and open-world games.
4Metal Gear Solid
The Legend of Big Boss
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, and Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Hideo Kojima has created some of the best stories in video games, but also some of the most complicated.
Understanding theMetal Gear Solidseries is as difficult as it is exciting, especially when you manage to connect with Solid Snake and Big Boss, its two greatest references.
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However, in a comparison between their respective ‘trilogies’, I’ll stick withMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater,Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, andMetal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
The chapters starring Solid Snake are also a valid choice, butthe process of getting to know Big Boss' legend is one of the most stunning experiences I’ve had as a player.
Due to its games, messages, and character development, I can only say it’s an essential trilogy. From then on, as with any other creation of Kojima, you have to live it to truly understand it.
3God of War
An Iconic Revenge
God of War, God of War 2, and God of War 3
Speaking of perfect trilogies, I think Santa Monica Studio’s work withGod of Warcan be described as such.
Kratos' Greek journey is a bastion of multiple categories. The best PlayStation games, the best hack-and-slash, and the best protagonists are some discussions in which the original trilogy must be included.
Accompanying the Ghost of Sparta for so many years in his search for revenge and redemption was magical, and it still is thanks to its ability to withstand the passage of time.
Although the Nordic games are also incredible,I feel that surpassing the legacy of the first God of War titles is impossiblesince they are the peak of an entire generation.
There’s Always a Lighthouse
BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite
BioShockis an epoch-making trilogy. Especially within the action-adventure genre, Irrational Games changed the way a story is told in a video game.
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Thanks to a powerful environmental narrative, perfect settings, and as manyplot twistsas possible,traveling to Rapture and Columbia is an experience like no other.
Along with memorable antagonists and gameplay sequences that are especially unique for an FPS,BioShockis a departure from the norm in every sense.
I don’t know how its next installment will reach the original games' quality, but what I do know is thata trilogy like BioShock exists once in a lifetime.
1Dark Souls
The Perfect Cycle
Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2, and Dark Souls 3
As the years go by, I’m increasingly convinced thatDark Soulsis the best trilogy of all time, both on individual and collective merit.
Looking at each title, they’re masterpieces in their own right, but in context,they’re part of a whole that changed the gaming industry entirely.
Dark Soulshas set a precedent that has influenced everything from the most remote indie to the most classic franchise, creating its own genre in the process.
The impact of FromSoftware’s work in recent generations is unparalleled, sprouting one of the most dedicated gaming communities thanks to a trilogy made with intention and passion.
Like all the selections on this list,Dark Soulsis made up of three outstanding games, butthe transcendence of each of these is what puts them above the rest.
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