| rdfs:comment | - Sometimes, a Sequel to a video game is completely different from the original; perhaps the designers got a little overexcited about creating new things. Other times, however, you get just the opposite: Essentially, extra levels for the original game. Either it's the same engine, or the feel is identical, or what have you; but nevertheless, the player feels slightly ripped off. Any way you cut it, you're paying full price for an Expansion Pack. Some old games did this in a manner similar to Divided for Publication, when ported to a system which couldn't fit all the stages onto one cartridge.
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| abstract | - Sometimes, a Sequel to a video game is completely different from the original; perhaps the designers got a little overexcited about creating new things. Other times, however, you get just the opposite: Essentially, extra levels for the original game. Either it's the same engine, or the feel is identical, or what have you; but nevertheless, the player feels slightly ripped off. Any way you cut it, you're paying full price for an Expansion Pack. Other gamers enjoy mission pack sequels when they are obviously such, because then they know exactly what they're getting into, and sometimes extra content for a fun game is a good thing. Some gamers don't trust their favorite companies to innovate, and would rather they stick to what they're demonstrably good at. Thanks to the general contrariness of many gamers, not producing this kind of sequel when expected to can result in They Changed It, Now It Sucks. Critics, on the other hand, tend to be Sequelphobic. This trope provides exclamations of It Is the Same Now It Sucks. To compensate for the lack of new play mechanics, a Mission Pack Sequel may feature harder levels than the original game, with more and/or tougher enemies. Some old games did this in a manner similar to Divided for Publication, when ported to a system which couldn't fit all the stages onto one cartridge. Remember that just being part of a series doesn't make a game an example of this. Having a similar game system is part of the definition of being a series; a game only qualifies as a Mission Pack Sequel if the sequel adds almost nothing in the way of innovation or new features. An installment that embraces this may be marketed as a "stand-alone expansion" instead of a full sequel, which usually means a lower retail price. If it looks like a Mission Pack Sequel, but isn't a sequel, then it's probably a Gaiden Game. Compare Serial Numbers Filed Off. Contrast In Name Only, Dolled-Up Installment. Examples of Mission Pack Sequel include:
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