Spin-off titles have become common practice in the gaming industry, which allows developers to flex their creative muscles by exploring alternative scenarios or otherwise leaving their beloved IP in the hands of other studios. It can be risky to try and create spin-off titles, but sometimes it's a risk that pays off.
From the smash-hit horror franchise Resident Evil to the iconic shooter series, Borderlands, there have been many games that have dabbled in creating spin-offs, which largely diverge from the genres of the father series, but the famous title is usually enough to draw existing fans in.
9 Hyrule Warriors
Legend of Zelda is a game series following the story of Link, a young Hylian who always finds himself saddled with the fate of Hyrule as dark forces invade with the intention to overthrow the titular Princess and seize power for themselves. Though the antagonist is usually Ganondorf, the main villain, there have been a few titles that have diverged from this. But no Zelda title has differed from the norm quite like Hyrule Warriors.
Rather than delving into a high fantasy adventure that will see players touring through the world battling monsters and completing dungeons, Hyrule Warriors is all about killing as many monsters as possible in a fast-paced action-packed hack-and-slash title.
8 Tales from the Borderlands
Telltale Games has made a career from creating episodic games based on already existing IPs such as Batman and The Walking Dead, to name a few. They also have delved into creating games based on games, with Tales from the Borderlands being one of them. Though it is a spin-off title from the main series, Telltale made the bold decision to kill a recurring character whose death would be referenced in the third game.
Set between Borderlands 2 and 3, this episodic game follows the story of Rhys, an ambitious corporate man who wants to take Handsome Jack's position as the head honcho of Hyperion. He finds himself teaming up with Fiona, a clever con woman, as they fall victim to a shady deal gone awry.
7 Resident Evil: Revelations
Resident Evil 7 is often praised as the franchise's return to survival horror with its spine-tingling dread, gut-lurching hide-and-seek sequences, and claustrophobic atmosphere, but there is another RE title that did it first: Revelations. Though it first saw its release as a 3DS exclusive, that did not stop Capcom from crafting a game with a water-tight atmosphere and grotesque monstrosities, and its popularity earned it a remaster across multiple platforms.
Taking place between Resident Evil 4 and 5, Revelations sees Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield returning as main protagonists revealing the truth surrounding the T-Abyss virus. After boarding a supposedly abandoned ghost ship, the Queen Zenobia, they quickly discover that, while there are no human survivors, there are plenty of monsters who want to make the plucky BSAA agents their dinner.
6 Silent Hill: Book of Memories
Though Silent Hill by name, this PS Vita title saw a major divergence from what the series is known for, which is a suffocating, single-player survival horror with horrific monster designs and clunky combat. Book of Memories instead seems to be more of an RPG title, bringing in various elements such as a player-designed protagonist, dungeons crawling with monsters, and a leveling-up system.
The plot centers around the player-created protagonist who received the titular book of memories on their birthday, which outlines their entire life. After seeing how their life is destined to unfold, the protagonist attempts to change for the better, but in the sleeping world, they will visit monster-filled locations, each with a unique theme. It is certainly a drastic change from what fans of Silent Hill are used to, but its uniqueness is where the appeal lies.
5 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Metal Gear is a series known for playing strongly into stealth mechanics, with players encouraged to be patient and sneak their way past enemy forces rather than attempt to battle their way through guns blazing. But that is exactly what Revenegeance plays like, with a higher emphasis on action and combat, though it follows a storyline as wacky and surreal as the main series.
Players control katana-toting cyborg ninja Raiden in the year 2018, four years after the event of Metal Gear Solid 4. After the destruction of the Patriots, Private Military Companies have turned to advanced cyborg technology to create an army of durable super soldiers.
4 Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
The Mario series is built on the back of spin-off games, as most of its most popular titles are spin-offs from the platforming series that was Mario's debut in the gaming world. Arguably the best spin-off Mario games are the Mario Kart titles, which see players taking control of various Nintendo characters to race along tracks from the series, using items that help themselves or hinder opponents.
Double Dash saw the unique inclusion of having two characters team up on one vehicle, with one controlling the driving as the other focuses more on making use of the items. It was a novel idea, which is one of the reasons Double Dash remains as many fans' favorite.
3 Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales
The Witcher is a well-known and beloved RPG series that places the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. With such a vast world and in-depth lore, there are countless other stories that could be told in the Witcher universe, which is exactly what Thronebreaker delivers.
In this Witcher title, players will not control Geralt, but Queen Meve, the monarch of Lyria and Rivia, during events that occur before those of the main series. War is brewing in the continent, as Nilfgaard invades Queen Meve's realms following the passing of her husband, the King. It is an interesting title that expands on the lore of the Witcher universe, introducing a new protagonist and events previously not covered in the games.
2 Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout always follows the stories of players exploring a post-apocalyptic set after a nuclear bombing, just as the title suggests. With several numbered titles and even an online multiplayer title in the Fallout franchise, it is not surprising it has a spin-off title of its own in the form of New Vegas. Obsidian handled the development, and it became one of the most beloved and popular Fallout games.
Set in New Vegas, a fictionalized version of Las Vegas, there are major factions at play vying for the seat of power, the NCR, Caesar's Legion, and Mr. House. The game opens with the player character, who works as a Courier, being shot in the head by Benny in order to steal the Platinum Chip in their possession. The Courier awakens after miraculously surviving the attack and sets out on a quest for vengeance or to let bygones be bygones.
1 Persona 5 Strikers
Persona fans will recognize the game series for its colorful cast of characters, in-depth plotlines, and the personas that users summon to battle against monstrous forces that exist in the world, unseen by non-users. Fans might be hard-pressed to recognize Strikers, however, as this spin-off title differs majorly from the main entries in the series.
Rather than the focus on turn-based combat and balancing the secret life of a Persona user and a high school student, Persona 5 Strikers is a fast-paced hack-and-slash game in a similar vein to Dynasty Warriors.