The inspiration for this article, the Shenmue series is, historically, one of the most expensive ever put to disc, with incredible production values and a deep and affecting story arc. The original is one of the first titles to deliver the concept of living in a believable, fully realised in-game society. We shed man tears for every day that passes without a Shenmue 3. And why? Because Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki promised us 12 different chapters and left us with an oblique cliffhanger after the fifth chapter at the end of the second game. That, and we’ve never been so desperate to give a bad guy his comeuppance as Lan Di.

How it was set up for a sequel
After spending countless hours chatting to strangers in Hong Kong you're left with Ryo and the mysterious Ling Shenua standing in front of a massive stone depiction of the Dragon and Phoenix mirrors - the artefacts the series’ mythology is built around - in a darkly lit cavern in the Guilin countryside. Combine with lots of awed, confused looks and a floating sword, and we're no closer to confronting Lan Di – your father’s killer and the dastard you’ve being chasing for countless hours - and smacking him in his smug spuds.

Will we ever get closure?
Will we ever get to unravel any of the above mysteries built up over the first two massively ambitious 20+ hour games? Or will Sega keep peddling out safe, but shameless Sonic spin-offs? Ooh, tough one. Despite the games operating at substantial losses - the first cost $70 million to make and certainly didn’t recoup that in sales - Sega have never completely ruled out making Shenmue 3. Although, current president of Sega America, Simon Jeffrey, as good as shot our hopes stone dead at this year’s E3, by saying that there are currently no plans to revisit Shenmue.

This striking cel-shaded shooter is remembered fondly by the few folk that bought it in 2003. Offering a refreshing change from the turgid browns that dominate the FPS, with a beautiful colour palette and memorable storyline - it was based on the 1984 Belgian comics of the same name - we still remember XIII more for its frustratingly unresolved ending than the game’s redeeming features.

How it was set up for a sequel
After offing a series of evil conspirators from a shady group known as The XX, the David Duchovny-voiced titular assassin thinks his work his done. However, the plot continues to twist and turn to the very end, with the game's last moments teasing with a series of flashbacks apparently revealing that the identity of Number I - the head of The XX organisation - is US President-elect William Sheridan, who's helped you through much of the game. The flashback finishes, XIII turns around to see Sheridan walk in the room. Fade to black. To be continued...

Will we ever get closure?
If a few million of you go out and buy three copies each of the game, then yes, we might get a sequel and closure to all the shady conspiratorial goings on. Failing that, though, the underwhelming sales figures from XIII likely means this is one story we’ll never get a proper resolution to.

Without doubt the most unintentionally cruel, and therefore funny, entry on the list. Haven’s developers, Traveller's Tales, were so confident they’d get the moolah to turn the game into a trilogy, they left their title hero in a tragically hilarious predicament. Though, going on the extremely mixed reviews and the fact that this was a game which tried to be a jack of all trades - implementing platforming, driving and puzzle elements – yet mastered none, we’d say that confidence came from the entire Traveller’s Tales team being chained to radiators. With their fingers in their ears. Humming loudly.

How it was set up for a sequel
Well, aside from the developers putting a screen-filling message of ‘Haven will return in the revenge of Haven’ we don’t think you can tease a sequel more than the following scenario. As well as the baddie getting away, the king being killed, and the revelation that your best friend is a traitor, Traveller’s Tales also decided to leave main character Haven chained to a rock. Not exactly a fairytale ending.

Will we ever get closure?
Right after we get Shenmue 3. So no, then. Another story bites the dust thanks entirely to poor sales.