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10 Games You Didn't Realize SHARE A Universe

10 Games You Didn't Realize SHARE A Universe
VOICE OVER: Johnny Reynolds WRITTEN BY: Johnny Reynolds
The connections between these games are so small, you may not have realized they're in the same universe. For this list, we'll be looking at sets of games or franchises you may not have realized share the same world. For obvious reasons, we aren't including crossover games, events, or DLC. Our list includes the “Hitman” series (2000-) & “Kane & Lynch” series (2007-10), “Vagrant Story” (2000) & “Final Fantasy XII” (2006), the “NieR” series (2010-21) & “Drakengard” series (2003-13), and more!

Script written by Johnny Reynolds

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re exploring 10 Games You Didn’t Realize Share a Universe. For this list, we’ll be looking at sets of games or franchises you may not have realized share the same world. For obvious reasons, we aren’t including crossover games, events, or DLC. Were you aware of any of these? Is there something we left off? Let us know in the comments!

“Vagrant Story” (2000) & “Final Fantasy XII” (2006)


Most “Final Fantasy” games take place in entirely different worlds, though some receive spin-offs so players can further enjoy them. However, this case is a little bit different. “Vagrant Story” is set in the kingdom of Valendia, itself part of a larger world called Ivalice. It features references to spin-off “Final Fantasy Tactics,” but its connection to the larger world was made clearer with “Final Fantasy XII” six years later. Set in that larger world, it focused on events across three continents, one of which was Valendia. Ivalice has since been explored further in spin-offs for “XII” as well as the “Stormblood” expansion for “XIV.” “Vagrant Story” was overshadowed by other RPGs that year, including Square’s own “Final Fantasy IX,” so many players may not have realized the connection.

“Red Faction” (2001) & “Saints Row 2” (2008)


It’s strange to think that a bleak, futuristic game set on Mars and the over-the-top shenanigans of the 3rd Street Saints could be set in the same universe. The original “Red Faction” has you lead a rebellion against the oppressive Ultor Corporation, which forces people to mine for resources amidst a plague. As it turns out, present day Ultor is just as power-hungry and ruthless. The corporation appears in “Saints Row 2,” where it tries to pit gangs against each other to lower the price of real estate it wants to redevelop. DLC would have you further contend with the vile company. But it appears Ultor persisted, moving to Mars for future, wicked goals.

“Watch Dogs” (2014) & “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” (2013)


While arguably no one plays “Assassin’s Creed” for the present-day sections, one entry did provide a substantial connection to another Ubisoft series. In “Black Flag,” the modern day portion follows an employee of Abstergo Entertainment, whose CEO is Olivier Garneau. Eventually, Garneau is murdered, though you don’t know by whom. Well, jump over to “Watch Dogs,” where player character Aiden Pearce must complete a mission by killing Garneau. Writer Darby McDevitt stated an actual shared universe would be too complex, and that this was just a bit of fun. Both franchises have included multiple Easter Eggs for the other. Regardless, it’s neat to see a mystery in one game get a potential answer in another.

“Hitman” series (2000-) & “Kane & Lynch” series (2007-10)


While IO Interactive’s “Hitman” series has continued to garner success, “Kane & Lynch” only lasted for two games. The developer actually began setting the duo up before the release of their first game. In “Hitman: Blood Money,” you can find newspaper articles that reference their breakout. “Blood Money” released a year before “Kane & Lynch: Dead Men” but a more obvious link could be found in 2012’s “Hitman: Absolution.” During the ‘Welcome to Hope’ mission, you can find Kane in a bar. And during the mission ‘Birdie’s Gift,’ you’ll find Lynch at a firing range. You can even kill both of them if you want. If you don’t, they both appear again in later missions…though you still nuke Lynch. “Absolution” released two years after “Kane & Lynch 2,” so, canonically, this is their end.

“Battlefield: Bad Company” (2008) & “Mirror’s Edge” series (2008-16)


“Battlefield” is one of EA’s biggest franchises, and one entry connects to one of EA’s most underappreciated franchises. The original “Mirror’s Edge” follows Faith, a courier who uses incredible parkour skills to illegally deliver goods under the eye of an oppressive government. While running around the futuristic setting, you can come across scrolling news bulletins. Some will mention an ongoing war between fictional countries Tazbikistan and Serdaristan. Serdaristan played a major role in the plot of “Battlefield: Bad Company,” with a big portion of the campaign taking place there. Additionally, you can find a recording of the “Bad Company” characters in “Mirror’s Edge Catalyst.” It seems “Mirror’s Edge” is set in the future of “Bad Company.”

“Manhunt” (2003), “Bully” (2006), & “Grand Theft Auto” series (1997-)


Rockstar loves to include Easter Eggs in its games, but some of them definitively link them to the same world. In “Bully,” you might hear NPCs mention Liberty City of the “Grand Theft Auto” series or a Starkweather movie in reference to the villain in “Manhunt.” However, “GTA” and “Manhunt” have far more connections. Carcer City, the setting of “Manhunt,” is referenced multiple times across the “GTA” series. Its existence actually predates “Manhunt” as it was first mentioned in “Grand Theft Auto III.” Additionally, in “San Andreas,” you’ll find wanted posters of protagonist James Earl Cash. There’s also a plethora of fictional products and stores that prove everything is set in one twisted universe.

“NieR” series (2010-21) & “Drakengard” series (2003-13)


The far off future setting of “NieR” and the medieval fantasy setting of “Drakengard” may seem an impossible match. But they are connected, albeit only just. 2003’s “Drakengard” follows Prince Caim in a magical quest for vengeance and notably features several possible endings. While “Drakengard 2” followed one ending, 2010’s “NieR” was set more than a thousand years after another. Specifically, the ending that devastated Earth. 2017’s “NieR: Automata” was set even thousands of years after that, and is by far the most acclaimed and popular in the series. Paired with the fact that the last “Drakengard” released in 2013 to mediocre reviews, there may be some players unaware of this connection.

“Portal” series (2007-11) & “Half-life” series (1998-20)


They may both be first-person franchises from Valve, but “Portal” and “Half-life” are quite different in tone and mechanics. Still, there’s ample evidence that proves they share a universe. In the first “Portal,” you can find slideshow presentations that mention Black Mesa, the research facility in “Half-life” and a competitor of Aperture Science. GLaDOS will also mention the horrors going on outside and an ominous ‘Them,’ referencing the invasion of the Combine. In “Half-life 2: Episode Two,” we see the Aperture-owned research vessel, the Borealis, get attacked. You can actually find part of the Borealis in “Portal 2,” where you’ll also hear the late Cave Johnson rant about Black Mesa.

“Wolfenstein” series (1981-), “Commander Keen” series (1990-2001), & “DOOM” series (1993-)


Given the reboot of the “Wolfenstein” series, it seems this link isn’t quite as strong. But initially, id Software’s groundbreaking titles had a really cool connection. According to John Romero and Tom Hall, the original incarnations of “Wolfenstein,” “Commander Keen,” and “DOOM” were all part of the same universe. Specifically, the Doom Guy was the son of Commander Keen, who was the grandson of BJ Blazkowicz. Blazkowicz, of course, is the protagonist of the “Wolfenstein” series. While there isn’t a whole lot else in-game that links the trio of franchises, the word of the original creators is good enough for us. Though it is a bit odd, considering how much more family friendly “Commander Keen” is in comparison to the other two.

“Firewatch” (2016), “Gone Home” (2013), & “BioShock” series (2007-)


Despite having different developers, there are links between all three games. In “Firewatch,” you can find a book in a supply cache written by Terrence Greenbriar, failed writer and father of the protagonist in “Gone Home.” In response, “Gone Home” developer Fullbright Company included a nod to “Firewatch’s” Overlook Restaurant for its console release. Naturally, the connection to the sci-fi heavy “BioShock” is stranger still. In the “Minerva’s Den” DLC for the second game, you can play an old, fictional video game called ‘Spitfire.’ It seems the series continued on; you can find a copy of ‘Super Spitfire’ for SNES in “Gone Home.” As “BioShock 2’s” DLC was worked on by Steve Gaynor, co-founder of Fullbright Company, the connection seems pretty sound to us.
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