Games that give a reason why the protagonist loses all their power/abilities in the sequel

Inspired by Dalaamclouds list.
You leveled up, got stronger, got abilities and skills... only for the sequel to take (most of) that away from you. But at least it gives a reason. Any reason.
You're welcome to suggest more games, no reason they can give is too ridiculous for this list :)

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Link got zapped by Ganondorf's black goo
(suggested by @wreith)
Metroid Dread
Metroid Dread
Raven Beak defeated Samus and took her crap from the start (suggested by @AlphaOne2)
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
Because Adol got cursed (?)
Kingdom Hearts III
Kingdom Hearts III
Sora got possessed by darkness in the last game.
Yakuza Kiwami 2
Yakuza Kiwami 2
For most of the Yakuza sequels it boils down to Kiryu not keeping up with his training because he was out of the yakuza life for too long.
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
Adol gets shipwrecked and loses his powerful weapon from his previous adventure.
Ys: Memories of Celceta
Ys: Memories of Celceta
Adol has amnesia.
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Because of the Mark of Mastery exam and time travel shenanigans. It's basically Yen Sid's fault.
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2
Shepard dies.
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
The evil tv guy takes away their powers from the first two games and then doesn't give them back until the ending cutscene (suggested by @theia)
God of War II
God of War II
Zeus takes Kratos' powers away (suggested by @rapho)
Kingdom Hearts II
Kingdom Hearts II
Sora slept for a year.
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Sora loses his memories upon entering Castle Oblivion.
Mega Man Zero 2
Mega Man Zero 2
He wore himself to shit fighting random mooks for a year (suggested by @tonyfinale)

9 Comments


1 month ago

Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - he got zapped by Ganondorf's black goo

1 month ago

@wreith Thanks, added!

1 month ago

Metroid Dread - Raven Beak (the primary antagonist) defeated Samus and took her crap from the start.

1 month ago

@AlphaOne2 Added :-)

1 month ago

MegaMan Zero 2 - bro wore himself to shit fighting random mooks for a year

1 month ago

banjo-kazooie nuts & bolts - the evil tv guy takes away their powers from the first two games and then doesn't give them back until the ending cutscene

1 month ago

@tonyfinale @theia Thanks, this list is growing weirder by the hour ^^

6 days ago

God of war 2, right at the beginning Zeus takes Kratos powers away

1 day ago

@rapho Thanks. I wish Ragnarök would have a reason for his loss of powers like that!


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