Borkachev on 26 May 2008
Who said it needs to be a sequel of the same story? You seem to be assuming here that it isn't possible to pull off a different (and decent) story in the same universe with the same characters.
What's the difference between a direct sequel and a story in the same universe with the same characters? If you're using the original characters, I don't see how you could avoid building on the established canon.
A story set in the same world with all-new characters would be better, but I still don't particularly want to see it. Just how often is this world faced with destruction? Even if they're not messing with the characters, they'll inevitably screw up the world, a la Crisis Core and all its nonsense about the Wutai war and the Loveless story.
I'm also a little more open to prequels. Crisis Core, for instance, didn't have to be bad, even though it was. If they'd focused on Zack's character instead of bringing in a bunch of ridiculous and poorly-thought-out new villains and convoluted evil plots, they might have had something worthwhile -- unnecessary, but at least something that didn't diminish the original game.
Mainly I wish they'd just quit already (and maybe they finally have). Some things should be left sacred.
