So, I am making a game that has a villain in it but I don’t know what should come first. The prequel or the sequel?
It depends on your story. If you want to hold the suspense maybe sequel, But for the player to understand the game more it should start with a prequel.
The prequel is the first one, so prequel
I want to hold suspense and surprise them with loads of plot twists
Then yes, If you have ever watched a movie (I think you have) the best part is the backstory.
Yes, that is a perfect example.
How are you going to have a prequel or a sequel without the base entry in the series? A prequel is something that comes before another entry and a sequel is one that comes afterward but you’re missing the in-between which is the first entry. Do that first.
As for how you format this, it depends on how you want to tell the story. There’s no binary option here; if you check out other stories, you can see that they’ll mix together the past, present and future as well as make various references that are understood with a new entry in the series.
Leave players a little mystery as you create entries in your series perhaps. Create some questions in one, answer them in another. Consider drafting the world building and a linear telling of the story on paper (easy to change later and get you thinking), then convey that in a game format whether the series ends up also telling the story in linear or not.
I think a prequel would be more fun to play after the normal game! Prequels can show character development and make a sequel much more understandable. (i.e. Star Wars, how was Darth Vader formed? He had wanted power, so he joined the empire) An example I just thought of is the character comes for a very specific character in the sequel for the game, a prequel could explain hatred for someone.
sequel would be cooler, but prequel would work better
if you want to add some more backstory to the villain, then a prequel would be suitable. it could also give you a chance to expand on the plot more and explain some details that may have confused players.
a sequel would only be good if it’s needed. if there isn’t much reason to create a sequel, then don’t bother making it at all.
but yea, that’s my take on things.