Summary
Although it seems like video game remakes are becoming more popular than ever, games have been remade for some time now and include iconic games like theFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeandMetal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes. Sometimes, remakes can be even more popular than new games in the AAA scene.
Remakes allow players from different generations to come together and enjoy the same gameas well as let some of gaming’s icons return to the spotlight with even more polygons. Sometimes, remakes become the definitive way to play a certain game, and that isn’t just because of visual updates. Some remakes massively upgrade and improve upon the originals, modernizing controls while ironing out some of the first game’s initial issues.
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The 2020s have been a diverse decade for gaming, with Soulsborne award-winners such as Elden Ring and emotional voyages like The Last of Us Part 2.
To this day, there has never been a game likeShadow of the Colossus.At the time, it was a ground-breaking experience with an open world and giant monsters that required some crafty climbing to reach the weak spots. Even in 2005,the vast yet empty world and the sheer scale of the few bosses that are there were visually amazingand were vital in making the game the classic that it is today.
Shadow of the Colossusis a classic but is also quite niche because of its nature. It’s one of those games that more people have heard of than played, butwhen it was remade in 2018, it presented the perfect opportunity to reach a new audience, with BluePoint Games updating the visuals to make the scale and beauty of the world even more impressive. Although the game is mechanically faithful, the huge updates to the visuals make it the definitive version of the game.
Resident Evilwas in a bit of a lull at one point,but after the success ofResident Evil 7: Biohazardand the introduction of the new RE Engine, Capcom had brought eyes back onto the franchise. Although it had already made a remake of the firstREgame, the remake of the secondResident Evilgame began a sort of renaissance for the series. The franchise is back, arguably stronger than ever, and its iconic cast has never looked more realistic.
TheResident Evil Remakecharacter designs are also being used in the latest animated films, such asDeath Island.
Aside from the amazing graphical fidelity of the RE Engine,theResident Evil 2remake benefits from updated controls, modernizing the game with an over-the-shoulder, third-person viewrather than the security camera switching that the original was known for. The game is also far more cinematic, allowing the characters to really show off their personality, and this formula was later used for both theResident Evil 3and4remakes. It will likely be used again forfutureResident Evilremakes.
Spyrowas once a 3D platforming icon during the late 90s and early 2000sthat found itself somewhat neglected during most of the 2010s outside theSkylanderstitles. Even withSkylanders’popularity at the time, gaming’s most famous purple dragon didn’t have much to do with it since the second title in the series didn’t even featureSpyro’s name. Despite this, 2018 saw the release of theSpyro Reignited Trilogy.
The franchise has been around for a long time, andSpyrocelebrated its 25th anniversarylast year. It appeals to a time when 3D platforming was king, and for those who played the original, theReignited Trilogyis perfect for a trip down memory lane. The visual improvement is immense while maintaining the same vibrant charm of the original and packing the first three games into one game. It’s perfect for getting back into theSpyroseries.
DespiteDemon’s Soulsbeing a very niche title that was a PS3 exclusive, many players grew curious about it after the success of theDark Soulsseries.Demon’s Soulsis a spiritual predecessor toDark Soulsand is attributed with starting not only the Soulsborne series, but also the Soulslike genre. With this popularity but very few who have played it, it presented the perfect opportunity for Bluepoint to work their magic and remake the father of the Soulsborne series for a modern audience.
BluePoint has only made remakes and remasters, having worked onDemon’s Souls, Shadow of the Colossus,andUncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection.
Not only is theDemon’s Soulsremake still one of the most visually impressive games, the sound and effects of the game have been updated. Magic is a bigger spectacle than ever, and the sounds are crunchy and impactful.FromSoftware’s initial designs have been ported and upgraded for the PS5, and the beautiful yet somewhat strange world ofDemon’s Soulshas never looked better.
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Despite PlayStation’s many modern icons coming from gritty and realistic (at least visually speaking) games,it has made sure not to forget the lovableRatchet and Clank. The duo has been a staple in PlayStation’s roster for a while, with a new game being released as recently as 2021. In 2016, Insomniac remade the game that originally put them on the map all the way back in 2002 while making some substantial changes.
While most remakes focus on recreating an original game with more up-to-date hardware,Ratchet and Clankis less of a remake and more of a re-imagining and reboot in a way. Ratchet himself is very different, as well as the story, but the game is visually faithful, keeping similar art styles. The gameplay has been completely overhauled, too, with more modern controls, like strafing, and upgrades for weapons can now be earned through experience.
When people think ofMetal Gear Solidand remakes, theupcoming remake ofSnake Eaterlikely comes to mind, but this isn’t the series' first foray into the remaking scene. TheoriginalMetal Gear Solidwas remade only six years after its release for GameCubeand was titledMetal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes,but that doesn’t mean that there weren’t considerable upgrades. In fact, the improvements made in only six years are incredible.
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakesalso changes the gameplay, making the original more in line with the second title in the series. This includes the gameplay, the graphics (which are a considerable upgrade), and the art style, making the game far more playable. Although it is once again dated, since the remake was released twenty years ago now and can only be played on either the Wii or GameCube, the original can still be accessed on PC.
Although Naughty Dog is now famous for its intricate storytelling and realistic graphics with titles likeThe Last of UsandUncharted,it was once a leader in the 3D platformer space, with its iconCrash Bandicootand its infamous difficulty. The studio no longer has access to the series that put it on the map, but this could be a good thing. With Activision at the helm,the original trilogy ofCrashgames have been remade and are available on almost any platform.
TheN.SaneTrilogyupdates the visuals while keeping the games vibrant, which is important to maintaining the original feel of the games.It’s the best way to play theCrash Bandicootgames in the modern era, especially because it can be played on practically anything and features gameplay updates without taking away from the original level design. It’s still difficult, though, which may be frustrating, but it is also perfectly nostalgic at the same time.
3Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Breathe New Life Into Gen 2
Originally Released In 1999, Remade In 2009
Pokémonhas made a habit of developing remakes of late, but one is arguably better than the rest.HeartGold and SoulSilverare a massive upgrade compared toGold and Silver, with better graphics (even though both use pixel art), and the remakes actually have some 3D models. There are quality of life improvements too, new locations not in the originals and even more legendaries from other games. Overall, it’s a better experience.
Currently,Pokémonhas remade all the games from Gens 1 to 4.
HeartGold and SoulSilveralso have ROMs that can be accessed and used on a PC. These can be used for something likePokéMMOand make them in line with the visual style ofRuby, Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, Black and White.The gameplay is more in line with these titles too,playing better than the originals by far, and if players have access to Gen 3 and 4Pokémon,they can be traded intoHeartGold and SoulSilver.
Black Mesais reasonably unique in that it is a fan-made remake, rather than one that was officially made by the original developer. Originally published as a mod forHalf-Life 2in 2012 as a re-imagining of the first game, the title has since been fully published as a game in its own right in the Source Engine. The game has been visually updated, as one would expect, but also benefits from better gameplay and is the best way for new fans to experience the firstHalf-Life.
It has been a long,16-year journey to makeBlack Mesa, and it shows how dedicated the fans of the series are.Putting the originalHalf-Lifeinto the Source Engine gave it new lifeand Crowbar Collective got creative with the title by creating new Xen Levels. On top of that, there are multiplayer modes, too, and thanks to the Source Engine, the game is easy to mod with a decent presence on the Steam Workshop.
When theFinal Fantasy 7 Remakewas first announced back in 2015, it sent the gaming scene into a state of wild, frenzied excitement.The originalFF7has a claim to be one of the most beloved games ever made, and the remake could bring the iconic cast to life with realistic graphics. Not only did it do that, it made the title’s story more cinematic, gave its characters more charm, and brought Midgar to life with breathtaking spectacle.
The gameplay has been modernized too. It has the more accessible action RPG combat that theFinal Fantasyfranchise has begun to lean into in the modern era. The game is truly spectacular from a visual standpoint, the amazing original soundtrack has been re-scored, and although it is only one third of the original game, theFF7 Remakeis still decently long, adding greater vibrancy and detail to the world. It may be slow in places, butthis video game remake is the perfect way for the current generation to get intoFinal Fantasy 7.
