Summary
- Bethesda's Oblivion remaster is more akin to a remake, combining new visuals with the original engine for a unique experience.
- RPG classics like The Legend of Dragoon, Arx Fatalis, and Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines are in need of remasters because of their dated visuals and mechanics.
- Games like Morrowind, Fallout, and Deus Ex could benefit from the same treatment as Oblivion, combing authenticity and innovation, sparking excitement among fans.
Bethesda's surprise Oblivion remaster is, in reality, closer to a fully-fledged remake, featuring entirely new visuals built within Unreal Engine 5 but placed on the brain of the Oblivion's original engine. It's a unique blend of authenticity and innovation that has, in large part, made it a hit among fans.
While many players are busy exploring the province of Cyrodill once again or for the very first time, some can't help but wonder what other RPGs could use an update. The list below includes a number of those classic RPGs that are in great need of a face-lift on par with or, in some instances, more drastic than Oblivion's recent makeover.
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10 The Legend of Dragoon
Harnessing The Power Of Dragons Once Again
The Legend of Dragoon
- Released
- June 14, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- JapanStudio
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
While Sony's The Legend of Dragoon has already made its way into the modern generation with a PS5 port that enhanced some of its visuals and mechanics, the game is still archaic when compared to modern JRPGs of today. Controlling a party of Dragoon warriors, fighters who can harness the power of dragons, players set out on a journey to stop the destruction of the world itself. With a concept as cool as transforming into dragon warriors alongside The Legend of Dragoon's excellent setting, revisiting this underrated RPG to give it a fresh new coat of paint feels like a no-brainer. Especially considering Sony's recent questionable slew of remasters for titles less than 10 years old.
9 Arx Fatalis
Subterranean RPG Deserves Its Time In The Light
Arx Fatalis
- Released
- December 23, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Arkane Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Before Dishonoured and Prey, there was Arx Fatalis, Arkane's first game and one that was ahead of its time. Set in a world with a dying sun, the game sees players exploring subterranean medieval cities as they set out to defeat the God of Destruction, Akbaa.
Compared to today's standards, Arx Fatalis is quite dated and janky, and requires additional third-party programs to be installed just for it to run smoothly on modern hardware. However, when it dropped back in 2002, Arx delivered a truly immersive setting and a magic system that still stands out as unique today. Modern gamers deserve to experience it in its full glory.
8 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
In Need Of Some Serious Maintenance
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
- Released
- November 16, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Troika Games
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is the fire station baby of RPGs. Left unfinished on players' doorsteps in 2004, the game was infamously plagued with bugs that were left for the community to fix themselves. Even with that sort of dedication from the fan base, the game is still a bit rough around the edges.
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It's a shame because Bloodlines is a genuinely fantastic RPG. Based on the TTRPG Vampire: The Masquerade, Bloodlines invites players to a monster-ridden version of L.A. Where they'll become vampires themselves, growing their dark vampiric powers as they pursue a number of quests. With the release of the game's sequel becoming more and more uncertain, an Oblivion-inspired polished version of the original would be met with celebration from fans.
7 Parasite Eve
Capcom Has Paved The Way For This Survival Horror RPG To Return
Parasite Eve
- Released
- September 9, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Genre(s)
- Horror, Action RPG
Square Enix's Parasite Eve is unique for its blending of the survival horror and RPG genres. Players assume the role of Aya Brea, a New York City police officer, as she faces off against Eve, a sentient and parasitic mitochondria hell-bent on destroying humanity. Gameplay revolves around survival horror staples like solving puzzles and scavenging for supplies, with combat taking inspiration from the turn-based mechanics of JRPGs.
Considering the success Capcom has had with their remakes of the Resident Evil franchise, it is clear gamers are eager to discover or rediscover classic horror titles with updated visuals and mechanics reflective of today's quality of games. Parasite Eve is a great candidate.
6 Xenogears
The Final Fantasy 7 That Could Have Been
Xenogears
- Released
- October 20, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Xenogears originally started out as a concept pitched for Final Fantasy 7, before developing into its own ambitious project. The game's story is difficult to summarize, as it juggles so many ideas and philosophical concepts. It begins with Fei setting out to uncover the forces pulling the strings of the universe and within himself after he accidentally destroys his village while operating a Gear, Xenogears' mechs.
Despite such a layered and complex story, Xenogears was overshadowed by titles like Final Fantasy 7 and never received the same sort of recognition. For that, Xenogears should come back, getting a revamp on the same scale as FF7 did back in 2020 with its remake.
5 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Following In The Steps Of Its Successor
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Released
- May 1, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Although it would be nice for Bethesda to make new games rather than stick to their endless cycle of remasters and re-releases, the recent glow-up of Oblivion has eyes now turning to its predecessor, Morrowind. While the latter is more dated, likely meaning heavier changes to gameplay mechanics will need to be made, Bethesda has an excellent foundation to work on if they ever decide to remake it.
A lot of fans would probably appreciate the same authentic approach made to Oblivion too, as Morrowind's immersive exploration and detailed setting are already considered perfect by some. Altering the game too drastically in that regard would risk alienating dedicated fans of the original.
4 Fallout
Giving The Wasteland A Face Lift
Fallout
- Released
- October 10, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
While a valid argument could be made for Bethesda's homegrown titles to be remade first, the original Fallout games are definitely in need of some love. Though playable and accessible today, Fallout's first outing is still a little too crunchy for some gamers' tastes. Fans of the original duology and Bethesda's first-person reimaginings would likely leap at the opportunity to experience the first game with updated visuals, a sleeker UI, and more intuitive gameplay.
A Fallout remake could even take a page out of Capcom's book, moving its overhead camera to a first-person view like its successors. However, a gameplay shift as substantial as that is bound to divide fans.
3 Deus Ex
System Shock Did It
Deus Ex
- Released
- June 23, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ion Storm
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, FPS, Stealth
Many fans consider Deus Ex to be perfect as it is, jank and all, and believe that a remake would be unnecessary. Yet the recent release of System Shock's remake, though coming from far more inaccessible source material, proved that the magic of a classic immersive sim can be successfully updated for a modern audience.
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Should Square Enix or a second-party developer approach a Deus Ex remake with player agency and an open-ended RPG experience at the core of their design principles, the game would have the potential to satisfy veterans and newbies alike.
2 Planescape Torment
Isometric RPGs Are In
Planescape: Torment
- Released
- December 12, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Black Isle Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The explosive success of Baldurs Gate 3 has reinforced that there is still a strong market for isometric RPGs in the video game world. Which means that there is no better time than now for one of the genre's best titles to come back with a shiny new update.
Black Isle's Planescape: Torment is widely regarded as boasting one of the best narratives in RPGs. Players assume the role of the Nameless One, a disfigured immortal who has come down with a common case of video game amnesia. Setting out across the city of Sigil, the Nameless One begins picking up pieces of his past and running into faces he can't remember. With a remake, Planescape's visuals and often times obtuse gameplay mechanics could be improved, like Oblivion, to have it rubbing shoulders with modern CRPGs.
1 Chrono Trigger
Adapting Perfection
Chrono Trigger
- Released
- March 11, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The idea of altering Chrono Trigger in any way may, to some, be deemed as sacrilege, with many gamers holding the title in their hearts as one of the best RPGs ever. But a remake on the scale of Oblivion (updating the graphics, perhaps to HD-2D, while maintaining the core gameplay elements) or even Final Fantasy 7 (where mechanics and visuals are changed drastically) that exists alongside the original, may be a good way for modern gamers (who otherwise would have missed the titl)- to experience Chrono Trigger's world and story for the first time.
Created by the collective minds of the "Dream Team," a dev team which included the late legendary Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, players follows a group of adventurers, led by silent protagonist Crono, as they travel through time to prevent the apocalypse.
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