The remake trend is stronger than ever before in the realm of video gaming. The cost of forming a new IP and creating games from the ground up is astronomical in the industry, which is why studios prefer to target existing fanbases of quality games that are a bit dated and release remakes that already have half the work done for them.
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For the most part, these remakes capture the essence of the original and don't really change the formula too much. However, some titles make so many major changes that they barely feel similar to the original games.
Final Fantasy 15: Pocket Edition
A Nifty, Bite-Sized Way To Experience The Story Of The Original
Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition
- Released
- February 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Fighting, Adventure
Final Fantasy 15's expanded multimedia universe is a wild ride for fans of the game. Kingsglaive and Brotherhood should be seen before playing the game to get a picture of the full story, and the various spin-offs flesh out other elements of the universe.
One of the more unique pieces of media attached to Final Fantasy 15 was a full-blown remake tailor-made for portable devices. Final Fantasy 15: Pocket Edition is a bizarre yet fun way to enjoy the game's story, cutting out the open world in favor of a linear experience with simplified visuals.
Silent Hill 2
The Story Is 1:1, The Gameplay (And Camera Work) Is Anything But
Silent Hill 2
- Released
- October 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Silent Hill 2 is one of the greatest survival horror games ever made, and a remake of this title had some major shoes to fill. Despite fan trepidation, Bloober Team did an excellent job of remaking the game and modernizing the gameplay to make it easier for new fans to get into.
The story may be largely similar, but the lack of fixed camera angles makes it clear that other elements of the game would receive a massive overhaul. Some of the original game's sinister atmosphere may be lost as a result, but being more competent in combat without being overpowered ensures that Silent Hill 2 can scare players in its own way.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Turns The Opening Section Of Midgar Into A Fully-Fledged Game
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
- Released
- April 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen due to Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
A simple comparison of the original Final Fantasy 7 with its remake will make it clear just how broad and all-encompassing the changes are. The chibi models and turn-based battles are replaced with cutting-edge modern graphics and a fun real-time combat model that pays homage to the predecessor.
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What makes this project so different is how it expands the scope of the original game, so much so that the opening section of Midgar is the only part covered by this game. The addition of the Whispers also introduces the concept of alternate timelines and makes the game's story more convoluted than ever.
System Shock
Had To Make Major Changes To Modernize The Gameplay
System Shock (2023)
- Released
- May 30, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Genre(s)
- Sci-Fi, FPS
One look at the original System Shock will make it clear why only a remake could've modernized the experience. 2023's System Shock does exactly that, feeling more like a modern video game where the gameplay is altered accordingly with faster and tougher enemies to balance things out.
Sure, the story and some aspects of the game are largely similar to its predecessor, but System Shock's remake is vastly different when it comes to presentation and gameplay. It's far easier to get into and makes this the definitive way to check out the first game in a legendary immersive sim series for modern gamers.
Black Mesa
The Expanded Sections Make It A Fresh Experience For People Familiar With Half-Life
Black Mesa
- Released
- March 6, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
Black Mesa made great strides to ensure that the Half-Life adventure would remain both familiar and new at the same time. Almost every level is expanded upon to extend the runtime, with the Xen levels being absolutely majestic when compared to the hasty alien levels concocted in the original.
Sure, there are times when the level design becomes a bit too self-indulgent (Interloper's repetitive puzzles and endless conveyor belts being a great example of this), but these are few and far between. For the most part, the changes made to the original Half-Life were received positively by fans and ensured that this shooter would feel modern without losing the essence of the original.
Resident Evil 2
The Vast Suite Of Changes Modernize This Classic PS1 Survival Horror Experience
Resident Evil 2
- Released
- January 25, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Intense Violence
- Genre(s)
- Horror
It was clear that tank controls and fixed camera perspectives are a thing of the past in modern survival horror games. Capcom needed to pull out the big guns to remake Resident Evil 2, and they did so in brilliant fashion.
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Leon and Claire's adventures feel better to play than ever before. The over-the-shoulder perspective feels modern, and Mr. X is far more threatening than ever before. Thankfully, some of the original puzzles and gameplay systems are present, ensuring that this title doesn't stray too far from its origins.
Persona 3 Reload
The Persona 5 Engine Did Wonders For This Game's Presentation
Persona 3 Reload
- Released
- February 2, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17 / Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, RPG, Life Simulation, Strategy
Persona 3 has received a ton of different versions, but none of them are as different as Persona 3 Reload. The same proprietary engine used for Persona 5 was being used to great effect here once again, so much so that the stylistic visuals clashed with the game's bleak atmosphere.
However, the game's sense of charm and wonder is so immense that this is a fault that players can forgive the title for. Tartarus isn't the soulless and repetitive tower-climbing slog it used to be, and the combat itself feels faster and more refreshing than ever.
Final Fantasy 3
The 3D DS Remake Gives Names To The Heroes And Makes Several Other Changes
Final Fantasy 3 (3D Remake)
- Released
- November 14, 2006
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The DS Final Fantasy remakes make for a great way for players unfamiliar with Final Fantasy 3 or 4 to enjoy their brilliance. In the case of the former, many people feel that the 3D remakes did a lot to switch things up.
For starters, the game names all four orphans who become the Warriors of Light, making the story feel far more personal than before. The visuals are an obvious change, and the ATB system replaces the classic turn-based combat of the original games to make for a far more fast-paced and refreshing experience.
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