What approach do you prefer for video game remakes?
Remakes are common in the entertainment industry, and while film and television studios have embraced bold reinventions, video game developers often stick to creating HD clones of old games. This approach misses an opportunity for creative growth and ultimately becomes a cash grab. Instead, developers should explore new and modern ideas to create remakes that offer fresh perspectives while retaining the core essence of the original games.
Best Video Game Remakes
The industry has seen examples of successful remakes that go beyond simple graphical enhancements. Capcom’s Resident Evil 2 remake, for instance, is considered a gold standard for remaking a classic game. It reimagined the PlayStation 1 classic with modern visuals and gameplay, offering a bold and fresh experience. However, many remakes, like Sony’s Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls, simply update graphics while leaving gameplay and mechanics untouched.
While these remakes are undoubtedly fantastic games, that’s mostly due to the timeless original concepts. The focus on perfect replication traps them within the constraints of their former consoles, preventing them from embracing modern ideas. For example, Shadow of the Colossus feels barren by limitation rather than design, and the horse riding and climbing mechanics remain awkward. These remakes are ultimately just a visual upgrade, leaving one to wonder how much more interesting they could be if new ideas were applied.
The Last of Us: Part 1 remake is even more perplexing. The original 2013 game holds up visually, particularly in its PS4 remaster. The remake lacks a clear creative direction, failing to even integrate the Left Behind DLC into the main game. It simply feels like a carbon copy, offering no new experiences.
The upcoming Resident Evil 4 remake faces a similar challenge. Resident Evil 4 was so perfectly engineered that it still holds up today and defined the principles of almost every third-person action game. Why remake it? It’s difficult to see what Capcom can do to improve it without straying from its established formula. This begs the question: why not remake Code Veronica or the original Resident Evil, which would greatly benefit from a bold reinvention?
Dead Space, another example of a remake that stays too close to the original, is inspired by Resident Evil 4 and was even referred to as “Resident Evil 4 in space” during its development. While the remake offers a visually upgraded version with new side quests, redesigned weapons, updated level design, and some story adjustments, it still feels like an extended edition of the original. One wonders what Dead Space would look like with a back-to-concept approach, perhaps a first-person perspective or a greater focus on survival.
So why are so many video game remakes unlike the bold reimaginings of movie remakes? The answer lies in industry trends and challenges. The demand for lavish production values has significantly increased the cost of game development. Companies are seeking safe bets, like pre-existing worlds and characters with guaranteed popularity and massive sales. This trend has led to a surge in remakes.
Video game remakes offer various development benefits. They come with an established fanbase and a package of pre-existing content. The characters, story, locations, mechanics, and even tools are already in place. While a remake is not cheap, it is more cost-effective than creating a whole new game. This allows studios to invest in more ambitious projects.
However, developers should not mistake remakes for an excuse to simply replicate old games. For those seeking perfect replicas, remasters are a better option. Remasters like Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion show how old games can be polished up without a full remake. Updated textures, character models, lighting, and voice work are layered over the original game, giving it a modern look without altering the core experience.
On the other hand, Final Fantasy VII Remake exemplifies the ambitious remakes we want to see more of. It reimagines the classic JRPG with a distinctly modern approach to gameplay and narrative. It might be too wild for some, but it’s a testament to how a remake can bring new perspectives to a beloved game.
Resident Evil 2 remake, with its modern survival horror elements, remains a gold standard. It kept the core ideas of the original but reimagined them to feel fresh. It’s an inspiration that studios should follow in the future.
With all this in mind, many games have incredible remake potential. Imagine God of War’s PS2 adventures remade using the engine and mechanics of the Norse saga. A third-person brawler take on those classic bosses and environments, alongside a more mature narrative, would be incredible. Similarly, BioShock could be revamped with sharpened combat, more character build choices, and a new final fight, perhaps one that prevents the player from using the infamous golf club, reflecting the game’s themes of player control.
The future of remakes is bright. The possibilities are endless, from The Witcher 1 in an open-world setting to the cinematic presentation of the original Max Payne games. The question is, will developers choose to create bold reinventions or simply churn out ray-traced replicas of gaming classics? The answer will determine the future of video game remakes.
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