Forget remasters. Gone are the times the place builders may stretch new textures over outdated video games and name it a day. These days it’s all about remakes, raiding the late ‘90s and early ‘00s for video games that want greater than only a new coat of paint.
Resident Evil 2 set the bar fairly rattling excessive, permitting outdated followers to relive a beloved sport the best way they remembered it, whereas additionally making a completely trendy horror sport for newcomers. It’s not on PC (but), however by all accounts Square’s Final Fantasy VII Remake does the identical. Activision created barely extra devoted remakes with Spyro and Crash Bandicoot, and is doing the identical with the upcoming Tony Hawk 1+2. The Black Mesa Project injected new life into Half-Life. 2K’s releasing a Mafia remake this summer season.
Who’s subsequent? What different video games ought to get the Resident Evil 2 therapy? We’ve put collectively an inventory—not simply video games that deserve a remake, not simply video games that will profit from a remake, however ones the place a remake appears really possible. And sure, meaning you’ll discover few video games the dimensions of Final Fantasy VII on this record, as a result of I believe even Square underestimated the scope of that endeavor on the outset. That signifies that as a lot as I’d like to see a Fallout 2 or Knights of the Old Republic or perhaps a Longest Journey remake…nicely, I’m not holding my breath.
Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider really appears probably the most probably candidates for a remake. The reboot trilogy, begun in 2013, culminated in a post-credits sequence that strongly hinted at a remake’s existence—at the very least initially.
Patched out at launch, the original ending confirmed off Lara Croft’s twin pistols and a letter from Jacqueline Natla, antagonist of the unique Tomb Raider. These particulars have been eliminated by the day one patch, maybe to stop hypothesis about this very remake. And but…what if? It’d definitely make sense, after three video games spent “becoming” the Tomb Raider, if Crystal Dynamics or Eidos rolled straight into remaking Lara Croft’s earliest adventures.
Of course, this might even be the second such remake, as Tomb Raider: Anniversary already served the identical function again in 2007.
Devil May Cry
CapcomTerrible cameras are the downfall of so many video games from this period. Devil May Cry is one in all them. After Devil May Cry 5 last year I attempted for the third or fourth time to return to the start of the sequence and…I simply can’t. Fixed digicam angles are a nightmare and I’m glad we’ve left them behind.
But I’d like to see Capcom take the identical tack with Devil May Cry because it has with Resident Evil. Give me these early tales working within the RE Engine, with trendy combos and trendy voice performing and (most significantly) a contemporary digicam, and I’d be completely satisfied to provide the sequence a second shot. I believe I lastly perceive why individuals love the sequence, however even 2018’s Devil May Cry HD Collection isn’t sufficient to get me to undergo by means of that first sport in its present incarnation.
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
UbisoftPeople have referred to as for a Splinter Cell reboot for years now, however how do you reboot Splinter Cell within the trendy period? People haven’t appeared proud of the previous few entries. Maybe it’s time to cram Sam Fisher again into his form-fitting swimsuit and remake the most well-liked entry within the sequence.
Chaos Theory was the height of the unique Splinter Cell method, with a give attention to getting by means of ranges undetected, hiding within the shadows greater than capturing. Starting with the 2006 sequel Double Agent, Splinter Cell moved extra in the direction of motion and by no means actually discovered its approach again. Chaos Theory’s plot is the standard Tom Clancy-inspired thriller nonsense, so you might theoretically get away with reviving the Chaos Theory fashion with not one of the finer particulars. Many of Chaos Theory’s ranges are triumphs of stealth design although, together with the financial institution and the bathhouse. Maybe a hybrid remake-reboot, like final yr’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare?
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2 is lauded as one in all horror gaming’s high-water marks—principally by individuals who performed it circa 2001. Horror video games age notably poorly although, as a result of their influence typically depends on the participant “buying in,” so to talk. Silent Hill 2’s story is as layered and grim as ever, however it’s a bit exhausting to understand shackled to its unique environs and stilted animations.
Resident Evil 2 is proof horror video games of the period might be resurrected although, and Silent Hill began as little greater than a Resident Evil clone. Go forward Konami, “borrow” the thought of a remake. Or do actually something with Silent Hill, please. It deserves the identical love as its Capcom counterpart.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
UbisoftPrince of Persia basically died when Assassin’s Creed took off, however Sands of Time deserves love. It’s nonetheless the excessive level of the sequence, with its ruined palace host to loads of iconic moments which might be ripe for reimagining. The storybook framing remains to be surprisingly distinctive as nicely, with the prince’s “No, that’s not how it happened” admonition upon loss of life lending the expertise a Princess Bride vibe.
The problem could be making climbing-around-an-environment attention-grabbing once more. Novel in the course of the Prince of Persia period, we’ve had greater than sufficient of it between Assassin’s Creed and Uncharted and the Tomb Raider reboots. Prince of Persia’s climbing was at all times extra puzzle-like, however nonetheless, it’s been performed.
And uh, neglect the sequels. The Sands of Time is nice however the nu-metal impressed Warrior Within was dangerous on the time and worse now.
Assassin’s Creed
UbisoftSpeaking of Assassin’s Creed, it’d be attention-grabbing to see the beginning of the sequence remade. The proof of idea for a sequence that’s now lasted over a decade, the unique Assassin’s Creed is an anomaly now. Stealth-focused, with a shocking period of time spent sitting on benches, it’s virtually unrecognizable within the Origins and Odyssey period. Hell, Assassin’s Creed II was already markedly totally different (and higher) than the unique.
Given the sequence is ongoing although, and given the import the unique sport nonetheless has to the overarching story (should you’re one of many individuals who care), it’d be attention-grabbing to see a contemporary take. Jerusalem in the course of the Third Crusade is a wealthy setting, and an Origins-sized remake of Altair’s journey might be fascinating.
Okay, I’m not saying this one’s as probably as some others on the record. But hey, the primary Assassin’s Creed is 13 years outdated now and nonetheless the inspiration of one in all right this moment’s greatest sequence. At some level Ubisoft must both revive the originals or simply let all of the modern-day trappings die. Otherwise, who’s even going to recollect Desmond Miles?
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Square EnixThese days Amy Hennig might be greatest recognized for Uncharted, however earlier than that was Legacy of Kain. Given that almost all video games within the sequence finish on cliffhangers, it’s exhausting to single any of them out for a remake. Soul Reaver stays the most well-liked although, and I think about a full-fledged remake may most likely work by means of the content material of each Soul Reaver and its sequel in a single sport these days.
It’s most likely not excessive on Square’s precedence record. Crystal Dynamics and Eidos are fairly rattling busy lately, and Tomb Raider will get the lion share of consideration. Soul Reaver stays a cult basic although, with a narrative that appears subtle even now, not to mention by the requirements of its day. I’d like to see a contemporary take. Or hell, I’d be proud of a remaster.
Max Payne
RemedyListen, I’d quite Remedy maintain making bizarre video games. Let them work on Control and regardless of the hell else they need to make. Don’t saddle them with a remake.
That stated, Max Payne is an unbelievable shooter with a surreal story that holds up surprisingly nicely, and somebody ought to work on a remake. Who? I do not know, however the sequence is owned by Take-Two, and the upcoming Mafia remake signifies that somebody over there may be at the very least conscious of this development, so…give it to somebody. Stick Sam Lake’s face onto a brand new physique, pull the massive “Bullet Time” lever, and it’ll be simply in time for The Matrix to come back again in fashion.
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
RespawnRespawn is reviving the Medal of Honor title with the VR-exclusive Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond later this yr. Maybe it’ll be good.
But I’d like to see a contemporary tackle Medal of Honor: Allied Assault and its Spearhead expansion. While I like that Battlefield V tried to give attention to lesser-known tales of World War II, each in an effort to broaden individuals’s understanding of the battle and to alleviate the “Oh, another World War II shooter” fatigue…nicely, I’ve obtained a tender spot for my Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan remakes.
In Medal of Honor canon, that was Allied Assault and Spearhead. Give me that pretend Tom Hanks main me up Omaha Beach. Give me Normandy hedgerows and the chilly foxholes of Bastogne. And then give it to me with all of the bells and whistles that EA’s trendy Frostbite engine can supply, as a result of precise Allied Assault has not aged very nicely.
Riven
Cyan WorldsCyan has remade Myst thrice, with actualMyst, Myst: Masterpiece Edition, and realMyst: Masterpiece Edition. It has by no means remade Riven, regardless of Riven being the superior sport.
And maybe we’ll by no means see a very official Riven remake. I do know previously Cyan has stated that Riven is just too giant to get the actualMyst therapy in full 3D. There’s hope although. For years, a gaggle of followers referred to as the Starry Expanse Project has labored to transform Riven to Unreal 4 with Cyan’s blessing. Last yr they lastly obtained greater than a blessing, with Cyan agreeing to support the project in a semi-official capability. That doesn’t imply it’s coming quickly, however Riven looks like a particular checkmark for the remake column…sometime.
Beyond Good & Evil
Beyond Good & EvilSo far, Beyond Good & Evil 2 appears to exist as nothing greater than tech demos and goals. Theoretically Ubisoft will at some point publish the long-awaited sequel although, and when it does I hope Beyond Good & Evil arrives alongside. It’s nonetheless so charming, probably the greatest examples of the point-and-click journey fashion transposed into full 3D, with a give attention to puzzles and exploration and images as an alternative of fight.
Beyond Good & Evil remains to be completely playable these days, however with loads of early 3D period jank that detracts from the general expertise. You may inform Michel Ancel’s ambitions have been restricted by the tech of the time—a sentiment that’s even clearer after watching the Beyond Good & Evil 2 teasers. I’d like to play by means of Jade’s journey because it was meant to be skilled.