Remakes and remasters sound similar, but there is a subtle shade in meaning. While remasters are usually resolution increases or video games with a fresh coat of paint, remakes strive to retool gameplay with added features. Whether it’s a remake or remaster, there is a large margin for error, especially when attempting toreintroduce one of our favorite games.
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Remakes are typically more effective than remasters, but evidently, this is not always the case. Remakes do not work when a game has fewer features than the original, or it is plagued by bugs. However, remasters that are merely a resolution increase can also be disastrous.
10Shadow Of The Colossus (Worked)
TheShadow of the Colossusremake took the original 2005 PlayStation 2 game and improved the graphics. While some remakes enhance gameplay,Shadow of the Colossuswas primarily an upgrade to graphics. A frame rate increase was also included. Ultimately, the remake was a success, even though it had the same camera issues from the original. Fortunately for developer Bluepoint Games, battlingcolossi inShadow of the Colossushas aged well.
9Silent Hill HD Collection (Didn’t)
A collection containing two of the most influential games in the horror genre was seemingly destined to be a smashing success. This remastered compilation ofSilent Hill 2andSilent Hill 3was an utter failure that future remakes and remasters can learn from.
The problems associated withSilent Hill HD Collectionboils down to its technical issues. The updated visuals removed the fog that made the town of Silent Hill eerie. In comparison to other remastered collections,Silent Hill HD Collectionfell short.
8Resident Evil 2 (Worked)
TheResident Evil 2remake accomplished what a remake should strive to. The game stayed faithful to the original, even though it is played from a different perspective. Both games are played in the third-person, but the remake had a more up close and personal over-the-shoulder viewpoint.
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The graphics ofResident Evil 2are arguably the game’s best feature.Photorealism madeResident Evil 2a quality remake.The story is every bit as enjoyable as the original, which is whyResident Evil 2works.
7Warcraft III: Reforged (Didn’t)
The long-awaited remake of the Blizzard classic finally came whenWarcraft III: Reforgedreleased. It showed much promise, but ultimately,Warcraft III: Reforgedwas an utter failure because of its missing features, overcrowding user interface, and bugs. It earned an aggregate score of 59 onMetacritic.There was potential to remake a classic and win new players' appreciation, yet the multiplayer fell flat. Putting aside its flaws, the single-player campaign is still fun.
6Final Fantasy VII Remake (Worked)
TheFinal Fantasy VII Remakeset a new standard for remakes. There was a large margin for error, but the game lived up to the hype. The game could be criticized since it only contains part one set primarily in Midgar. However, it includes a robust end game that wasn’t in the original. The remake shifted the dynamics of the originals turn-based combat by adding real-time combat. With plenty of changes and thesame adventure that we liked in the first place,Final Fantasy VII Remakeworked.
5Batman: Return To Arkham (Didn’t)
For games that were so impactful when they initially released, the remasters were underwhelming.Batman: Return to Arkhamwas meant to have better graphics, improved character models, and better lighting effects, but the upgrades appeared worse than the original games. Moreover, the frame rate per second was capped at 30, which was disappointing for many players. A frame rate of 60 frames per second is essential when it comes toremastering our favorite classics.
4Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 (Worked)
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2is a phenomenal remake byVicarious Visions.You don’t have to be afan of skateboarding to lose yourself in this collection.It accomplishes what a new version of an old video game should. This is a game that took the essence of the original games and rebuilt them from the ground-up.Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2also contains an online multiplayer, which consists of two different modes, Jams and Competitive.
3Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection (Didn’t)
Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collectionfell short of expectations for not being theiconic collectionfans were yearning for. Rather than increase the frame rate and make the graphics better, it was merely an increase in the level of detail, with inconsistencies found throughout. The frame rate was capped at a mere 30 frames per second.BrotherhoodandRevelationswere stripped of their multiplayer modes, adding to what should have been a collection featuring one ofgaming’s most iconic characters, Ezio Auditore.
2Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! And Let’s Go, Eevee! (Worked)
ThePokémoncraze spread like wildfire in the late ’90s, andPokémon Red and Bluewere the games that started it all. Years later, the Pokémon Company decided to remake the original games, calling themPokémonFire RedandPokémonLeaf Green.
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Even with a remake in existence, the developers thought it would be good to remake the originals for consoles.Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!are the ultimate way to experiencePokémonhistory. Features likeonline trading and battleskeep the adventure from growing stale.
1Super Mario 3D All-Stars (Didn’t)
As perhaps the most divisive item on this listicle,Super Mario 3D All-Starsis a remastered compilation ofthree classicSuper Mariogames.Credited with revolutionizing the platformer genre,Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Sunshine, andSuper Mario 64are among the greatest games of all time.
The remastered compilation added widescreen support forSuper Mario Sunshine, but it was mainly a resolution increase and not a rebuild from the ground-up. Fans complained that the collection made few improvements, despite costing $59.99 for the three games. It neglected to fixSuper Mario 64’s camera issues or add multiplayer support like in theDSversion. With that said, many will find enjoyment in playing the originals as they are phenomenal games.
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