With a remake of Horizon Zero Dawn being rumoured, the long discussion on remasters and remakes shows no signs of slowing down. Social media reaction has included people questioning why Sony believe this game is needed. Similar feedback was garnered by The Last of Us Part l. This was marketed as one of PS5’s biggest games this year. There are many players, of course, who relish playing one of their favourite titles again on different hardware.
Resident Evil 2 and Final Fantasy VII have shown the benefits of this trend. Classic games being completely rebuilt allows for a new generation to experience them. However, some think that companies such as Sony are leaping onto it as a way to make easy money. It may well be way too soon for Horizon Zero Dawn to get the treatment, but is there an understandable reason for it? Looking through the eyes of fans and companies, let’s discuss remasters and remakes and when they are necessary.
Reminding the Differences
It’s important to distinguish remasters and remakes, as the two are different. The former focuses on updating a game’s graphics and is usually developed when porting to a new console. Grand Theft Auto V is a recent example. Gameplay changes are minimal, but they are usually sold at a discount price. The purpose is to attract new players while not spending much time and money. GTA: The Trilogy provided the same experience but with enhanced visuals and more accessible gameplay. It easily could have been a remake, but remastering was more cost effective.
Perhaps a rare case of when a remake was the better option
A remake is when a game is rebuilt from the ground up. Graphics are significantly improved with gameplay also receiving major changes. The story remains the same but perhaps with some extra scenes and side content. Capcom’s Resident Evil 2 aimed to fully modernise the 1998 classic for new players. It became an over-the-shoulder third-person shooter while using a completely new engine. These titles usually release at full retail price, but they feel like a brand new game. Returning fans get a different experience to one they’ve already seen while the nostalgia remains.
Sony’s Questionable Decisions
The Last of Us Part l has raised plenty of eyebrows. Yes, the reworked graphics look incredible. Ellie appears much more lifelike on PS5 and the environmental designs are stunning. It has, though, been just 8 years since Remastered released on PS4. While it has aged, it’s still a very good looking game. Fingers have been pointed to the upcoming HBO TV show as to why Sony felt a remake was needed, resulting in the words “cash grab” being thrown about. Herman Hulst has hinted that this reason is one of a few, and it makes sense to me.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rBRRDpQ0yc0
Comparing 2020’s The Last of Us Part ll and the first game’s remaster, the visuals are very different. The sequel is arguably superior in every department. It’s expected that the TV show will create more first-time players upon its premiere. The upgrades in Part l will surely make going from that to Part ll much less jarring than it would’ve been had they played an older version. These newcomers will be playing the definitive edition of a masterpiece. For me, that gives this remake more justification for existing despite still feeling a bit premature.
Of course, the big issue surrounding Naughty Dog’s latest release is the lack of gameplay changes. For a remaster, this is fine. For a remake, it does increase the arguments for the game being unnecessary right now. Part l does include improved animations and AI, but the combat has none of the changes from the sequel. It makes the game feel aged at times when the purpose of a remake is to do the exact opposite. Considering it’s priced at the full £70/$70, this only adds fuel to the fire.
Horizon Forbidden Remake
I may understand why a remake of The Last of Us was greenlit for right now, but Horizon Zero Dawn would be baffling if rumours are to be believed. A PS5 remaster certainly sounds like a great idea. Character animations could be brought more up to par with Forbidden West, with the basics of melee combat being improved to also match the sequel. A long as it’s offered at a nice, discounted price, this would be a necessary decision that would improve the experience of playing through the series.
Still a visually stunning game five years later
If Sony are planning a rebuild of Aloy’s first adventure, then it’s case of when a remake is completely unnecessary. Unlike Joel and Ellie’s journey, it was not ahead of its time when first released. February 2017 was almost four years before the launch of the PS5. Forbidden West also released on PS4 and the difference between the two games is not as drastic as The Last of Us series.
The reputation of remasters and remakes needs this rumour to be the former. It’s likely that the latter would create much more controversy and bring the purpose of a remake into question. Instead of introducing new audiences to classic titles, it’ll look like publishers such as Sony just want to make easy money. Until Guerrilla’s much-acclaimed RPG feels outdated, it’s best to just leave it alone and put that focus onto other projects. A remake of the near 20-year-old Killzone, for example, would definitely seem more understandable.
Introducing New Generations
Two of the most demanded remakes in recent years were Resident Evil 2 and Final Fantasy VII. Both titles are among PlayStation’s most iconic games of all time. After 20+ years and three console generations, reviving them for a fresh generation of gamers was more than justified. RE2 retold its classic story through impressive HD cutscenes and a modernised gameplay experience that arguably helped bring the series back to its survival horror roots. Both new and returning players had reasons to be pleased. By the end of 2019, the remake has sold more copies than the original, proving that it served its purpose well.
A remake that some say is better than the original
Square Enix were more daring with the much-demanded Final Fantasy VII Remake. Not only did they turn it into a trilogy, but the story has been expanded with characters receiving more development. Selling three full-priced games for the remake of one game may be questionable, but there are veteran players who are delighted to get more content for this beloved series entry. It even helps separate it from the original enough so that there’s reasons for replaying it once more.
Capcom and Square Enix used these remakes to fully realise ambitions that were not obtainable all those years ago, instead of settling for remasters. Both games were in development for at least five years. In comparison, it’s clear that The Last of Us Part l required much less time. RE2 and FFVII Remake were completely rebuilt whereas Sony settled for what is mostly a major graphical upgrade. The gap between the original games and the remakes is the reason for the differences. Part l didn’t need the same treatment as the games mentioned, which further stresses the question of its necessity.
Conclusion
Remasters are more acceptable than remakes, as long as they are done well (looking at you Rockstar). Porting generation-defining games to the next platform(s) for an affordable price is a great way to expand their audience. While they are becoming too common, the majority can be seen as necessary for extending a game’s lifespan in a cost-effective manner for all involved.
God of War Remake coming in 2024?
For remakes, it’s a different story. Their purpose has been brought up for debate despite the success of Resident Evil 2 and Final Fantasy VII Remake. The fresh experience they offered and the length of time passed meant they were mostly accepted with open arms. The Last of Us Part l is ideal for the show’s audience, but its pricing and lack of major gameplay differences has alienated the fanbase. The same could occur if the Horizon Zero Dawn remake comes to fruition.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” comes to mind when answering this article’s title. The original RE2 and FFVII aren’t broken, but they are old and perhaps challenging for newcomers. Sony’s games do not fit into this category. Studios will always find an understandable reason to justify a remake but, as a fan, if it doesn’t fit its true purpose then it is simply not necessary.
