Top 5 PlayStation Franchises That Deserve PS5 Remakes

Many video game fans would agree that the PS5 has a lot of potential. Fast framerates, short loading times, and high graphical fidelity are a few of the many features day one purchasers may look forward to when the console arrives later this month. Given how little is known about Sony’s machine aside from its technical prowess, one can’t help wonder what long-dormant proprietary franchises may play like with a fresh coat of paint. The following are a few PS5 remakes we’d like to witness this upcoming generation.

1. The Legend of Dragoon

SCE Japan Studio’s The Legend of Dragoon is a cult classic among veteran PlayStation fans. While the game didn’t break the mold when it released over 20 years ago, it did showcase the power of Sony’s original console through highly detailed CGI cutscenes. A remake of this game could not only diversify Sony’s current catalog of action adventure titles, but also fully harness the power of the PS5 and its 4K capabilities. Bluepoint Games, the studio responsible for the upcoming Demon’s Souls remake, the Shadow of the Colossus remake, and the Nathan Drake Collection, could be a great pick.

2. Killzone

Killzone has been dormant since Killzone: Shadowfall launched for PS4 in November 2013. Given the franchise’s positive critical reception since its origins on PS2, there’s a great chance that Sony will revisit the series during the PS5’s lifestyle. Aside from introducing a first-person shooter title into its next generation first-party catalog, a Killzone remake may give developer Guerrilla Games a chance to take a break on Horizon after Forbidden West launches sometime next year. First-person shooters are notorious for their astounding visuals and framerates, too, which may aid Sony in marketing its newest console when sales inevitably slow down due to market saturation.

3. Syphon Filter

There hasn’t been a better time for Gabriel Logan, Lian Xing, and the rest of the team to make a comeback.

Before SCE Bend Studio worked on Days Gone and PS Vita exclusives, it was best known for its Syphon Filter series. When the original title released for the first PlayStation in 1999, it revolutionized the stealth-action genre with skill-based gameplay elements, meticulously rendered environments, and intelligent artificial intelligence. With Metal Gear and Splinter Cell assumedly on hiatus, there hasn’t been a better time for Gabriel Logan, Lian Xing, and the rest of the team to make a comeback.

4. Wild Arms

It’s a mystery why Sony hasn’t given Wild Arms the remake treatment, as the franchise was once a hit among Japanese consumers. In fact, the company sold toys, manga, and other merchandise based off the property. A remake of the tactical RPG could preserve its traditional 2D aesthetic while borrowing from popular games in the genre today, like XCOM, The Banner Saga, and Fire Emblem. A small but experienced studio could take on the project with a fraction of the budget it takes to complete a typical AAA title.

5. SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs

Thanks to advancements in online multiplayer and the adoption of service shooters, now is a great time for SOCOM to return.

Sony’s once popular tactical shooter franchise SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs has been dormant for nearly a decade, as SOCOM 4 released for PS3 in 2011. Thanks to advancements in online multiplayer and the widespread adoption of service-driven shooters like Rainbow Six Siege and Overwatch, now is a great time for a remake, especially if Sony wishes to establish a stronger foothold in the rapidly expanding e-sports market. The series naturally lends itself to the current appetite for battle royale modes, too, as players do not respawn when they are downed. Evidently, anxiety and tension are two phenomena that video game fans can’t get enough of nowadays.

Be it a JRPG, first-person shooter, or stealth-action title, there are many ways Sony can diversify its catalog of exclusive offerings this upcoming generation. It remains unknown whether any of these franchises will be reborn on PS5, but the future remains exciting.