1 
0 As a gamer in my 30s, I’ve played across several console generations. Remasters tap into that nostalgia and that’s no secret to game developers. Remasters have become more and more prevalent, they’re arguably their genre now. In theory, bringing a classic game to a generation is fantastic if done well and for the right reasons.
We’ll examine how much remasters add or subtract from the gaming experience. As well as if the industry has gone overboard and how console technology has influenced remasters. We’ll also look at examples of good and bad remasters to help reach a consensus.
Remasters give a second chance at older games
Remastered video games are nothing new to the industry, happening as far back as the late 80s. It’s probably more common now, with technology and high-speed internet over the past 10-15 years making it more accessible. Coming across classic games on the internet or with online game stores/libraries helps games from past console generations be discovered by new players. There is some nostalgia there of course but new players discovering Banjo Kazooie, Spyro and other beloved characters is a good thing.
The Good, The Bad and The Classic Remasters
Remastered games are coming more and more in bundles/collections. A great example of this is the Mass Effect Legendary Edition with the original trilogy. Bringing with it updated enhanced visuals and gameplay like driving in ME1 (something I personally really appreciated). There’s also the less popular Halo: The Master Chief Collection which did have much-improved visuals & graphics but had a lot of gameplay bugs especially online. But also, the Shadow of the Colossus remaster was great and such a step up visually from the original.
Unfortunately, not all remasters and bundles have been received as well. Examples of this are the Silent Hill HD Collection which did have updated graphics and voice acting but only contained SH2 & SH3 and was quite disliked by fans for feeling rushed and very glitchy.
Another is Super Mario 3D All-Stars which was missing Super Mario Galaxy 2 and did very little to add from the original. All Stars felt very rushed for the 35th anniversary of the franchise. Collections usually come at a much cheaper price than the individual games would be. Rushed or poorly planned releases could set a bad precedent with developers. This can come across as a cash grab at players’ expense.
Remastered Content On-Demand
Like other forms of media, subscription services are common and with video games, there are services like Game Pass and PS+. Being consistently connected online comes with regular patches to patch games or bring new content. Since its release in 2013, GTA V Online has had regular content released for the past 9 years since the PS3/Xbox 360 era. When it comes to remasters now though, is it being done with the players in mind with significantly updated design or content or simply an easy way to make more money?
I can appreciate where console and game developers are coming from as making games and publishing them is expensive. I mentioned GTA V earlier which cost $265 million to design and market so recouping that makes sense. but also, games like Skyrim have stayed strong since 2011. Skyrim’s remasters are being done well when console technology has grown enough. Especially with mods being made available. I’m still (im)patiently for Elder Scrolls VI however Bethesda!
Updates and patches for new and different content can take some getting used to. For example, Marvel’s Spider-Man had Peter Parker’s face change to be more like Tom Holland. Redesigning graphics while giving some polish can remove what players enjoyed and were used to in the first place.
Players or Profit in Mind?
What inspired this article is the Sony State of Play announcing a remaster of Horizon Zero Dawn (HZD) for the PS5 bringing it on par with Horizon Forbidden West. The remaster has 10 hours of re-recorded performances and various visual enhancements. That in of itself is good news for the 2017 game for existing owners, the upgrade to the PS5 quality remaster is an extra £9.99. However, back in May this year HZD was pulled from the Hits Library on PS+ extra and premium where it was free. Now costs £39.99 or £49.99 for the remaster.
In HZD’s case we have to wonder if a remaster is justified from the players’ perspective. Is there a significant improvement from PS4 to PS5? Hardware is improving and higher quality TVs and monitors are becoming more common e.g. 4K ready. However, it could set a bad precedent if developers see this and follow suit in profit-driven moves. This generation is the first to have digital-only consoles be so prominent and could be part of determining game access online as we saw with Horizon Zero Dawn.
Summary
Remastered video games are a real benefit to players and their gaming experience. Breathing new life into classic characters and updating more recent games from previous console generations. We also have the chance to experience older games in bundles/collections which have had highs and lows.
Gaming is more online than ever and in subscription-based libraries. This means there is more access to older games and new content/patches for the new ones. So as more games are remastered, existing players have access alongside new players. I only hope this keeps being done with the players in mind and not purely driven by profit. What we’ve seen with Horizon Zero Dawn could become a slippery slope with frequent remasters when we have remasters with every new console.
Overall, I am happy we have remasters especially if it helps pave the way for future games in a franchise or brand-new properties. Let me know what you think in the comments and what game you would like to see remastered. Also, check out Stuart’s article on remasters from back in 2017!
About Author
