10 game remakes that changed everything so much that they're worth playing again

By: Vladyslav Nuzhnov | 02.08.2024, 09:00

In the 90s and early 2000s, a lot of high-quality games were released that now have cult status. However, the younger generation, who may not have been born at the time of these games' release, will not play them because they will call them "old". Those who did play these games will also have problems, because it's simply impossible to run them on modern consoles (on PC, you'll just have to dance with a tambourine for a long time). So, publishers are starting to remake these games so that they won't be forgotten, and they're improving everything from graphics to gameplay. And everyone benefits from this: some people finally get acquainted with new worlds, while others can feel nostalgic and have a new experience. The gg editorial team has found 10 such games that have been remade so well that they deserve to be played (again).

Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 is a survival-horror game that takes players to Raccoon City, where a deadly virus has turned the inhabitants into zombies. Players take on the roles of two main characters: rookie police officer Leon Kennedy and student Claire Redfield, who is looking for her brother. On Metacritic , Resident Evil 2 received 91 points from critics, a Metacritic must-play mark and 8.9 points from players.

The game differs from the 1998 original with completely redesigned graphics, using the RE Engine to create realistic and detailed visual effects. The camera is now located behind the character's shoulder, which helps to immerse you in the world of horror. The shooting and combat mechanics have also been improved, making the game more dynamic. At the same time, the locations have been updated, new puzzles and additional plot points have been added, which expand and deepen the story, but leave the atmosphere as tense and frightening.

Developer: Capcom

Genre: survival-horror

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PlayStation 4/5, Switch (Cloud only)

Release date: 25 January 2019

Game site: capcom

Dead Space.

Dead Space Remake is a sci-fi horror game. The player takes on the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer who finds himself on the USG Ishimura spaceship captured by terrifying creatures called necromorphs. Isaac's goal is to survive, uncover the secret of the infection and find his missing wife Nicole. Dead Space received 89 points from critics and 8.6 points from players on Metacritic .

The game retains the main plot and atmosphere of the 2008 original, but significantly improves the graphics, which makes the game more eerie and the moments when you are scared are more impressive. New details to the plot, dialogues and additional tasks have been added, which helps to reveal the story better. The gameplay has also undergone changes, it has become smoother, and shooting with different types of weapons is now much more enjoyable and convenient.

Developer: Motive

Genre: survival-horror

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series, PlayStation 5

Release date: 27 January 2023

Game site: ea

Ratchet & Clank (2016)

Ratchet & Clank (2016) is an adventure game that is a relaunch of the Insomniac Games series. The game combines elements of a platformer and a shooter, telling the story of two friends: Ratchet, an anthropomorphic racial creature, and his robot companion Clank. Together, they must stop the evil Dr Nifarius, who plans to destroy the galaxy. Ratchet & Clank (2016) received 85 points from critics and 8.4 points from players on Metacritic .

The difference between the 2016 version and the original 2002 game is the updated graphics, improved mechanics, and changes in the plot. For example, some characters have been removed and replaced by new ones. The planets where the game takes place have also undergone changes. As in the situation with the characters, there was a rotation, when some are replaced by others.

Developer: Insomniac

Genre: Action Adventure

Platforms: PlayStation 4/5

Release date: 12 April 2016

Game site: insomniac

Black Mesa.

Black Mesa is a remade version of the Half-Life shooter. The game puts players in the role of scientist Gordon Freeman, who works in the Black Mesa research complex. After a failed experiment, the complex is filled with alien creatures and the military, which are trying to destroy the evidence of the event. Players must survive, fight enemies and find a way out of the complex. On Metacritic , Black Mesa received 84 points from critics and 8.8 points from players.

Black Mesa retains the main story and gameplay of Half-Life, but offers improved graphics, upgraded levels and new voice acting. Using the modern Source Engine, the developers have created detailed environments, more realistic effects, and improved character models.

Developer: Crowbar Collective

Genre: FPS

Platforms: PC

Release date: 6 March 2020

Game site: crowbarcollective

Demon's Souls

Demon's Souls is a souls-like game that takes players to the gloomy fantasy world of Boletaria, which has fallen under the power of demons. The player takes on the role of a warrior who tries to free the kingdom from this dark force, fighting against numerous dangers and challenges. Games of this genre are known for their high complexity, so even a battle with ordinary enemies can end in defeat, forcing the player to constantly analyse the battlefield. On Metacritic , Demon's Souls received 92 points from critics, a Metacritic must-play mark and 8 points from players.

Powered by the power of the PlayStation 5, Demon's Souls features 4K graphics, detailed everything and everyone, instant downloads, enhanced gameplay, and features such as 3D sound and DualSense gamepad support, which allow you to feel every hit while maintaining the original spirit and complexity.

Developer: Bluepoint

Genre: Souls-like

Platforms: PlayStation 5

Release date: 12 November 2020

Game site: playstation

Resident Evil 4

Capcom usually makes such high-quality remakes of previous Resident Evil titles that we couldn't limit ourselves to just one game in the series. In Resident Evil 4, we still play as Leon, but now he is much more experienced. This time, he goes to a European village to rescue the daughter of the US president, Ashley, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious cult. On Metacritic , Resident Evil 4 received 93 points from critics, a Metacritic must-play mark and 8 points from players.

As in the remake of the second part, the game has greatly improved graphics thanks to the RE Engine, working on textures, lighting, character models and environments to enhance the atmosphere. Gameplay-wise, the four have also undergone changes: new types of enemies, Leon can deflect blows, additional quests, you can move while shooting, and now there is an auto-save. So if you liked the remake of the second part, you should definitely play the fourth part (there is also a remake of the third part, but it lags behind these two games in quality).

Developer: Capcom

Genre: survival-horror

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4/5

Release date: 24 March 2023

Game site: residentevil

Mafia: Definitive Edition

Mafia: Definitive Edition is a 3-person action adventure game. The game takes place in the 1930s in the city of Lost Haven. We play as Tommy Angelo, a taxi driver who falls into the underworld, joins the mafia, and now he is waiting for an adventure that will bring him crazy money, emotions, and friends at first, but then this story will have many unexpected moments. On Metacritic , Mafia: Definitive Edition received 78 points from critics and 7.2 points from players.

The missions in the game have been radically redesigned compared to the original Mafia, so only the "skeleton" of the plot has been preserved. At the same time, the game no longer has additional tasks. Gameplay-wise, the game has also undergone some changes to match the modern times. But the biggest change, of course, is in the graphics. The Definitive Edition features a detailed city, realistic character and environment models to better immerse players in the USA of the 1930s.

Developer: Hangar 13

Genre: Action Adventure

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4/5

Releasedate: 25 September 2020

Game site: mafiagame

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a collection of 3D platformers that includes three original games in the series: Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, and Crash Bandicoot: Warped. Players once again take on the role of the funny and daring Crash Bandicoot, who confronts the sinister plans of Dr Neo Cortex, rescuing his friends and protecting the world from chaos. On Metacritic , Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy received 80 points from critics and players.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy retains all the elements of the classic games, including addictive gameplay, complexity, vivid characters, and a variety of levels. The collection has significantly improved graphics and updated textures, which makes the world of Crash more lively and attractive. Also, character animations have been redesigned for a smoother and more natural look, and modern sound effects and music have been added. Finally, the authors have updated the gameplay mechanics to make the game more convenient and accessible for modern players.

Developer: Vicarious Visions

Genre: Platformer

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4/5

Release date: 29 June 2018

Game site: crashbandicoot

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is a puzzle adventure game. The story tells about two brothers who set off on a journey to find "living water" - the only way to save their father. During the passage, you will have to solve puzzles, visit different locations, and survive many dangers. On Metacritic Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake received 80 points from critics and players.

There are no plot changes in the game, but the visuals have undergone dramatic changes. First of all, the adventure has become more cinematic. The cut-scenes now look much better. The game was redesigned on the Unreal Engine 5, which makes the adventure of the two brothers very beautiful, because the developers worked on the detailing of water, lighting, vegetation, feathers, animal fur, small elements, locations became more fleshed out, and facial expressions are much better, allowing you to show more emotions to the characters. On top of that, the soundtrack was re-recorded with a live orchestra. Finally, it is worth noting one important gameplay change: Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake can be played in local co-op on two gamepads, which was a feature that the 2013 original lacked.

Developer: Avantgarden

Genre: Adventure

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series, PlayStation 5

Release date: 28 February 2024

Game site: brothersthegame

The Last of Us Part I

How can you not end the text with a remake of the best game of the last decade? The Last of Us Part I is a post-apocalyptic adventure game that takes players to a world where the majority of the population has been wiped out by the cordyceps fungus, which turns people into aggressive infected. The protagonist Joel is tasked with leading a 14-year-old girl, Ellie, through dangerous areas of the United States, as she may be the key to creating a cure for the infection. On Metacritic , The Last of Us Part I received 89 points from critics and 7.5 points from players.

The authors did not touch the plot at all, but the visuals were completely redesigned. The PlayStation 5 made it possible to create realistic graphics, improve lighting, character models, animations, and make the environment more intense. All this is complemented by 3D sound and DualSense technologies, such as adaptive triggers, when, for example, you need to make more effort when shooting a revolver or shotgun. Gameplay-wise, the game is completely reminiscent of The Last of Us: Part II to make the dilogy feel like a single entity. So why not go through one of the best stories in the gaming industry, but now in 4K?

Developer: Naughty Dog

Genre: Action Adventure

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5

Releasedate: 2 September 2022

Game site: playstation

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