Video Game Remakes / Remastered Editions - Gerneral Discussion

[AA 102]

In lieu of the upcoming remastered editions for Bioshock, Skyrim, and System Shock I thought I'd ask everyone's opinions on remade/ remastered video games? Have you played any good ones? Any bad ones? What are your general thoughts on remaking/ remastering old video games? Are they worth buying if you already have the originals?

My opinions are that for older games like System Shock, a remastered edition is worth the money. Updating the game engine and mechanics is worth the price of admission. For newer games like Bioshock I don't think it's worth paying full price for, what is effectively, a new texture pack especially when the original game still looks decent. I do enjoy what Bethesda is doing with Skyrim (they are giving away free copies to whoever bought the PC version on Steam) but if you own a console it is probably a better bet to just stick with the original game since it it's a little under five years old at this point.

For context here are the trailers/ comparisons for the games I'm talking about:

 

[Van Darkholme]

The most recent one I played was Adventures of Mana on Vita which is a remake of Final Fantasy Adventure/Mystic Quest/Seiken Densetsu. The graphics are a bit simple (this was a originally a mobile game after all) but the music is pretty good and it even contains the original tracks of the game boy version. They also changed how the weapons "feel" im comparison to the original, so using the most recent weapon you got isn't always the best idea, unlike the original.

It's on PSN and on Google Play Store for Android.

 

[AA 102]

The most recent one I played was Adventures of Mana on Vita which is a remake of Final Fantasy Adventure/Mystic Quest/Seiken Densetsu. The graphics are a bit simple (this was a originally a mobile game after all) but the music is pretty good and it even contains the original tracks of the game boy version. They also changed how the weapons "feel" im comparison to the original, so using the most recent weapon you got isn't always the best idea, unlike the original.

It's on PSN and on Google Play Store for Android.

These kinds of remakes are the ones I fully endorse. The engine looks exponentially better and the gameplay has been updated. Forgot to mention, the only remake I've actually played in Plague Inc. Evolved, which is a remake of the game Pandemic. I find Plague Inc. to be much better though several of the mechanics are tailored more towards mobile gaming platforms and not PC. The major advantage Plague Inc. has over Pandemic is that it has more diseases, variable difficulties, better strategy, and you can actually win it.

IMO Pandemic 2 is still a fun game and I get a lot of nostalgia playing it. It's still online as a free flash game. Plague Inc. Evolved is available on Steam for $15 (worth it) though it is still in Early Access. It's also available on Apple and Android devices.
Screen shots comparing the two games.

 

[MediExcalibur2012]

In lieu of the upcoming remastered editions for Bioshock, Skyrim, and System Shock I thought I'd ask everyone's opinions on remade/ remastered video games? Have you played any good ones? Any bad ones? What are your general thoughts on remaking/ remastering old video games? Are they worth buying if you already have the originals?

My opinions are that for older games like System Shock, a remastered edition is worth the money. Updating the game engine and mechanics is worth the price of admission. For newer games like Bioshock I don't think it's worth paying full price for, what is effectively, a new texture pack especially when the original game still looks decent. I do enjoy what Bethesda is doing with Skyrim (they are giving away free copies to whoever bought the PC version on Steam) but if you own a console it is probably a better bet to just stick with the original game since it it's a little under five years old at this point.

For context here are the trailers/ comparisons for the games I'm talking about:

I'm just waiting for the Crash Bandicoot remaster

 

[John Titor]

I've been playing Tactics Ogre on PSP which is not just a port with a filter slapped on but they also redrew all the portraits and even rebuilt the gameplay, for better or worse. The post-game campaign is also nice addition.

Can't find a comparison video.
SNES:

PSP:

 

[Strelok]

I'll probably get the Dead Rising remaster, but that's more because it never was ported to PC. Off the Record is still probably the pinnacle of the series, but I do want the actually in a mall game.

 

[Coldgrip]

For the most part, I don't mind remasted games. Usually little fixes or bonuses are included to make it worth my while. Though I do dislike it when companies pull shit like offering a remastered edition and then a few weeks later offer the same remastered edition plus some bonus content and call it the "definitive edition" or something along those lines.

Now by remakes, do you mean like rebooting a series?

 

[Mimic]

Most remasters I've played have either added previously unavailable content, reworked clunky engines, or added all the DLC for free in a small, convenient, very pretty package.

I'm all for that stuff. Modernizing old games is never a bad thing as long as it stays true to its roots. Adventures of Mana mentioned above is a great example, and a game I personally really enjoy.

 

[Beaniebon]

The 3DS remasters for both The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask were done really well.

 

[The Lone Wanderer]

I've bought quite a few actually. Some I have played the original of, some I haven't. I want Skyrim because it was an awesome game but lacked proper support for that bug filled mess of a game on console. Here's hoping for mod support on console.

 

[DuskEngine]

If you had Titan Quest on Steam, you now own Titan Quest: Anniversary Edition. Just a heads up.

I have the Age of Empires remaster and the Homeworld remaster and I love both of those.

Also the game I would most love to see a remaster of is Demon's Souls.

 

[timecop]

a remastered bioshock might be cool but i don't like how bethesda is putting an ENB and texture pack on skyrim just so they can charge full price for it again

 

[wholetthegodsout]

I don't get anyone who would get super angry about a good remaster of an old game. It's great for people who missed it the first time around and can also be a very convenient way for those who want to experience the game again. The Bioshock collection is looking very tempting to me as I have never played the second one nor have I played the DLC for infinite.

OP I think the new system shock game is closer to a full remake then a remaster which is basically the same game but with a fresh coat of paint on a new platform.

 

[DumbDosh]

I can understand people getting mad about quick remaster releases that happen immediately at the next console generation. You feel ripped off for dedicating your time to the unremastered version. PC is at least a save haven from most studios who realize its not worth it to charge again because both the original game and the remaster are on the same service and the same machine. Bioshock and Skyrim's method of just giving original owners the updated versions for free is better than Tomb Raider's realizing there's not a huge point in giving out a new version and definitely way better than Sleeping Dogs charging you twice if you want updated visuals.

 

[Michel]

I don't get anyone who would get super angry about a good remaster of an old game. It's great for people who missed it the first time around and can also be a very convenient way for those who want to experience the game again. The Bioshock collection is looking very tempting to me as I have never played the second one nor have I played the DLC for infinite.

OP I think the new system shock game is closer to a full remake then a remaster which is basically the same game but with a fresh coat of paint on a new platform.

The main problem is that the current console generation has a high ratio of remasters to new games. When you look at game releases for a month and its all last gen stuff it makes you wonder why you bought a new console in the first place.

As for good remasters, I like what they've been doing with PS2 games on PS4. They basically just up the resolution, add wide screen, trophy and capture support, and they have some really good games like Rogue Galaxy and Dark Cloud 1&2.

Honestly I'm all for a remaster that adds trophies/cheevos to something that didn't have them before because I'm a fucking slut whore for cheevos.

And I'm super looking forward to the FF12 remaster for exactly that reason. I've always wanted a cheevo for Yiazmat so I can display my autism for the world to see.

 

[ToroidalBoat]

The 3DS remasters [of Zelda games] were done really well.

I think so too. While the N64 versions are great, the graphics are limited.

Spoiler: more graphics sperging

The graphics of the 3DS version added a lot of nice details. For example, the lakeside laboratory and the house in Lon Lon Ranch in the 3DS version look so much better with all the added knickknacks and ambience. In the N64 version they're pretty bare.

 

[wholetthegodsout]

The main problem is that the current console generation has a high ratio of remasters to new games. When you look at game releases for a month and its all last gen stuff it makes you wonder why you bought a new console in the first place.

As for good remasters, I like what they've been doing with PS2 games on PS4. They basically just up the resolution, add wide screen, trophy and capture support, and they have some really good games like Rogue Galaxy and Dark Cloud 1&2.

Honestly I'm all for a remaster that adds trophies/cheevos to something that didn't have them before because I'm a fucking slut whore for cheevos.

And I'm super looking forward to the FF12 remaster for exactly that reason. I've always wanted a cheevo for Yiazmat so I can display my autism for the world to see.

I definitely understand wanting to play new stuff for sure. I've never been convinced that most remasters are actually stopping new games from getting developed. Take the skyrim remaster for instance. Bethesda has stated they got skyrim up and running on current consoles to during development of Fallout 4. We got fallout 4 last year and the next elder scrolls game is probably in development right now. I don't blame Bethesda for putting something out there for this holiday.

Thanks for reminding me rogue Galaxy is on PS4 always wanted to play that.

 

[Dunsparce]

2 Remakes I feel can't be topped in my heart:

-Chrono Trigger (DS): Less of an actual remake and more of a port with a much more accurate translation and bonus content. They even went out of the way to convert the music to sound exactly like it did on the SNES, something many remakes that don't remix music sometimes have trouble with when porting a game to another system. The bonus content are 4.5 new dungeons, a multiplayer monster-fighting arena, and a new ending to add on with the 12 pre-existing endings. Since they figured they'd never get another Chrono game greenlighted, they also tied in some stuff to Chrono Cross and answered a handful of questions about the events that happened in the 20 year timeskip between the two games. Overall a great remake of one of my most favorite games.

-Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection (PSP): Final Fantasy IV is probably one of the most frequently remade games in the series, but this one is the best of the Bunch. Basically it has crisp, 2D sprites, and all of the bonus content from the Game Boy Advance version(2 Bonus dungeons and the ability to switch out party members after a certain point). But that's not all. It is also has both the SNES and DS version soundtracks, and is bundled with its sequel Final Fantasy IV: The After years, with the dungeon taken out of the Wii port restored and a new bonus boss, as well as a completely new short interlude game that takes place between the two of them. As with most FF handheld ports there is also a music box for both games , but also an art gallery of a wide variety of official art of the games. For those that get the physical UMD version, they also came with character cards of the original version's final party(Cecil, Kain, Rosa, Rydia, Edge)

 

[Quijibo69]

I bought the Silent hill 2 & 3 HD on the xbox 360 ages ago and that was pretty bad release. You can get all the Bioshock games dirt cheap now on PC and if you still have a Xbox 360 or PS3! There's no reason to buy the Bioshock remastered for 60 bucks.

 

[Overcast]

2 Remakes I feel can't be topped in my heart:

-Chrono Trigger (DS): Less of an actual remake and more of a port with a much more accurate translation and bonus content. They even went out of the way to convert the music to sound exactly like it did on the SNES, something many remakes that don't remix music sometimes have trouble with when porting a game to another system. The bonus content are 4.5 new dungeons, a multiplayer monster-fighting arena, and a new ending to add on with the 12 pre-existing endings. Since they figured they'd never get another Chrono game greenlighted, they also tied in some stuff to Chrono Cross and answered a handful of questions about the events that happened in the 20 year timeskip between the two games. Overall a great remake of one of my most favorite games.

-Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection (PSP): Final Fantasy IV is probably one of the most frequently remade games in the series, but this one is the best of the Bunch. Basically it has crisp, 2D sprites, and all of the bonus content from the Game Boy Advance version(2 Bonus dungeons and the ability to switch out party members after a certain point). But that's not all. It is also has both the SNES and DS version soundtracks, and is bundled with its sequel Final Fantasy IV: The After years, with the dungeon taken out of the Wii port restored and a new bonus boss, as well as a completely new short interlude game that takes place between the two of them. As with most FF handheld ports there is also a music box for both games , but also an art gallery of a wide variety of official art of the games. For those that get the physical UMD version, they also came with character cards of the original version's final party(Cecil, Kain, Rosa, Rydia, Edge)

Yup. That was the version that introduced me to Chrono Trigger and I loved it. I could do with or without some of the bonus content, but everything else was great.