Game Remakes
Ongoing coverage on Game Remakes.
Latest coverage
Persona 4 Revival edits parts that "weren't as clear," but won't change its cast's "core identities"
Atlus and P-Studio are updating Persona 4 Revival to address sensitive topics and clarify narrative elements without altering the core identities of its characters. Producers Kazuhisa Wada and Akane Kabayashi stated that while character personalities remain intact, some dialogue has been adjusted for better clarity and impact. The remake will also feature fully voiced social links, updated battle mechanics inspired by later Persona titles, and a focus on reducing dungeon-related stress for players.
Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake needs to break tradition to justify its existence
This article argues that a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time must innovate beyond a simple graphical update to justify its existence, especially given its historical significance and the current gaming landscape. It suggests potential enhancements like playable Zelda, expanded world activities, and incorporating elements from Breath of the Wild, drawing parallels to Capcom's successful Resident Evil remakes.
Pokemon Gamma Emerald solo dev spent 2 years working "12 hours a day" building their remake "from scratch," including 384,000 frames of animation
The solo developer behind the fan-made Pokemon Emerald remake, Pokemon Gamma Emerald, has shared details about their extensive two-year development process, working 12 hours daily and creating 384,000 animation frames. The free remake, built entirely from scratch, recently launched into early access with several quality-of-life improvements and new features.
An Uncharted remake would feel "like a cash grab," says OG designer who thinks Naughty Dog should make a new…
Original Uncharted: Drake's Fortune designer Benson Russell believes a remake of the game would feel like a "cash grab" and that Naughty Dog should instead focus on creating a new entry in the series. He argues that existing remasters are sufficient for players to experience the original title and that a remake would necessitate story changes that alter the game's spirit.
'It Doesn't Make Sense' — Uncharted Designer Doesn't Want a Remake of Drake's Fortune
Benson Russell, a designer for the original Uncharted games, expressed his reservations about a potential remake of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. He feels that remaking the first game doesn't make sense given its age and design.
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune Designer Says a Remake Doesn’t Make Sense
Benson Russell, the original designer of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, believes a remake of the game doesn't make sense due to its still-relevant gameplay and visuals. He argues that resources would be better spent on a new title inspired by Uncharted 4, rather than a remake that might feel like a cash grab and alter the original's spirit.
Bethesda veteran says Oblivion Remastered can't be called a remake, unlike Final Fantasy 7 and Resident Evil 2…
Bethesda's associate art director Dan Lee explained that The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is not a remake because it retains the original game's core engine and 'bones,' differentiating it from titles like Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Resident Evil 2. Todd Howard drew a line between modernizing the art and fundamentally changing the game, opting to market it as a polished version of the original rather than a new creation.
Games Inbox: Is Final Fantasy 7 still the most popular JRPG?
Readers discuss the perceived lack of hype for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, questioning if the original game's age hinders its popularity as a JRPG. Other topics include reader interest in Take-Two's post-Grand Theft Auto 6 plans, the potential for a live-action Zelda movie, and the future of digital distribution versus physical media.
Resident Evil Requiem’s Success Led to Increase in Sales for Entire Franchise, Says Capcom
Capcom reported that the success of Resident Evil Requiem has significantly boosted sales across the entire Resident Evil franchise, including older titles like the remakes of Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4. The company aims to replicate this success with the upcoming remake of Resident Evil Veronica, which is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi confirmed that the development team behind Resident Evil 2 and 4 remakes is working on Resident Evil Veronica, with Yasuhiro Anpo and Kazunori Kadoi directing.
Halo Co-Creator Calls Out Remake For Pandering To “New Era Of Players With 0% Attention Span”
Marcus Lehto, co-creator of Halo, has expressed mixed feelings about the new remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved. While praising upgrades to movement, cinematics, and lighting, he criticized the game's heavy-handed hint system as pandering to players with short attention spans. Lehto also commented on the game's release on PlayStation and the online negativity surrounding it.
Halo Studios hit by Xbox layoffs despite Campaign Evolved’s strong reception
Halo Studios has experienced layoffs despite the strong critical reception of its recent release, Halo: Campaign Evolved. Several employees, including producer Nick Treitman and scrum master Paul Morris, confirmed their departures via LinkedIn. This news comes as part of broader workforce reductions at Xbox, which previously announced plans to cut over 3,200 jobs across its studios.
Halo co-creator says the Campaign Evolved hate is overblown, even if some of its creative liberties "are absolutely…
Marcus Lehto, co-creator of Halo and designer of the original Campaign Evolved, believes the online criticism of the new remake is overblown. While acknowledging a few 'cringe' creative liberties in the overhauled cutscenes, he praises the upgrades to movement, cinematics, and visuals, finding the overall experience fun.
Sonic Team head talks Sonic remakes
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka discussed the considerations for creating game remakes, emphasizing the need to update controls and level design for modern platforms alongside visual style. The team pays close attention to these elements when deciding on remake projects.
Halo On PS5 Is Off To A Slow Start, Expert Says
Halo: Campaign Evolved is experiencing a slow sales start on PlayStation 5, with analyst Rhys Elliott estimating around 351,000 copies sold in July. Elliott attributes the slow uptake partly to the $50 price point for a graphical update of a 2001 game, especially without multiplayer. The game's performance on PlayStation 5 contrasts sharply with significantly higher sales on PC and Xbox, and also with the success of older Call of Duty ports on PlayStation.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director is happy people argue about the remake trilogy because when people "get heated," it means "they see value in those elements"
Naoki Hamaguchi, director for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, believes the heated online discussions surrounding the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy are a positive sign. He argues that passionate debates about story, characters, and gameplay elements indicate that players see value in the series. Hamaguchi also mentioned that the team is considering a physical edition for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Silent Hill producer believes shaking up the series was necessary to win over players because 'at best, only about half of the original users will return with a remake'
Producer Motoi Okamoto believes that shaking up the Silent Hill series with new entries like Silent Hill f and Townfall, rather than just remakes, was necessary to attract both new and returning players. He argued that remakes alone would only recapture about half of the original audience, emphasizing the need for fresh experiences alongside nostalgia. Konami's strategy involves partnering with studios like Bloober Team and Annapurna Interactive to deliver psychological horror that explores inner worlds and trauma.
MMO Hype Train: Why I’m really rooting for Fallen Earth’s Unity remake
The author expresses strong enthusiasm for the upcoming Unity remake of the post-apocalyptic MMO Fallen Earth, developed by Little Orbit. Despite its initial jankiness and niche appeal, the game's unique world, crafting, and humor are highlighted as reasons for its potential success with a modern engine.
Game History and Preservation
Discussions around game preservation and the challenges of remaking classic titles like Final Fantasy VI are ongoing. Separately, Giant Bomb explored methods for backing up Sega Saturn games and BIOS using hardware like the Satiator ODE and emulators.
How Halo Studios Evolved a Classic – Halo: Campaign Evolved | Official XBOX Podcast
The Official Xbox Podcast features the Halo team discussing the 25-year legacy of the franchise and how they have upgraded and remade a classic for the modern era in Halo: Campaign Evolved. The episode includes an exclusive first look at a special 25th Anniversary armor set.
The Best Way To Remake More Final Fantasy Games Is Staring Square Enix In The Face
Square Enix could best remake classic Final Fantasy titles like Final Fantasy 6, 8, and 9 using the HD-2D art style, according to Final Fantasy 14 director Naoki Yoshida. He explained that a full 3D remake of these massive games would likely require multiple installments, similar to the Final Fantasy 7 Remake project. The HD-2D approach, seen in games like Octopath Traveler, offers a faster development cycle and a way to blend nostalgic visuals with modern presentation.