When Will the Practice of "Remasters" End?
- Desolate_9
- Apr 28, 2015
- 4 min read
In gaming, we are seeing a new trend coming up. Where game developers are “Remastering” old properties into newer engines, updates systems, graphics, audio, online (if applicable) and more. The practice started when companies were rereleasing games from the PSX generation onto PlayStation3 and Xbox 360. Games like Metal Gear Solid, which was one of the first to take a complete series and bring it forward to the newer consoles on-disc. Featuring updated difficulties, obvious graphical improvements, control features, and bonuses galore; Metal Gear Solid Collection was great for fans or even gamers who never experienced the originals due to whatever reason. Konami did the series right, this was a true Remaster in every sense of the word. The only thing that remained the same was the game content itself. The presentation, feel, challenge, visuals, and surround sound audio made it like playing the games as if they were released for this generation. Now if you were to include downloadable titles in this discussion, we could all go crazy with comments about Street Fighter this, Sonic that, blah blah blah. Fact is only a handful are actual remasters, most of them are emulated games that run on individual files instead of a cartridge like their time.
Otherwise, give us new content everyone, it’s what we really want anyways.
The majority of the emulated content is NOT considered a remaster. Take DuckTales Remastered, a fan-favorite game from the Nintendo NES era. A side-scrolling platformer featuring Scrooge McDuck and his nephews Huey, Duey, and Louie as Scrooge and company trot the globe to find artifacts of value. It was considered one of the best of the generation, and even had featured a sequel with similar mechanics. It even spawned a shared concept on the Sega Genesis featuring Donald Duck instead of Scrooge, but still featured the same style of gameplay, and “jumping” mechanic used in DuckTales on NES. This game was also completely redone with new visuals, character models, audio, style and all. The “feel” was like a new game, but when you play them side by side, you can see where this is an amazing game which features a new intro level, and expanded levels and content, but all the original mechanics, story, and locations are the same. There was added animations, new collectables, and everything in this one, very cool. And thanks to Capcom, this one was a major selling point for fans of retro and gaming alike, nevermind whatever Disney put behind it.
Speaking of Disney, another well done remaster was Mickey Mouse’s Castle of Illusion. Originally featured on the Sega Genesis, this game was an epic side-scrolling adventure for Disney during the 16-bit generation. It was THE best days of Mickey Mouse in gaming, and is still a foothold in the retro market today as far as resale is concerned. This was redone as well though and given a treatment very similar to what DuckTales Remastered saw. Another prime example of great gaming brought forward into a new generation while still being faithful to the original content. Mickey’s games even stayed closer to original than Scrooge McDuck’s adventures, however the content packed in is amazing. And like DuckTales Remastered, you could also unlock the original Castle of Illusion, or download it for an additional fee.
How about just being honest and call it what it is, a re-release on a new console.
All this said, the problem with “remasters” today, is companies are using it as an excuse to re-release new content as I said above. However they are getting lazier, targeting games that were already in 1080 or 720, new enough that “remastering” the game seems useless. It is an excuse to sell a game during two generations. How about just being honest and call it what it is, a re-release on a new console. Take Gears of War recently announced as a “Remaster” by Microsoft. This is just an attempt to hype up Gears of War and try and sell Xbox One consoles. With the rumored Xbox One exclusive title, it makes sense to make a move like this, but don’t call it a “remaster”. Call it what it is Microsoft, it’s a re-release, how about just putting all three of the original trilogy on a new system and call it a collection and sell it for $40 bucks [edit: As it turns out, there will be a "Collection" of the three original games, AND a new version of the Xbox One Console -below]. People wouldn’t complain about it, accept it as a reach out to first-time Xbox One owners, and a quick cash-grab for Microsoft’s Xbox Division. Besides, calling the game “HD” isn’t enough.
And Microsoft isn’t alone. Sony feels it necessary to “remaster” God of War III which was already an amazing game on PlayStation 3. Why waste our time Sony? Put it on PSNow and let us play it. Hopefully this trend doesn’t continue, since we also saw games like Shadow of Colossus and Ico get the PS2 to PS3 treatment, not that I am saying it wasn’t worth it. We don’t want games rebuilt and rereleased on the next console anymore. We want what Capcom did, remaster a masterpiece. See the relation? Thought so.
calling the game “HD” isn’t enough
I am not trying to be that guy, but I am trying to tell you we need to move forward from this “cheap” practice of crappy “remastered” “cash-grabs” like Devil May Cry Collection. We gamers know how to smell bullshit, treat us fair, utilize these Sony on your Now service instead of wasting resources on discs and marketing. Bring forward a new version, update, or sequel. Do what Konami did with Metal Gear. Or even what Sony did with Jak & Daxter Collection, and Sly Cooper Collection. But those still aren’t true “Remasters”. We see those as a chance to grab a collection of games some of us may have missed or not finished. And to us, that’s a second chance. If only this gets to SEGA, maybe they will see how about “Remastering” the Vanilla Sonic from Genesis, like they teased with some levels on Sonic Generations; going between 2D (camera POV) and 3D versions of gameplay. I’d pay $40 - $60 for a collection depending on how much content. That is an idea that needs to be exploited. Otherwise, give us new content everyone, it’s what we really want anyways.
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