Festive Feature #1 – The Five Best Remakes and Remasters of 2024

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that these remasters truly take me back to the golden age of gaming. Each one offers a unique twist on a classic title that I hold dear, and it’s fascinating to see how they’ve been updated for modern audiences.

Year after year, we see an abundance of remasters and remakes, and 2024 was no exception. With so many impressive examples, it proved challenging to narrow our selection to just five for this list. Here’s a refreshed take on the original:

There’s no need to be disappointed that “Tomb Raider I-III Remastered” didn’t end up on the final list. We debated this extensively, and it seemed to be included at one moment only to be excluded the next. It was a rollercoaster ride, much like Lara darting into a tomb to snatch treasure before barely escaping with her life. Many other excellent remasters, including “The Thing,” were overlooked too, but remember, we can’t change the rules (though we do, but let’s not talk about that).

Redefining One of the Greatest Dragon Quest Games: Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake – Often recognized as one of the best titles in the Dragon Quest series, the 1988 release, Dragon Quest III: Seeds of Salvation, stands out as a prime candidate for a remake. Square Enix’s HD-2D remakes offer an excellent means to revitalize classic role-playing games on contemporary consoles, providing a visual style similar to that of Octopath Traveler. This approach ensures the game receives a fresh update while preserving its original retro charm. The Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is indeed a delight: an RPG adventure with a captivating storyline and plenty of appeal, it’s no wonder the original has earned such high praise. Save states, adjustable battle speeds, and other modern conveniences enhance the experience, but it’s the enchanting pixel art characters and stunning environments that truly set it apart as something extraordinary.

The combination of Sonic Generations and Shadow the Hedgehog’s adventure – SEGA, in collaboration with developer Sonic Team, went beyond just enhancing the 2011 version of Sonic Generations; they also created an entire game featuring Shadow the Hedgehog (now without weapons and his motorcycle). This fusion, titled Sonic x Shadow Generations, offers a distinct experience. It includes a high-definition remaster of one of Sonic’s most cherished modern adventures, as well as a standalone segment where you assume control solely as Shadow in his own storyline, complete with unique levels, abilities, secrets, and more. This surpasses the usual expectations of a remaster. At first sight, Shadow Generations might seem like a delightful extra; perhaps a side project Sonic Team worked on during office hours, but it soon becomes apparent that it’s quite substantial. Shadow has his own central hub area, ‘White Space’, and as he unlocks new abilities, he can access new areas to discover hidden treasures. The game includes several full-sized stages, boss battles, bonus levels. In essence, Sonic Team is generously providing an abundance of content for us.

Dead Rising: Enhanced Version – Instead of a straight-up remake or remaster, this is something unique called a “Deluxe Remaster.” In simpler terms, it’s the optimal way to experience the original “Dead Rising” game without any frustration. It features auto saves, updated controls, and various enhancements that significantly improve gameplay (like using weapons while still chatting on the walkie-talkie? Yes, now you can!). While these changes may seem minor, they make a significant difference in modernizing an almost twenty-year-old game for discerning players. Additionally, it offers improved graphics, new audio, and other added features. Returning to Willamette Mall as Frank West to slaughter zombies has never been more appealing. Previously, Capcom opted for a straightforward remaster in 2016, but the “Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster” is much more than that – it breathes new life into a 2006 game.

Titled as “Braid, Anniversary Edition“, this remastered version of the original game can be seen as an ironic move. The protagonist in the game was always looking back while moving forward, constantly erasing the traces of his past failures. In a humorous twist, Thekla, Inc. seems to emulate this behavior by meticulously refining the game.

2021 was a productive year for Aspyr Studios. They released refreshed versions of “Star Wars: Bounty Hunter” and “Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection,” followed by two more thoughtful re-releases. In February, we were treated to “Tomb Raider I–III Remastered Starring Lara Croft,” a journey through dark caves and shimmering Venetian canals, updated and illuminated – with improved controls. And in December, we welcomed the arrival of “Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered,” featuring upgraded visuals, maintaining the soft-sculpted faux-millennium style; restored levels that had been missing for years and much-anticipated by dedicated fans; and a collection of outtakes and concept art. The inclusion of “Soul Reaver 2” is particularly significant; this game often requires coaxing to run smoothly on PC, and it has been absent from consoles for years. It seems that Aspyr’s work with Lara Croft sparked a desire to delve even deeper, to retrieve half-forgotten artifacts from the crypt of history and polish them – not for a private collection but for public admiration.

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2024-12-26 15:12