Welcome to Respawning’s Games Club! The purpose of this is to get a bunch of us together every Monday to allow us the chance to chat shit about whatever takes our fancy in the world of video games and discuss what we’re currently playing.
Today we’re looking again at remasters… But instead of looking at our favourites, today we look at the reasons why we love (Or despise) the ideas of remasters!
Joe
Personally, I’ve always been cautious of remasters, be them low-level remasters such as HD collections or upscaling projects like this year’s Shadow of the Colossus, to high-level remasters such as the Ratchet and Clank Movie remaster which makes a lot of content and story changes.
In terms of loving or hating them, I’m truly on the fence about it – With remasters and HD updates such as the Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Collection on PS3, or the Ratchet & Clank HD Collection, it ended up bringing more issues that weren’t in the original version; notable examples being the aspect ratio of Ratchet & Clank changing, which leaves some characters and textures looking odd in some cutscenes, and the infamous “Drive Form Hang-Time” in Kingdom Hearts 2, which, as the below video will show, drastically worsened the amount of time going into a Drive Form took…
https://youtu.be/aLShlMygA3c
Credit to TD Twilight for this video.
Saying this, however, I can’t help but love a good HD collection or remaster – Maybe it’s the appeal of replaying these games at better frame rates or resolutions, or just my own nostalgia, but I can’t help but cave in where possible.
Javier
I used to think I wasn’t a fan of remasters as i’d never go back to play a game again after i’d finished it as i’m playing so many. Then I picked up Skyrim VR and am currently balls deep in to Kingdom hearts, so I’ve definitely had a bit of a change of heart as far as remasters are concerned..
I suppose I used to see them as a bit of a money grab “come and play our re-released title on one disc, but pay £20-£30 for a 3 year old game” but I’ve really come to realise this isn’t the case and most of the time they just want to bring a great game to newer generation, or make a really great game a bit fresher for those of us who want to replay it on the latest console. I’m also looking forward to playing Burnout Paradise and Assassin’s Creed: Rogue as i missed these game the first time and really look forward to playing them now.I’ll also almost definitely pick up the Arkham remasters at some point. AND how good is that Crash remaster!
There’s definitely a place for remasters in the current gaming market, for those game you want to replay (Due to passion or not liking current games) or because you missed them.
Tom
I love love LOVE them! Take any old game I used to love and make it modern again and you’re guaranteed to get money from me! I think it’s a great idea. There are so many games that get lost to time due to graphics, or gameplay, or something that just creates a disconnect with today’s players.
From Crash Bandicoot last year, to Call of Duty Zombies, Zelda and the numerous times Pokemon has re-released old titles and given them a fresh new light, many players have welcomed it with open arms. I think that it gives players a chance to discover an old game, or to just bring it up to date with modern technology.
I personally wanted to see a Ni No Kuni port for the PlayStation 4 prior to Ni No Kuni 2’s release date, but sadly, I don’t see that now happening. But I think in situations like with Ni No Kuni 2, a sequel with its predecessor on an older system, it is perfect. I also want to see Pokemon Red and Blue re-remakes, a Zelda: Wind Waker Switch port, and tons that I don’t even know I want yet!
I know there are a lot of hardcore fans of older games that do not want to see their old gems remade or remastered, but for those of them that are worried, they always have their original games, and those aren’t going anywhere!