Fan favorite media is in a constant loop of sequels and remakes, and it didn’t take long for the video game industry to realize the potential of that fact. Remasters and remakes have taken on many forms over the years. From HD collections to full-on remakes. This came about with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, in which games could handle higher framerates and 4K textures.
RELATED:Games With The Best Dismemberment Systems
However, despite the desire, some may have to play games at 60fps and a greater texture output, some remasters and remakes are entirely unnecessary, and do not add enough to warrant a new port to a new console at the price that they are asking for, especially when the original is just fine as is.
8Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection
Perhaps the most beloved entries of the seemingly eternalAssassin’s Creedfranchise, Ezio Auditore is regarded as one of the most popular video game characters of all time, all thanks to hisfleshed-out trilogy. This trilogy saw a remaster inAssassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection, which was a special edition that came withAssassin’s Creed 2,Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood,andAssassin’s Creed: Revelationsin one package.
This title was great to see in 60fps with smoother gameplay, but considering there were little alterations and glitch fixes, it made the remaster seem all but pointless, especially when one considers the less-than-appetizing graphical “upgrade” on certain characters. ThisAssassin’s Creedtitle is still greatly playable on its original release, but three games for one is a great deal.
7Batman: Return To Arkham
After the conclusion ofBatman: Arkham Knight, fans were ready to say goodbye to Rocksteady Studios’ video game world of the dark knight. However, fans wouldsoon return to Arkhamwith a remaster.Batman: Return to Arkhamwas the collection ofBatman: Arkham AsylumandBatman: Arkham City.
The needless remaster may have improved frame rates and some notable lighting differences, but the game did not innovate the combat style thatBatman: Arkham Knightperfected. It’s noticeably jarring to play the first through to the third considering how smooth the gameplay is inBatman: Arkham Knightcompared to the remaster that came after, as well as a lack of inclusion forBatman: Arkham Origins.
6Dark Souls Remastered
FromSoftware truly put its name on the map after the release ofDark Souls. The game was a triumph and led to many more successful video games for developers. However, the game received a remaster which saw thegame largely unchanged. The higher framerate benefits a game likeDark Souls, where every frame counts in a battle, and even some features saw a friendlier change.
The remaster forDark Soulsis not terrible, but it was not exactly necessary. It helped introduce fans ofDark Souls 3into the fray, consideringDark Soulswas locked to PS3 and Xbox 360 and removed from Steam for the remaster. However, the lack of upgrading the game to play likeDark Souls 3, or even rebalancing things, made for an identical experience.
5DMC: Devil May Cry
The classic series ofDevil May Crysaw itself given the western world treatment with a remake.DMC: Devil May Crywas a franchisereinvention in both gameplay and characters. As a remake, many things changed, and a lot of fans disregarded the game in a desire to see the original continuity return.
RELATED:Hack And Slash & Beat ‘Em Up Games That Are Brutally Difficult
At the time,Devil May Cry 4was the last in the series 2008. 5 years later, the remake was released. It wasn’t until 2019 that fans would return to the original continuity forDevil May Cry 5, makingDMC: Devil May Crya strange footnote in the series as an attempted and unnecessary remake, and theDevil May Cryfranchise could return to its roots with the belovedDevil May Cry 5.
4Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5was released in 2013, marking almost ten years since the 5th mainlineGrand Theft Autoinstallment was released. Considering the game isalmost a decade old, it has followed three generations of consoles, from PlayStation 3s to PlayStation 5s. With these, saw the game rereleased as a remaster, with better graphics, load times, and higher framerates.
The constant remastering ofGrand Theft Auto 5does not add much to the game’s life, especially since with each remaster, the game restricts players on whom they can play with.GTA: Onlinehas its lobbies for each console, causing a bridge between PS4 and PS5 players, all whilst everyone patiently awaits the release ofGrand Theft Auto 6.
3Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Infinity Ward’s biggestCall of Dutyfranchise,Modern Warfare, saw the remake treatment recently. In 2022,Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2is also getting a remake, but before then, the original title received a remaster.Call of Dutyis a franchise that everyone seems divided on what the bestCall of Dutytitle is. Up high on the ranks for many is the originalCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
This title received a remaster, with a new set of graphics. The high-definition game was released but only as a campaign, leaving behind the much-beloved multiplayer that people loved. This makes a rather unnecessary remaster, as, despite people’s love of the campaign, it is usually not theselling point of aCall of Dutytitle.
2Marvel’s Spider-Man
It only took 2 years for Sony to decide thatMarvel’s Spider-Manneeds a remaster. This title was beloved by fans for returning Spider-Man to his own story, and not being a movie-tie-in. Insomniac Games had a great love and care for their crafted Marvel Universe, in which Spider-Man was an adult, with even more power and responsibility.
The remaster ofMarvel’s Spider-Manwas made for the PS5, which showed off the impressive capabilities of the SSD for its quick load times, and 4K resolution. The gamelooks notably prettieron PS5s, but is still entirely playable in 60fps on the original game, meaning PS5 owners don’t have to spend an additional $70 for a new face model for Peter Parker.
1The Last Of Us Part 1
Highly regarded as one of the most emotionally charged games of all time,The Last of Uswon the hearts of many upon its release in 2013. When the game’s sequel came out,The Last of Us Part 2was in the crossfire of muchcontroversy for the story directionit took its characters and its depiction of entirely real and brutal scenes.
No one can deny thatThe Last of Us Part 2is visually breathtaking. The graphics and animations are unlike anything the gaming industry has seen, and it was only right for these to be used for a remake.The Last of Us Part 1is beautiful, but it tells an identical story. It’s an unnecessary remake that only adds a new set of graphics, as the gameplay and encounters are identical, making it if anything, a beautiful remaster.
MORE:The Last Of Us: Essential Moments The HBO Series Shouldn’t Change
