HD Remakes and Their Place in Video Games
It seems now more than ever in the gaming industry, high-definition remakes of classic video games are becoming big deals to particular franchises. Games such as Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, and Final Fantasy VII Remake are prime examples of remakes being true to the old school and not a tasteless cash grab (at least, we can only hope). Even the recently released remake of Destroy, All Humans! is set to be a gem for the old fans. With all of the love that remakes can get when done well, they can give their franchises another chance in the public eye and consoles once more and, with any luck, pave the way to new installments.
When it comes to HD renditions, works such as the Jak and Daxter Bundle and Devil May Cry: HD Collection, both released for the PlayStation 4, even with the updated graphics, offer little to no changes to the art style, gameplay mechanics, or the overall feeling of the games. They were released because the developers knew dedicated fans would be willing to pay for a game they bought on an old console. I’m not proud to admit that I was one of those fans who purchased the Jak and Daxter Collection for the PlayStation 3…and the bundle for the PlayStation 4 (I love this series. Sue me!). Regardless, these elements aren’t necessary for a remake. Still, they show that developers care about what goes into one and hope to garner new love for them in the current generation of gaming.
While remakes generate sales, they can be more than just the same game with a new coat of paint. They can be good, but it isn’t enough. People who enjoy a remake of games believe they must meet a certain quota. Jerome Castro’s article lists the standards, such as resurrecting the gameplay loop and faithfulness to the source material. I mean, that makes sense. Something went wrong if the remake is a slight shadow of the original and has dull gameplay. The gameplay loops keep the game from landing on its face, and faithfulness shows respect for the style and tone that made it a hit in the first place.
However, that doesn’t mean all remakes will have the best changes. Ratchet and Clank (2016) for the PlayStation 4 shows how far a remake can be different from the original in all the wrong ways. While praised for its visuals and gameplay, it throws the unique theme of consumerism and emphasis on a fully stocked arsenal out the window for a lighter, more heroic tone. While not the worst thing, it wasn’t the best direction for the game.
All pitfalls of remaking a game considered, it can either bring a series back into the spotlight or leave it back on the shelf. And yet, when done well, they can give a new look and feel to a favored classic and even give room for a new, LONG-awaited installment, as the upcoming installment to the Crash series, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, can attest. Come to think of it, some series could do with a shot in the arm with a remake.