Remakes and Remasters in the Video Game Industry
The video game world is buzzing with debate over remakes and remasters—projects designed to breathe new life into beloved classics. Remasters, like the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy, focus on upgrading textures, boosting resolution, and smoothing out frame rates. For instance, the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy was re-released on PS5 and PC with enhanced visuals. In contrast, remakes such as The Last of Us Part I are entirely new games built from the ground up. In the case of The Last of Us Part I (2022), the original dialogue, voice acting, and level layouts were preserved, but the graphics, objects, and gameplay were completely rebuilt from scratch using a modern engine. Sales data shows that as of this year, the Resident Evil 2 remake has sold 18.3 million copies—triple the sales of the original.
The Current State of Classic Game Remakes
Adding to the remake trend, Konami recently released Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater—a reimagining of the 2004 title built on Unreal Engine 5. Additionally, a remake of Gothic (2001) is in the works. However, not every classic has been given the remake or remaster treatment. For example, 26 years later, there is still no remake of Deus Ex, originally released in 2000 by Ion Storm. An official remaster of Deus Ex was announced but later canceled due to fan backlash. In 2022, Remedy announced remakes of Max Payne and Max Payne 2, which have now entered full production. The original Max Payne came out in 2001.
Experts have highlighted several titles that are long overdue for an update:
- Deus Ex (2000)
- The Saboteur (2009)
- Max Payne (2001)
- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)
- Manhunt (2003)
- Far Cry (2004)
- Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy (2005)
- Bully (2006)
- The Witcher (2007)
- Fallout 3 (2008)
As for Morrowind, it famously saved Bethesda from bankruptcy, yet Todd Howard has never delivered an official remake. A fan project called Skywind, which ports Morrowind to a modern engine, has been in development for over a decade. Fallout 3, released in 2008, was mentioned in a leaked Microsoft document in 2023, but Bethesda has yet to officially announce a remaster. Meanwhile, The Saboteur launched in 2009 from Pandemic Studios, which has since shut down, and publisher EA has offered no news of a remake.
In short, the gaming industry is actively responding to player demand by refining and reviving classic titles. Remakes and remasters not only preserve gaming heritage but also attract a new generation of players. Still, despite these efforts, many iconic games remain untouched—highlighting a clear appetite for modern versions of old favorites and the importance of keeping them alive for future audiences. Each new remake or remaster release underscores how vital it is to remember classic games in a rapidly evolving gaming landscape.
As the demand for classic game remakes continues to grow, it's worth exploring other beloved titles that could benefit from a modern update. For instance, the potential re-release of the Baldur's Gate duology has sparked interest among fans eager to see these iconic RPGs revitalized for today's gaming audience. Such projects not only honor the original games but also introduce them to a new generation of players.