Remakes and Remasters have positioned themselves in the industry, are they really necessary? – Generation Xbox

More stories in the Editorial category

Currently we have a large number of games from the past that are, in one way or another, looking to come back. Perhaps because they are known names, but somewhat forgotten, or because they are IPs which never had a follow-up and fell into oblivion. We also can’t rule out games that are easier to return to in a somewhat small way.

In this way we give way to this entry, which points to the glory of the sector. We will focus on so-called remasters and also on remakes. Although these terms are not unknown to anyone in the industry, it is still useful to clarify them, because every day new and enthusiastic players want to learn more about this incredible world.

What are remasters?

Let’s explain it in a simple way. So-called remasters are games that were released a long time ago and receive visual improvements, such as scaling to higher resolutions or better frame rates. We could say that it is a smaller work, offering only a simple facelift without major changes, with a few improvements. Additionally, it allows titles to reach more players and more platforms.

What are remakes?

On the other hand, we have remakes, which are a way of reviving an old game, but, unlike the remaster, there is a much more noticeable technical overhaul here. This includes modeling settings, characters or adjustments to mechanics, which is practically working from scratch.as if it were a new work. An emblematic case is Capcom with the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 4.

Are remakes and remasters really necessary?

You may be wondering what this is all about. It’s very simple: today’s market is full of remasters and remakes, which can be good to a certain extent. This allows us to recover forgotten names that deserved a new opportunity. However, it should be remembered that this can also affect the industry, limiting the creation of new IP and focusing developers’ efforts on these types of experiences.

No wonder some people disapprove of having to pay a large sum for a new title and then doing it again for a game they’ve already experienced in the past. However, this should be viewed with caution, as many companies release games with little detail, just to capitalize on the player’s nostalgia.

However, it’s not all negative. There are cases, like Capcom with its remakeswho bring us great games that not only improve on the original work, but also make it feel like something new. This places us at a crossroads: supporting remakes and remasters or betting on new proposals.

The most sensible answer is that remakes and remasters are very necessary to some extent. Below I explain the aspects that support this idea:

Positive aspects:

• Resurrect an IP address that had been paused, giving it a second chance
• Visual or artistic improvements to titles that deserve it
• Re introducing old IPs on new platforms
• Make certain IPs stop being console exclusive and become cross-platform
• Achieve good acceptance, which motivates to continue the saga with new deliveries

Negative aspects:

• That the return of an IP is not well worked
• That the identity of an IP is lost during the process of its restitution
• That the possibilities of continuation be closed if the results are not those expected
• The high prices of these titles, knowing that they are not new

In short, youIt all depends on the goals of a publisher or developer regarding an IP. If your priority is only financial profit, regardless of quality, the chances of failure increase. This has been seen in some versions, such as:

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition: a poorly crafted remaster, riddled with errors that tarnished iconic titles, in addition to having an unattractive price for players.

Subscribe to the GX channel on YouTube