Not long ago I bought the original goat simulator on sale. I had heard of its origins as a prototype game and was pleasantly surprised at how fun it was. I remember being quickly drawn to the ability to play together in co-op, along with its humor and unpredictability, and after enjoying both the original and Goat Simulator 3, I really wanted Goat Simulator Remastered try. On the other hand, I immediately thought about how interesting it would be to play this game again, considering the lack of the plot and structure that characterize the series. And is there even a need for this remaster when there is also Goat Simulator 3?
As for my first question: Goat Simulator Remastered looks like a copy of Goat Simulator, but rebuilt using the Goat Simulator 3 engine. You play as a goat in a sandbox environment, free to move around and cause as much chaos as possible. Whether it’s head-butting pedestrians, kicking random objects, or licking things just to see what happens, the gameplay is intentionally random and open-ended. There are no real goals other than creating chaos, which can be entertaining if you have the right mindset. Visually, the game has been updated to match the standards of Goat Simulator 3, and while the improved graphics are nice, I don’t think they significantly change the gaming experience.
The remaster contains several worlds and I was curious to explore them, especially the expansions that I missed in the original game. For example, there is a medieval RPG-themed zone, a space station with spaceships, and a zombie survival zone with a fairly large city to explore. The humor and absurdity are still there and I enjoyed discovering new jokes and oddities in the DLC areas. However, when I rewatched the original two maps, I quickly lost interest as I had already experienced most of what they offered, and without any new content or updates, they didn’t hold my attention for long.
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As with the other Goat Simulator games, one of the highlights of Goat Simulator Remastered for me is the couch co-op mode. The ability to play with up to four people makes the game much more fun, as the chaotic gameplay becomes even more fun when shared with friends. We laughed a lot at the references to other games and ridiculous situations in general, and this multiplayer aspect really brings out the best in the game. I also find the game attractive if you want to play with children. The simple mechanics and lack of high stakes gameplay make it accessible and easy to enjoy even for younger players. In my opinion, the game simply shines as a group and the random fun stays fresh longer.
Unfortunately, the numerous bugs that were part of the original Goat Simulator are also present in the remaster. I was hoping for a smoother experience than the original, but the more I played, the more frustrated I became. My goat often got stuck in random places and usually in debris. My friend and I once got stuck in a driftwood pallet inside the space zone, which is frustrating, although there’s always the possibility of resurfacing. I also noticed that in-game objects like food stalls or fences often collapse chaotically in zombie mode, leaving you tangled up. I think that when making a remaster you should at least try to find and fix these types of bugs, as they hinder the basic gameplay.
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When I played the original Goat Simulator, the rough edges were forgivable. Knowing that it started as a small project for a developer competition made its quirks seem more charming than frustrating. But now, with Goat Simulator Remastered, I feel like that charm doesn’t hold up so well anymore. Without a story or meaningful updates, the randomness feels rather repetitive and I found myself getting bored quicker than I expected. The more I played, the more I felt like I would rather play Goat Simulator 3 again. In this game, the fun and chaos at least have some structure and the jokes seem to have more depth.
In summary, I think Goat Simulator Remastered can still be a fun introduction to the series for newcomers. It’s a good choice for co-op play, where the ridiculous gameplay and chaos guarantee plenty of laughs. If you’re looking for a casual “party game” to enjoy with friends or kids, it’s easy to recommend in scenarios like this. However, for regular gamers or those looking for something to play solo, I don’t think there’s enough to make the remaster worth purchasing. The lack of a story and flawed gameplay mean your money would be better spent on something else, even Goat Simulator 3, which seems like a more sensible purchase and offers the same fun but in a much more comprehensive package.
