Remakes are a huge part of the contemporary gaming industry. Nintendo is fully leaning into the past with the Switch 2, and other major, historic titles like God of War and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic are also being remade. What’s more, fans are actually excited about these opportunities to relive classic gaming moments.
However, there has to be a point where fans draw a line as to what’s okay to remake. There are some classic titles that simply don’t need remakes for one reason or another, and it would just be insulting to see them trotted out once again in place of anything original.
Portal 2 is Still a Perfect Puzzle Game
Valve are well-respected for their absolute dedication and understanding of their craft. And, while the Half-Life saga is particularly well-loved, credit must also be given to the Portal series, which has its own expansive video game universe.
Of all of Valve’s games, it is Portal 2 that does not need a remake in any form. Released in 2011, the game was initially launched on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and was a genuine triumph. Players were impressed with how the premise was able to follow up on the original’s concept, but with enhanced graphics, smooth controls and exceptional writing.
Stephen Merchan has to be given credit for his incredible voice acting work, which really helped to carry the title, gave it so much of its humor and eventually led to one of the best twists in history. Credit also has to go to the Source engine with which Portal 2 was made, as it’s an exceptional piece of design that marked a huge step forward in the gaming industry’s history.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Remains One of the Greatest Open World Games
Is Red Dead Redemption 2 the greatest game of all time? That’s up for debate, but there is a firm section of the fan base that would happily argue in favor of the cowboy title getting the top spot.
Rockstar Games understand how to make immersive experiences that matter to players. They know how to create gameplay moments that are as narratively rich as they are satisfying to play through, and that is both the reason for Red Dead Redemption 2’s success, and a primary reason it does not need a remake.
Red Dead Redemption 2 was made using the RAGE engine, which is so powerful that Rockstar is still using it to this day. It’s no surprise that the only thing holding Red Dead Redemption 2 back was the platforms it was being hosted on. Regardless, the game is absolutely massive in its scope and scale, and yet very accessible for all-comers.
Every shot is pure cinema, and the mechanics themselves, despite being 8 years old now, are just as faultless. Even the idea of a sequel has yet to be truly explored, because players just aren’t interested in moving away from this perfect game.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Is A Breathtaking Experience
It is well-worth noting that Star Wars: The Force Unleashed has been ported to modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch, but it is yet to receive a remake. The debate among fans is truly whether it should, because there is a lot to say about the strengths of the title, and more to note on its drawbacks.
Simply put, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an astounding Star Wars game from LucasArts, which boldly tells a new story in the mythos involving Starkiller, Darth Vader’s new apprentice. It is in that very premise that players had such intrigue, delighting in the idea that they might hunt down a variety of Jedi and eventually get to turn on their Master.
With a grotesque cast of characters and plenty of drama to tap into for a sequel, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed thrives when it takes narrative risks. But it also pushes the player’s limits, allowing them to utilize Force abilities that are so dangerous that even Vader seems threatened by what Starkiller may be able to achieve.
It is the fact that it is non-canon that really seals the fate of The Force Unleashed though. Right now, this is a Legends story. If Lucasfilm Games were to remake the title, they would do so with a canon inclusion in mind, much like with Knights of the Old Republic. In doing so, they would remove some of that grit and edge that made the original so appealing.
There Is A Charm To The Original Donkey Kong
There’s a lot that could be said about the constant drive to remake arcade titles. There is something special that happens when players are able to engage with these titles in their original format. If a title needs to be ported, to preserve it, then that’s a great way to continue its legacy.
There are some who have wanted a remake of the Nintendo classic Donkey Kong, to bring it in line with modern convention. A readjustment of the graphics, bringing in modern character models for the likes of Donkey Kong, and changing Jump Man into Mario, have all been ideas discussed for such a remake.
But the 1981 original, launched on the Radar Scope system and developed by Nintendo, should never go through that kind of shift. Because the first title is so pure in its simplicity, the level design has become a timeless display of the platform genre in action. Donkey Kong is simply too vital to the company’s history to remake.
The Batman Arkham Series Is Still Going Strong
The early Rocksteady Arkham games have had a remaster, but they have not had a remake. Some have argued in favor of remaking the trilogy and releasing them together. Others have argued that Batman: Arkham Asylum could benefit from a remake, to modernize some of its more dated aspects, and perhaps utilize more of an open world.
The first two Arkham titles are perfect in their execution, though, defeating any real need for remakes. They are bold with their characterizations and aren’t afraid to take Batman to a much darker place. Although Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League might have ruined the momentum of the series, there is still plenty of excitement for more of this world.
The only reason for a remake, truly, would be to bring the titles to a new generation. Only Insomniac’s Spider-Man series comes close, so far, to creating a superhero saga as complex and loving of the comic book medium, and fans deserve to be able to enjoy both series with ease.