- Remakes and remasters may seem milked to death, but they can have their benefits.
- Capcom’s success with Resident Evil remakes demonstrates how revisiting beloved franchises can revitalize interest and boost an IP’s popularity.
- Furthermore, remakes can help newer audiences discover more obscure titles that didn’t get enough recognition at launch.
The narrative that old video games are better than modern ones is a never-ending debate and is also true to some extent. Modern-day video games have become plagued with complex problems as technology and the industry have expanded.
Publishers have also started to remake and remaster older video games, adhering to new standards that introduce them to a newer generation. Because of this trend, the concept of remaking has been overused to some extent and seems uninspiring.
However, there’s a bright side to this, too. Remaking older titles raises the bar for existing franchises, meaning developers must work even harder on the next title.
Why it matters: While many complain that remakes are cash grabs, they have encouraged developers to push past their boundaries with newer titles, such as Capcom.
The Problem With Remakes And Why They’re Disliked
There’s a lot of negativity surrounding video game remakes from fans; to some extent, it is fair. As I said earlier, they can easily come across as cash grabs.
Even recently released titles that have aged fairly well are getting re-releases; for example, Assassin’s Creed 4 Black Flag is reportedly getting this treatment before earlier entries. Similarly, Naughty Dog remade The Last of Us in 2022.
Even in 2023, there was no shortage of this trend, with the likes of Dead Space, Resident Evil 4, Metroid Prime, and more. Looking ahead to the future, Max Payne, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, and more are set to be re-released for new hardware. This even led to a debate about The Game Awards considering remakes for Game of the Year.
The inherent problem with this approach is that studios seem unwilling to move out of their comfort zones. This can lead to games feeling too safe, which may put a stop to innovation in the industry.
How Remakes Worked In Favor Of Capcom
Capcom has been on an insane run when it comes to Resident Evil in the past few years. The developer went on a hiatus after 2012’s Resident Evil 6, an entry that wasn’t the best of the series. However, Capcom did nail it with its comeback with 2017’s Resident Evil 7.
The studio shifted to the new RE Engine, departing from the old MT framework. With its visuals and capabilities, the new engine brought an entirely new spectrum of storytelling.
Capcom’s remakes are based on fan demands. Remakes of Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 were all fan service. Due to this, the IP boomed and raised the bar for the franchise. The latest mainstream entry in the franchise, Resident Evil 8, is the series’ most successful one to date.
The game was already a critical success, but commercially, it was on another level. Resident Evil 8 recently hit the 10 million sale mark, becoming the fastest-selling title from the horror genre as a whole.
How Remakes Expose Hidden Gems
Not only do remakes raise the standards for a franchise, but they also help fans discover hidden gems. Consider this: at some point, even the biggest video game franchises come and go, like Watch Dogs, which has been reportedly shelved by Ubisoft. However, they’re not always completely dead.
Even good titles do not always get the recognition and love they deserve. Re-releasing some of these obscure titles that were overshadowed at their release and that many people don’t know about will give them a second chance to capture an audience.
For instance, the Spyro Trilogy was well received and brought in a new audience to the IP. Its reception may have even led to the development of a new Spyro game. I’d love to see games like Freedom Fighters, older Star Wars titles, LOK Soul Reaver, and others get remade for the same reason.
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