There are only two reasons I want to see a remaster.
When the game is functionally different, the game might be the same title, the game might even be the same game by design, but when the game itself is then completely different that we're getting a brand new game. Whether this is Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Crisis Core Final Fantasy 7, Tactics Ogre Reborn, or Theatrhythm Final Bar Line, these are games that in some form have the same content, but are brand new games.
If Crisis Core only received a graphical update then that's one thing, but it didn't, the combat in its entirety was reworked and it's a significantly different and a better experience than the original release. Because of this new combat system and the way boss skills work now, hard mode is an actual viable way of playing the game from a brand new game and it is the best way to play the game.
Tactics Ogre Reborn is just the PSP version of the game with some spell enhancements and a filter that removes all the pixelation. However, once again, it's the gameplay that is completely reworked that it is a completely different game. From enemy balance to the entire combat system itself. This is a game that reworks Tactics Ogre again, and instead of the terrible PSP version, we get the modern day 10/10 TRPG and I would say is the best TRPG of all time except Brigandine The Legend of Forsena and Grand Edition still exist, Runersia is an 8/10.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is based on an arcade game, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival, which is based on the original DS releases of the same series. Theatrhythm brings the advance button input mechanics to consoles and adds a new meta game that feels very much like making a Dissidia Opera Omnia build to have your characters perform better in combat despite it all being automated due to it being a rythm game.
And then finally, the last games that should be remastered.
Fighting games. Capcom Fighting Game Collection 1, 2, MVC, etc. I have no problem with these games being remastered because they bring one important feature that has never existed. This feature does exist on emulation but you either have to go out of your way to look for people and only the most hardcore players are going to go this avenue to play these games.
That important aspect is online play. Fighting games pretty much live and die on their multiplayer. If you can't play these games against someone else, often times the games grow tiresome very quickly. There are some fighting games that are a great single player experience, but even those great single player fighting games are significantly better and are infinitely replayable with multiplayer.
With a new remaster or remake of a fighting game, such as Dissidia 012 with Crisis Core's graphics and a new online lobby, the vast majority of people who aren't just die hard fighting game fans will be playing, other people will actually stand a chance and not be frustrated that they're fighting the same four people over and over and over again that don't do anything but play this once game through emulation on PC.
These are the only times remasters are worth it this generation, others we're just less games because developers would rather just give us games from decades ago that we've already had the opportunity to play.
And one last thing "vote with your wallet." I've been voting with my wallet by not buying into a lot of garbage modern day sales tactics or releases. I don't ever buy digital games. But voting with your wallet isn't going to change anything when the vast majority of people don't do the same. I've never bought a microtransaction, I don't buy all of these ports and remasters, I don't buy digital games, I don't buy season passes, I don't buy battle passes, I don't $100 deluxe editions that offer meaningless digital bullshit, etc. The only thing I do, is I pay for the peasant PS+ so I can play online. It's pretty much robbery, but I do pay for this, and that's it.
I'm lying about the remasters, I do buy some, but outside of the ones which could be argued as remakes how much the gameplay has changed, it's generally compilations, few actual remasters. DMC5 with the Vergil content and load times that aren't excessive was my reason for that one, DmC Devil May Cry with the Vergil content, the new Vergil Bloody Palace, and all of the changes to make the game play more like the original style system. DmC Definitive is so much of a change that it's much more than just a remaster. It's also my favorite game in the series so despite all the hate so having these changes, the new hardcore mode which doubles the speed of the enemy AI so they perform their actions twice as often, all of the other content, it was an easy buy with the amount of changes that make it a functionally different and more complete experience. DMC4 Special Edition with Trish, Lady, and Vergil as playable characters through the main story and Bloody Palace. Again, this huge content with completely new ways to actually play the games, much more than just a simple remaster.
Reply With Quote