Now, don’t go for the jugular just yet. In recent years, we’ve seen a number of remasters and remakes so players may relive some of the best moments in their gaming lives. It doesn’t just apply to video games, either. In fact, with Usher’s performance at Super Bowl LVIII and trailers for Twisters and Wicked, I couldn’t help but wonder, are remakes and remasters just lazy from a creativity standpoint?
There were about 12 remakes or remasters in 2023 with key titles such as Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 4, Dead Space, and Advance Wars 1 & 2: Reboot Camp. In 2024 and beyond, we are expecting at least 24 remakes such as Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Silent Hill 2, and Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater.
Image Credit: Nintendo via Kaiju Gaming
I believe there are a few factors that contribute to this boom of remakes and remasters. On one hand, video games are still a relatively “new” industry compared to cinema or written media, and we are now reaching a massive–and aging–generation that grew up with modern video games. Nostalgia is a powerful money maker, and now that we have a few decades under our belt, developers can enhance older titles with modern technology.
This leads to the other factor that it appears easier to develop remastered content compared to inventing a new IP. That is not to trivialize the work it takes to remaster or remake an older game. The range of effort can vary from just increasing resolution to modernizing controls and making several quality-of-life improvements.
While I do not agree that remakes and remasters are necessarily lazy, I do believe it can be an easier path for developers and publishers, and that stifles creativity. The more innovative gameplay and stories have been coming from the indie devs. Many of their original ideas keep the player experience fresh.
Do you think the wealth of remakes and remasters is considered “lazy”? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
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