A New Standard Set for HD Remakes

Ratchet and Clank just released this week for the PlayStation 4 and with it a new standard for remastered games. Before developers would release older games with remastered graphics but Insomniac has broken this trend. Not only did they deliver the original game with updated visuals and sound design but built the entire game back from scratch to ensure a modern experience. Even as a reboot the old standard for updating games with HD graphics alone is now dead.

HD remakes were simply visual upgrades and sound updates. Ratchet and Clank PS4 does this as well, but adds new weapons, planets, enemies, and many other assets while maintaining the same nostalgia of the original game. Porting the entirely of the original game with no new elements can no longer accepted.

Square Enix is doing this as well with Final Fantasy VII Remake. The multi-part series, similar to Ratchet and Clank, won’t be a simple port of the original game with updated graphics. In an interview with Game Informer producer Yoshinori Kitase of Final Fantasy VII Remake stated that “in terms of game styles and battles systems, it’s been 20 years since the original, and a lot has changed. Trends have changed, and I believed that we needed to revise and rethink that aspect for the remake” when asked about simply updating the graphics. After so many advancements in gaming attempting to move backwards isn’t advisable.

Many gamers have criticized this about HD remakes. Graphical updates, musical scores, and increased frame-rate is positively touched on but issues that plagued the original game remain present. Some can dispute this claim, stating that messing with the original game detracts from the experience however in Ratchet and Clank this isn’t the case. New improvements such the leveling weapon system, quick weapon select and strafing mechanic, if omitted, would have hindered the game’s performance. Showing that you can still capture the authentic experience and improve on it at the same time.

After playing Ratchet and Clank it’s hard to justify paying and playing another other future HD remakes that aren’t given the same treatment. Final Fantasy VII Remake strengthens this new standard and dismissing the original concept of rereleasing HD remasters. If publishers intend to convince me to purchase a HD remake it’s going to need more than just cosmetic changes for now on.

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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