2024 was a big year for video game remakes. Once buried under the shelves of their respective companies, these revitalized classic video game IPs can be enjoyed by fans with modern-day reimaginings of iconic gaming franchises.
Whether you've been a long-time fan of the series or this is your first time playing it, Remakes are a great way to reminisce and experience fresh ideas from old gaming titles.
Here are the 5 best Remakes that made their mark this year:
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is the most recent entry this year. Square Enix’s beloved Dragon Quest series sparks new life into this reimagining of their iconic classic.
This is Square’s reintroduction to the beloved Erdrick Trilogy, blending modern graphics with the nostalgic pixel art style to transform the 8-bit world into a vibrant 3D adventure.
It currently has an 85 Rating on Metacritic, with critics saying it preserved what made the original special while adding a modern touch for newer audiences. Additionally, with its various quality-of-life upgrades, new and old fans of the series won’t have to worry about dated mechanics and frustrating controls from the past.
The Remake combines the original’s charm with improved visuals, ideal for longtime fans and newcomers. Its release marks the first of many Dragon Quest games to receive a modern makeover. It will be followed by the Remakes of Dragon Quest I and Dragon Quest II scheduled for next year.
Silent Hill 2 Remake
Horror fans are eating well this year, and Silent Hill 2 Remake was the main course that followed many entrées.
James Sunderland’s twisted descent into madness and grief was an all-time classic. Now, it looks even better in Unreal Engine 5.
Silent Hill 2 Remake was a triumph in preserving what made the original special. It is packed with little details that slowly shape the overall mood of its barren town. From the fog-covered streets to reworked puzzle elements, Bloober Team respected the source material, earning them universal acclaim from critics and gamers alike.
Even when longtime fans were already familiar with its bleak story, there are still enough surprises to keep them on their toes, especially with the revamped boss fights and the new hiding skills of the Mannequins.
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
The second chapter to one of Square Enix’s prized Remake trilogy. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth was an overwhelming piece of art; it was packed to the brim with a staggering open world filled with various activities and side-quests. It wasn’t enough that Square made it big; it had to make it worth the 70-dollar price tag with its selection of over a hundred mini-games.
Rebirth may have had some issues with its pacing, but it was still a stellar follow-up to Remake. The lingering plot threads are still mysterious, especially the nature of Aerith and Sephiroth. Even longtime fans of the series are going crazy over Rebirth’s polarizing ending.
There’s still an agonizing 3-4 year wait before the third and final installment, but for now, Rebirth has over 100 hours of activities that will leave us satisfied, even if it’s a tad bloated with busy work.
Persona 3 Reload
ATLUS’s Persona games have been tremendous successes with each release. The series is highly successful, so we keep getting spin-offs and rhythm games. ATLUS has tried to attract new fans by remaking their 2007 PlayStation 2 classic.
Persona 3 Reload was the first of the modern Persona titles to get the Remake treatment. Hardcore fans of the series saw this coming from a mile away, and now that it’s finally out, it has been met with positive acclaim.
The story remains the same: High school students overcome grief. It’s the most mature storytelling in a Persona game, and to this day, none can top it, not even Persona 5.
Much of its praise came from its redesigned gameplay elements. The turn-based combat is still around, but it is flashier than ever, all thanks to the new visuals and QoL improvements. Plus, we get a remixed soundtrack that keeps the vibes pumping.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Nintendo is also proud of its work with this Remake of the Thousand-Year Door. Paper Mario was a fond childhood memory for anyone who grew up with a GameCube.
It was a Mario game far from his usual 2D platforming shenanigans because, this time, he had to wait his turn before making a move. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a turn-based RPG set in the Mario universe.
This Remake was a long time coming as fans were eager to see the return of this old Mario series. It was well-received by fans and critics alike, with an average Metacritic score of 88; players praised its retouched visuals, animations, and music. It’s still the beloved Paper Mario game they loved in years past. It just looks and plays better.