remakes
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The System Shock remake finally hits consoles on May 21
Nightdive Studios’ remake of System Shock hits consoles on May 21. It’ll be available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, after arriving for PCs last year.
Netflix's big-budget 'Death Note' remake lands on August 25th
We'll soon learn why Netflix spent $40 to $50 million on a live-action adaptation of the anime series Death Note. The streaming service revealed the first teaser for the film this morning and announced that it will premiere on August 25th. It's a particularly big get for Netflix: Death Note was wildly popular during its initial manga and anime runs, and it's spawned several live action films in Japan (there's even a musical!). Death Note was also one of the few anime series that have been regularly available on Netflix for several years, which gave subscribers plenty of chances to dive into it. So despite the big budget, it makes sense for Netflix to be the home of an American adaptation.
The timely tweaks in Majora's Mask 3D
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask will be nearly 15 years old by the time it returns in remastered form in February, coinciding with the launch of Nintendo's New 3DS XL. First released for the Nintendo 64, the unorthodox adventure has since steeped in praise for its strict structure and melancholy premise. Traveling back and forth through time, the hero of Majora's Mask helps the doomed inhabitants of Clock Town escape their final 72 hours, just days before they're crushed by an evil head from outer space. It's almost the saddest Star Trek episode.
After Burner 2 leads Sega's second set of 3DS classics next year
Sega announced plans to re-release five games from its catalog on 3DS in 2015, the publisher announced today. The next set of "3D Classics" from Sega will reach North America and Europe next year, starting with After Burner 2 in early 2015. Sega plans to issue one game every month from that point on, each priced at $5.99 (£4.49 / €4.99) on Nintendo's 3DS eShop. Though it did not list the order in which the games will appear on the eShop, the other four games getting the 3D relaunch treatment are Fantasy Zone, Fantasy Zone 2, OutRun and Thunder Blade. The first set of 3D Classics launched in late November 2013 and included games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast, Ecco the Dolphin and Shinobi 3. Games in the 3D Classic catalog such as Space Harrier feature additional game settings that allow players to optimize the difficulty, number of lives and other bonus functions, improving on the original games. [Image: Sega]
Pokemon Omega/Alpha 'dual pack' has healing powers [Update]
Nintendo is packaging both versions of its upcoming Pokemon remake together, though the benefit to buying both games in one box isn't monetary. While both Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire will debut next month for $40 each, the "dual pack" bundle will still cost $80. The catch to Nintendo's two-for-two-in-different-packaging deal is that both games come with individual download codes that give players 100 potions in each game, making the familiar journey a tad easier. Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were announced for 3DS in May as "fresh takes" on the 2003 Game Boy Advance games. Like last year's Pokemon X and Y, the games feature a load of mega-evolved versions of existing 'mon. Players can still obtain a download code to access the game's demo in the next few days by purchasing one of a handful of apps or games. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire will launch on November 21. Update: As a minor point of clarification, the dual pack is exclusive to Best Buy stores. [Image: Nintendo]
Earn Pokemon Alpha, Omega rewards in upcoming demo
Nintendo will offer a demo version of Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire prior to the games' launches, according to its official site. The "early visit" to the games' Hoenn region will include "gameplay that you won't experience anywhere else," as well as a familiar Pokemon that is capable of Mega Evolving. Those that play the demo will be able to transfer said creature in addition to reward items to the full version of the game. Nintendo did not specify when the demo would be made available, but did mention that fans will be able to play it as many times as they like (some 3DS demos are limited in the number of times they can be accessed). The demo will also feature "special scenarios that occur if you play every day." Nintendo will reveal instructions on how players can obtain a code in the near future. The Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire remakes will launch November 21 for 3DS. [Image: Nintendo]
Metro Redux remasters Moscow for PS4, Xbox One, PC
Metro 2033 and its sequel, Metro Last Light, are coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and SteamOS later this summer, with a year's worth of additional work done by European developer 4A Games. Dubbed a "true director's cut," Metro Redux collects and rebuilds the atmospheric survival games with an emphasis on fidelity, performance, and consistency.
Mighty Switch Force 2 to flip the switch on Wii U, 'estimated' for October
Mighty Switch Force 2 will follow its predecessor's example and be ported from the 3DS eShop to the Wii U eShop, WayForward Creative Director Matt Bozon revealed in a tweet last week. Bozon's tweet noted that the game is "estimated to arrive in October." The original Mighty Switch Force was ported from the 3DS eShop to the Wii U eShop last year as Mighty Switch Force Hyper Drive Edition. The port featured reworked visual assets and Hyper Stages that were not included in the original 3DS version.
Microsoft patent: Remakes running concurrent engines for old, new visuals
Microsoft has filed an interesting patent for a video game "having a plurality of game engines" running concurrently. The patent was filed in December of 2011, right after the launch of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary – a game allowing players to switch between the updated visuals and the original Xbox game's graphics on the fly. The Halo Anniversary example seems to be the best illustration of what this patent is aiming for. Further down, the patent specifically calls out "remakes" of games, where the original graphics are described as "leveraging" player emotions tied to the original experience. "However, this may be lost as modern graphics may cause the gamers to lose that feeling of nostalgia," the patent reads. So having that ability to switch between an original experience and enhanced visuals seems like a good middle ground this patent is trying to lock up. A trio of 343 Industries employees, including executive producer Daniel Ayoub, are listed in the patent filing.
The Mog Log: Apparently I enjoy receiving hate mail
I like Final Fantasy XI, and not just because it was the game that introduced me to how awesome MMOs could be, although that's certainly a part of it. I like the game because it has a lot of things that are genuinely likable, several elements that are well-designed, and some really excellent parts that stand out even now. So keep in mind that everything I'm about to say is said on behalf of a Final Fantasy XI fan. Specifically, the rant that's about to ensue about how the idea of remaking it is a terrible idea. This suggestion crops up pretty regularly, largely among people still disappointed that Final Fantasy XIV was what it was at launch. There's some thought that somehow cloning FFXI with the models from Final Fantasy XIV would lead to a glorious revival. And I can understand the thought process, but there are two very good reasons why that shouldn't happen -- not won't, which is already obvious, but shouldn't.
Scott Mercer talks redesigning Zul'Gurub and Zul'Aman
Blizzard Insider, Blizzard's online newletter, sat down with World of Warcraft Lead Encounter Designer Scott Mercer to discuss the upcoming patch, Rise of the Zandalari. The interview goes into detail about revamping the old dungeon content, what classic dungeons Blizzard would potentially like to tackle next, and the challenges of turning a 10- and 20-man raid into a 5-man heroic dungeon. Hit the jump for the full question and answer session.
Microsoft Game Studios not that interested in HD remakes
After the success of the God of War Collection, Sony is going all in on the HD remakes, with re-tuned versions of the Sly Cooper, Ico, Medal of Honor and Oddworld games all coming out on the PS3. But fans of the original Halo, Blinx: The Time Sweeper and Voodoo Vince probably won't get to see their favorites in high definition -- Microsoft's Phil Spencer says the company isn't all that interested in remaking older games with HD graphics. "We obviously have a lot of new things going on," he said in an interview with IGN, "so the thought of re-doing a bunch of things is probably difficult to just weave into the overall portfolio." Of course, he doesn't rule it out, saying that if releasing an HD collection could "provide real value to the customer, there could be possibilities for that." But it's too bad that he doesn't think any of the early Microsoft Game Studios titles deserve an HD remake right away. Not even Quantum Redshift, guys? Of course seeing that game running in full HD and hearing the Junkie XL soundtrack would be valuable!
Wii Warm Up: bit Regenerations
Two of the three Art Style games out on WiiWare are remakes of Game Boy Advance bit Generations games (possibly more; at the time this post is being written, today's games have yet to be announced, so forgive us if we neglect a fourth Art Style). The GBA games were characterized by simple gameplay and even simpler graphical styles. The Wii versions have redone graphics, but the gameplay is pretty much the same as ever. For those of you familiar with the bit Generations games, have the Wii remakes been satisfying? Do you consider them good representations of the original? If you're not familiar with bit Gen, do you like the Art Style games? Can you tell them apart from other WiiWare puzzle games?
Square Enix reveals Dragon Quest IV US release date, confirms V and VI releases
The first official news is out regarding a North American release for Dragon Quest IV, in the form of the official website. The site doesn't have much information up about the game -- except its release date, September 16. English screens and stuff can come later! The real news is on the new Dragon Quest series site, which shows pretty unambiguously that the Dragon Quest V and VI remakes are on the way as well, with matching alliterative subtitles (Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride, Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie). This will be the first U.S. release for these two games (IV was released on the NES) and their availability will mean that, for the first time since IV, every main Dragon Quest game has had a U.S. release. %Gallery-12146% [Via NeoGAF]
Rumor: Shenmue I and II Wii-makes coming
Normally we'd take a rumor like this gently by the hand, walk it outside of the house, and then run back in while locking the door behind us. However, there is some historic rational for this piece of gossip. In their Rykten (i.e. Rumor) section, Swedish magazine Game Reactor said Sega is looking to remake Shenmue I and II on the Nintendo Wii with – surprise! – extra Wiimote-related minigames. (You can view the scan here.)Sega has been reviving quite a few franchises on the Wii lately, including NiGHTS, Sega Bass Fishing, Samba de Amigo and House of the Dead. Still, there isn't much traction for this rumor, so for now it's just a lead pipe dream.[Via NWF]
PSP voted most wanted system for remakes
Japanese website Dengeki Online polled its readers on the games they most wanted to be remade. The actual list of titles is not what concerns us, however. What tickles our interest is that the readers were also polled on what system they most wanted these remakes to appear on. Triumphantly, the PSP was the favorite.This information, while not a really tangible representation of Japanese gaming habits, does paint a rather interesting and perplexing landscape of how things are over there. The PSP is selling hotly, and people are craving for the remakes. There's no doubt PSPs are flying off the shelves due to Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, but is this tie-in with remakes also moving units? Some of the big PSP games are remakes; take Final Fantasy Tactics for example. Perhaps remakes are expected to show up on the system since it's so synonymous with them, or maybe we're just hearing a cry for more games after Monster Hunter's fun expires. Whatever the reason, hopefully this rekindled interest in the PSP will re-energize developers to make more games (remakes and new IP) for the platform. We seriously need them![Via Kotaku]
More games that shouldn't be MMOs: Classic Edition
This is a topic we spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about, as seen in our previous ruminations on the subject. The rise of the MMO, and its continuing ascent to prominence in mainstream media, however, means that sooner or later, it will fall to the dreaded Remake Syndrome, where old classic movies are updated to fit modern sensibilities, often with disastrous results.To wit: if Game X was a huge hit, then why don't we revamp it and resell it as an MMO? Here are 5 examples why not. Robotron 2084: You are the last protector of the human race against robots, mutants, and geometric shapes. Well, actually, you're just one of the last protectors. This is an MMO, after all. And in a game where everything that isn't you kills you when it touches you, and you're in an enclosed space with no way out, and the enemies just keep coming at you and coming at you ... well, the narrative possibilities are endless.
DS Daily: Experienced
I was reminded by Leigh Alexander's adorable childhood Phantasy Star II fanworks of my own recent, abortive attempts to replay the game. What was shockingly doable when I was 11 is now painful and a little tedious. We have been coddled by role-playing games with sensible level progressions and relatively small dungeons (with automaps, even -- when was the last time you got graph paper out for a dungeon?) With Final Fantasy III already out and IV on the way, as well as Dragon Quests aplenty, Ys, Shiren the Wanderer and even remakes of PlayStation-era RPGs, the DS is going to be neck-deep in antiquated RPGs soon. How many of you have managed to get through an old-school RPG in the modern era? If so, did you have experience with them when they were new?
Wii Warm Up: SAAAAAAAAAAY-GA!
Any gamer would need a heart of blackened teak to not have a soft spot for Sega, and there's arguably no better home for a dyed-in-the-wool Sega fan than the Wii. Over the coming weeks and months, Nintendo's little white box will be hosting a number of updated classic Sega properties, including NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, Samba De Amigo, and House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return.But our appetite for all things Sega is not yet sated! While we've already asked you which Saturn games you'd like to see on the Virtual Console, which Sega titles in general do you want to see reinvented on the Wii? A motion-sensitive Panzer Dragoon, the return of Ulala, and a Burning Rangers sequel top our list.
Ys I and II being remade for DS
Originally released in the late 80s for PC, Ys I and Ys II were the foundation of what would become a fairly popular RPG series spanning across several systems. Now, gramps and grandma are getting a fresh coat of paint for the bajillion or so DS owners in Japan. This new version will offer new animations, a multiplayer mode and boss fights. The kicker is that the games will be sold separately from each other for the equivalent of $44 ... a piece. Hey, we just finally figured out how to pronounce Ys properly: "ball-sy."
