Video game remakes that change the original story

Key recommendations

• Great remakes can make changes while capturing the spirit of the original, as seen in
  Resident Evil HD Remaster.
• The black table
  turned from a fan project into a commercial remake with Valve's approval, expanding the gameplay elements.
• Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth
  differs significantly from the original, offering expanded content that enhances the player experience.

Games have seen a lot recently restorationfrom HD-2D RPGs to big budget recreations of older generation classics. However, remakes have been around for almost as long as hardware generations have existed as a concept. The power of new technology has tempted just about every publisher you can name to redo some of their catalog.

Remaking a classic can be a controversial undertaking. Some are criticized for changing too much, while others are accused of being too faithful. Sometimes it seems that developers just can't win. However, all of these examples show that a truly great remake can make as many changes as its creators want, as long as they capture the spirit of the original and give players a reason to want to return to these worlds.

9 Resident Evil HD Remaster

Establishing the Bar

The Resident Evil HD Remaster was a modestly titled remake of the original game released for the GameCube in 2002, although most gamers probably know this version from the re-mastering that came to PlayStation and Xbox in 2015. In 2002, it really set the bar for what could a remake is made to change and improve the original game.

The GameCube remake not only added additional bosses and sequences to the story, but also made a seemingly simple enemy addition that changed the entire balance of the survival horror game. “Crimson Heads” are now iconic resident evil enemies, thanks to the clever mechanic of having to burn them to kill them for good, which becomes its own kind of resource management minigame.

8 The black table

From Fan Project to Full Remake

Development The black table it is a unique story. What started as a fan project to create Half-Life Valve's remaster never did, eventually turning into a full blown commercial remake with Valve's full approval.

This meant that the scope of the project expanded massively. The final release in 2020 was not only a total overhaul of the graphics and texture, but also redesigned the enemy AI, added new story elements, expanded the map design and added new puzzles. The remake also ambitiously expanded the game's closing chapter, set on the alien world of Xen.

Thanks to the attention to detail from developers Crowbar Collective, the remake isn't just about gameplay Half-Lifeas if playing Half-Life for the first time again. The love for the source material is evident throughout the game, and the expansions, for the most part, feel natural and enhance the experience.

7 Final Fantasy 7: Remake

Deviations in the timeline

The first part of Final Fantasy 7 Remake takes players to roughly the same point in the story as its original version, with the party departing from Midgar, which was the opening of the original game. However, the journey to get there is very extensive and even familiar events are changed and developed.

In fact, the changes and additions to the original events define this remake. Most of the gameplay features sections that have either been greatly expanded from their original counterparts or are completely new to the remake.

That being said, the game manages to hit most of the story beats like the original while showing the player that this is not a simple retelling of the events. The combat is equally changed with action elements, but retains a nice take on the ATB system that keeps the strategic element of the original combat intact.

6 Metroid: Zero Mission

How to revitalize a classic

Metroid: Zero Mission it's old enough that some players are already calling for a modern remake. In its day, it was a fantastic example of how to update an early entry in the franchise to bring it in line with its modern counterparts.

In addition to a visual update, it also adds new gameplay segments, more areas to explore, and additional abilities for Samus. Perhaps the biggest change, however, was the move to the Game Boy Advance. This meant that the developers could add cinematics, better conveying the world and characters of the original game.

5 Dead Space

Isaac finds his voice

Making Isaac Clarke a fully voiced character is arguably the biggest change in Dead Space remake, but it's one that had to be made. It would have been weird to go back to a silent protagonist after giving him a voice in the sequel. In a side-by-side comparison, however, Dead Space remake makes more changes than players might notice.

While many players fondly remember dismembering Necromorphs in the original, the bleeding and dismemberment in the remake is much more visceral and reactive. Players can tear and grind flesh, and the dismemberment is more dynamic. This fits well with the combat, which feels more fluid and smooth than the original, while retaining Isaac's heavy and deliberate movements.

The additions to the layout and structure of Isaac's journey through Ishimura they're subtle but noticeable, enough that those who haven't played the original since release will end up wondering what's new and what's always been there. The game feels like a faithful remake while making a whole host of changes when added.

4 Resident Evil 4

Leon looks good

Fans have been asking Capcom for an updated version of Resident Evil 4 for a while, and the 2023 remake certainly delivered. Visually, it's a stunning interpretation of the original design. At the same time, it brought many more changes to the story, action, and pace of the adventure than many fans expected.

Some changes were controversial. Ashley's game segments, in particular, were divisive. In general, however, Resident Evil 4 remake is an exemplary action horror game that builds on the solid foundations of the original. The redesigned boss fights are a highlight, with fights like Crowser and Salazar being much more enjoyable than their original versions.

3 Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth

Is this even a remake?

If Final Fantasy 7 Remakes the first part suggested that it was different from the original, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth he screams. It's almost like the theme park interpretation of the game, pushing players through familiar objectives and settings along the journey and giving them plenty to distract them with.

So much is expanded and added here compared to the original, it is impossible to list them all. However, amidst all of this, the game's story still manages to take players on a similar emotional journey, hitting nostalgia and nuance in equal measure.

Among all the activities, minigames, and distractions are true developments of characters and concepts that were introduced or touched on in the original, and many of them feel like they would enhance the player's understanding of the world and its characters. It's also a fantastic RPG in its own right.

2 Silent Hill 2

In my restless dreams I see that city

Silent Hill 2His recent remake managed to walk an admirable line between faithful recreation and improved remake. The visuals, movement, and combat feel significantly improved over the original game. Bosses, a particular weakness of Silent Hill 2 (mechanically speaking), are also much better made here.

Early trailers hinted that the game could be almost a remake of the original picture in terms of story. However, where the Bloober team have made changes here, they really work, even managing to expand on what the original accomplished in terms of choppy cinematic horror moments.

Not all changes work equally well, some new expanded areas feel a bit like unnecessary padding. However, despite this, Silent Hill 2its remake still remains an outstanding example of how to remake something with a modern flair, all without compromising the original game's strengths.

1 Resident Evil 2

Raccoon City Reborn

Many consider Resident Evil 2 to be the pinnacle of modern remakes. It captures the essence and feel of the original game while changing most of the environments, mechanics, puzzles, and even many story events.

It's not that everything has changed drastically. Leon and Claire experience roughly the same sequence of events. However, there are surprises, additions and completely new game segments. Even areas that are similar to the original have been adapted to fit the new over-the-shoulder pull system of some of the more modern ones. resident evil games.

The tension and claustrophobic feeling of fighting zombies in close quarters is retained from the original, giving the player more agency and options in combat. It's a great game with few flaws and is a must play for survival horror fans.