From Old To New: These Games Are Getting Remakes And Remasters In The Near Future

Whether it's Shadow of the Colossus or The Last of Us Part II, remakes and remasters are received differently by gamers. Especially when classics from past generations get a graphical and technical update, our gaming hearts skip a beat. However, for games that are only 2 years old, we might wonder: "Is this necessary?"

The coming months are filled with various re-releases of game titles. Read here about which titles you can look forward to or be surprised by.

Persona 3 Reload (February 2, 2024)

Persona 3 Reload is technically not an upcoming game, but maybe you missed it.

This long-awaited reimagining of the JRPG classic released on February 2, 2024. In our review, you can read about how well Atlus and P Studio have managed to bring the 17-year-old game into our time.

In the game, you take on the role of a high school student who, upon arriving at the new dormitory, is overwhelmed by shadow-like monsters. In this mix of social simulation and RPG, you build social connections during the day and try to unravel the mystery of the Dark Hour, the 25th hour of the day, during the night.

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered (February 14, 2024)

Since 2013, we have been treated with new and more modern entries in the legendary Tomb Raider series. However, Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider were not remakes but reboots.

For those who want to play the original first three installments of the series, there's good news: On February 14, Tomb Raider I-III will be released as remastered versions, allowing you to experience the very first adventures of the famous archaeologist Lara Croft on the latest platforms.

Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster (February 28, 2024)

The PlayStation version of Star Wars: Dark Forces was heavily criticized upon its release in 1995. It was deemed too grainy, too jerky, and too frustrating. On the PC, the situation was different. The main criticism here was the relatively short playtime, which is, in a way, a compliment for an engaging gameplay.

On February 28, just 29 years later, the perfomance issue will come to an end: Star Wars: Dark Forces will be finally playable at up to 4K resolution at 120FPS. In this First-Person Shooter, you control a former Imperial defector hired by the Rebel Alliance. Tasked with infiltrating the Galactic Empire, you discover the dangerous Dark Trooper Project, putting the galaxy at risk. Now, you must join forces with the Rebels to stop this Imperial threat.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake (February 2024)

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a game that takes players on multiple journeys. It follows the story of two young brothers searching for a miracle cure to save their terminally ill father. As players, we embark on our own journey controlling both brothers simultaneously – with one controller.

If you missed this title in 2013, now is the perfect time to catch up. The remake for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC is set to be released on February 28. It includes rebuilt characters and landscapes being updated to the latest generation of graphics, performance, and gameplay, as well as a re-recorded soundtrack with a live orchestra.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (February 29)

Almost 4 years ago, the first part of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake was released, allowing players to experience the famous Cloud Strife in HD as they explored Midgar. The development of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth began even earlier, and it is set to be released on February 29.

The game picks up where the first part of the planned Remake trilogy concludes, with the party having just escaped Midgar. Like its predecessor, Rebirth doesn't just retell the story of the original FF7 (1997) but reimagines it. So, if you played the original back then, you can still expect a new experience with this game.

Sam & Max: the Devil's Playhouse (Spring 2024)

Sam & Max have been solving cases under the control of gamers since 1993. While the first title was a typical LucasArts point-and-click adventure, the creator of the characters, Steve Purcell, collaborated with the now-bankrupt developer Telltale Games to create a reimagined series in the typical Telltale episodic format.

Now, some clever foxes among you may wonder: How is that possible? How can there be a remaster of a Telltale title now that the studio is out of business? Excellent question, little Timmy! Former Telltale employees have come together to form a small studio called Skunkape Games, acquiring the rights to the Sam & Max series. The first two remastered seasons have already been released, and the third is coming in spring 2024.

Beyond Good and Evil (Early 2024)

Beyond Good and Evil has been around for 20 years now. And for almost as long, fans have been waiting for the sequel, which was announced in 2008 and still hasn't been released. It won't be released now either, but instead, we're getting a remaster of the first installment.

In addition to enhancing the visuals, the remaster also commits to refining the game's controls and audio. Moreover, it introduces modern features like autosaving, achievements, and cross-platform saves.

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD (Summer 2024)

Luigi's Mansion 3 was the latest installment in the series in 2019 and the first one released for a Nintendo console rather than a handheld device. Those wanting to experience the second part of the spooky Mario spin-off had to dust off their Nintendo 3DS. However, soon you won't be able to buy games in the store on the 3DS, as Nintendo is discontinuing its online services.

But before you reach for your internet wallet, here's a piece of advice: wait a few more months, and you can simply play the HD remaster of Luigi's Mansion 2 on the Switch. It's set to be released sometime in the summer of 2024.

Just like in Luigi's Mansion 3, you explore a haunted house as Luigi armed with a vacuum clean– uh, I mean the ghost-hunting Poltergust 5000. If you're too scared to play alone, don't worry. You will also be able to play with up to 3 players

Lollipop Chainsaw: RePOP (Summer 2024)

Lollipop chainsaw has become a true cult classic, even though the reviews back in 2012 weren't that impressive, mainly due to the clunky controls. So, the game couldn't be more suitable for a remaster.

In the game, you take on the role of the cheerleader Juliet Starling, who carves through hordes of zombies with her chainsaw. A good mix of action and self-irony, indeed. Starting from the summer of 2024, you can hopefully play this game with improved controls. However, the platforms for its release have not been announced yet.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (2024)

Since 2018 there was no major entry in the Metal Gear franchise. The game that emerged from that, Metal Gear Survive, was a survival game (who would have thought, given the name) and received mixed reviews from players. So, for those who wanted to feel the original spirit of the series, they had to go back to the somewhat dated titles.

However, with Metal Gear Solid Delta, that changes in 2024. Despite being a remake of the third installment, it tells the chronologically earliest story. So, feel free to grab it, even if you haven't played the first games.

Silent Fill 2 (2024)

Silent Hill 2 is considered one of the best games ever, especially for fans of psychological survival horror. However, given that it's been more than 20 years since its release, it's time to bring this masterpiece into the modern era. For the remake, Konami has enlisted the help of the Bloober Team studio, known for games like Layers of Fear and The Medium.

During the last State of Play, we already got a few glimpses into the polished horror journey of James Sunderland, but unfortunately, there's still no exact release date. Currently, the expectation is that we can anticipate it sometime in 2024.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024)

During the Nintendo Direct presentation in September 2023, an announcement was made for a Nintendo Switch remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. The remake will include updated graphics and animations.

You will be able to download the game some time in 2024.

Gothic (December 31, 2024)

The remake of the 2001 released Gothic was first announced in 2020. During Gamescom 2023, the developers almost casually mentioned that the release is planned for 2024. It is now available for pre-order on Amazon Germany, with a stated release date of December 31, 2024. They've certainly made the most of the Gamescom statement.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake (TBA)

In this newest visual rendition of Dragon Quest III, both longtime enthusiasts and newcomers will have the opportunity to explore the HD-2D version of the JRPG from 1988. This version incorporates 3D effects into pixel-based backgrounds, delivering a distinctive three-dimensional experience. RPG enthusiasts know this look already from Octopath Traveler, and it suits the Dragon Quest franchise as well.

It has not been announced when this remake will drop, but it will be released for consoles.

Max Payne 1 & 2 (TBA)

After the recent successes of Control and Alan Wake 2, a remake of Remedy's first major hit is on the horizon. Together with Rockstar, the Finish game developer works on Max Payne 1 and 2 as a joint remake. When the remake was first announced in April 2022, development was still in the early stages. It remains unclear when it will ultimately be released.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (TBA)

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time revitalized the original game series once before. In 2020, a remake of this reboot was announced for the first time and was originally supposed to be released in January 2021. Now you can imagine that the release has been postponed several times, most recently in June 2022.

The last update we got was at the end of last year when the official Prince of Persia Twitter account posted that development had reached a milestone. If you're looking to pass the time while waiting, we recommend checking out the Metroidvania Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, which received high praise in our review.

Splinter Cell (TBA)

A remake of Splinter Cell is in development, although it's been some time since we've received any official updates from Ubisoft, besides the game's director, David Grivel leaving the company. Based on the information available, the team is working to recreate the classic stealth game for a new audience, using Ubisoft's own Snowdrop engine.

Unfortunately, the release date for the remake remains unclear.

The Witcher (TBA)

Currently, work is underway on a remake for the first game in the popular Witcher series, which first saw the light of day in 2009. One of the developers has already announced that significant changes will be made to the material of the original, but the vibe will be preserved.

It remains uncertain in this case as well, when the game will arrive.