Sometimes, a video game sequel or prequel doesn’t measure up, either because of circumstance or technical limitations. With full remakes becoming more common place though, these games now have the chance to become the experiences they were always meant to be. To that end, here are 10 video game sequels and prequels that deserve a full remake.
Dead Space 3
Starting off with a bit of a “Hail Mary” here, but if there’s one sequel that definitely deserves a do-over, it’s Dead Space 3.
Upon release, fans and critics alike found the end of the horror trilogy disappointing in several areas. The iconic Necromorphs were joined by run-of-the-mill human enemies, turning tense encounters with strategic dismemberment into basic shooter fare.
The tone and horror elements were likewise hamstrung by generic shooter elements and the inclusion of co-op, and pervasive microtransactions was a major distraction from everything that went on in the game.
There were saving graces though. The story reached the heights and climaxes fans were hoping for, and asymmetrical co-op gameplay moments showed where the series could still innovate its horror themes.
If the series were to be revived – and that’s a big if, considering its developer, Visceral Games, was shuttered years ago – giving Dead Space 3 the full remake treatment could allow it to finally reach the heights it always could have.
Putting a stronger focus on the asymmetrical co-op horror, as well as cutting out the more generic shooter elements, could bring the game back into the horror fold and reclaim the series’ former identity.
Likewise, the microtransactions could be made less invasive, or even taken out all together, to help keep players invested in the game instead of trying to milk money out of them at every turn.
Perfect Dark Zero
Odd as it may sound, now’s the perfect time for Rare or a studio with their blessing to bring the Perfect Dark series less renowned prequel back into the public eye with a high-scale remake.
Whereas the first game in the series was lauded for its revolutionary AI and level design, Perfect Dark Zero was criticized for lacking these same traits. Part of it may have been due to the leaps forward other shooters had made in that time, but the fact remained that the game had lost some of the technological edge fans had come to cherish from its forebear.
Fortunately, this is exactly what a full remake of the game could bring to the table. Everything from the AI to the graphics and level design could receive a major overhaul, pushing the series back to the top of the technologically impressive pile by incorporating advancements made in the genre since its release.
On top of that would be the fact that its competition in its genres is fairly bare at the moment. Sure, there are still first person shooters and stealth games on the market, but not nearly enough to give a potential Perfect Dark Zero trouble should a remake hit the market in the next few years.
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
Mirror’s Edge 2 served as an unfortunate end to a promising series, but a remake of the game with minor tweaks could easily restart the franchise.
Whereas the first Mirror’s Edge was held in high regard for its interesting take on first person action and potential for growth, many hoped the next game in the series would address issues like clunky combat and a lackluster story.
Upon Catalyst’s release though, these issues were still prevalent. Not only that, but newly added mechanics – like skill trees and open world elements – felt poorly fleshed out.
Fortunately, these issues wouldn’t be too difficult to address. Whereas the story could be retooled to better set up the world and its characters with new cutscenes, the open world could be further developed using design elements other games have brought to the genre in recent years.
The same goes for the game’s combat. The remake’s developer could implement small tweaks to make it feel more responsive and satisfying, serving to make a wide swath of the gameplay more enjoyable as a result.
Resistance 3
The Resistance series holds a special place in many a PlayStation fans heart, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to say a Resistance 3 remake would be a good idea.
The last game in the series’ initial trilogy, Resistance 3 was a flawed but decent end to the series. It had issues like a lack of mission variety and improvements that brought the series forward, but still satisfied those who gave it a look over the slew of other shooters on the market at the time.
However, a full remake could elevate it toward something more. In addition to providing it with the polish and appeal of a modern title, a re-release could also offer new story tweaks to set up a future for the series, no matter how small.
Likewise, it could find much more breathing room now than it did back in the day. There aren’t nearly as many story-driven first person shooters to contend with – especially on PlayStation 4 – and fans new and old could end up jumping on the series’ bandwagon all over again as a result.
Devil May Cry 2
Devil May Cry 2 is easily the weakest entry in the Devil May Cry series proper, but a full remake could redeem it into something fans finally accept.
Whereas every other entry in the series is more concerned with action-packed hijinks and having fun, DMC 2 took itself way too seriously. The fast-paced action and basic elements of the series were there, but its story felt like overly-dramatic shlock that could bore even diehard fans to tears.
Not only that, but there was little to no connection to the game which preceded it. The game was set several years or decades after the events of the first game, and Dante had gone from a wisecracking trickster into a dark and broody wooden post of a character, with seemingly no reason behind it.
The gameplay was still passable enough, and its new character Lucia had enough depth to her story and gameplay to make her interesting. Overall though, it was a forgettable action game from a series that had established itself as anything but.
With a full remake though, these issues could all be addressed with a few small tweaks. Given that more games have been released since Devil May Cry 2, and that they took place in the gap between it and the first game, the story could call back to past events and use them as justification for Dante’s change, Trish’s absence and so on.
New scenes could also be added to show Dante acting himself again, and the gameplay could implement innovations and improvements adopted by the series in recent years to help it stand out as more than a generic action game.
Batman: Arkham Origins
Batman: Arkham Origins is often forgotten when fans talk about the Arkham series, which is a shame.
Set in the early years of Batman’s career, the game explored who Batman was prior to the introduction of some of his greatest foes. It gave a glimpse of a Batman still not entirely ready for the task he’d undertaken, and touched on the idea that his presence might have been what gave rise to them in the first place.
It likewise had the same strategic, flowing combat that past games were known for, and had one of the series’ most iconic boss fights in the form of a one-on-one brawl with Deathstroke.
However, the game was held back by some serious and pervasive technical issues. Everything, from stuttering graphics and tanked frame rates to flat-out crashes, occurred en mass during any given playthrough, and made it a pain to play through the game in its entirety.
As such, addressing these issues with a remake, or even a comprehensive remaster, could give the prequel the chance to shine in earnest. Without the bugs, the game would be much more fun to play, and could reel players in all the more easily with its story.
It would also be a nice way to tie up the Arkham series’ story, offering a look back at the series’ roots before Rocksteady moves onto a new chapter in the franchise or a new series entirely.
Dragon Age II
Dragon Age 2 is one of those rare games that is held in high regard despite its flaws, and a remake which tweaks those flaws into strengths would only elevate it further.
Following up the massive hit that was Dragon Age: Origins, the game attempted to alter the series’ formula to make it more accessible to console users. Levels and areas were recycled and made more linear to speed up progression, while combat was streamlined to allow for faster action more akin to hack and slash titles.
The results were mixed, with the game feeling like it was onto something special but needed more time to flesh out its ideas properly. Some fans felt alienated by the changes and that the series had lost some of its identity, but others swore by them and were all the more supportive of the series moving forward.
If the game were to be polished and tweaked for a modern re-release though, these issues could be easily addressed. Environments could be diversified to help stem the feeling of repetition, and combat could be tweaked to fully capture the idea of an active battle system.
Likewise, elements used in Dragon Age: Inquisition could be used to bring alienated fans back in, offering more traditional options for combat and the like.
Lost Planet 3
There was a lot to love about the Lost Planet series, and a remake of Lost Planet 3 could bring those elements back to the forefront.
Whereas the first two games in the Lost Planet series were well-received enough to keep the series afloat, the third entry proved a lackluster end to its initial trilogy. It failed to flesh out the story of the series’ world, and its gameplay felt bland and repetitive compared to other third person shooters on the market in spite of some interesting traversal mechanics.
It was a shame for fans of the series at the time, as there was little they could point to as solutions. Fast forward to today though, and a remake of the game offers new avenues for revitalizing the series.
While the story might not be all that fixable, the gameplay and mechanics could be brought up to modern standards by following other games’ leads. Honing the feel and implementation of the grapple wire, and expanding what players can find in the title’s snowy environments, could do wonders for the variety players could get from a play session.
God of War: Ascension
It would be disingenuous to say God of War: Ascension was a bad game, but it would be fair to say it was a bland and poorly timed one.
Released on the edge of the PS3’s generation, the game lacked the same weight and personality of the original trilogy. It was fine mechanically, and the story still felt like a God of War game, but it lacked the heart and impact fans wanted following the epic conclusion of the third game.
Given where the series is headed now though, a low-key remake could give the title new importance. In addition to polishing up the game’s graphics and gameplay, a perspective studio could also incorporate elements of the softer, more remorseful Kratos the most recent game brought to the table.
Elements which felt out of place originally, like Kratos’ guilt at killing an ally he formed a bond with, could be recontextualized as a further motivator for his change years down the road. Likewise, it could even serve to set up more story elements set to be revealed in the next mainline game in the series, whenever that might come.
It might be tricky – especially given that the prequel is set during Kratos’ more violent phase – but considering how well received his new personality was, it could only serve to help the series’ overall narrative and Ascension’s standing among fans overall.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
Of all the games on this list, few deserve the full remake treatment like Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII does.
Part of a series of new Final Fantasy VII films and games released in the mid-2000’s , as well as a prequel to the original game which sets players in the shoes of the iconic Zack Fair, the game is highly regarded among Final Fantasy fans despite a litany of design issues and quirks.
Many were, and are, willing to look past missteps like luck-based leveling and combat, tedious level design or odd story retcons for its writing and the ways it fleshed out the Final Fantasy VII mythos in meaningful ways.
Unfortunately, the game was only ever released on PSP, and has since been left without a re-release despite heavy desire for one.
Given the recent success of the Final Fantasy VII Remake though, there’s never been a better time for Square Enix to pull the trigger on remaking this unpolished gem. Using the same engine as the core game’s remake, Crisis Core’s combat and gameplay mechanics could be overhauled to fall more in line with the main series.
Likewise, the less well-received story retcons could be modified to fall more in line with what Square Enix has planned for the Final Fantasy VII Remake universe, helping the overall flow of the series’ story and better setting up whatever crazy changes the developer has in store.
Published: Jun 2, 2020 05:00 pm