Remasters. We have all been through it, a cult classic, a blast of childhood nostalgia, updated, with a sleek new coat of paint. Then it sets in, that it is indeed simply a paint job, the same game sold to you twice, perhaps a worse game altogether. Are remasters simply another way for greedy publishers to empty your wallet? Or do they serve as a way for newer audiences to experience classic titles?
As it turns out, the answer is; a little bit of both.
Take the Shadow of the Colossus remake for example, the original being a cherished cult classic. The game was received quite positively for its faithful recreation of the original, as well as its noticeable upgrade in graphical fidelity. Maintaining the original game-feel, whilst providing significant quality of life upgrades (better controls, higher frame-rates, etc.). Despite some critiquing it for losing some of the original's despondent atmosphere (which is mostly credited to the higher fidelity), the game serves as an example of a remaster done right, pleasing both fans of the original and newcomers alike.
Then there's...this. No dear reader, this isn't some A.I-generated abomination, this is how Ryder looks in the remastered GTA trilogy! Rockstar games, a company known for their obsessive (crunch inducing) attention to detail decided to outsource the development of remasters for GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas to a much smaller studio (known mostly for mobile ports) Grove Street Games. The result? Three utterly atrocious versions of beloved classics. Riddled with bugs and out of place assets, the game itself was shoddily ported into the Unreal engine, resulting in a plastic-y look. Some improved lighting couldn't save it either, as the games run WORSE than they did nearly 20 years ago!
The GTA remasters reek of a quick mandated cash-grab, while Bluepoint's remake of Shadow of the Colossus is clearly a product that bursts with respect for the original. Remasters CAN be done right, however more often than not they are a quick and easy way for publishers to get ahold of your hard-earned cash. The solution? Support the good ones! Go and play the Demon Souls, or Dead Space remake! And don't waste a dime on cheap cash-grabs.