Hello g1s and welcome to a new episode of Thoughts. It seems for awhile now that remakes and ports of older video games have become more common. Many people are worried that this may become the new trend, and that the already low amount of fresh games will deplete even more. However, I've got a different outlook on this whole remake and port trend that is happening. What do I think of this trend? Is it good for the industry? How about gamers? How are these remakes and ports effecting current video games? All of that and more, today...on Thoughts.
So lately the gaming industry has had a slew of ports, remakes, or games returning to their roots. The most recent port that is being highly discussed is Chrono Trigger for the Nintendo DS. There are tons of remakes everywhere as well, but Final Fantasy IV and Bionic Commando Rearmed are probably the most relevant as of right now. As far as games returning to their roots, people can't seem to get enough of Mega Man 9. With that said, what is the deal with all of these old games either returning, being reborn, or their series coming back to their prime?
As far as this trend goes, I honestly really like it. It's cool to see a bunch of games that I used to play as a kid make a comeback. Probably the best part about it is that I won't have to buy the original now and spend an arm and a leg. There is a couple of issues I have though for certain games in certain genres. The one that immediately comes to mind is Chrono Trigger. While it's cool to be able to get this game for cheap and on a handheld, I really doubt I'll play an entire RPG again just because it's ported. I hear there's one extra dungeon, a few new weapons, and dual screen shenanigans, but that isn't NEARLY enough to make me play an entire RPG all over again. Then again, I wouldn't have any problems with it if Square would've just called it a port and not a remake. I still wouldn't play it, but at least this problem wouldn't have been born.
A remake is a game like Final Fantasy IV on the DS. This game has remixed music, 3D visuals, voice acting, a new dungeon, and from what I hear new weapons and enemies as well. Not to mention I hear it's a bit harder than the original. Now THAT'S a remake! The PSX and GBA versions were ports, but the DS version is a real remake of the classic SNES game. I wish Chrono Trigger would have received the same treatment. Especially after seeing this fan-made project, I was REALLY hoping for a 3D Chrono Trigger one day.
Now don't get me wrong. I LOVE 2D games, especially 2D RPGs. It's just when a game is remade, it needs to be visually better in my opinion. If it's called a port, than fine. In Chrono Trigger's case, it is being presented by Square as a remake, but it isn't. It's merely a port, and I don't understand why it's so hard for Square to admit that. I'm fine with remakes being 2D. Have you seen Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II on the PSP?! They are, SERIOUSLY, some of the best looking 2D games I have EVER seen.
What's really sad is that these games are often referred to as ports when, in reality, they are both remakes. Enhanced visuals, remixed music, gameplay that's been tinkered with, extra dungeon, and so on and so forth. Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II on the PSP are definitely some of the cooler remakes available on the market today.
So as far as remakes go, yes, I do like them. Most games that come out today are either uncreative, or just flat-out bland. Remakes of classics are usually what I want to play anyway. I'd rather pick up a copy of Final Fantasy on the PSP then Final Fantasy XII on the PS2. I'd rather play Resident Evil Deadly Silence, then play Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition. In this day and age, I'm not really being satisfied with what the game industry is offering. Remakes, however, are something that I enjoy quite a bit and hope they continue to be released.
As far as the industry goes, I believe remakes and ports contribute to the industry quite a bit. People love to play old gems either remade or ported. So they'll throw their dollars at a game that they've beaten years ago just to give it another whirl and take a stroll down memory lane. However, is this REALLY good for the industry? While it fills the developers pockets full of dough, what is this really fueling? It's almost as if buying these remakes will just send a message to developers to make more remakes instead of working on newer, more creative projects. Proof has been shown in Square. While they are working on the new Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy XIII, all of their other projects have been focused on the DS revolving around their Final Fantasy's of old and past Dragon Quest titles. We'll be seeing a remake of Dragon Quest IV, V, and VI. Also, there's a rumor that a remake of Final Fantasy VI is in the works. Does that mean Square will completely skip over V, one of their most disliked FF titles on the GBA, in order to grab more dough from Final Fantasy fans? Hopefully this rumor isn't true and we'll see a remake of Final Fantasy V before Final Fantasy VI. While Square is also working on Dragon Quest VIII for the DS, they aren't really releasing much information on that game.
For the industry, remakes and ports may not be the best thing. For me, I love it. I'm not enjoying the newer games we're getting nowadays, and I miss playing some of the older games from my childhood. Right now, Square is the king of bringing old games back and giving them a whole new style. You can't argue with that.
I can't speak for all gamers, but it seems like pretty much everyone is satisfied with this new trend of remakes and ports. I haven't really heard too many complaints from anybody. Remakes are awesome, ports are...meh okay I guess. It really depends on the game and the genre. Some games work better in ports than others. For example, a port of Resident Evil is cool because the experience is in-depth but short enough to enjoy again. A port of a RPG isn't such a great thing. RPGs require a lot of time and attention in order to get your characters strong enough to complete the game, and doing that more than once for the same game isn't exactly the most entertaining thing in my opinion.
It seems that this new trend is even effecting new games coming out, the best example being Mega Man 9. People are absolutely pumped about a new Mega Man game. No, not Mega Man ZX or Mega Man Battle Network, or that crappy Starforce whatever it's called. Ordinary Mega Man greatness. One would assume that they would either pick up the old PSX engine or they would start from scratch. I don't think anyone expected CAPCOM to make their newest Mega Man game to be made with the 8-bit NES engine. CAPCOM has the right idea, they're taking this new trend and inventing it into something new. Making new games, with older video game engines. It's almost like WiiWare, PSN, or XBox Live games. The smaller video game types are becoming the next "It" in gaming, so hopefully we'll see more companies head in this direction.
Mega Man 9 isn't the only game to do this, even Konami did this same thing with Contra 4. Instead of making the next installment on next-gen consoles (which they had already tried a couple of times), they stuck with the DS and it's older hardware. People fell in love with Contra 4, much like they will with Mega Man 9.
Remakes and ports seem to be almost a genre in itself in gaming nowadays. While they all have their specific genre like RPG, platformer, or action, there seem to be so many they they deserve their own subcategory. While gamers and myself seem to be a fan of this new trend in the industry, is that really a good thing? We've got to hope that developers won't rush to cash in on this profitable market and will continue to try and think of newer and more creative ideas. As of right now, I own 8 current generation games. One of them is a port, so in reality, that's only 7 current generation games. They sprawl over the Wii, PS3, and the 360. That's a problem.
It's pretty sad that the only games I'm really excited for are mostly remakes of classic games. The one new game that I am excited for is on current generation consoles is Street Fighter IV. Yet, it's trying to appeal to Street Fighter II fans. This game follows the trend I mentioned above, much like Mega Man 9, it's trying to return to it's prime. Not entirely though, they'll leave that up to Hyper Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, if it ever sees the light of day.
The only new game I really want is SONIC Chronicles The Dark Brotherhood. I'm not sure if I'm going to buy it yet, I'm a bit skeptical, but hopefully it'll be a great game.
To sum this up I'll tell you guys the game that I want the most in 2008. While there are a few contenders...VERY few, there is one that stands light years ahead of them all. Kirby Superstar Ultra!
It's a remake of the classic SNES game. For those of you who don't know, my number one favorite video game of all time is Kirby Superstar for the Super Nintendo (http://screwattack.com/node/8406). I'm honestly disappointed that there isn't some BIG, blockbuster game coming out that is hogging all of my attention. It's cool that I enjoy the simplicity of old-school games, but it kind of feels like I'm missing out on an entire generation of gaming. I just wish today's consoles had more to offer.
Thanks for reading my latest installment of Thoughts! If you enjoyed this blog, please comment, rate, digg, or drop me a Personal Message. I love to see what you guys think of my work, so any input is appreciated. Just please don't be a complete douche. I don't mind negative feedback, but no reason to be a dick about it. Make sure you check back soon when I post up my next installment of Thoughts, Today's Games: Thoughts on What's Good and What's Not. If you want a personal message when the next installment is out, please make sure you leave a comment on this blog. I'll see you guys next time...on Thoughts.
Submitted by Bossthunder on Tue, 09/09/2008 - 5:57pm.
Very good blog, I enjoyed it.
I kind of had a feeling you would mention Chrono Trigger DS and boy did you ever. I saw your comment on another person's blog with your thoughts on CTDS. While I agree that it may not offer much to people who had played the game, think about all the people who either didn't have a chance to play it as a kid on their SNES or for younger gamers today who never even had an SNES. I am the former; my parents never bought me that game. I got the Marios, Zeldas, etc. No Square games.
Look at the most mentioned games of all time and CT is near the top of the list. With so many people having not played it but having heard about it, it really is a $$$ decision on SE's part. I alone will buy the game strictly on the hype from other gamers. This is a risky move which has burned me in the past but I am confident in it since I do enjoy SE games (many of which I've bought on a whim).
I recently bought FFIV on the DS and I absolutely loved it. This was coming off of the, imo, lackluster FFIII which I felt was a really boring game with an equally boring story and combat system. I never played any versions of FFV but I did play FFVI advance on the GBA and if they did remake it, I am not sure I would buy it because I already have played the original 2D game. If the same situation had been there for FFIV (or CT), then I doubt I would buy either of them, regardless of whether they are ports or remakes.
I think some gamers are getting burnt out on all these companies trying to "1up" everyone else in the innovation aspect. I know I am tired of games pushing graphics over gameplay, including gimmicky controls, or any other "edgy" move. Sometimes people just want to re-experience what they already have enjoyed. Many of us grew up on classics like Mega Man and Contra so to us it is great to see a return to original form for these games. I still feel Contra 4 is my favorite DS game to date.
I've always been a fan of 2D gaming because those games aren't trying to sell them selves on how many vertex shaders they have. They really are all about gameplay. That isn't to say that 2D games today have to look like Atari 2600 games. Take a look at Contra 4. It is entirely 2D based but the sprites, background, animations, etc. are all very good in the visual sense. Even Mega Man 9 has a lot of charm to it and it doesn't rely on new graphics to send it forward.
I do agree that not everyone will like ports but someone out there will have missed out on the original and will take this opportunity to enjoy something from the past, today.
You're right. The "purpose" for ports is so those who didn't experience the game the first time through, get a chance this time. Well...the REAL purpose is the money for the company, but you know what I'm getting at.
My problem with Chrono Trigger isn't that it's a port, far from it. My problem isn't really with the game itself actually...well I do have a slight problem with it. My slight problem with it is, while it's great that gamers who didn't get to experience now can. What about those who already have? What do we get out of this? A new dungeon and dual screen visuals? Those who have played it really have no motivation to go through it again, at least I don't. I'll even refer to Resident Evil Deadly Silence as a port even though it is almost a completely different game from the original. Since it's not too long, but in-depth enough to keep you hooked, I've played through that game over five times...maybe even more. I know the game so well I can beat it in one sitting if I really wanted to. Can you do that with a RPG? No. You need something else to keep your attention while playing through the same game again. Enter Final Fantasy IV. A completely revamped game. For those who didn't play it the first time around, they got the FF4 experience. For those who did, we got to wonder at one of our childhood memories in a new light. It's really a shame Chrono Trigger didn't get the same treatment. Even if it was remade, you wouldn't miss out on the CT experience. You'd still get the game you missed AND people who had played would get an all new experience. Square can port this game all they want, you're not gonna get the ORIGINAL experience this game offered. It won't be exactly the same as playing it on your SNES back in the 90's.
My main issue with this game isn't really with the game. It's with Square. They're referring to this game as a remake, when it is obviously just a port. There is nothing REMADE about it besides the dual screen crap. Oh yeah, and a new dungeon and I believe a new weapon or two. Why would I play through an entire RPG all over again for a new dungeon and weapon? I wouldn't. That's too much work for such little pay off.
I appreciate your insight, and I hope you see where I'm coming from. Thanks for reading!
Submitted by Matt-Sama on Mon, 10/06/2008 - 4:08pm.
I generally have my old consoles so I dont get ports but i will pick some remakes. I wish they remade ff5 on the ds with the 3d visuals, because personally that was the only ff game I enjoyed.
Nostalgia
Very good blog, I enjoyed it.
I kind of had a feeling you would mention Chrono Trigger DS and boy did you ever. I saw your comment on another person's blog with your thoughts on CTDS. While I agree that it may not offer much to people who had played the game, think about all the people who either didn't have a chance to play it as a kid on their SNES or for younger gamers today who never even had an SNES. I am the former; my parents never bought me that game. I got the Marios, Zeldas, etc. No Square games.
Look at the most mentioned games of all time and CT is near the top of the list. With so many people having not played it but having heard about it, it really is a $$$ decision on SE's part. I alone will buy the game strictly on the hype from other gamers. This is a risky move which has burned me in the past but I am confident in it since I do enjoy SE games (many of which I've bought on a whim).
I recently bought FFIV on the DS and I absolutely loved it. This was coming off of the, imo, lackluster FFIII which I felt was a really boring game with an equally boring story and combat system. I never played any versions of FFV but I did play FFVI advance on the GBA and if they did remake it, I am not sure I would buy it because I already have played the original 2D game. If the same situation had been there for FFIV (or CT), then I doubt I would buy either of them, regardless of whether they are ports or remakes.
I think some gamers are getting burnt out on all these companies trying to "1up" everyone else in the innovation aspect. I know I am tired of games pushing graphics over gameplay, including gimmicky controls, or any other "edgy" move. Sometimes people just want to re-experience what they already have enjoyed. Many of us grew up on classics like Mega Man and Contra so to us it is great to see a return to original form for these games. I still feel Contra 4 is my favorite DS game to date.
I've always been a fan of 2D gaming because those games aren't trying to sell them selves on how many vertex shaders they have. They really are all about gameplay. That isn't to say that 2D games today have to look like Atari 2600 games. Take a look at Contra 4. It is entirely 2D based but the sprites, background, animations, etc. are all very good in the visual sense. Even Mega Man 9 has a lot of charm to it and it doesn't rely on new graphics to send it forward.
I do agree that not everyone will like ports but someone out there will have missed out on the original and will take this opportunity to enjoy something from the past, today.
Very true.
You're right. The "purpose" for ports is so those who didn't experience the game the first time through, get a chance this time. Well...the REAL purpose is the money for the company, but you know what I'm getting at.
My problem with Chrono Trigger isn't that it's a port, far from it. My problem isn't really with the game itself actually...well I do have a slight problem with it. My slight problem with it is, while it's great that gamers who didn't get to experience now can. What about those who already have? What do we get out of this? A new dungeon and dual screen visuals? Those who have played it really have no motivation to go through it again, at least I don't. I'll even refer to Resident Evil Deadly Silence as a port even though it is almost a completely different game from the original. Since it's not too long, but in-depth enough to keep you hooked, I've played through that game over five times...maybe even more. I know the game so well I can beat it in one sitting if I really wanted to. Can you do that with a RPG? No. You need something else to keep your attention while playing through the same game again. Enter Final Fantasy IV. A completely revamped game. For those who didn't play it the first time around, they got the FF4 experience. For those who did, we got to wonder at one of our childhood memories in a new light. It's really a shame Chrono Trigger didn't get the same treatment. Even if it was remade, you wouldn't miss out on the CT experience. You'd still get the game you missed AND people who had played would get an all new experience. Square can port this game all they want, you're not gonna get the ORIGINAL experience this game offered. It won't be exactly the same as playing it on your SNES back in the 90's.
My main issue with this game isn't really with the game. It's with Square. They're referring to this game as a remake, when it is obviously just a port. There is nothing REMADE about it besides the dual screen crap. Oh yeah, and a new dungeon and I believe a new weapon or two. Why would I play through an entire RPG all over again for a new dungeon and weapon? I wouldn't. That's too much work for such little pay off.
I appreciate your insight, and I hope you see where I'm coming from. Thanks for reading!
- Drew
I generally have my old
I generally have my old consoles so I dont get ports but i will pick some remakes. I wish they remade ff5 on the ds with the 3d visuals, because personally that was the only ff game I enjoyed.
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