The best remakes of horror games

Key takeaways

• Remakes of classic horror games offer new experiences and visual and gameplay improvements, while maintaining the terrifying essence of the originals.

• Reimagining iconic horror titles like Resident Evil and Dead Space presents modern audiences with enhanced gameplay and horror mechanics.

• The evolution of horror game remakes like The Last of Us Part 1 and Resident Evil 2 feature stunning visual enhancements and compelling storytelling, revitalizing beloved classics.

New and exciting ideas are always implemented in the horror genre, but classic titles continue to be remade. One of the reasons developers keep going back to the past is because many of these big titles changed the industry when they were originally released, and it’s exciting to see how the limits of what’s possible years later can offer new experiences that couldn’t be possible. implement before. .

Finding new ways to tackle terrifying scares or improve the animation or visuals of a host of nightmarish creatures and locations will always be something that will fascinate those who love such an exciting genre. Remakes are here to stay, and with so many horrors ready to get better on modern platforms, there will always be opportunities to reimagine a classic or two.

10

alone in the dark

Southern Gothic detective thriller set in New Orleans

It may not have been the game everyone wanted, but it’s hard to deny the vast improvement. alone in the dark It was in the original. With excellent performances from lead actors David Harbor and Jodie Comer, the hunt for the entity known as the Dark Man continued to impress.

There were some impressive scenes involving all the strange characters, but it was the unraveling of the mysteries surrounding Dark Man that led to the most terrifying moments of the story. Decerto Manor is full of clever puzzles and strange locations, never allowing the player to find solace in the quieter moments.

9

Layers of fear

Creativity breeds madness in disturbing psychological horror

Rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, Layers of fear It is a visual delight that manages to make all the disturbing psychological elements of its story more immersive. Ray tracing and 4K resolution now bring everything to life in new and exciting ways, whether it’s winding hallways, ever-changing rooms, creepy mannequins, or disturbing dialogue.

There are shocks, but what is most notable is how the environments change seamlessly within the limits offered by the new technology. In addition to these improvements to its appearance, there are new story beats that tie the narrative together throughout the entire game, giving players an experience that changes the way it was originally released.

8

System crash

Disturbing AI aboard a spooky space station full of monsters

When System crash was released in 1994, it was considered a turning point within the horror genre. Set aboard a Citadel station run by a psychopathic AI known as SHODAN, the remake manages to change everything about how it looks and plays thanks to high-definition visuals and revised gameplay, but still maintains what made it disturbing in the first place.

Fighting rogue cyborgs and deformed creatures is part of the fight to try to stop the destruction of humanity, but hearing SHODAN’s eerie orders makes it very unnerving. Learning the depths of depravity he has sunk to to force these former crewmates to do his bidding makes survival even more challenging.

7

Project Zero 2: Wii Edition

Paranormal jump scares where fear runs rampant

2003 Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly brought new life to the survival horror genre, but Project Zero 2: Wii Edition takes the original and turns it into something truly terrifying. A paranormal horror fest is made even more disturbing thanks to the Camera Obscura mechanic, in which players use the Wii controller to slay ghosts.

As Mio searches for her sister in Minakami Village, she has to defeat the ghosts by taking pictures of them with her camera, and when she sees them through the lens, these apparitions take many horrible forms. In addition to the intuitive controls, it also includes a mode called ‘Haunted House’ where players have to hold the controller still while being surprised by various spirits.

6

resident Evil

The Birth of Survival Horror Reborn for a New Audience

Next to silent hillthe original version of resident Evil It is considered one of the most influential survival horror titles of all time. In 2015, Capcom released an HD remaster that brought the original into the present, with higher resolution and improved graphics. Watching those dogs jump out the window has never been more terrifying.

It’s hard to argue with the impact this series has had on video games, and this remake manages to retain the anxiety-inducing scenes and creepy character designs. It still holds up thanks to impressive puzzles and an atmosphere filled with chilling encounters in multiple areas of the Spencer Mansion.

5

Condemn

FPS Madness from the depths of hell

There are rarely more terrifying scenarios than real hell, and the 2016 remake of Condemn brings fast-paced action and sublime visuals to a beautifully designed world. Compared to the original, it’s a drastic improvement, spewing satanic imagery and rivers of blood at the player and refusing to slow down for even a second.

The fluidity of movement and gunplay work perfectly in sync, and thanks to a variety of enemies, there are always fun and exciting ways to kill them, whether it’s annihilating them with a shotgun blast to the chest or ripping their limbs off their bodies. Visually and mechanically, Bethesda’s reinvention is remarkable in every way.

4

dead space

Chilling survival horror on an abandoned ship

It had been some time since the world had a good survival horror, but in 2008, dead space He left his mark on the genre. In 2023, EA rebuilt the classic from the ground up and gave audiences a completely new way to experience the story of Isaac Clarke and the horrors that awaited him aboard the USG Ishimura.

The impressive remake brings a new level of strategy to the way Isaac kills enemies thanks to precision shots aimed at specific body parts. The ship’s design has changed to encourage taking new routes through Ishimura, and enemies respawn in different locations upon the protagonist’s death, meaning no game is the same.

3

Resident Evil 2

A return to Raccoon City with enhanced horror

the new version of Resident Evil 2 was so impressive when it was released in 2019. Not only is it a complete remake of the original, but it makes full use of the RE engine to breathe new life into the critically acclaimed survival horror, with photorealistic visuals showing the RCPD and the rest . of Raccoon City in a new light.

The over-the-shoulder viewpoint and tight controls allow for more concise gameplay, and the way the zombie’s hideous appearance glows devilishly under the improved lighting adds to its appeal. Witnessing Leon and Claire’s story with better visuals and improved controls makes it a true spectacle within the genre.

2

The last of us part 1

Post-apocalyptic journey through a broken America

Improving The last of us remastered It seemed impossible, but Naughty Dog did just that with The last of us part 1. It offers even better visuals along with some impressive accessibility options, giving more players the chance to experience Joel and Ellie’s journey across America.

Whether escaping clickers in an abandoned museum or embarking on a rescue attempt during a blizzard, the remake offers even more detail in the most harrowing moments thanks to the stunning 4K resolution, but it’s the facial animations that make it stand out. each heartbreaking scene even more moving.

1

Resident Evil 4

Expanding the outbreak to Eastern Europe

It’s no surprise that Capcom keeps remaking resident Evil games. At their core, they tell exciting stories centered around the Umbrella Corporation and the evolution of the T-Virus, but they are also fun to play. 2023 Resident Evil 4 It felt like a dramatic improvement over the original, and not just in its stellar visuals.

Moving and targeting incoming enemies is fluid but also easy to do, meaning you’ll never have to break immersion to dodge or flee. While ammo may still be scarce, switching between weapons is also easy. However, what makes it even better is the incredible detail and atmosphere in the fictional Eastern European location.