Spyro the Dragon Trilogy
PlayStation Classics That Should be Remade
Insomniac and Naughty Dog have had kind of a back and forth on the last few generations of PlayStation consoles, with both companies releasing big Sony exclusives in similar genres. The PS2 had Jak and Daxter and Ratchet & Clank, while PS3 had Resistance and Uncharted. That all started on the PS1, however, as the two companies both released strong trilogies on the system, Naughty Dog with Crash and Insomniac with Spyro.
The little purple dragon quickly became a gaming icon, and the original Spyro trilogy is still a fantastic adventure-platforming experience even today. With the success of the Crash N’Sane Trilogy, it seems like a no-brainer that Spyro needs to come along at some point. In recent years, the dragon’s success has waned, his games weren’t received as well, and he was even used to help introduce the Skylanders series. However, that simply means that it is definitely time for a quality comeback. With remakes being all the rage right now, there isn’t a better time.
Ape Escape
PlayStation Classics That Should be Remade
Ape Escape is one of the all-time classic PlayStation franchises, and yet we haven’t seen an entry since 2010. Starting on the PS1, Ape Escape saw numerous entries on every Sony platform until the PS3. As you might expect, Ape Escape is centered around, well, capturing apes. While traversing different environments, you need to use a number of different gadgets to trap and capture the mischievous monkeys.
With the recent resurgence of platforming titles, and the popularity of games like Super Mario Odyssey, Yooka-Laylee, and Crash Bandicoot, now seems like the perfect time for Ape Escape to make a comeback. It might even be a good idea to do a remastered trilogy of Ape Escape on PS1 and Ape Escape 2 and 3 on PS2, bundling them together. If Sony wants to brings a wealth of classic series and titles to PS4, Ape Escape has to be included.
Chrono Cross
PlayStation Classics That Should be Remade
Square has countless RPGs that they could bring back for a second time in the spotlight, but none are more deserving than Chrono Cross. The spiritual successor to Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross focuses on the theme of parallel worlds. A young boy named Serge is faced with a world in which he’s died as a child, and endeavors to find out the truth about what’s happened. The existence of these parallel worlds becomes crucial to the game’s plot, and functions similarly to the different time periods in Chrono Trigger.
Chrono Cross released to critical acclaim for its complex story, fascinating characters, interesting battle system, and more. While the game still holds up today, a full HD remake would do wonders, especially for game with as vibrant an art style as Chrono Cross. It’s an absolute shame that we never saw another Chrono game, and remaking Chrono Cross would be a way to make up for that.
Devil May Cry
PlayStation Classics That Should be Remade
The Devil May Cry series has changed dramatically since the release of the first game on PS2, even being rebooted with 2013’s DMC. While entries like Devil May Cry 3 have aged fairly well, unfortunately the first game isn’t quite the same. Dated graphics, frustrating camera angles, and stiff controls certainly show off the game’s age, although they aren’t enough to ruin the experience. A full-blown remake of the game would be just what’s needed, one that integrates the upgrades the series has seen over the years. At the same time, you could make the aesthetic of the game closer to Devil May Cry 3 and 4, and update Dante’s look. It’s been five years since the release of DMC, and finding the way forward for the series could be by returning to its roots.
Xenosaga Trilogy
PlayStation Classics That Should be Remade
Before working on Xenoblade Chronicles, Monolith Soft and Tetsuya Takahashi created an ambitious trilogy of RPGs on the PS2 with Xenosaga. This sci-fi series tells an intricate narrative that weaves in elements of religion, Jungian philosophy, Gnoticism, and more. In terms of gameplay, they’re fairly standard turn-based RPGs, but the story and characters are absolutely fascinating, even for how convoluted it can get at times.
Xenosaga was clearly too ambitious, and yet, the trilogy is still a strong set of JRPGs with great characters and themes. With the huge success of the Xenoblade series, it’d be great to see Monolith Soft get to return to Xenosaga again by remaking the trilogy, or at the very least updating it. There’s so much that could be added or explored as well, and you wouldn’t want to get too ambitious with the remake, but Xenosaga deserves a second chance to shine.
The Legend of Dragoon
PlayStation Classics That Should be Remade
In the wake of the massively successful Final Fantasy VII, the JRPG was brought into a Golden Age, and countless titles tried to adapt what the game had done so successfuly. Legend of Dragoon is one of those titles that is clearly influenced by Final Fantasy VII, casting you as a spikey-haired swordsman with a tragic past. The game introduced some interesting ideas, such as an active combat system that had you pressing buttons to time your attacks, and the ability to transform into the powerful Dragoon during battle.
More than any other game here, however, The Legend of Dragoon is in desperate need of remake. The game has not aged well at all, the combat feels archaic, the plot twists cliched, and the translation/script is riddle with errors and incorrect grammar. Remaking this title with modern sensibilities could definitely help The Legend of Dragoon realize its potential, and bring a strong JRPG to the PS4.
Parasite Eve
PlayStation Classics That Should be Remade
Parasite Eve is yet another game released during Square’s heyday in the PS1 era, this time a third-person horror title based on a novel of the same name. Parasite Eve follows New York City cop, Aya Brea, as she works to stop a mysterious woman named Eve, who plans to destroy the human race through spontaneous combustion. Interestingly, the game uses an ATB (active time combat) system and a world map, instead of just being a third-person action title like Resident Evil.
Parasite Eve became something of a cult hit with fans, even though it’s a fairly short and linear game. Its intricate and mature story, along with the superb atmosphere are just a couple of the game’s strengths. With the power of modern consoles, you could really turn a Parasite Eve remake into something special, adding in voice acting and creating a horrifying experience. You could even remake Parasite Eve II as well, and bundle the two games together in one pack.
Syphon Filter
PlayStation Classics That Should be Remade
Syphon Filter is yet another of Sony’s early series that’s fallen by the wayside over the years, not seeing a new release since 2007. The game was a hybrid of stealth-action and puzzle solving, centering around special agent Gabriel Logan and his partner Lian Xing, who are sent by the US to apprehend a dangerous terrorist in Germany. Gameplay in Syphon Filter could easily be compared to something like Metal Gear Solid or Splinter Cell, as you try to take down enemies stealthily or in full action and have a number of gadgets to help you do so.
What Syphon Filter is most known for, however, is its surprisingly interesting plot filled with conspiracies and well-rounded characters. With the absence of a traditional Metal Gear experience, Metal Gear Survive not withstanding, bringing Syphon Filter back could be a good move for Sony. It would also help diversify their sci-fi and fantasy-heavy catalog with something more grounded, compared to games like Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War, and The Last of Us.
Persona 2
PlayStation Classics That Should be Remade
The Persona series’ popularity has been rapidly increasing over the years, and the series has moved from being niche into the mainstream with Persona 5. There’s a divide in the series, however, as its gameplay and mechanics drastically change from Persona 3 onwards, when things like social systems and simulation elements were introduced. Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment feature some of the best story and casts the series has ever seen, but going back to the games now, they certainly feel dated.
The two games’ combat mechanics feel ancient compared to the newer titles, and it’s an absolute slog to get through battles. At the same time, many fans wouldn’t mind seeing more freedom introduced to the titles with the series’ now trademark social systems and simulation elements that started with Persona 3. Persona 2 is a prime candidate for a remake, and combing the two disparate titles into one experience would help clear up any confusion there might be on how they fit together. It’d be shame to let Persona 2’s story sit in a dated gameplay package.
Twisted Metal
PlayStation Classics That Should be Remade
Twisted Metal practically defined the car combat genre, and it’s yet another Sony series that’s been absent for years. The series was rebooted in 2012, but we’ve yet to see anything since, so starting fresh again might be the best choice. The original game introduced us to its demented cast of characters, like the iconic clown Sweet Tooth, as well as its over the top, destructive combat. Twisted Metal is an absolute blast for local multiplayer, and its last car standing gameplay really lends itself to multiplayer fun.
Leaving the campiness of the original story intact, but completely remaking the gameplay of Twisted Metal would be great. There are a number of improvements and changes that have been made over the years, and Sony could easily turn a Twisted Metal remake into a strong online multiplayer title.
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