Why Do You Keep Buying Remasters, Remakes, and Definitive Editions?

OnlySP: The Holidays are up as you know, and when you open your gifts there is as much a chance of opening up an “updated” “remastered” or “definitive” version of a game you already played as there is an actual new one.

[BiggerBoss]

As long as plenty of new games are releasing, I dont really mind remakes/remasters.

For example, all of my friends played 360 last gen while i played ps3. I kept telling them how good TLOU but they just didnt understand. Now, many of them moved to Ps4 because of the terrible XB1 launch, and they finally got to experience TLOU. And guess what, they loved it.

If it hadnt been remastered, they would have never gotten to play it. And this goes for many of the other remastered games being released as well

[Cra2yey3]

Remaster such as TLOU makes sense, so is GTA5, we won't see another GTA for another 5-8 years. Remasters such as Sleeping Dogs don't make any sense.

[jc48573]

Sleeping Dogs is more like Complete Edition rather than Definitive Edition.

[Yi-Long]

Sleeping Dogs is also a relatively lazy remaster, while Tomb Raider and GTA5 really had a lot of extra effort put in.

Why I buy them: In many cases because I haven't played them before. With The Last of Us and GTA5 it was pretty much a given they would end up on next-gen, so I simply decided to wait for those.

And for some other games, I would enjoy playing them again. I'm still hoping we'll see a PS4 release of Super Meat Boy. Also looking forward to experiencing Journey again.

[Utalkin2me]

I don't buy remasters. If i haven't played the game previously i would buy remastered edition. But i will not buy it twice.

[freshslicepizza]

remasters make sense for many reasons, namely so you can play the game on the best available hardware at the time. why buy a movie on dvd and then buy it again once it comes to bluray?

id love to see some old classics revisited and given the royal treatment. besides, not everyone has played these older titles and whats wrong with brining in new customers?

what should happen is these remasters coming out without impacting other development. this is why publishers should freely allow other development teams to handle it under their supervision.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

@cra2yey3z

I agree with you there. Average games do not deserve to be remastered. I bought Metro Redux because i've never played it and The Last Of Us was a no brainer. The rest of them I have absolutely no interest in, but choosing to buy a game is not up to me or anyone else.

[Gwiz]

I agree with GTA5,visually and game-play (FPS view) upgrades.
The best redefined game i have played,some truly need to remaster their so called upgrades as they're very minimal.

[DarkAstronaut]

GTA 5R sold 3.7 million worldwide in 12 days.

TLOU sold better than most exclusives this generation and some combined even.

Sleeping Dogs sold next to nothing.

What does this say? There is a market for well done top tier remasters and none for your average remaster. Some will succeed, some will fail.

Publishers will learn one way or the other.

[showtimefolks]

some remasters make sense while other are nothing but money grabbing schemes. TLOU,Halo MCC, and GTA5 makes sense

than you have stuff like

DMC
Tomb Raider
FF remakes those which appeared on ps3 now will appear on ps4 same goes for these KH HD collections

and the ones which never happen:

GTA trilogy
more Zelda games in HD
i would love Uncharted trilogy

I want Okami and shenmue but will never happen

who knows man, why do people like me complain. there are enough new games so i guess remasters have a place in the industry

[ginsunuva]

Too bad the first part of your first sentence isn't true right now.

[Jerrymonics]

hell agreed with biggerboss

[sanosukegtr123]

I would buy remastered or remakes depending on the game of course like for an example final fantasy 7 that would be a good remake don’t you think with the graphics of todays.

[Hellsvacancy]

I can't let go of older games, I think i'll play the Hitman games (excluding Absolution) Okami and Populous The Beginning to the day I die

[no_more_heroes]

Personally, its mostly because I hadn't play the original version before.

Tried Tomb Raider DE on PS4 through GameFly because I missed out on it on 360/ps3. Will get it for ps4 when I return from vacation.

Not saying that I wouldn't buy one if I'd played the original before, but it would have to be a series I REALLY love. The only two I can think of that qualify are Halo and Kingdom Hearts (final mix versions and didn't get to play BBS). The rumored FFXIII series HD remaster doesn't quite qualify because, while I enjoyed them, I didn't love them THAT much for me to consider an HD remaster.

[brew]

The only game I ever "re-bought" so to speak was MGS3 Subsistence.

But the major draw was the addition of online , and I wanted to play through the single player with the different camera perspetive. I got my money's worth.

[jhpadilla]

The reason is simple: this generation had NO backwards compatibility whatsoever and also there were LOTS of awesome games in the last generation.

[Loadedklip]

Wii U is backward compatible.

But based the amazing sales of both XB1 and PS4 this holiday ... the message is clear to video game console makers that consumers do not care much for backward compatibility unfortunately.

I doubt they will implement this type of stuff next gen unless it practically makes no difference in cost of developing their next console.

[ShaunCameron]

And there you have it. The mass market has spoken. Backwards compatibility is not needed.

[ginsunuva]

Last gen is still here.

Anyone who wants them can go buy them.

[MasterCornholio]

I only bought 6 remakes\remasters this gen.

1. GTAV (PS4)
2. The Last of Us (PS4)
3. Diablo 3 (PS4)
4. Pokemon Sapphire (2DS)
5. Tomb Raider (PS4)
6. FF14 (PS4)

The reason why I bought these is because they are good games and I've never played them before. I was satisfied with every single one of them.

[BiggerBoss]

Well said. Ive been thinking about rebuying Diablo on my Ps4. Tried it on PC and didnt like it that much, but I hear its been improved quite a bit

[ginsunuva]

*only* 6

[tdogchristy90]

The only remakes I've bought are...

Last of Us (cause I enjoyed it so much)

Halo (cause I skipped 4)

the only other remake I'd buy/like is

Batman (so I can have the whole trilogy together on next gen)

[elazz]

Wait...there'll be Batman remakes. Never fully got into those and I do want to get Arkham Knight

[WeAreLegion]

For the same reason I bought the Blu-ray editions of Casablanca and The Godfather. Improved visuals and sound.

[DougLord]

Because I only ever played Halo 1 on the original Xbox and I got 5 remastered games for $50 with what will eventually be the dominant multiplayer game of this gen.

I played TLOU and GTA on PS3 A YEAR AGO, so I won't buy those. Gears or God of War Collections might be interesting as I have only played 1 title in each series, and both were 3-5 years ago.

[DragoonsScaleLegends]

Yes I would rather them make remakes of PS1 and PS2 games but remasters are welcomed also but not games that just released.

[scark92]

I love when PS2 games get remastered, or even games that I missed last gen, they are welcoming for me!

[GokuSolosAll]

It just depends on the game. I'll buy, say, every edition of a Fighting game, or a remaster of a classic RPG, but nothing like TLOU Remasterd; there's no incentive. It's just too soon and too similar.

If they release Chrono Trigger HD, I'd be retarded to pass if up. HD graphics, orchestral music, Trophies, the works...ah, what a dream...

[rainslacker]

Because it's my money, and the ones I buy I enough to play them again with improvements.

[Darkwatchman]

God forbid I can get a better version of a game I never played or of a game that I love enough to buy twice and support the publisher/developer and IP

[Bodge]

The people buying remasters are the reason we're NEVER getting backwards compatibility.

[lameguy]

You'll be hearing about both PS and Xbox back compat plans before E3 - I guarantee it.

Though at this point in time, will there actually be a good reason for it; except for the very rare gems?

[Xof]

I've heard that before.

And there's always a point to BC, starting with preservation and ending with us being able to play games we own.

[freshslicepizza]

the ps3 played dvd's, that didn't stop me from buying the same movies again on bluray. i never played any psone games for more than 5 minutes because they looked like crap on my hdtv. so your response is unproven. people are willing to pay for improved games just like they do with superior hardware.

[lameguy]

I bought Tomb Raider because I never bought it last gen.

I'm buying FF Type-0 as well for the same reason as I don't own any portables.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Mostly because it was a really a good game and its worth a second purchase. However, I don't think games that recently came out should be getting remasters/remakes/definitive editions. That trend doesn't appeal to me because the game is still fresh in my mind but its nice for people who missed it the first time it came around.

As long as it doesn't interfere with new games being made, I don't really mind.

[Sy_Wolf]

No backwards comparability and lack of having the old systems. Granted I've only ever bought PS2 remasters and playing those games with solid framerates and anti-aliasing is kind of magical.

[saposaposapo]

Because they are good? Because not everybody owns old platforms to play those titles? Because they want to replay games they like and there's nothing wrong about it as long as new releases keep coming out?

[deaddragonz]

Well....Im still waiting on my Need For Speed HD collection with Underground/2/Most Wanted

[AtomicGerbil]

Because I can buy whatever the hell I like.

But if a real reason is required then so be it. I bought GtaV for the simple fact that it is immense fun with friends, and all my closest friends have bought it too. With Tomb Raider and Diablo 3, due to too many games to catch up on last gen they didn't get a look in, but thankfully due to normal first year drought on new gen I got the chance and in an improved state.

[Scatpants]

What if you didn't already play it, is it alright with you then?

[Illusive_Man]

Because I haven't played them or its a game I love to death.

[jcole97]

Because I want to.

[MetroidFREAK21]

I bought four remastered this gen of consoles all for the same reason. I bought the Tomb Raider port, I bought the Master Chief Collection, and the Metro Redux ports simply because I never played them fully (Halo's story) or I never played them in general. The Tomb Raider game was good, wish I could get it cheap digitally, Halo is an amazing and worth while upgrade... Never cared too much for it's multiplayer... And the Metro Redux games are really good (need to start playing them again) but to answer the question given by the article, I buy remastered because that way if I missed a game or want to experience the total package, I get that chance.

[Special-Agent-Milo]

Still waitin' on Resident Evil Saga Remastered and Metal Gear Saga Remastered.

[jay2]

I don't, they're more expensive in the UK than last gen and it's total BS but cause people do buy then then more are going to be made

[thricetold]

The nerve to downplay one remake and than praise another. downplay when it's not a game you like praise it when it is. Hypocrites. And suckers. Hope devs milk you the entire generation.

[Inception]

Why? Because i lost a lot of my original copies when i got some accident. That's why i bought RE HD, FF X/X-2 HD, ICO / SotC HD, GoW HD, MGS HD, ZoE HD, and other remaster to replace my lost collection.

If you still have your original copies or don't want to feel nostalgic again than DON'T BUY IT.

Also, this remaster or remake are very good for people who never play classic series, especially newcomers who start gaming from this gen. So it's not just all negative like nickel and dime from the publishers.

[tiffac008]

Same here, I lost most of my PS1/2 games and my PS1/2 consoles are also dead. ;_;

[Inception]

Yeah my PS1/2 consoles also dead. I'm planning on buying a PS2 again just for my collection. But it's a bit hard finding new PS2 with cheap price.

[Roccetarius]

I predict there will be many remasters/remakes this generation, and that there will be even more suckers born.

[VJGenova]

I will say I'm a sucker for cutting edge graphics. If a remaster can push my r9 295x2 more, I say bring it on!

That said, only remaster I've purchased was super mario all stars ...

I am looking foward to GTA V on PC because I skipped it on PS3 and 360. Figured it wouldn't be over a year for it to come ... I thought wrong ...

[jholden3249]

Let's see, I've bought

Zelda Windwaker HD
The Last of Us Remastered
Tomb Raider
Metro Redux
Halo Master Chief
Diablo 3
GTAV
Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire/Omega Ruby
Starfox64 3D
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Metal Gear Solid 3D
God of War HD Collection [Vita]
Final Fantasy X/X-2 [Vita]
Persona 4 Golden [Vita]
Metal Gear Solid HD Collection [Vita]
Borderlands 2 [Vita]

Good grief, I'm guilty as all get out when it comes to remakes/remasters. Granted, I hadn't played the original of one single game in that list. I missed a lot of great games growing up (and even last gen) and these remasters have helped me catch up.

Though it will probably be annoying next gen when I've already played all the games being remastered...

[ShaunCameron]

The only remaster/remake/DE I own is Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge for the Wii U despite buying the original for the 360. I bought it just to see one of the old NES-era IP's return to Nintendo's home consoles.

[Macdaddy71]

I'm up in the air over it, I don't agree remaking a game from last gen, but I do agree with making games like the First RE that was on the ps1, I would love to see some 20 yr old games come back to life,..but to want us to spend $120 on two games like GTA 5 or last of us is wrong,...
Go back to the old games so we feel like they least had to do some work to earn the $65 dollars lol....

[DaReapa]

The most sensible post on this topic I've read today.

[PersonMan]

I like to buy remasters because it usually improves the user experience.

There are new features such as the speaker in the controller and the touch pad.

Plus, the DualShock 4 is more comfortable.

Also, I like buying remasters on PS4 because usually, the framerate is more stable, and draw distance and pop-in is reduced. I remember there being some nasty slow loading textures in The Last of Us on PS3 and the PS4 version has none of that.

Also, these games look great in 1080p.

[s45gr32]

The PS2 did it for free when it came to PS One games by smooth out the textures, reduce loading times, and improve resolution of say PS One games. The PS3 did this for both PS One and PS2 games during its first year and a half. Then Sony asked gamers on its official forum if gamers wanted remastered editions of games or backwards compatibility, sadly gamers opted for remastered editions due to their stupid loyalty to Sony.

[PersonMan]

But the remasters aren't simply higher resolution. They have better draw distance, smoother frame rates, more polygons, more particles, better lighting, better models, more vegetation, better weather effects, higher resolution reflections and so on.

I think they're definitely worth the second buy if you really love the game a lot.

I want an Uncharted bundle for PS4 and then I'll be done buying remakes.

[blakstarz]

I see nothing wrong with it, especially if you never played the game in question on previous consoles. My only thing is that is you are going to do this, at least add worthwhile additions to the game to justify the price tag, so games do like including all the DLC that people shelled out for it in last-gen consoles.

If its just a mere "re-skinned" remake/remaster or whatever you wanna call it and charging 60 for it, I'm not down with that. If anything it should be at least or close to half price if you are not going to throw anything major in there and a perfect example is Sleeping Dogs. Its a really good game but from what I read of the "improvements", it sure as hell doesn't justify the 60 dollar price tag.

[thelwebb100]

If we had backwards compatibility then this wouldn't be an issue.

[s45gr32]

Then what's the point of updates then, I mean on PC an update may increase the resolution and frames per second of any game. For example the original counter strike, doom,etc. Is just business to make gamers pay more. The PS2 and the $600.00+tax PS3 smooth out the jaggies and improve the resolution of games for free and don't forget the free unlockables plus mini games wich was also free ; however, console gamers still needed to pay $50.00 or so.

[Tzuno]

Because gamers don't have nothing new to play, so in the meantime they choose this method. On the other hand some games are too good not to have them on HD version.

[PersonMan]

Agreed... plus playing them on the new systems really shows how bad the old systems were. It puts things into perspective.

[Drabent]

What are we suppose to buy Call of Dookie Rehashed Warfare?

[blib]

I've been playing and creating video games since the late 1970's. To my knowledge, I've seen about 20 games that can be called unique, and the rest are copies, amalgamations, and generational advances. Human beings are sheep. :/

[voodoogts]

It's because developers are lazy to make new games. But smart enough to remaster and make money. It's a win for them. Easy money.

[s45gr32]

That's because console gamers love to bend over and take it.