The Fifth Generation of video game consoles brought with it some of the most iconic video games to date. Sadly, some of these games have been all but forgotten as the years progressed, but to some, they remain key staples in the gaming industry.
The PlayStation permitted countless titles to grow in popularity and even marked the beginning of numerous franchises. As franchises expanded and evolved, however, the reason for their success became less known. Some video game companies will often attempt to recapture the magic of their games by creating a remake for modern consoles and, most of them will see great success. The PlayStation was home to some truly ambitious, yet flawed games. Though most will likely never be revisited by their developers, there are a few that should be.
7 Vagrant Story
Vagrant Story follows the unpredictable life of Ashley Riot, a Knight of Peace, whose immediate goal in the story is to locate the whereabouts of Sydney Losstarot, a cult leader whose assault on Duke Bardorba's mansion and theft of his son has made him a wanted man.
Vagrant Story is renowned for featuring one of the most carefully crafted stories to ever grace fifth-generation consoles. It is clear a great deal of love and care went into its creation, but there are several moments throughout where the story falls flat. A remake could allow these less compelling moments to be reworked and help them to flow more believably. A remake could also grant the game a much-needed visual enhancement as, though the art style was revolutionary for its time, it hasn't aged overly well.
6 Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins documents the tale of two ninjas named Rikimaru and Ayame who are tasked to perform a series of assassinations by their employer, Lord Gohma, and his daughter, Princess Kiku. The beginning of their adventure poses little threat, but the further they delve, the more they find themselves engulfed by a dark conspiracy.
After their encounter with Onikage, a dark mage hellbent on summoning a demon, Rikimaru and Ayame are forced to approach their destiny more tactically to ensure the world's safety. Progressing through Technu: Stealth Assassins will require the player to utilize stealth as a means of conquering the game's many obstacles. Though it received great praise upon its relief, a remake for a modern console could allow for a much more fluid approach to stealth while also revitalizing the game's somewhat linear narrative.
5 Star Wars: Dark Forces
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Star Wars: Dark Forces follows the story of a mercenary named Kyle Katarn whose hatred for the Rebel Alliance leads him down a dark path. Believing the Rebels to be responsible for the death of his parents, Kyle decides to join the Imperial Army to enact his long-sought-after revenge.
The game functions as an arcade-styled first-person shooter. Its controls are understandably poor, but its engaging story allows it to stand out from the other Star Wars games released around its time. The success of the Star Wars Battlefront series would suggest that a Dark Forces remake would be received well, especially if it were to incorporate a similar story and implement more fluid controls.
4 Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 9 follows the stories of Zidane and Garnet as they attempt to flee from a world plagued by war. They encounter a variety of engaging and likable characters on their ventures who each serve a unique purpose in the overarching story, but their cartoonish designs rendered their roles less impactful.
Though most of the entries in the Final Fantasy series are heavily inspired by the fantasy genre, Final Fantasy 9 relied on it the most. The world of Gaia is bursting with dark, medieval imagery, but much of its wonder is diminished due to how the characters are depicted. A remake could rectify these disproportionate designs and thus improve the game's overall themes in the process.
3 Beyblade
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Beyblade was an incredibly ambitious PlayStation game in that it took very little inspiration from its source material. Those familiar with the TV series may expect the game to follow the story of Tyson on his quest to become a Beyblade champion, but the way the game functions prevents this from happening.
The goal of Beyblade is to compete in tournaments and emerge victorious. Doing so will reward the player with 30 Beyblade parts for them to further improve their Beyblade's performance in battle. It is undoubtedly an engaging feature, but the game's lack of story can quickly deter players from fully maximizing the power of their spinning top. A remake could improve on its story elements, while also allowing for more engaging Beyblade customization.
2 The Rugrats: Search For Reptar
The Rugrats: Search for Reptar follows the story of Tommy Pickles, a young toddler who has lost the pieces to his Reptar puzzle. To ensure their return, he embarks on a series of adventures alongside his closest friends, but some pieces are much more difficult to locate than others.
For the most part, The Rugrats: Search for Reptar is a great game. It takes the best aspect of the TV series it is based on and repurposes them respectfully. It is not without flaw, however, as its unusual structure can quickly leave players feeling lost in the narrative. A remake could not only remedy this but also update the game's somewhat primitive design.
1 Final Fantasy 8
Final Fantasy 8 follows the story of Squall Leonhart, a young mercenary whose reclusive nature often presents him as smug and intimidating. Upon meeting Rinoa Heartilly, the two join forces and embark on a perilous journey to save the world, but the PlayStation's now-aged hardware somewhat diminished the sense of spectacle developers hoped to convey.
Though Final Fantasy 8 has been remastered multiple times for modern-day consoles, it remains mostly the same at its core. Its combat mechanics, graphics, and pacing were always a bit jarring in comparison to its predecessors, but a remake could permit the game to become a fan favorite once more.
