Highlights
- Recent leaks suggest a potential remaster of The Last of Us Part 2, but many feel that other PlayStation games, like Bloodborne or Infamous, would be better candidates due to their dated visuals.
- Remakes and remasters have had mixed reception, with some pleasing players and critics, while others lacking new content or having technical issues.
- Games like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune or Metal Gear Solid 4 could benefit from a remaster or remake, as they are behind the times in terms of visuals and gameplay compared to their respective franchises.
PlayStation has a rich legacy of iconic and memorable exclusive games, many of which could be ripe for a remaster. Recent leaks have hinted toward a The Last of Us Part 2 remaster, which has been viewed as unnecessary by many due to the fact that The Last of Us 2 only launched three years ago and is still arguably on the cutting edge when it comes to visuals. In light of these rumors, it's worth considering which older PlayStation games could be a better fit for a remaster or a remake
Remakes and remasters have been a key part of the release strategy of many major gaming companies in recent years. Some have drawn ire from the gaming community for their lack of new content or problematic technical state, while others have been received much more warmly. Just this year, the Resident Evil 4 Remake and the Dead Space Remake launched to impressive results, pleasing players and critics alike. There have also been several releases that fit somewhere between the extremes, like last year's The Last of Us Part 1, a remake of 2013's The Last of Us which featured noticeably overhauled visuals but very little else. If The Last of Us Part 1 is setting a trend for PlayStation remakes, there are a lot of candidates better suited for the treatment than The Last of Us Part 2.
Bloodborne
FromSoftware's inventive 2015 release is perhaps the most obvious choice for a remaster when looking at PlayStation exclusives. Indeed, Bloodborne fans have been clamoring for a remake or re-release of the game, one that could polish it up to modern standards, offering a better frame rate and resolution at the very least. Bloodborne still looks great, but it is noticeably dated, especially compared to current-gen FromSoftware releases like Elden Ring and Armored Core 6.
Infamous
Infamous was one of the more unique PlayStation games of the 2000s. The gritty superhero action game launched almost fifteen years ago, however, and even the most charitable gamers will have to admit that it looks a little rough around the edges. But the game does a lot right, so a remaster offering clean, modern visuals, better performance, and some new QOL features could be a meaningful release worth the price of admission.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Uncharted is far from over, but it seems to be lying dormant for now. While fans await the next entry in the series, it could be worth revisiting one of the older entries. The first Uncharted game was a huge leap for Naughty Dog, allowing the company to pivot away from the all-ages, cartoon world of the Jak and Daxter series, but the game is behind the times in terms of visuals and gameplay. If any Naughty Dog game needs a remaster, it's Uncharted.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Metal Gear Solid is another slumbering franchise, but Metal Gear Solid 4 is a bit of an odd duck in the series. Released in 2008 on the PS3, the game was never re-released or ported to other consoles, making it peculiarly difficult to play. The upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, alongside the Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater remake, make a Metal Gear Solid 4 remaster or remake seem more likely.
God of War
God of War has become an iconic franchise for an all-new generation of gamers, but it used to be wildly different. If Sony Santa Monica were to remaster the first entry in the God of War series, it could offer a tight, polished return to the series' roots. The fundamentals of the game should remain mostly unchanged, but perhaps a remaster could tweak things slightly to better set up Kratos's character arc, realized in the modern God of War games.
Sony is bolstering its collection of classic PlayStation games, but many are still either unplayable or not up to modern technical standards. Arguably, these are the titles that should be remastered or remade - not The Last of Us Part 2.