Not every game needs a remake. Quite often, the limitations of a game, either due to hardware or budget constraints, greatly contribute to its charm. This can easily be disrupted by a modern remake if it fails to capture its specific vibe.
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PostsSure, remakes often bring in better graphics, overhauled or improved gameplay systems, and plenty of quality-of-life changes, but certain imperfections of these classic RPGs are part of the experience and what makes them stand out from the rest. A lot of older games have this nostalgic feel that is hard to replicate, and these are just some of many classic RPGs that are risky to remake from scratch.
8 Persona 4 Golden
Metascore: 93
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Like Follow FollowedPersona 4 Golden
JRPG Systems 3.5/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 88/100 Critics Rec: 95% Released December 9, 2008 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence Developer(s) Atlus Publisher(s) Atlus Engine RenderWareWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAlthough Persona 3 received a great remake in 2024, and Persona 4 is heavily rumored to be following suit, it could be easily argued that the game doesn't need it at all. Persona 4 Golden has already been remastered for current-gen consoles, and it is very much possible that a Persona 3 Reload-like remake could take away from the charm and the vibe of the game.
Not to mention that there isn’t really an aspect of Persona 4 that has aged badly or is in dire need of improvements courtesy of a remake. The mix of school-going, social-sim, and dungeon-crawling mechanics all hold up very well without really needing an overhaul.
7 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Metascore: 94
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Like Follow FollowedStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
RPG Systems 10.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 83/100 Critics Rec: 85% Released July 15, 2003 ESRB T for Teen: Violence Developer(s) BioWare Publisher(s) LucasArts Engine Odyssey EngineWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAlthough a remake of 2003’s Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was announced in 2021 to be developed by Aspyr, the project received a reboot and restarted development in 2022, now being made by Saber Interactive.
The remake is still several years off, and it could be argued that it's not needed at all. The original is still a solid game mechanically and easily one of the best Star Wars games. The writing quality and RPG systems are still very deep and unmatched even by a lot of modern RPGs.
6 Dragon Age: Origins
Metascore: 91
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LikeDragon Age: Origins
RPG Systems Released November 3, 2009 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content Developer(s) BioWare Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine Eclipse Franchise Dragon AgeWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALDragon Age fans have long wanted a new installment in the series that had a similar tone to Dragon Age: Origins, which was pretty dark and brutal. Dragon Age 2 did continue the darker storytelling of Origins but was of a considerably lower quality.
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PostsDragon Age: Inquisition was great, but it took the franchise in a different direction with its relatively more colorful tone. Dragon Age: Veilguard pushed it even further in that direction, much to the dismay of a lot of fans. Hence, if BioWare or even another studio were to remake the original, it most likely wouldn't be able to match the dark and gritty tone of the original and wouldn't do the game justice.
5 Chrono Cross
Metascore: 94
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Like Follow FollowedChrono Cross
JRPG Systems 8.5/10 Released August 15, 2000 ESRB T For Teen due to Animated Violence, Mild Language Developer(s) Square Publisher(s) Square, Square EnixWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAlthough we can envision a remake for Chrono Cross in line with Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth, the game still has a peculiar vibe that could be ruined by a modern remake.
It received a remaster in 2022 for current-gen systems that improved the visuals and controls, and that just might be good enough for now. Sometimes, keeping the original style and vibe intact is more important than a modern overhaul, and that couldn’t be truer in the case of Chrono Cross.
4 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
Metascore: 94
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Like Follow FollowedThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
RPG Systems 10.0/10 Released March 20, 2006 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) Bethesda Publisher(s) Bethesda Engine havok, speedtree, gamebryo Franchise The Elder ScrollsWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONAn Oblivion remake has already been rumored to be in development and even possibly released later in 2025, but this is one game where the time period of its release greatly contributes to its charm.
The look of the forests and all the greenery, coupled with its low-res NPC character models, all add to its nostalgic feeling. A modern remake with cutting-edge graphics and technology could very well hamper this experience. Its tried-and-tested Bethesda game design of doing a bunch of quests, exploring different towns and cities, and meeting all sorts of interesting NPCs still holds up well.
3 Final Fantasy 12
Metascore: 92
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Like Follow FollowedFinal Fantasy 12
JRPG Systems Released October 31, 2006 ESRB T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Zodiac Engine 2.0 Franchise Final FantasyWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALFinal Fantasy 12 is one of the most modern-feeling games from the PS2 era. The game was released in the final year of the console in 2006, right before the release of the PS3.
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PostsThe 3D jump up from Final Fantasy 10 is a big reason the game feels so modern, with smooth controls and a battle system that still doesn't feel outdated at all. The Zodiac Age remaster that was released in 2017 further improved its gameplay and controls, and streamlined a few other things, so a remake really isn't needed for this game.
2 Fallout 2
Metascore: 86
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LikeFallout 2
RPG Systems Released October 29, 1998 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Strong Language Developer(s) Black Isle Studios Publisher(s) Interplay Engine proprietary engine Franchise FalloutWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALWhile Fallout 2 can be imagined as a 3D Fallout experience similar to Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, the grittiness of the game wouldn't survive a modern remake. Looking at Fallout 4, especially, which looked and felt way too clean and colorful for a post-apocalyptic Fallout game.
The dirtiness of Fallout 2, as represented in all of its graphical assets and NPC portraits, is a big reason the game feels a certain way and perfectly captures the nihilistic setting of a post-apocalyptic, war-torn world.
1 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Metascore: 80
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LikeVampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Action RPG Systems Released November 16, 2004 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language Developer(s) Troika Games Publisher(s) Activision Engine Source Franchise Vampire: The MasqueradeWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALVampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is another game with a specific vibe that would be negatively affected by a modern remake. Sure, the game was a mess at launch with a lot of bugs and glitches, but almost all of these have been fixed, thanks to mods and fan contributions.
The game’s eerie and unsettling vibe is hard to capture in a remake, especially given that the early 2000s' limited graphics and animations greatly contributed to this, and polishing everything up could take away from its haunting feeling. Instead, a remaster that would bring it to platforms other than just PC would be much better.
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