Remastering classic video games can revitalize them, providing enhanced graphics and gameplay mechanics that breathe new life into beloved titles. However, some remasters leave players questioning their very existence, either delivering minimal changes or, regrettably, worsening the gameplay experience.
This article explores several remasters that many gamers consider to be pointless, leaving both myself and fellow players in a state of confusion.
8 Dark Souls Remastered (Console Versions)
No Significant Changes
Dark Souls on PC was conveniently a challenge on its own, even before the remaster arrived, which offered a number of quality-of-life improvements and upgraded graphics.
However, console gamers were dealt a raw deal—the remaster felt more like a minor update, lacking substantial upgrades compared to the original version.
While playing at 60FPS was a welcome boost, other visual enhancements were barely discernible, leading to frustration over a full-price tag for what seemed little more than a slightly polished version of an already beloved classic.
7 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition
What Was the Rationale?
Skyrim is undeniably one of my all-time favorite games, with thousands of hours invested in its expansive world.
Despite this love, I must question the purpose of the Anniversary Edition. More strikingly, why was it priced as if it contains groundbreaking new content?
Fishing was added—something the modding community had long since implemented—and bundled with a few paid mods. This was hardly a compelling reason to revisit the game.
Moreover, the Anniversary Edition’s release led to a modding nightmare, necessitating the reinstallation of the Special Edition for countless players. Given that mods have kept Skyrim thriving, one must ponder what Bethesda aimed to achieve.
6 The Last of Us Part 1 (PS5)
A Remaster Of A Remaster
The Last of Us Part 1 is another personal favorite, yet how many times can Sony sell the same title while making dubious claims about additions?
Although there are accessibility benefits for different console generations, this argument falls flat since the original remaster is playable on the PS5.
So what exactly changed? Generally speaking, only the graphics received attention.
The so-called “remake”includes a couple of minor quality-of-life adjustments, but largely, it’s just a visually enhanced version of a well-regarded game—one that already stood the test of time.
5 Crysis Remastered
Worse Performance Than The Original
Crysis, released in 2007, set the standard for modern PC gaming graphics. If your system couldn’t handle it, you were behind the curve.
Yet, in a bizarre turn of events, the remastered version evidently underperformed relative to its predecessor, with minimal graphical improvements.
Ray-traced lighting transformed the art style into something less appealing, and performance was inconsistent at best.
Additionally, some of the advanced physics that originally set it apart were stripped away, making the gameplay feel outdated. Instead of remastering existing titles, Crytek should focus on delivering a much-anticipated Crysis 4.
For a better experience, I suggest sticking to the original version, possibly enhanced with mods and ReShade.
4 Red Dead Redemption (2023)
A Full-Priced Port
The remaster of Red Dead Redemption can best be described as a re-release of a classic game with a contemporary price tag attached.
The original title was a masterpiece for its time; however, the so-called remaster fails to deliver notable visual upgrades or enhanced gameplay.
The process essentially seems to involve tweaking a few values in configuration files and adding a price bump. It even required a patch to enable 60FPS for consoles post-launch.
Although the original game is memorable, the recent updates don’t measure up to modern standards, making this remaster feel unnecessary—especially considering emulators had already been running the original successfully before the official release.
3 Silent Hill HD Collection
A Definitive Disaster
The haunting atmosphere of the original Silent Hill games was pivotal in making them memorable, thanks to exceptional visuals and voice acting.
Sadly, the “HD”remaster offered an experience that was devoid of the original’s charm.
Instead of an upgrade, players received a collection plagued by glitches, missing effects, and overall poorer visual quality, all stemming from what was effectively half-baked code.
If you’re new to Silent Hill and haven’t played the originals, you might find some enjoyment, but die-hard fans felt let down by this unnecessary remaster.
2 Warcraft III: Reforged
A Brutal Betrayal
Warcraft III: Reforged exemplifies a remaster that fell completely flat. The original game’s nostalgic value and strong community made it a timeless classic.
However, Blizzard’s decision to replace the original with a problematic remaster left many fans frustrated.
While the visuals received an HD upgrade, they fell short of the original’s aesthetic appeal, offering a generic and clunky experience along with significant multiplayer issues due to faulty Battle.net integration.
Promises of new features and enhanced cinematics went unfulfilled, ultimately leaving behind cut content and a hollow shell of the beloved original title.
1 Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition
The Worst Remaster
The original Grand Theft Auto games were iconic and laid the foundation for modern open-world adventures. Yet, the release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition tarnished those memories.
With poorly rendered character models and an avalanche of gameplay-breaking bugs, the experience was marred by frustrating controls and unplayable rain effects that worsened the original gameplay.
To add insult to injury, Rockstar’s removal of the original titles from stores forced players into this buggy experience, making their nostalgia hard to revisit.
Although updates have improved stability, the fundamental question remains: would you buy this tarnished collection based on principle?
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