The problem is they often don’t.Legendary RPG developers Square released Secret of Mana released on the Super Nintendo in 1993.
Whether it’s addressing problems of racism, sexism, homophobia, or any other brand of hate, the remake is uniquely positioned to critique and fix the original. Early video games, even the classics, are filled with offensive stereotypes. It’s a big deal, especially in the context of remakes. Instead, we end up asking why the game needed to be remade at all. It would have been neat if Charlotte didn’t talk like a grown man pretending to be a baby! We get none of that. It would have been so interesting to see how Angela and Duran’s relationship changes after Duran’s kingdom is invaded by Angela’s. I would have loved to feel a bit more connected to the rather static beast-man Kevin. On the other, it feels like a wasted opportunity.
On one hand, you can respect such pure homage. What you get in 2020 will be the exact same story as in 1995, albeit with a lovely facelift. Unfortunately, Trials of Mana does not do that. All our energy can then go toward deepening those characters, their motivations, and their bonds. The character development foundations are there too. A remake has an edge because the plot is already there. Character development has always been there, of course - that’s why we fell in love with these characters - but it can often feel second fiddle to plot development. Things like dialogue, round characters, and relationship dynamics have not always been as important in video game stories as they are today. Shoutout to Vuscav/Buskaboo, the greatest means of exploration ever. Whereas remasters could be seen as re-exploring old stories, the remake is then a deeper exploration of those stories. However, the story should not be the same as the original either. At that point, one really has to ask why a new game wasn’t made instead. Should a remake have a brand new story? I say no. Through its gameplay, it has proven its necessity separate from the remaster or a new game.ĭoes it manage the same with its story? Not so much. The remake gets that, and it even iterates on this with a layer of unlockable passive skills.īy preserving the customization that made Seiken Densetsu 3 unique, and completely revamping the actual action, Trials of Mana manages to absolutely nail its execution.
Unlockable classes for each character only expanded their niches and made the process of designing your three-member teams endlessly enjoyable. Each of the 6 playable characters was completely unique and played differently. No, what set Seiken Densestu 3 apart was its party customization. Combos had strange cool-downs, enemy spells could kill your entire party in one hit, and most of those spells were quite literally unavoidable. Was Seiken Densetsu 3 fun because of its action elements? It was not. The remake has to stop and consider what truly made the original fun to play. Is this game too similar to the original? Why not a remaster then? Is this game almost unrecognizable next to the original? Why not a new game entirely? I believe that in all ways the remake must demonstrate its own necessity, walking that tightrope between homage and innovation with each step.Įdgy ninja or edgy Victorian noble? You decide. It should be both a love letter and a thoughtful critique of the original, preserving what set it apart while modernizing what didn’t. I see remakes as the ultimate opportunity to reimagine art for a new generation. So, why a remake? I think that’s the question that needs to be asked at every step. But there’s an important question here: what is the responsibility of the video game remake? What does a remake owe to the gameplay, story, and fans of the original? Let’s explore that in the context of RPGs. Yet, games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Resident Evil, and Trials of Mana have proven that these remakes are much more than a cash grab they’re art in their own right. And - pardon me while I yell at kids to get off my lawn - but it seems like a new edition/remaster/rerelease of an existing game is being announced every few seconds.
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