The good, the not-so-bad and the terrible: What did we think of three remakes of classic games? | Israel today

What do Sonic, Kratos and Alex Kidd have in common?

Not much, to be honest, except that these three gaming heroes star in three games that are actually remakes of old titles - or in short remasters.

To clarify that it is easy to get confused: Remaster is (mostly) the same old game that has been polished and refurbished lightly, mostly cosmetically, to take advantage of more powerful and up-to-date hardware.

That is, an existing product whose gameplay is usually identical to the original, only with a new layer of paint.

Remake, on the other hand, is a brand new game developed from scratch using state-of-the-art technology, yet still based on a classic title and often bearing its name, like the excellent Demon's Souls.

It can be said that remakes are almost always better than remasters, but on the other hand it is much easier, faster and cheaper to produce remasters compared to remakes.

And since there is not too much to write about remasters beyond one or two paragraphs, we chose to cram three of them into one article.

The good: God of War for the computer

Sony has such a segment of releasing PC versions of exclusive PlayStation hits a few years after they were launched on its consoles, and that's exactly what it's doing this week with Good God of War, the 2018 game of the year for the PlayStation 4, and some would say at all.

It's also the only remaster in this article that anyone who missed the original title, does not have a PlayStation at home but is equipped with a reasonable computer, must play it (thankfully, this is not a remaster in the full sense of the word, but more of an improved computer version, but in a small way).

God of War,

We will refrain from talking too much about Kratos' last (for this moment) adventure, to the Greek war, but will only mention that this is an amazing action-adventure-role-playing game, a reboot to the original trilogy that started out on the PlayStation 2 in 2005. This time the emphasis is rather on Norse mythology; The world is much more open and less linear (similar to other modern PlayStation games like Horizon and Daisy Gone); Kratos has a beard and a redhead (the plot is even quite moving); And the control remained as perfect as ever. You should already know all this, because it's still a gaming section and it's one of the most important games to come out in the last decade.

The new computer version boasts smoother and sharper 4K graphics, improved reflections and shadows, the possibility of widescreen play in 21: 9 format and ... not much more than that, the truth is that Sony does not really want you to settle for computer versions of old PlayStation games after four years, but Want you to understand - late - what you are missing because you do not have a PlayStation.

The idea is that you will play God of War on your computer, get addicted (because you can't), and consider buying a PlayStation 5 when the new (entirely) God of War: Ragnarok arrives on console in the fall.

One more little thing:

it is possible and desirable to connect an original PlayStation controller to a computer, because playing Good Nose with a keyboard and mouse is a sin.

Not bad: Sonic Colors Ultimate

It is very likely that the cinematic success of "Sonic - the Movie" from 2020 spurred Sega to release a surprising remaster for Sonic Colors, which was originally released for Nintendo Wii in 2010 and received quite reasonable reviews.

The new version was recently launched for Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, and in addition to the improved graphics, the soundtrack has also been re-recorded and we also have some cosmetic bonuses here - some based on the movie - because Sega wants kids to watch the game.

Sonic Colors Ultimate,

The truth is that you can fall much harder than Sonic Colors, because all in all this is a celebration of fast, light, colorful and invested 3D platforms, which appeals mainly to the younger generation of today, and not to the masochists who grew up on the original and insanely difficult games for Sega Mega Drive (this is the place Wish Sonic a happy 30th birthday).

One more little thing:

"Sonic 2" will hit theaters this April, and another set of five classic Sonic games called Sonic Origins is expected to be released later this year - and is specifically aimed at those masochists who have grown up.

Sonic Colors Ultimate,

The Terrible: Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX

Another confession:

In a perfect world, we would ignore this digital leap and avoid mentioning it, but the truth must be told.

A kind of strange hybrid of a failed remaster and a lame remake (there are a few new stages here) for the Sega Master System game from 1986, the anticipation for Alex Kidd's comeback was great, until we even dedicated an optimistic and encouraging item to it.

But as the size of the expectation ...

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX,

We will not tire you:

the control is terrible, slippery and unthinkable.

We were disqualified on the right and left, even though we were sure we had not touched the monster (and most likely we really did not touch it, just programming on the face).

Yes, the gimmick that allows you to switch between the original graphics and the renewed graphics at the push of a button is a nice idea, but it's not nice that the renewed graphics are also at the level of a smartphone game.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX,

That's basically all you need to know, because terrible control and lack of presentation will keep even the most nostalgic gamers away from this shameful two-dimensional platform game (which sells for more than a hundred shekels!).

Opinions are of course a subjective thing and everyone is allowed to disagree with us on everything except this time.

It's really hard for us to imagine someone who would like the renewed Alex Kidd.

One more little thing:

leave, he does not deserve.

Were we wrong?

Fixed!

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