It has been a great year for the remaster scene for video games. We have received tons of awesome remakes of some classic games as well as polishes of more recent ones. In addition to the blessing of amazing remakes, we have also received a bountiful harvest of amazing retro games. This is all just in time for the holiday season so we’ve thrown together a list of the best remakes and retro games that came out this year.
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series
Adventure/Platformer/Retro/Remake
Our Review: 7/10
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is an amazingly beautiful remake of the cult classic series from the 90s and early 2000s. Klonoa is an adventure platforming jumpathon that includes lovingly crafted remakes of the original two games. Pick it up to travel into the retro 2D side-scrolling adventure.
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC via Steam.
Final Fantasy VI
JRPG/Retro/Remaster
Metacritic Score: 88/100
The much-adored and beloved series makes a return to modern systems in all its original pixel art glory. Now newer fans of the series have a chance to check out one of the games that started it all if they haven’t before and older fans can find some nostalgia in a classic.
Final Fantasy VI is available on PC via Steam, the Apple App Store, Google Play, and the Amazon Appstore.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Beat-Em-Up/Retro
Our Score: 9.5/10
Another retro entry of the original arcade games that once decked out arcades. The OG beat-em-up style gameplay can feel tired and repetitive occasionally, but nothing beats getting some friends together and smashing your way through the goons of New York City.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and PC via Steam.
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
Adventure/Shooter/Remake/Adaptation
Our Review of the Original: 10/10
For all of you out there looking for a chance to play something from the Uncharted series but never had a PlayStation to do it with, now is your chance! The amazing adventure shooter that is Uncharted has finally landed on PC with this collection. It includes Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Jump into the Uncharted journey remastered for the PC.
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is available on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.
Hero’s Hour
Roguelike/Retro/Indie
Metacritic Score: 77/100
One of the most absurd retro indie games that’s ever been created, Hero’s Hour is possibly the wackiest game this year. Pick from a wide variety of races and heroes to generate your nation. Travel across the land and conquer your kingdom against insane AI powers. Auto-battle your way through giant battles with your army to build your kingdom.
Hero’s Hour is available on PC via Steam.
Crysis 2 and Crysis 3 Remastered
Shooter/Remaster/Adventure
Crysis 2 Remastered User Metacritic Score: 7.2/10
Crysis 3 Remastered User Metacritic Score 6.6/10
The Crysis series is a classic sci-fi shooter adventure from the previous console generation. This year we got 2 different beautiful remasters of Crysis 2 and 3 for the current generations of consoles and PC’s. This makes it the perfect time for newbies and old hats to pick up the series. Time to jump into that super armor and pound down on some baddies or stealth your way through.
Crysis 2 Remastered and Crysis 3 Remastered are available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
JRPG/Adventure/Retro/Remake
Metacritic Score: 89/100
The one, the only, the incredible, Final Fantasy VII! Arguably the biggest game in the entire series, now the Remake Intergrade brings the beloved game back in a complete and total overhaul. Experience the same amazing story, but this time in 3D with updated graphics and mechanics. The magnum opus of all JRPG’s Final Fantasy VII is the game to come into the series or just experience it again.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
Adventure/Action/RPG/Remaster
Metacritic Score: 87/100
What can I say about Marvel’s Spider-Man than whoop-whoop! One of the best games to come out for PS4 and PC, the web-slinger hits it big in this. I can say the remaster is definitely an improvement in regard to the graphics. The original had some pretty wonky character models and faces that get fixed in the remaster. The combat and movement are classic and the remaster makes the game absolute perfection.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is available on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.
Sanabi
Retro/Action Adventure/Platformer
Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews on Steam
Sanabi hit steam this summer to overwhelmingly positive reviews. The retro-style pixel art, combat, and 2D platforming evoke a bygone era while still remaining current. Explore Sanabi in a stylish action-adventure platforming journey. Jump and sling around dodging bullets in this beautiful yet dystopian hellscape.
Sanabi is available on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
Vampire Survivors
Retro/Roguelike/RPG
Metacritic Score: 86/100
Vampire Survivors is the definition of a modern retro success. The pixel-art bullet-hell action roguelike has achieved over 137,000 reviews on steam and remains overwhelmingly positive. A literal blast from the past, Vampire Survivors brings the pain and the pleasure with its addictive and never-ending gameplay. Mow down your foes with randomly changing builds to conquer the vast mobs of hundreds to win the game.
Vampire Survivors is available on PC via Steam.
