Highlights
- Remakes of classic RPGs have successfully captured the nostalgia and brought back the feeling of playing the original games.
- Some of the greatest remakes include Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and Sega Ages: Phantasy Star.
- These remakes offer improved graphics and new features while staying true to the original gameplay, providing both old and new fans with an incredible RPG experience.
We all know and love classic RPG video games. They’ve offered us iconic stories that have taken us on an unforgettable journey. Some of them have even changed us for the better. These tales and the characters weaved within them have stuck with us for years, and it’s hard to think that a game could beat the everlasting impact that they’ve had on us. Yet, we sometimes yearn to have that experience of first playing the game at the same time.
Luckily, this is where remakes come in. While the original could never be beat, remakes of classic RPGs have been executed incredibly well. So, without further ado, here are the greatest remakes of classic RPGs that will bring back that lovely feeling of nostalgia.
10 Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain Of Memories
When it was first released, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories was only on the Game Boy Advance. This locked out quite a large number of fans from diving further into the beloved series since it was exclusive to one console. And what a shame this was since Chain of Memories was the second game in the franchise.
As the second installment in the series, it’s no wonder that fans were intrigued by what it had to offer. Luckily, a remake made its way to multiple screens with it being released on PS2, PS3, and (later on) the PS4. There weren’t many changes made to the game, with the main difference being a 3D experience rather than a pixilated one.
9 Pokemon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl
Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are classic games in the series for the Nintendo DS. Their modern remakes for the Switch are no different, with the small changes enhancing the gameplay that brings us back to the nostalgia that we felt for the original games for so long. However, Nintendo brought even more challenges for us to overcome with the remakes.
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl may not be all too different from the originals. But they did give us new Pokemon exclusive to the Switch and a whole new re-imagined adventure to take our trainer on. With all of this said, if you want to play a nostalgic Pokemon game on a modern console, then Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is the way to go.
8 Sega Ages: Phantasy Star
There are debates on which version of the original Phantasy Star is the best to play for the greatest experience of the game. Throughout all the discussions, it seems the remake of the Switch is the winner. It emulates the classic experience on a modern console, barely taking away anything that made the original so timeless.
Sega Ages: Phantasy Star brought in a myriad of new fans to the fantastic fantasy series. Overall, it gave new players the experience that many got the opportunity to have on the Master System. In other words, it’s magnificent that one of the earliest JRPGs ever got the chance to get more love.
7 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
This remake of the critically acclaimed JRPG, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definite Edition, is a faithful adaptation of the iconic fantasy story that we all know and love. Featuring improved graphics, a new time trial mode, and a fresh epilogue story, this game is an incredible RPG for the modern generation.
Building upon what made the original so great, the look of the game alone is enough to make you intrigued. Not to mention the creative direction it took, all while staying true to its previously established atmosphere and being just what Xenoblade fans truly needed. It’s also an amazing introduction for new fans to the franchise, being a brand-new emotional and action-packed adventure.
6 Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Because of how lengthy the original Final Fantasy 7 is, the remake only offers just the beginning of the iconic JRPG. It gifted us with beautiful modern-day graphics while still showcasing the authentic classic experience of playing the game that transformed the JRPG turn-based genre.
Once the remake was finally released, it quickly became one of the fastest-selling PS4 games of all time. The story covers the first section of the original, expanding it a tad more and setting in the metropolis Midgar. Combat was also enhanced in the remake, becoming a better fighting experience than before. But, of course, nothing could beat the classic.
5 Trials Of Mana
In this daring tale that dares you to overcome the tests of fate, the Trials of Mana 3D remake is a masterpiece. As the third game in the Mana series, nearly every aspect of the original game has been nearly reborn and transformed into something new. And while it still captures the heart of the 1995 version, the remake provides us with a fresh experience.
The sense of nostalgia in this remake stays strong. With the number of fans being used to the SNES version, this being available on modern consoles has allowed fans to gain more accessibility in diving into its thrilling story with amazing graphics yet still capturing an old-school vibe.
4 Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne
The modernized version of this Atlus classic is one for the ages. Shin Megami Tensei is a classic JRPG series on its own, and the third installment is considered the one that many audiences think about. Featuring modern graphics and additional difficulty settings, this new look makes the game feel charmingly enticing.
Although this is considered an HD remaster, Atlus accomplished something beautiful by building upon one of their most adored games. It’s a perfect way to experience the game if you’re new to the series, as it’s a polished version that serves to encourage you to experience the story through brand-new eyes and mindset.
3 Star Ocean First Departure R
In this remaster of an already-remade game, Star Ocean First Departure R captures the original game at its finest. Ported for the Switch, this updated version follows the classic adventurous story of a trio who dares to venture through a mesmerizing galactic atmosphere.
Revolving around new artwork, animated cutscenes, and 3D battlefields, the final remastered 2019 version of this game is the best one to sink your hours into. With all of this said, throughout all the changes it went through, this originally ambitious action RPG with unique mechanics has swiftly become a stand-out title within the JRPG genre.
2 Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix
In nearly the past two decades, Kingdom Hearts has grown into one of the most charming JRPGs of all time. When the sequel to the first Kingdom Hearts game finally came out, the love and creative energy that this series already entailed grew stronger. It offered a plot that kept us on our toes, showing that we never know what’s in store next with its whirlwind of a story.
Two years after its release, Square Enix developed an expanded remake of the game. From that point, Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix not only became a new representation of one of the best games in the series but also a creative gaming experience that is even better than the original.
1 Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition
For those who grew up in the age of tabletop RPGs, Baldur’s Gate was a PC game that took the whole community by storm. It was perfect for Dungeons & Dragons fans, quickly becoming an influential outlet for those wanting to experience a campaign fit for themselves.
Created in the 90s, the mechanics and graphics currently fall a bit behind our times. This is where the glory of Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition came in, becoming a faithful remake of a work of art locked behind exclusive barriers for so long. Through and through, this version is the best start to your journey of the Baldur’s Gate franchise.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
