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[Death Metalist]

It also introduces new gameplay from Super Metroid, new controls, new areas, different bosses, etc.

OP posted a list of ports, all of which have varying degrees of enhancement in them. Given how complicated video games are, there's not enough meaningful commonality between re-releases of games to put much stock into words like "remaster".

If you need to compare the enhancements between two games, why not just talk about the enhancements instead of fighting to define a marketing term like "remaster"? Why not just mention when a port has new/enhanced assets or lighting or 60fps or whatever?

It's not actually fighting to define a term but rather to inform and discuss about it because I have seen alot of people get confused about it. If I were to mention what they added in Halo and Gears I would never finish so the videos above I posted to another user would suffice. I'm sure there are more for anyone who wants to go out looking for differences.

 

[funkystudent]

What about FFX HD?

It got redone art similar to Halo Anniversary and Gears UE but instead of it being a crazy next gen coat of paint it was simply new HD art but in the same style. Simply cleaning the look of the game up to not be so PS2 ish and ugly but still keeping the vision of the game.

Same approach but different intent.

I think the Kingdom Hearts Remasters had a similar approach. It was new art but its not reinventing the art style.



IMO a "remake" is a entire reworking of a game from the ground up with new gameplay and new art.

Black Mesa is the only true remake that comes to mind.

 

[Ridley327]

If only NOA weren't assholes and actually released it already on the Wii U eShop.

If only.

 

[Death Metalist]

Gears of war and Halo are remasters, even MS says that.

A good example of a remake would be the new Ratchet and Clank.

They could call it whatever, doesn't mean it's right. It's what everyone is using these days and it's what's most familiar to people. The changes done to Gears of War and Halo 1+2 Anniversary could be akin to a remake, go through any differences video and you'll see the tons of changes not to the SP but MP as well. In the case of Gears of War they are also adding new acts that were not available previously(only in the PC version if I am not mistaken).

EDIT: Maybe the new term should be a lesser remake. It's a shame that the market adopted the term remaster for upscaled, 60FPS ports of last gen games. That's why it's easy to call anything with more work being done into them, like actual coding, a remake.

 

[Death Metalist]

If only NOA weren't assholes and actually released it already on the Wii U eShop.

If only.

I wish they would take more advantage of the VC. The amount of time I spent on VC games is neck and neck with WiiU games, a goldmine is there but they are taking ages to get to all the gold. If they ever did release it though, I would love to play it.

 

[Ridley327]

I wish they would take more advantage of the VC. The amount of time I spent on VC games is neck and neck with WiiU games, a goldmine is there but they are taking ages to get to all the gold. If they ever did release it though, I would love to play it.

It's an absolutely phenomenal game. It's neck and neck between it and Super Metroid for the best 2D installment in the series.

 

[KHlover]

Goldeneye Wii is just another game based off the same movie. They didn't follow the N64 game at all.

Remakes don't need to follow the games they're based on 1:1. Take the Ys series for example, the only thing many original games and their remake have in common is the rough structure of the plot.

 

[loaf of bread]

Sorry OP but Gears and Halo 2 are remasters, not remakes.

 

[pa22word]

Sorry OP but Gears and Halo 2 are remasters, not remakes.

They're ports.

There's really no such thing as a remaster. It's marketing bullshit publishers came up with to sell you ports with a nicer name so you'll swallow them easier.

 

[Majanew]

They're ports.

There's really no such thing as a remaster. It's marketing bullshit publishers came up with to sell you ports with a nicer name so you'll swallow them easier.

Halo 2 Anni is a port from what system? I could understand if it was the same graphics from 2004. Time and money was spent overhauling the graphics across the board, on top of boosting the resolution and frame-rate to 60. But yeah, evil publishers wanting my monies!

 

[Death Metalist]

Sorry OP but Gears and Halo 2 are remasters, not remakes.

Then what do you call these? The Last of Us: Remastered, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMix, Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD, Killzone HD and Okami HD. Just to name a few.

EDIT: Also remasters I'm guessing?

 

[Vincent Grayson]

Then what do you call these? The Last of Us: Remastered, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMix, Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD, Killzone HD and Okami HD. Just to name a few.

EDIT: Also remasters I'm guessing?

Ports? I mean, we used to always call taking a game and putting it on a new platform a port, even if it happens to have gained some new features in the process.

 

[Death Metalist]

Ports? I mean, we used to always call taking a game and putting it on a new platform a port, even if it happens to have gained some new features in the process.

It can't be a port if they changed and added alot of things in the process while making it familiar. Not to mention coding from scratch.

Here is Halo 1 Anniversary for example and that's just one example.

 

[Noobcraft]

So...
Halo CE:A campaign is a port of a remaster. (360)
Halo CE multiplayer is a port. (PC)
Halo 2 campaign is a remaster. (OG Xbox)
Halo 2 Anniversary multiplayer is a remake.
Halo 3 is a port. (360)
Halo 4 is a port. (360)

So the Master Chief Collection is..?

 

[KHlover]

Then what do you call these? The Last of Us: Remastered, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMix, Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD, Killzone HD and Okami HD. Just to name a few.

EDIT: Also remasters I'm guessing?

Enhanced Port

 

[ngFROMAN]

"Remaster" is the same base game/code touched up to look or run better.

A remake is starting from nothing but the original as the design document, and building a new game that's based on that.

The RE remake and Twin Snakes are both good examples of remakes; the Halo remasters are not, as they are largely the same content and rules. Those are remasters through and through.

Another example; RE4 Ultimate HD is a remaster, because the visuals and code are polished up; the base game is still the same though.

Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask 3D are remakes, because the base code and rules are (re)built from scratch. The visuals and animations are all new, and the gameplay is actually quite different. Remakes go far beyond being only visual upgrades.

 

[loaf of bread]

Then what do you call these? The Last of Us: Remastered, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMix, Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD, Killzone HD and Okami HD. Just to name a few.

EDIT: Also remasters I'm guessing?

They're all HD ports/remasters etc. Remakes are stuff like REmake, the new Ratchet and Clank, FF7R, etc.

If those were remakes that would mean they remade gears 1 and halo 2 from scratch on XB1, which they didn't, they just ported them, upped the res/fr and redid a lot of texture work and lighting etc.

 

[Peltz]

After this thread, I'll pretty much call everything a port unless it's something like Resident Evil's Remake, Metroid Zero Mission, or FF7:R. If I need to be more specific, I'll say a 1080p/60fps port or enhanced port (if they add some extra content).

 

[Death Metalist]

"Remaster" is the same base game/code touched up to look or run better.

A remake is starting from nothing but the original as the design document, and building a new game that's based on that.

The RE remake and Twin Snakes are both good examples of remakes; the Halo remasters are not, as they are largely the same content and rules. Those are remasters through and through.

Another example; RE4 Ultimate HD is a remaster, because the visuals and code are polished up; the base game is still the same though.

Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask 3D are remakes, because the base code and rules are (re)built from scratch. The visuals and animations are all new, and the gameplay is actually quite different. Remakes go far beyond being only visual upgrades.

I don't know how you can call that a remaster when the amount of changes done to Halo 1 anniversary and especially 2 anniversary with the CGI cutscenes cannot be compared with RE4. crisdecuba is doing a better job than capcom lol. That is also without mentioning Halo 2 Anniversary's multiplayer.

 

[KHlover]

After this thread, I'll pretty much call everything a port unless it's something like Resident Evil's Remake, Metroid Zero Mission, or FF7:R. If I need to be more specific, I'll say a 1080p/60fps port or enhanced port (if they add some extra content).

You won't be wrong, you know

 

[Not Spaceghost]

I've always understood it like this:

Remaster = Game put on newer consoles, resolution is given widescreen HD functionality and frame rate is usually upped. Some audio files might be restored digitally, some music might be removed if licenses expire. Base assets for the most part are left alone. Big fixes might be patched.

Remake = Game is basically remade completely with new assets or had extreme touch up done to it. The game may have mechanical changes, as well as presentation changes. All assets may be redone, but the core of the game is kept intact.

I'd call halo 1 anniversary a remake.
I'd call RE4 Ultimate HD a remaster.

I'd call Twin Snakes a remake
I'd call Shadow of the Colossus HD a remaster

 

[Death Metalist]

I've always understood it like this:

Remaster = Game put on newer consoles, resolution is given widescreen HD functionality and frame rate is usually upped. Some audio files might be restored digitally, some music might be removed if licenses expire. Base assets for the most part are left alone. Big fixes might be patched.

Remake = Game is basically remade completely with new assets or had extreme touch up done to it. The game may have mechanical changes, as well as presentation changes. All assets may be redone, but the core of the game is kept intact.

I'd call halo 1 anniversary a remake.
I'd call RE4 Ultimate HD a remaster.

I'd call Twin Snakes a remake
I'd call Shadow of the Colossus HD a remaster

I'm in the same boat. Sometimes they fuck up a remaster too, these two come to mind, Silent Hill HD collection and Prototype HD collection or whatever is called lol.

 

[Wonko_C]

I've always understood it like this:

Remaster = Game put on newer consoles, resolution is given widescreen HD functionality and frame rate is usually upped. Some audio files might be restored digitally, some music might be removed if licenses expire. Base assets for the most part are left alone. Big fixes might be patched.

Remake = Game is basically remade completely with new assets or had extreme touch up done to it. The game may have mechanical changes. All assets may be redone, but the core of the game is kept intact.

I'd call halo 1 anniversary a remake.
I'd call RE4 Ultimate HD a remaster.

Where does that leave Ys: The Oath in Felghana, then? It's totally different from Ys III, the game it's based on. I'd say Reimagining.

 

[Not Spaceghost]

Where does that leave Ys: The Oath in Felghana, then? It's totally different from Ys III, the game it's based on. I'd say Reimagining.

Yeah you could add in a reimagined category but it's trickier to define, and based on the news we've gotten on FF7 remake it might be more of a reimagining than a remake.

For example ace combat assault horizon legacy for the 3DS is basically a reimagining of Ace Combat 2.

It's not quite 100% a remake but it uses a lot of AC2 as a base so it's more of a reimagining.

 

[adamantypants]

Before marketing departments got their hands on those words, I'd call the "remasters" just ports. *shrugs*

 

[Haunted]

Reimaginitionaining

Its funny though, same thing came up in the other thread. Even the devs I talk to don't know exactly what to call their games especially as the lines are so blurred.

That's the whole other part to this: marketing departments are still trying to figure out which word calls up the more positive association among gamers, so the terminology hasn't cleared up yet at all.

 

[loaf of bread]

I don't know how you can call that a remaster when the amount of changes done to Halo 1 anniversary and especially 2 anniversary with the CGI cutscenes cannot be compared with RE4. crisdecuba is doing a better job than capcom lol. That is also without mentioning Halo 2 Anniversary's multiplayer.

It doesn't matter how many changes they made. They didn't rebuild a new game, they just edited an existing one.

 

[pa22word]

Yeah you could add in a reimagined category but it's trickier to define, and based on the news we've gotten on FF7 remake it might be more of a reimagining than a remake.

For example ace combat assault horizon legacy for the 3DS is basically a reimagining of Ace Combat 2.

It's not quite 100% a remake but it uses a lot of AC2 as a base so it's more of a reimagining.

You should really change your name and tag to...

Remaster
Port

 

[Solrac]

port: port a game to another console just boosting resolution and fps

remaster: with the same engine as the original game enhance assets, texture, models, new modes, new features.

remake: remade a game with a completely new engine

 

[pa22word]

port: port a game to another console just boosting resolution and fps

remaster: with the same engine as the original game enhance assets, texture, models, new modes, new features.

 

[Death Metalist]

It doesn't matter how many changes they made. They didn't rebuild a new game, they just edited an existing one.

But the work being done might as well make it a remake compared to other remasters. I guess what needs to happen is the term remaster should only be put for those that are worthy of that title. #putremasterwhereitshouldbe

 

[NullPointer]

The Gears and Halo examples are enhanced ports.

Yep. I don't consider them remakes unless they change game logic, scripts, scenarios. Literally remaking the "gamey" parts - not just presentation assets.

I'm not sure on Gears but the Halos in the MCC are all the exact same game with a new overlayed presentation. A remake for me would be something like 343 trying to recreate Halo: CE in their engine and assets and game systems.

Even then there's some middle ground to be found where the terms still break down a bit. Aren't there some later-Gears-features put back into the Gears 1 remaster? If so its a combination of remastered and remixed elements.

 

[loaf of bread]

But the work being done might as well make it a remake compared to other remasters. I guess what needs to happen is the term remaster should only be put for those that are worthy of that title. #putremasterwhereitshouldbe

But they aren't like remakes. Remakes are generally completely new games that only follow the same plot. For example, if I play Halo 2 anniversary, I'm playing the same game I did 10 years ago but it just looks better. If I play the new Ratchet and Clank, I'm essentially playing a new game entirely.

 

[Death Metalist]

But they aren't like remakes. Remakes are generally completely new games that only follow the same plot. For example, if I play Halo 2 anniversary, I'm playing the same game I did 10 years ago but it just looks better. If I play the new Ratchet and Clank, I'm essentially playing a new game entirely.

That's the problem, you call them remaster but then compared to other remasters they go above and beyond that they might as well be called a remake. Just go through this page and read on how much is done with Halo 2 anniversary.

EDIT: I agree though that they are in the end the same game but there were alot of work done from scratch. Halo 1 anniversary, Halo 2 anniversary, Gears of War ultimate edition.etc

 

[Not Spaceghost]

Honestly I think while this is a discussion of semantics it's also interesting to see how people define these things, I made a thread a while ago about how people defined QTE's and many people had interesting definitions. I think some guy even said that if you put a prompt on when to parry in SF3 third strike it would count to him as a QTE.

You should really change your name and tag to...

Lmfao oh god I don't even know what i'd use as an avatar for that.

 

[Joni]

Remasters are games where everyone complains they didnt change enough. Remakes are games where everyone complains they changed too much.

 

[Timu]

Remasters are games where everyone complains they didnt change enough. Remakes are games where everyone complains they changed too much.

That's spot on, lol.

 

[Ricky_R]

Remasters are games where everyone complains they didnt change enough. Remakes are games where everyone complains they changed too much.

 

[Death Metalist]

Remasters are games where everyone complains they didnt change enough. Remakes are games where everyone complains they changed too much.

 

[erawsd]

Marketing people will slap whatever labels they want on them, but IMO:

Remaster - "Modernized" assets, minor-moderate gameplay changes. Ex: Halo MCC, Wind Waker WiiU
Remake - Completely new experience. RE GameCube, MK "9"
Port - Same shit, new platform, bare alterations. Ex: TLOU PS4, RE PS4/XB1.

 

[Conkerkid11]

What about FFX HD?

It got redone art similar to Halo Anniversary and Gears UE but instead of it being a crazy next gen coat of paint it was simply new HD art but in the same style. Simply cleaning the look of the game up to not be so PS2 ish and ugly but still keeping the vision of the game.

Same approach but different intent.

I think the Kingdom Hearts Remasters had a similar approach. It was new art but its not reinventing the art style.



IMO a "remake" is a entire reworking of a game from the ground up with new gameplay and new art.

Black Mesa is the only true remake that comes to mind.

Uhh... The FFX port is definitely a remake in my opinion. When I compare the two types of ports, straight up porting the game and upping the resolution and framerate is a remaster in my opinion, whereas redoing assets is a remake.

Really not something difficult to understand.

Edit: The ports that are literally just keeping the premise of the game and changing everything else are something entirely. I guess in this situation, these would be better defined as remakes, whereas the straight up ports to up the resolution and framerate would just be ports, and changing assets would be a remaster.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Does Halo and Gears counts as remake? I thought that was an enhanced port or remaster.
They're essentially the same game in a better coat of paints.

they rebuilt Gears and changed a number of assets, colors, building designs, effects.

yes, it's a remake.

 

[Vik]

Nope, Gears and Halo are just enhanced port (remasters)

 

[Death Metalist]

they rebuilt Gears and changed a number of assets, colors, building designs, effects.

yes, it's a remake.

Nope, Gears and Halo are just enhanced port (remasters)

 

[Joey Ravn]

Uhh... The FFX port is definitely a remake in my opinion. When I compare the two types of ports, straight up porting the game and upping the resolution and framerate is a remaster in my opinion, whereas redoing assets is a remake.

Really not something difficult to understand.

Edit: The ports that are literally just keeping the premise of the game and changing everything else are something entirely. I guess in this situation, these would be better defined as remakes, whereas the straight up ports to up the resolution and framerate would just be ports, and changing assets would be a remaster.

Then the FFXHD collection should be a remaster, right? Because it is a port of the game with upped resolution and framerate (and higher-resolution textures, but still the same textures). It's literally a fresh coat of paint using the original assets: a remaster, even by your own definition.

Also, the official name of the compilation is Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster, so there's that.

 

[Z..]

Gears and Halo are what a true remaster is, as far as I'm concerned. It's the same game with enhanced features. Same for Ocarina and Majora's 3DS.

Where as TLoU or FFXHD are simply ports.

REmake/Zero Mission are remakes.

Remasters are games where everyone complains they didnt change enough. Remakes are games where everyone complains they changed too much.

Boom.

ITT:


We realize that the difference between "remaster" and "remake" is not, in fact, written in stone, and hopefully move on.

Precisely.

 

[hawk2025]

ITT:


We realize that the difference between "remaster" and "remake" is not, in fact, written in stone, and hopefully move on.

 

[kurahador]

they rebuilt Gears and changed a number of assets, colors, building designs, effects.

yes, it's a remake.

Remake vs remaster should be judged based on how the new game compares to the old, not how much work or new techs that was put into it.
Rebuilding the game to look and play exactly like the old is still a form of enhancements.

FFXIV ARR is a remake, World Of Warcraft textures/effect updates is an enhancement.

 

[ArtHands]

Before marketing departments got their hands on those words, I'd call the "remasters" just ports. *shrugs*

Remaster is just a fanciful and marketable term to 'enhanced port to new console' thanks to Sony marketing.

 

[RowdyReverb]

Your remake examples are pretty bad, they don't really look any different from the remaster examples.

Goldeneye 64 vs Goldeneye Wii (REMAKE)

I think this merits a third category not covered in the OP. This is an example of a "reimagining". Another example might be Metal Gear Solid, which is in a way a reimagining of the earlier Metal Gear titles.
Similar gameplay, themes, characters, and story, but fundamentally different in some way besides visuals.