Now that millions of gamers have their hands on aPS5, the most pressing question on most PlayStation fan’s minds is, ‘What games are actually worth my time.’ Many will speak of therecent lack of exclusives, but at the very least, along with this new console generation of original games,we also have a new wave of remakes and remasters to playalongside them.
While some remakes and remasters have been labeled aspure nostalgia baitor just a quick cash-grab for gaming companies, this generation’s truly groundbreaking graphics turn your average re-make into somethingoften more impressive than a brand-new release. This allows us all tore-experience games we’ve always lovedand dive into a range of classics for the first time.
10 Games That Deserve Full Remakes
Video game remakes are nothing new, but they’ve grown in popularity in recent years. Here are the best games we believe could use full remakes.
With a multitude of great remasters at your disposal,here are the best remakes and remasters we at DualShockers think are essential to play on the PlayStation 5.
10Death Stranding Directors Cut
Hideo Kojima’s Gaming Phenomenon Remixed
Death Stranding
One person will callDeath Strandingthe best game ever made, and another will vehemently despise it. Yet, despiteeverything surrounding this game, a community has jumped headfirst into the story and fully absorbed what many now believe to beone of Hideo Kojima’s most masterful games.
This game isn’t a ground-up remake, but similar to other games on this list, you’ll find manyrevitalized gameplay systems and helpful tweaks. Especially for a game likeDeath Stranding, which, let’s be honest, often has monotonous gameplay, the tweaks can reallyexpand the game for both returning and new players.
While not a game for everybody,Death Stranding Directors Cutis still a brilliant remaster on the PlayStation 5 console.
9Pac-Man World Re-Pac
Classic Platforming Fun, With A Modern Lens
We’ve seen many remakes that attempt toreintroduce the public to beloved titlesof old while also capturing the attention of those who grew up with them. Not to mention that these developers must create a game that lives up to modern standards.
It’s a tough tightrope to walk, but one of the more successful examples of a full ground-up, but faithful remake of a classic platformer isPac-Man World Re-Pac.
While not the most well-known title in platformer history, this remake struck a chord with many, making them go, “Oh yeah, I remember that one.” It’s a game that’s more than just a hearty dose of nostalgia. This game has alsostood the test of time, aseven today,Pac-Man World Re-Pacis a lot of fun to play.
8The Last Of Us Part 1
A Fresh Coat Of Paint For Naughty Dog’s PS3 Classic
The Last of Us Part I
While an honorable mention should go to the other recent Naughty Dog re-release, the pretty solidUncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, the hands-down best re-released Naughty Dog title isThe Last Of Us Part 1’s 2022 remake.
Being Sony’s golden child, this excellent gamenot only stands the test of time but alsohits players with even more oomphdue to the huge cultural influence ofPart 2and theadapted TV show.
This remake’s graphics showcase the PS5 more than ever. Unlike the PS4 remaster, the almost completeoverhaul of graphics, textures, and so much more makes this game the true re-release ofThe Last of Usfans have always wanted. The gameplay, puzzles, and pacing still feel great alongside the depressingly melancholic butoddly love-filled story.
Like other keystone PlayStation titles likeShadow of the Colossus, this game’s long-lasting fan love and cultural impact make it aneasy-to-recommend masterpiece remaster for the PlayStation 5, especially if you haven’t played it before.
The Last Of Us Part 1: 10 Scariest Encounters, Ranked
The Last of Us has some of the most intense scenes in gaming, but which ones will get your heart racing the fastest?
7Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2
The Birdman Is Back & Better Than Ever
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 (2020)
TheTony Hawk Pro Skaterfranchise is a stalwart of 2000s gaming, but the series really struggled to keep that success going after the THUG entries in the franchise. However, after many (and I mean many) swings and misses, this remaster finally delivered a modern THPS hit we could get behind.
Trying to keep your huge combo alongside a volley of fan-favorite skaters and some punk and ska music gives ita vibe virtually unmatched. That said, what many of us don’t realize ishow far this series has evolved and changed.
The updatedPro Skater 1+2remake adds refreshed graphics andintroduces mechanics from the rest of the franchise, making the classic stages fun and refreshing. This game is a blast to play on the PS5 and makes us realize how well the fast and snappy gameplay loop still works today.
There probably won’t be any Tony Hawk follow-ups anytime soon due to issues with the Activision/Blizzard merger messing with developer Vicarious Visions, but this great remake still makes us fans hope for more in the future.
6Persona 3 Reload
A Revitalized Trip Into JRPG History
Persona 3 Reload
More than most on this list,Persona 3 Reloadis a game that desperately needed a remake. With a large noteworthy fandom popping up around thePersona 4andPersona 5sequels, this wasuntraveled territory for many players, so it’s interesting to debate whether this classic turn-based JRPG remakelives up to its significant status.
Fans had beenbegging for this remakefor what seemed like an eternity, and some typical quality-of-life and aesthetic changes, like updating the graphics and art quality-of-life improvements, have finally delivered Persona fans an accessible and shiny new way to enjoy this classic JRPG hit.
Persona 5’srunaway success was undoubtedly the catalyst for this stunning remake, but make no mistake, Persona is a series that has always oozed quality, andPersona 3 Reloadis a testament to that.
5Ghost Of Tsushima Director’s Cut
Maybe It’s Time For Another Journey Through Tsushima
Ghosts of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushimais one of the significantPlayStation franchisesof recent years. The game was initially released in 2020, and fans arealready hoping for a sequel. This title took your traditional open-world game, akin to Ubisoft titles like the newerAssassin’s Creedopen worlds, andexpanded on it tenfold.
Ghost of Tsushimaimpressed gamers withfantastic combat full of depth and beautiful art directionthat sweeps you off your feet. While this speaks to its gameplay strengths, its subtlety is also oddly impressive, such as theminimal UI and occasionally relaxing, zen-like feel.
More than anything else, this game’sFeudal Japan aesthetic and classic Samurai Movie ambiancegive it a unique quality, makingGhost of Tsushimaone of those definitive PlayStation Titles. So, with the original title so strong,this remastered director’s cut is a strong recommendationfor visitingTsushima’s world, especially if it’s your first time.
Adding Bloodcurdling Realism To Necromorph Dismemberment
Dead Space (2023)
Dead Spaceis one of the most iconic horror titles ever-produced, so seeing its absolutely terrifying necromorphs and monsters with the PS5’s new emphasis on photo-realistic graphics has us clinging to our controllers,scared to turn the next corner.
Not only relying on jump scares but also an oppressive atmosphere and survival quality,Dead Spacehas stood the test of time and, in many cases,it even outshines the original.
The core gameplay ofDead Space,where youupgrade your arsenal and chop off limbs, is as impressive as ever. And while the updated graphics give this game a somewhat different feeling while playing,crushing heads with the bottom of your foot still looks amazing.
We’re happy to say thatDead Spaceis a great modern remake that gamers should try if they’re interested in some traditional survival horror fun.
3Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth
Not Only A Fantastic Revisit, But A Retelling Of A JRPG Classic
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Final Fantasy 7 Remake,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, andanother upcoming sequelare part of an interesting remake project that aims todo much more than just retell the iconic story ofFinal Fantasy 7. The grand tale starts similarly to the original but remixes things to offer something bold and new.
Fans latched onto this familiar yet fresh approach, and because of this attempt to elevate rather than rehashFF7, unlike almost anything on this list, it’s strangely engaging to play this game if you have thatconnection to the original.
While not the most traditional remakes on this list, they are a unique and interesting pair of JRPGswe definitely recommend checking out.
2Resident Evil 4
Where’s Everyone Going? Bingo?
Resident Evil 4
Just in case you’ve been cowering under your blankie and missed it, there have been someoutstanding horror remakesin recent years.Resident Evil 2 and 3,Dead Spaceabove on this list, and the upcomingDead RisingandSilent Hill 2remakes are some standout names to pull out of the horror hat. Yet somehow,Resident Evil 4still, in many ways, tops them asthe king in terms of popularity and meaningfulnessto the current state of gaming.
Seeing Leon Kennedy shooting and kicking his way through this game again with the new, refreshed, masterful graphics is awesome and even made us questionwhether a remake like this can deserve Game of the Year.
While the action here is loud, and the story can be cheesy, even today, we are knocked out by the amount of fun and charmResident Evil 4gives us.Resident Evil 4istruly one of the best gaming remakes to play for this current generation.
1Demon Souls
FromSoftware’s Title That Started It All Gets New Life
Demon’s Souls
While there have been handfuls of remakes of PlayStation exclusives for the PS5,Demon Soulswas the only one that was so impactful that it wasdeemed a system seller as a launch exclusive.
Being the first game in the Soulsborne FromSoft catalog, this game, originally a PS3 exclusive, is a fantastic title that was all but lost to time, but this remake revives this Soulsborne relic for a new generation to enjoy.
Sure,Demon Soulsfeels slower and much differentthan the now slightly faster pace of Soulsborne games, but it’s still very impressive to see how much we owe to this title. The crucial andunforgiving decision-making of combat and the magnificent level design are just as addicting as expected, with the fresh coat of paint also making it a definitive showcase of the PS5’s graphics.
Some may argue thatit’s rough around the edges, but for many of us, that’s oddly also partially how we come to love these games. And so,Demon Soulsfor the PS5 is easily one of, if not the best, remakes for the PlayStation 5.
DualShockers Definitives: 25 Best PlayStation 5 Games
From new releases to top-tier remakes, here are the best games the PlayStation 5 has to offer.
