Introduction
Remasters on consoles is a frequent occurrence these days. From the dawn of HD console gaming, lurking in locked resolutions at 720p and 30fps framerate, publishers look upon re-releasing popular classics at higher resolution and, hopefully, framerate.
Some remasters are laughably minor upgrades, touching only the resolution slider, while others tip the experience over to a smooth and far more responsive 60fps. Such "upgrades" for PC users, are questionable jokes, as they simply can dial their existing game copies upwards for each new upgrade they do to their PC hardware. Console players, however, have their hands tied.
Luckily, there are remasters that go much further than resolution and framerate, blending the lines between remaster and an actual remake. What really are the rules? Well, there aren't any defined, but a simple resolution and framerate boost is definitely in the remaster category.
Here I have two recent ones I've dabbled in, 10 year old classics I played back in their original form. One is clearly a remaster, the other is touching the remake borders for sure.
Let's take a look.
Review
Played on: Xbox Series X
Released: 2020
Released: 2020
Original release: 2010 (X360, PS3 & PC)
NFS Hot Pursuit came out originally in 2010, to much positive feedback, including my own review. For the first time, Electronic Arts let their Criterion Games studio, of Burnout fame, try their hands on the long running series of racers. Following in the wake of their popular and ambitious Burnout Paradise release, which coincidentally got a remaster I reviewed in 2018. 10 years later seems appropriate for an upgrade to Hot Pursuit then.
This remaster came out just as the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 launched last year and sadly EA skipped the chance of enhancing them for these consoles. As such, we're left with limited graphical options.
Base consoles, for XB1 and PS4, are upgraded from the original X360/PS3 release of 720p@30fps to a sharper 1080p, but sadly remain at 30fps. Switch owners, be aware, that in handheld mode you basically remain at 720p@30fps like the original release.
XB1X, the version I played, is treated to a choice of native 4K@30fps or the smoothness of 1080p@60fps. The latter being the choice I warmly recommend for distinctively responsive and upgraded experience over the original. After all, a racer is way better at a higher framerate, especially a fast moving one like this. PC owners do not need this release at all, there's literally hardly any difference.
There's some bloom effects added to lighting and motion blur seems to be implemented, luckily both these visual choices can be toggled at your own wish in the options. Sound receives a quality boost, giving cars a meatier sound. Although, I found that the mix between engine sounds and music never quite hit the sweet spot. All added cars and race DLC from the original game is included too.
Does the game still hold up? While it's little basic in it's layout and number of race modes, it's still a fun arcade racer. It's not as good a game as Burnout Paradise and the upgrade from the original are minimal for base console owners. Still, if you loved it back then, here's a nice way to replay it with this remaster.
It's a bare minimum upgrade to a good arcade racer. I'd recommend it for a change of pace from the current NFS games, if you've never played it. As such, the four out six from my old review still stands.
But as far as the remaster work done here, it's a step down in score.
It's a bare minimum upgrade to a good arcade racer. I'd recommend it for a change of pace from the current NFS games, if you've never played it. As such, the four out six from my old review still stands.
But as far as the remaster work done here, it's a step down in score.
Update: Only fair to update and mention that a patch for this game dropped, allowing the Series X and PS5 to run at 4K@60fps. Neat for new console owners! The update also allows you to put decals on your cars.
Review
Played on: Xbox Series X
Released: 2020
Released: 2020
Original release: 2011 (X360, PS3 & PC)
Prior to playing Saints Row 3, back in 2011, I had never experienced the series. I was pleasantly surprised and ended up enjoying myself tremendously. You can read my review from back then. So ,while this game already has received a XB1/PS4 HD remaster in form of a basic resolution boost, I'd wager to call this self titled remaster an actual remake.
Deepsilver, the current owners of SR3, have hired great talent to remaster this title. We're talking a full switch of textures, new 3D models and far more detail in pedestrians, foliage and roadside detail. To the point where you feel like you're looking at a modern title and, without knowing better, you could play through it thinking so. Sure, there's some simplicity to the physics when compared to modern titles, but the visuals have been upgraded in fantastic fashion.
Road surfaces have great detail in their worn out tarmac surfaces, there's lovely sunsets reflecting in them and ambient lighting utilising HDR colour wonderfully. Night driving in the city makes the neon colours and reflections light up in a great way. I love the move to a CGI like style of the characters, while still retaining a slightly overdone and plastic look to them. Giving vibes of being pulled out of an animated movie.
The game has been a ton of fun to replay, it really throws so many ideas and variation at you in it's missions, you have no idea what's coming next! It's held up great, reliving my memories of playing it over ten years ago.
Base XB1/PS4 owners are upgraded from a 720p@30fps to 1080p@30fps, but keep in mind this is vastly upgraded title visually, the new experience is a larger upgrade than just tech numbers. Enhanced consoles are brought further up the line, to 1440p, perhaps a tad low for the XB1X. However, there's a kicker: this game features an uncapped framerate toggle. Useless for the XB1/PS4 gen as it'll never be truly reach to 60fps. But on Series X and PS5 it shines, we're talking 1440p@60fps here.
Combined with the massive visual overhaul and control responsiveness of the higher framerate, it's a huge step up from the original console release. Series S owners can enjoy a healthy 1080p@60fps with the same toggle!
This is how a quality remaster, bordering far into the remake territory, is done. It's much like how Gears of War was handled it's Ultimate Edition on XB1: massive visual upgrade with new 3D models, textures, lighting and boosting resolution to modern standard, but retaining a 1 to 1 likeness in the layout of the actual game.
Amazing upgrade job and I really can't recommend this game enough now, newcomers and veterans alike. Now there's no excuse to not pick up this title, it's brought forward to modern times in every aspect. It's a fantastic remaster, which is more like a remake, even more so if you own the brand new consoles!
Update: This game has also received a update for Series X and PS5, now runing with further improved textures at 4K@60fps!
End note
So, there we have it, two remasters with very different approaches. Quality wise they're a mile apart. One goes for the bare minimum, required to slap a remaster sticker on the front, the other reworks everything and is basically remaking the game. Saints Row The Third is a no-brainer purchase and a fantastic deal to pick up. NFS Hot Pursuit is a lukewarm revisit.
Where does the border of a remaster and remake go then? Hard to say, but considering the vastly different effort put into these remasters, I'd say it's more unclear than ever. Keep your eyes out and read about what you are getting if you are upgrading.
Oh, and if I wasn't clear earlier: go play the Saints Row The Third remaster now!