Featured image: (Pacer graphic / Miranda Conrad)

One of two things happens after a great game is made: there is a sequel to the game or the game is redone to modern standards. But which is truly the better route?

There are many games like this that released just this year. Games such as TES4 Oblivion and COD Modern Warfare were remastered this year, while games like Death Stranding and the Civilization series received sequels. It is a common thing for successful games, and both options can work in certain situations, but remastering a game is a clear step ahead.

When a developer remasters a game, they are using a template of something they already know players love. It’s like knowing what the teacher wants as the answer to a question before you get the test. The game world, the mechanics and the memories all come together when you take an old game and bring it up to modern standards. Remastering a game gives it better graphics, smoother performance and sometimes quality-of-life tweaks that result in the game having both a nostalgic and refreshing feel to it.

Remasters allow longtime fans to relive their favorite memories without the old feel of a game, and give the game a chance to reach a new generation who may have skipped the original or weren’t born when it came out. This ultimately grows a bigger fan base.

And because you are working with existing IP and game structure, remastering a game requires significantly fewer resources than a sequel. It is faster to come out and easier to make because you already have the full game; no need to plan what the game is and create a storyline and new features. In an era where budgets for games are falling while demand and expectations are growing, this is a big advantage.

There is a lot that goes into making a sequel. Questions of whether it lives up to the prior game and if fans will love it arise when making sequels. There is a chance to make games that players don’t like. One example of this is Devil May Cry 2. This game did not live up to what players wanted. Because of its muted main character and the combat that many considered shallow, the game was very poorly received. This doesn’t happen often with remasters.

There are a few games that do make sequels that always work, though. One main example is Pokémon. They make constant sequels with an ever-evolving catalog of Pokémon.

But in all honesty, both options can work. Remasters hold onto nostalgia, but sequels do something they could never do: expand a story and add more to gameplay. Sequels are glamorous, exciting and add more to a story for players to enjoy. So whichever you choose is up to you, just have fun with whatever you play.