Originality hasn’t diminished yet in video games, with fresh new ideas always popping up, especially in thehorror genre.
But there’s always a thread that pulls at you from the past to revisit the classic titles that changed the landscape back when they first dropped.
10 Best PS5 Remasters And Remakes
There have been tons of great remakes and remasters for the PS5. Here are what we consider to be the absolute best on the platform.
Now, even playing those iconic horror game releases with rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia, you can spot things that can be improved upon further.
Perhaps these games need the treatment of a remaster for enhanced visuals in today’s light of realistic imagery or the implementation of new mechanics for the current consoles or platforms in a remake.
The titles we’ve curated in this list did this task justice and improved upon the legacy of their originals.
Chop off Mutated Alien Limbs
Dead Space (2023)
Dead Spacehas been dearly missed ever since it left a mark on the survival action-horror genre back in 2008.
EA decided it was time to revisit the iconic USG Ishimura once again and gave us a new, thrilling look at Isaac Clarke’s story in 2023’sDead Space remake.
The alien-infested ship looks more ominous now than before and immediately throws you into the thick of it in the remake.
The story plays out pretty similar to the original, with a clever addition of dealing with the mutated space critters and monsters as you chop their limbs off.
You also get the revamping of level structures that had felt out of place in the original game. These ingenious choices in the game design for the remake place it firmly on our list as one of the bestsci-fi horror gameremakes.
9Resident Evil
The OG Survival Horror Resurfaces
Resident Evil Remake
For many people, you can’t debate that the 2002Resident Evilremake is one of the best horror game remakes to ever be released.
We should reiterate that those people do have a point, considering how much Shinji Mikami and his team had captured the true feeling of anxiety from simply opening a door.
The classic title brought forth genuine terror, nailing its position as one of thebest installments in the franchise. The amount of influence it would turn out to have on the survival horror genre is also a testament to that fact.
It felt like the creators had finally released the true vision for the monstrous character designs, exciting level sequences, and creative puzzles around the chilling Spencer Mansion.
8Layers of Fear
Artful Creativity Brings Madness
Layers of Fear (2023) (dupe)
Layers of Fear (2023)brings forth a visual sensation after being rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 and remains scarier than ever.
The treatment of the latest updated graphics merged with the ever-present psychological terror being inflicted on you is enough to make you shiver and question your sanity.
The haunted Victorian mansion seems more ominous with ray-tracing as the manor shifts its halls and layout to inflict damage on your psyche.
Even though thehorror is mostly psychological, it still sometimes delivers jump scares that make you jump off your seat.
The core narrative of the game has also been refreshed, with new plot points added to improve the maddening journey. This new experience makes it a worthy option to revisit and notice that the devil is in the details.
7Resident Evil 3
Run From Your Nemesis
Resident Evil 3
Capcom once again knocked it out of the park with its run of remakes of its iconic franchise. This time around, they kept the gameplay experience in theResident Evil 3 remaketight and streamlined.
Sticking to their guns on the core narrative, the iconic villain Nemesis makes a comeback in all his grotesque glory. Improving on his AI, you’re always left on your guard, waiting for Nemesis to pop up randomly anytime in his relentless pursuit.
You take hold of Jill Valentine in an infested Racoon City that looks more menacing than ever in the redesign with modern visuals.
The 2020 remake effortlessly balances intense action sequences with elements of horror packed with tension.
6System Shock
AI Is Taking Over
System Shock (2023)
The originalSystem Shockblazed a trail in the horror genre when it was first released in 1994, marking its influence on future titles that would come forth after.
The 2023System Shock remakemanages to capture the ingeniously manic energy of one of thebest villains in horror games, the Psychopathic AI, SHODAN, with updated visuals and a new gameplay experience.
As you battle wave after wave of robotic enemies out to eliminate you on SHODAN’s orders and defend humanity from the brink of destruction, you’ll find it challenging to get through.
Especially once it sinks in how far the antagonist will sink to erase you and your species from existence.
10 Games You Should Play If You Love System Shock
Finished System Shock and looking for something similar to dive into? We’ve got you covered.
5Silent Hill 2 Remake
Return to the Foggy Terror
Silent Hill 2
One of the newest entries on this list, theSilent Hill 2 Remake,is a depressingly miserable time, in the best way possible.
The spirit of theoriginal gameis captured in this fresh remake as psychological terror manifests itself in the form of indescribable beings in this forgotten, foggy town.
Stepping into James Sunderland’s shoes once again, the nightmarish town welcomes you with its eerie environments and run-down locations. The creepy sound design also delivers the same feeling of dread as the original.
The narrative unravels the depths of your guilt and shame in this highly accessible remake for newer and older fans of the series.
Silent Hill 2 Remake Review: A Remarkable Return
Returning into the fog has never been so unforgettable.
4The House of the Dead
Classic Arcade Zombie Blaster
The House of the Dead: Remake
The House of the Dead Remake revived the classic 1997 Segaarcade zombie rail shooterfor newer audiences. The remake retains the campiness essence from the original arcade game even with the upgraded visuals
It also brought upon newer multiple endings and character designs to give a fresh experience to fans of the original. Your task as an A.M.S is to pump the hordes of zombies full of lead and preserve your ten lives whilst doing so.
However, the game does run very short and only looks to serve its purpose as a fun arcade experience rather than making a lasting mark on the horror video game genre.
3Alan Wake Remastered
Writer’s Block No More
Alan Wake Remastered
Want a refresher on the previous events before you dive intoAlan Wake 2? Well,Alan Wake Remasteredprovides you with a recap of Alan as he arrives in Bright Falls to cure his writer’s block and search for his wife, Alice, through the darkness.
Remedy pushes the narrative in chapters as you dodge and shine a flashlight on the shadow-possessed townsfolk to uncover the truth behind this story and save your partner.
Playing through the game, you get a strong influence from the works of David Lynch’s Twins Peak, with the way the story turns stranger and twists you deeper, leaving cliffhangers for you to hold onto.
2Siren: Blood Curse
Survive the Darkness of Hanuda Village
Siren Blood Curse came out as an exclusive horror title for the PS3 and reimagined the first Siren game. The remake sought to elevate the survival horror element in its franchise and had you feeling entirely defenseless on some levels.
An emphasis on immersiveness is also placed on newer mechanics, such as the ‘sight jacking’ feature switching from third person to first person. The mechanic offers you the opportunity to see through the eyes of nearby possessed ghouls, combining strategy and tension to deal with the enemy.
The title also follows an episodic format that adds to this remake’s cinematic aspect.
1Resident Evil 4
Suplexes and Roundhouse Kicks
Resident Evil 4
Capcom seems to love reminding its fans about the legacy of its iconicResident Evilfranchise.
The Japanese publisher decided to revisit that formula once again in 2023, delivering one of their best remakes yet,Resident Evil 4, with the handsome Leon S. Kennedy upfront.
From the first iconic levels, you’re able to tell how massive of an improvement the 2023 remake is as you take on the horde of infected villagers chasing you. The level of detail in the remake also enhances each location’s eerie atmosphere.
It also makes smart choices about what to remove for the modern day, even if that’s the cheesiness of the original.
10 Best Games To Play If You Love Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 offers an iconic survival horror experience. If you’re looking to scratch a similar itch, you have to check out these other games!
