How You Would Update Old Games

[Nooners]

Here's an interesting thought: if an old, classic game were re-released, what would you do to update it for today's technology? It doesn't have to be big.

EXAMPLE: If I were in charge of a Sonic 3 and Knuckles re-release, I would add the ablility to play online multiplayer. The key reason for this is so that Tails could play on his on screen in co-op, and not have to be a slave to Sonic's screen. This same basic concept could be applied to other games like this (off the top of my head, Gauntlet Legends for the N64).

So what's your update to an old game?

 

[AdmiralMemo]

I'd update E.T. so it was actually playable.

 

[the spud]

I would make the original Deus Ex not look like shit and I would completely redo the Chinatown level's voicework. Other than that, though, it is nigh on a perfect game.

 

[Aircross]

I'd give it a total makeover a la Tales of Destiny.

Before:

After:

 

[HassEsser]

Jak and Daxter, Jak II and Jak 3. . .

. . . on the Uncharted 3 engine


brain -> splode

 

[Irridium]

Nothing. Maybe re-master the sound and re-tool the controls, but otherwise I'd try to keep it as in-tact as possible. Part of what make the old games memorable are their flaws as much as everything else. As well as their graphics.

Of course, the one exception is KOTOR 2, in which case it's in for some actual bugtesting and having a shit-ton of cut content restored.

 

[octafish]

I would add mouse look to System Shock, update the video codecs so that you can actually watch the cut scenes on an advanced OS like XP without work arounds, make it a little more multi-core friendly, and that is all. The same thing with System Shock 2 minus the mouse look because it already has it and I would tidy up the co-op play making it more intuitive to setup, AND NOTHING ELSE!

 

[WhiteFangofWhoa]

Jedi Knight with TFU/Old Republic level graphics as well as a rebalancing of Force powers, maybe the addition of new ones too. Nerf Level 4 to have less instant-death pits (by comparison the next hard jumping segment you see is in the 9th level, whereas the 4th is about 80% death-defying jumps and annoying flying enemies).

At this point in-engine cutscenes would be better than the FMVs they used before, as well as giving a chance to redo the voicework.

Hate that none of my family's computers can run that one anymore.

 

[Tanis]

Most older games I like really only need the occasional new voice actor (because they're 4Kids bad) and updated graphics.

 

[Henkie36]

I would re-release the best NFS: Most Wanted, with better graphics, more cars, modern cars and maybe a few more liberties with tuning. Also fix a few glitches and bugs, but more because that's annoying then because it's an up-to-date issue.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Ultima. In Skyrim's engine. With Bioware's voice acting, and Chris Avellone's writing.

Hey, a guy can dream.

 

[Aeope]

Metal Gear Solid;

I would do a graphical update, but I would also take GotP/Peace Walker's control system and make it an over-the-shoulder third person game.

The audio is well done enough to not re-record.

 

[Ultress]

SMT 1/2 with Strange Journey's map system and drop that stupid thing that requires MAG to have your demons in your party.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

I would take the original Killzone, overhaul its engine and tighten up its controls and sound effects.

Put the KOTOR games on the Dragon Age 2 engine. And then fix that engine so that it works on my damn computer.

 

[Sentox6]

I'd pretty much point to Halo: Anniversary as a case study.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Nothing. Maybe re-master the sound and re-tool the controls, but otherwise I'd try to keep it as in-tact as possible. Part of what make the old games memorable are their flaws as much as everything else. As well as their graphics.

Of course, the one exception is KOTOR 2, in which case it's in for some actual bugtesting and having a shit-ton of cut content restored.

What if they did something akin to The Witcher: Enhanced Edition. Just a major cleanup like the Star Wars special editions, minus the suck.

 

[Irridium]

Nothing. Maybe re-master the sound and re-tool the controls, but otherwise I'd try to keep it as in-tact as possible. Part of what make the old games memorable are their flaws as much as everything else. As well as their graphics.

Of course, the one exception is KOTOR 2, in which case it's in for some actual bugtesting and having a shit-ton of cut content restored.

What if they did something akin to The Witcher: Enhanced Edition. Just a major cleanup like the Star Wars special editions, minus the suck.

Hm...

Yes. This will also do. In fact, it's much better than my idea, because then it would be free! And it'd remove the game's Securom *spit* DRM!

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Jedi Knight with TFU/Old Republic level graphics as well as a rebalancing of Force powers, maybe the addition of new ones too. Nerf Level 4 to have less instant-death pits (by comparison the next hard jumping segment you see is in the 9th level, whereas the 4th is about 80% death-defying jumps and annoying flying enemies).

At this point in-engine cutscenes would be better than the FMVs they used before, as well as giving a chance to redo the voicework.

Hate that none of my family's computers can run that one anymore.

Really? It is available on steam. I picked it up and it works fine on Windows 7, apart from the music cutting off. If you go this route, be sure to look for the visual mods. They pretty the game up considerably without putting pressure on your system.

But keep the FMV videos. They're too corny and funny to throw out.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Put all games on the Cryengine, sure their games are about as interesting as potatoes but that is one stonking great engine.

Ofcourse spanking up and porting games would be no small feat, but it would be worth it! (in my silly little mind)

 

[Scrustle]

EXAMPLE: If I were in charge of a Sonic 3 and Knuckles re-release, I would add the ablility to play online multiplayer. The key reason for this is so that Tails could play on his on screen in co-op, and not have to be a slave to Sonic's screen. This same basic concept could be applied to other games like this (off the top of my head, Gauntlet Legends for the N64).

So what's your update to an old game?

Adding co-op multiplayer to a lot of older games would be a great addition, if it was done appropriately of course.

One that I have always thought would be really good would be to add police chases to Need for Speed Underground 2, or open up the city in Underground 1 and make it free-roam like NFSU2. I would have a crisis if they did an HD remake of those two games together in one game, with those features I just mentioned added, with TDU style constant mutiplayer where police chases could be triggered at any time in the open world, and if you ran across another player being chased you could get caught up in it. Also having the ability to play on the side of the police would be totally awesome too.