10 Most Anticipated Game Remakes Coming in 2021

The gaming spectrum got a major facelift in 2020, with some solid new titles and massive AAA releases and remakes especially are getting a whole lot of attention. While everyone wants to see their favorite classics being reimagined for next-gen consoles and more dynamic gameplay, any and every developer would tell you it’s easier said than done.

But 2021 does promise some pretty heavyweight game remakes. This is particularly great for players who are somewhat sentimental about their picks and would love to return to their old favorites a lot. Here are some of the most promising game remakes which are set to release this year.

10 Prince Of Persia: Sands of Time

Release Date: January 21, 2021

Ubisoft hasn’t released a new home console entry in the Prince of Persia series for an entire decade now and fans are naturally anxious. Their last outing in the franchise was 2010’s The Forgotten Sands, and the upcoming Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time will reportedly be a remake of the same.

The difference is, it has been re-imagined for the next generation of consoles with modernized controls and better graphic updates. The game follows Prince Dastan’s quest to possess the powerful Dagger of Time and navigate his way around the labyrinth of dynasty politics. 

9 Gothic

Release Date: TBA

THQ Nordic acquired Piranha Bytes in 2019, who were the original developers of the fantasy role-player video game – which did find good praise upon its release in 2001 but suffered due to its PC exclusivity.

In February last year, THQ Nordic released a playable teaser that was played by 180,000 players as per the official website. “We are up for the challenge to develop a full Gothic Remake which will stay as faithfully as possible to the original experience,” says Reinhard Pollice Business and Product Development Director at THQ Nordic. “and transport the atmospheric world of Gothic into a high-quality look and carefully modernizing certain gameplay mechanics.” 

Though the release date hasn’t been announced yet, the company is reportedly set to fine-tune the visuals and gameplay and will be developed for PC and next-gen consoles. 

8 Nier

Release Date: April 23. 2021

Nier: Automata got rave reviews upon its release in 2017 and at Tokyo Game Show 2020. PlatinumGames revealed that the game is being recreated from scratch for modern platforms with more realistic gameplay and will be released by Square Enix for PC, PS4, and XBOX ONE.

But PlatinumGames is not developing the game since it’s busy with other A-lister projects and Nier Replicant is being developed by Toylogic – the studio behind Happy Wars. Much like Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, the Nier remake is opting out of a next-generation release for PS5 and Xbox Series X. 

7 Saviors Of Sapphire Wings & Stranger Of Sword City: Revisited

There’s a lot of debate around whether combining the RPGs dungeon-crawling games Saviors of Sapphire Wings and Stranger of Sword City is a good idea. However, chances are this remastering could be really powerful. The recently launched trailer promises expanded character creation, three new classes, three new dungeons, and incredible battle effects and upgrades.

The gameplay is clearly set to be more engaging and urgent as players have to lead allies into battle and unlock their true potential. Players can actually hold debates and conversations with your knights about strategies and this bond will be a major weapon in the quest to fight the Overlord of Darkness!

6 The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe

Date of release: TBA

This hotly anticipated interactive game is reportedly set to be an upgrade on the narrative-led walking sim, with meta storytelling and multiple ending outcomes. Players will be playing as a man named Stanley, who is trapped in a dead-end job and notices someone narrating his everyday life.

“Ultra Deluxe will contain the entire Stanley Parable, exactly as you originally played it – with maybe one or two tweaks,” the official website reveals. “However, we are adding a whole bunch of new content on top of it, interwoven with the content from the original game. Some of it is entirely new endings, some of it is content interspersed between the endings. All in all, the new script is shaping up to be roughly half the length of the script from the original game.” 

5 Kingpin: Reloaded

Release Date: TBA

Initially released in the nineties, the first-person shooter game, Kingpin: Life of Crime, was met with controversy due to its graphic and violent nature. It further received backlash from the media and public after the game was released a few months after the tragic Columbine High School massacre – with many retailers refusing to stock the product.   

However, in 2020, 3D Realms announced a partnership with Interplay Entertainment to release a remastered version, titled Kingpin: Reloaded. In the game, players need to assume the role of a small-time thug, who has been a victim of the dangerous Kingpin and his gang. The player then creates their own criminal army in thirst for vengeance. It has also been reported that the game is using a Quake II engine and will come with more vibrant graphics and effective controls.

4 Pokemon Snap

Release Date: TBA

The first-person simulation video game was originally announced as a Nintendo 64DD title. However, its development was shifted to Nintendo 64 owing to 64DD’s delays and remained one of Nintendo’s biggest N64 titles. It is also being developed by Bandai Namco Studios.

The official website confirms that the game will feature the gameplay of the 1999 Pokémon Snap game for the Nintendo 64™ system, along with some new islands. People can photograph Pokémon in their natural habitats and traverse through beaches and jungles to capture previously-unseen Pokémon behavioral patterns. They can even stock the photos in their personalized Pokémon Photodex!

3 System Shock Remake

Release date: TBA

The original 1994 System Shock was developed by Looking Glass Studios. However, after the company drew its shutters in 2000, the rights to the game were acquired by Meadowbrook Insurance Group. Eventually, the rights for System Shock 2 were acquired by Nightdive Studios and the company then went on to acquire the rights for the whole franchise.

The game fine-tuned the interactivity of the first-person genre and it does have a lot of potential in the modern spectrum. “We’ve been collaborating with the original developers of System Shock 1.  Understanding what they would do differently and keep the same has helped us to refresh a classic in ways Looking Glass Studios would have,” Nightdive Studios said in the official statement.

2 Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game – Complete Edition

Release Date: TBA

It goes without saying that expectations are at an all-time high for this one. The original Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game was delisted from online stores in 2014 for licensing issues and it was only last year that Ubisoft announced that a revival is afoot.

It looks like the developers are pulling out all the stops for this one. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game — Complete Edition will get multiple physical editions. The distributor Limited Run is releasing the game along with the Classic Edition and the K.O. Edition.

The K.O. Edition features the Classic Edition’s content and extra goodies in an authentic hardshell roadie case box with a pop-up scene. Though the release date hasn’t been released, pre-orders begin next week.

1 Braid Anniversary Edition

Release Date: TBA

Playstation announced in August last year that Braid, Anniversary Edition is set to release on PS4 and PS5. The anniversary edition is technically a remaster and the graphics are being hand-repainted by original artist David Hellman. The developers are also adding extra animations to make the movements feel more organic and natural, upping the whole gameplay.

“We’re also doing a pass over the sound, making it richer and more detailed.” the statement read. “The sound is being worked on by Martin Stig Andersen (who worked on Control, Inside, and several other notable games) and Hans Christian Kock (who worked on Max: The Curse of Brotherhood as well as having an extensive background in film and TV).” 

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