Although the second part of the breathtaking Final Fantasy VII Remake is in development and some excitement has built up for the new Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake, precious little news about either exists at this time. After being spoilt with fantastic RPG remakes in recent years, fans will have to wait out the lull ahead of those giant releases.
In the meantime, now is the perfect opportunity to take stock of all the great RPG remakes that are already out there, both old and new. With some iconic JRPGs and tactical RPGs in the mix, there's something to enjoy for every kind of RPG fan.
Langrisser I & II (2020)
The original two titles were initially released on the Sega Genesis in the early 1990s as RPGs based around intense tactical battles in the same vein as the Fire Emblem series. Although the Langrisser franchise didn't manage to transfer its earlier success into the 21st century as that franchise did, these remakes go a long way to make up for it.
Full of extra content and new artwork, the remakes deliver when it comes to breathing new life into games that, with a unique Germanic-fantasy setting and an intriguing story with branching paths in the case of the second game, can still be rewarding to play. The battles may still be rather old-fashioned but there is plenty of fresh appeal to these remakes.
Final Fantasy (2021)
When it comes to innovative old-school RPGs, the original Final Fantasy stands out as a game that contributed so much to a genre which still displays its influences to this day. Although there have been countless ports and remasters before, last year brought an overhaul for the title including all-new graphics and audio.
This version of Final Fantasy is the perfect compromise between retro gaming with modern standards. In updating a 35-year-old game, the remake solves some of the drawbacks that resulted from technical limitations at the time, but it does so without losing the game's nostalgic 2D aesthetic. Even better, it's just one of a series of 2D overhauls of the earlier Final Fantasy titles.
Star Ocean: First Departure R (2019)
The original Star Ocean was the first title developed by Tri-Ace, a JRPG powerhouse created in the mid-1990s, and it was an ambitiously comprehensive attempt at an action RPG full of interesting mechanics. The party recruitment and character affection elements still stand out in a title with an engrossing plot.
The 2019 version is actually an HD remastered version of a 2007 remake of the game for the PSP which updated the game with 3D battlefields, new artwork, and animated cutscenes. On top of new playability features, the remaster includes some great options including the ability to switch between character portraits and audio based on the SNES original or from the PSP remake.
Adventures Of Mana (2016)
The Mana series, which has spawned some iconic JRPGs in its own right, began as a spinoff title in the Final Fantasy series known as Final Fantasy Adventure but it set itself apart from the franchise by using unique characters and a distinctive world. Including the GBA title Sword of Mana, which changed many elements, Adventures of Mana is actually the third remake of the Game Boy classic.
Adventures of Mana for Android and IOS was the first remake to bring the world to life in full 3D, however, bringing a new dimension to its rich fantasy setting. The strong point of this remake is its faithfulness to the original, reconstructing the simple joy of an early Game Boy JRPG with great attention to detail.
Ys I & II Chronicles + (2013)
Having originated from two early home computer titles, Ys I & II was already a remake when it was released in the late 1980s. With a simple RPG plot and a unique combat system where characters automatically attack and the player must try to clip enemies diagonally to destroy them without taking head-on damage themselves, Ys captured players' imaginations.
Since then, countless versions and remakes have been released, but at the core remains this distinctive combat element, and how much the player can enjoy Ys I & II Chronicles + depends a lot on their ability to get to grips with it. With tons of customization options that include content from different versions of the game, this is easily the best edition of the title so far.
Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain Of Memories (2008)
Although the sequel to the first Kingdom Hearts game came after the golden age of RPGs in 2004, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories has an unmistakably retro feel that works both to its benefit and detriment. For fans of the series that prefer a tighter, more modern, fully 3D experience, however, Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories presents the perfect solution.
With the 3D computer-rendered design, the title feels far more like a mainline Kingdom Hearts title and the combat feels more fleshed out thanks to the extra dimension. Proper cut scenes and voice-acting also add to a remake that spared no expense in updating the Chain of Memories experience so fans of the series can easily get up-to-date on all the major series plotpoints.
Final Fantasy III (2007)
There have been countless remakes and remasters of the early Final Fantasy games but, until the high-profile announcement of Final Fantasy VII Remake, there had only been a couple of comprehensive 3D remakes. These came courtesy of Matrix Software, which remade Final Fantasy III and IV in the mid-2000s.
In the case of Final Fantasy III, this represented the first time the game had been released outside of Japan. Not satisfied with simply bringing a new dimension to the game in a charming 3D visual style, the remake also redesigned the characters and fleshes them out. With nearly every gameplay element updated in some way, Final Fantasy III doesn't feel nearly as old as it might.
Trials Of Mana (2020)
After 20 years of the sequel to the iconic Secret of Mana remaining unreleased outside of Japan, suddenly in 2017 came a new port for the Switch and the announcement of a full-scale 3D remake. Created by many of the same figures behind the first game, Trials of Mana painted as beautiful a fantasy world as its predecessor but with an ambitious new story structure, updated combat, and much more.
This meant it proved the perfect foundation for an ambitious remake that was released in 2020 to positive critical reception. With six protagonists whose unique stories interweave as the game continues, Trials of Mana only had to faithfully bring them to life in 3D to win over many fans, while updated combat and exploration just add to the fun.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012)
Better described as a reimagining of the 1994 strategy game XCOM: UFO Defense, XCOM: Enemy Unknown blew expectations out of the water and instantly became one of the best modern tactical RPGs when it came out in 2012. Like the original, the player is given the role of a military commander at an elite organization dealing with a new alien threat.
This means directing units in turn-based battles while carrying out missions for the organization, which in the remake plays out incredibly smoothly. As well as the well-executed combat, there is a nice depth to the strategy elements at play between missions, and the game also looks incredible.
Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)
Final Fantasy VII had already secured a legacy as one of the best RPGs of the PlayStation era but Square Enix decided to go even further and transform the game into a technical marvel to match its more recent efforts. With a cyberpunk story about a group taking on a destructive megacorporation, the remake faithfully recreated the heart of the original but added a new visual style that's genuinely striking.
On top of adding to the story, the remake also brings some changes to gameplay including some brilliant new strategic elements. With only part 1 released so far, there is even room for the remake to further expand on the characters and lore that made the original a masterpiece.