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What separates a remaster from a remake?
There is no universal technical standard for these labels. They are useful starting points, but publishers and developers do not always use them consistently.
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Remaster: a familiar game with updated presentation
A remaster generally aims to deliver the same gaming experience with newer graphics, higher resolution, or another improved development medium. That does not mean the work is minor: a team can substantially improve lighting, shadows, environments, and other visuals while retaining the original’s recognizable style. Electronic Arts, for example, describes Mass Effect Legendary Edition as enhancing visuals while staying true to the trilogy’s original aesthetic and building on its original assets. EA’s explanation of the visual upgrades.
Remake: a broader rebuild or reinterpretation
A remake can re-fashion more of a game, including its graphics, characters, gameplay, or design. It may be rebuilt with a new engine, but a remake can still deliberately preserve the original’s structure and identity. Ubisoft’s December 15, 2021 announcement described its planned Splinter Cell remake as a ground-up rebuild in the Snowdrop engine, with visual and selected design updates while retaining a linear structure and the early games’ identity. Producer Matt West put it this way: “To me, a remake takes what you’d do in a remaster and goes a little bit further with it.” That announcement describes plans at the time, not the project’s current release status or final features. Ubisoft’s announcement and interview.
#1 Best Overall
- Updated and reconstructed visuals to be far more realistic and richly textured vs the original game
- Upgraded models for each character, graphical updates for a more immersive environment
- Estimated gameplay hours: 40 to 50 per title
- Sound: Players will be able to choose between original sound and the new, re-arranged sound
Why the label can mislead
Some releases sit between the categories. Vicarious Visions’ game director Dan Tanguay called Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy “a remaster plus.” He said the original code and assets were nearly unusable, so the team rebuilt gameplay from scratch using original level geometry as a guide, rebuilt characters and cinematics, and added features such as unified saves, menus, and time trials. A label alone therefore cannot tell you how much was reused or changed. Vicarious Visions’ development account.
Square Enix localization project manager Yusuke Haraguchi makes the same distinction with an explicit caveat: a remake may update 2D graphics to 3D, remodel characters, or redo game design, while a remaster generally tries to preserve the same experience with newer graphics or higher resolution. He also notes that projects vary too much for a definitive rule. Square Enix’s interview about the Pixel Remaster series.
Rank #2
- Return to the series origins - Discover the truth behind what led to the horrors at the Mansion in Resident Evil in this fan-favorite and popular prequel title to the series.
- Completely enhanced visuals - New high-resolution textures have been created from scratch, including 1080p support on next-gen consoles, while still preserving the classic appearance of the original release.
- Fan-favorite Resident Evil characters - Rookie S.T.A.R.S. member Rebecca Chambers and wanted criminal Billy Coen combine skills and buddy up to survive the undead and infected nightmares that await them.
- All original difficulty levels plus new Very Easy Mode for novice players
Compare the editions on the details that affect your play
When you have a particular game in mind, check its official product page and developer comments against these questions. A change that matters to one player may be irrelevant to another.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute- How much was rebuilt? Look for specific descriptions of retained assets or code versus new assets, engines, levels, and systems. “Remaster” or “remake” by itself is not enough.
- Does it play differently? Check for changes to controls, mechanics, difficulty, camera, pacing, or level design. Updated visuals do not guarantee unchanged gameplay.
- What story, modes, and other content are included? Look for changed scripts, added chapters, omitted multiplayer, and content sold separately.
- What accessibility and convenience features are included? Check for accessibility options as well as changes to saves, checkpoints, menus, or other quality-of-life features.
- Does it fit your platform and existing ownership? Verify the platform and edition, regional availability, backward compatibility, upgrade eligibility, and whether saves or trophies transfer. These details can differ between releases of the same game.
How to decide which version to play
- Decide what you want from the game. If a particular historical release is important to you, look for the original version where it is accessible. If you want a familiar design with improved presentation, a remaster may fit. If you are open to substantial modernization or reinterpretation, consider a remake.
- Find the exact edition for your platform. Compare its included content and features with the version you already own or are considering. Do not assume a remake includes every mode from the original, or that your old purchase entitles you to an upgrade.
- Use the change list, not the category, as your final test. Confirm the specific differences that matter to you—especially gameplay, content, accessibility, and save compatibility—before choosing.
What a remake can change beyond graphics
The Last of Us Part I illustrates why those checks matter. PlayStation describes its PS5 release as a ground-up remake using Naughty Dog’s PS5 engine technology, with modernized gameplay mechanics and expanded accessibility options. The US product FAQ gives September 2, 2022 as its release date and says the remake includes Left Behind but not the original Factions multiplayer. It also says there is no upgrade path from the PS3 or PS4 versions and that saves and trophies do not transfer. Those are details of this release, not rules for remakes generally. Check the product page for your region and edition for current availability and listing details. PlayStation’s The Last of Us Part I page and FAQ.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FINAL FANTASY X/X 2 HD Remaster brings this timeless classic forward to the current generation of fans, old and new alike.
Rank #4
- Includes all expansions and updates in one definitive edition
- Smoother, more responsive combat
- Modern UI and full controller support
- Enhanced textures, lighting effects, and view distance enhanced textures, lighting effects, and view distance
- Community-driven fixes and improved stability
Rank #3
- Graphics remastered in beautiful high-definition
- Two brand-new minigames
- Featuring music by Revo of Linked Horizon
- Redesigned UI for a single screen
- Quality of life upgrades: fast-forward, encounter rate settings, upgraded online compatibility for modern networks
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