Unreal Engine 5 remakes and remasters coming in 2023 and beyond
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake
Aspyr Media's upcoming remake of the classic RPG Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was announced in 2021 and is being built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5 while keeping the story intact.
So far, little is known about the game's gameplay, but lead producer Ryan Treadwell has stated that the developers intend to "match the groundbreaking standard of innovation established by the original," and it is likely to feature modern variations of BioWare's highly praised systems, as former developers have also returned to work on the title.
It's unclear when or if the project will be released, as fans discovered that Sony had removed tweets about the remake, as well as its reveal trailer, following reports of numerous development issues. Sony has since responded to the claims, claiming that the removals were due to issues with music licensing.
If the game does finish development, it is expected to be a timed PlayStation exclusive, launching first on PS5 and possibly PC, with an Xbox release following later.
Gothic: Remake
Gothic is a remake of the 2001 RPG of the same name being developed by new studio Alkimia Interactive in response to overwhelming fan support after the release of the Gothic Playable Teaser in 2019.
Alkimia has already revealed a lot about what to expect from the game, including plans to make it "more accessible" than the original while retaining its charm. This includes a modern combat system, improved controls and UI, a skill system "very close to the original," and various story and world additions.
Original soundtrack composer Kai Rosenkranz has also returned to work on its music, reworking original tracks and adding new pieces. The dialogue will also be dubbed into English, Polish, Russian, and German, with Alkimia attempting to recast some of its original German actors.
According to THQ Nordic, the game will be released in the second half of 2024 and will be available on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.
The Witcher Remake
In October 2022, CD Projekt Red announced that it was working on a remake of The Witcher under the codename "Canis Majoris," with Fool's Theory leading development.
The game will be built from the ground up and will most likely include modern improvements such as a better combat system, story changes to bring it in line with later titles, and a move from its old-school zone-based structure to an open-world similar to The Witcher 3.
The title's release date is unknown, but given the size of the task of remaking an entire game with so many major changes, it's expected to be a few years away at the very least. When it does arrive, it will be available for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered
The recently announced Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is a complete makeover of the original three Tomb Raider PS1 titles, giving them a new look while retaining classic gameplay.
The collection includes all three games, as well as their expansions and secret levels. The ability to switch between the remastered visuals and the original polygonal look at any time is also included, allowing players to compare Aspyr Media's revamped graphics to the original releases.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered will be available for $29.99 on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 on February 14, 2024, with a 10% pre-release discount on Steam.
Silent Hill 2 Remake
Bloober Teamβs Silent Hill 2 Remake follows the story of James Sunderland, who returns to the foggy town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter supposedly from his late wife Mary.
The remake will feature a revamped combat system and an over-the-shoulder perspective similar to Capcom's highly successful Resident Evil remakes. While some story set pieces and gameplay elements have been redesigned, the atmosphere of the original has been preserved, with original composer Akira Yamaoka and creature designer Masahiro Ito both contributing to the title.
Silent Hill 2's release date is unknown, but it is confirmed to be a limited-time PlayStation 5 exclusive, with a PC version also in the works.
Layers of Fear (2023)
Layers of Fear is a remake and sequel to the 2016 game of the same name, as well as its sequel, Layers of Fear 2. Bloober Team's horror title follows an unnamed artist in the 1920s whose mental state and artistic abilities began to deteriorate, resulting in hallucinations and dark twists and turns throughout the story.
The psychological aspect of the story is heavily emphasized in the game, with players tasked with solving puzzles and finding objects within the artist's home, which changes as it is explored, and there are plenty of jumpscares to catch you off guard.
Moving from the Unity engine to Unreal Engine 5 has enabled Bloober Team to give the titles a massive visual upgrade as well as the ability to bridge the gap between the two games' stories.
Layers of Fear is available now on PC, Mac, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (Rumored)
Although not officially confirmed, it has been reported that Konami's upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater will use Unreal Engine 5 instead of the Fox Engine. A Reddit user claimed to have attended UnrealFest 2023 and spoke with members of the project's art team, who confirmed that Epic's engine is in use.
What has been confirmed about the game is that it will follow the same story as the original, with Snake tasked with rescuing a Russian scientist and sabotaging a nuclear weapon in the jungles of the Soviet Union.
Konami has already released some project screenshots depicting several iconic MGS3 locations and has confirmed that 3D audio will be included in the title. It will also have reworked gameplay while keeping the original game design.
MGS Delta will be available on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, though no release date has been announced.
