The Last of Us Remake isn't necessarily unnecessary

[@erice3095]

Good video, I didn't really think about the juxtaposition of calling a remake unnecessary would imply others are necessary to be honest so it's something I'll definitely keep in mind for the future. I think my initial gut reaction with Last of Us Part 1 in particular came mostly from the fact that you can still play the original version of the game on PS5 as is via BC with the Remastered PS4 port. That and admittedly I assumed the remake was going to be a different take on the original whereas it seems to be the same game again but with a visual and I assume a mechanical overhaul via importing additions and improvements made from Part 2 over (which does admittedly sound appealing given the improvements Part 2 had). It sounded more like a second remaster than anything else but I admit a part of my confusion on this comes from these terms being often used interchangeably in the industry today, since I don't doubt the claims that it is being made from the ground up.

[@WaddleDee105]

My biggest problem with remakes is how they often take credit away from the original devs and can obfuscate a game's history to the more casual consumer. You're right that people who're most invested in gaming history will focus on efforts like emulation and decompilation but I worry more and more people will just look to these remakes as replacements. Anyways, looking forward to more POV: Listening to Ziad in the missionary position

[@ziadbruh]

LMFAOOOO yeah i said this on twitter already but unfortunately there really is no convincing that crowd. asking for more comprehensive mainstream preservation is a waste of breath at this point

[@SpeckObstler]

I don't think saying a remake is unnecessary implies that other remakes are necessary. Rather that other projects feel more warrented. But you will only know once a remake releases that you actually feel like it was even worth the effort. When it comes to remaking bad games, I agree with you on the DMC2 example. But when it comes to games like RE0 oder Code Veronica, you also have to include the narrative. Sure, you can take the idea of switching between characters into a completely new RE, but only RE0 can be RE0 with Rebecca. Billy and other characters. Having both an improved mechanical experience with a maybe tweaked narrative is a different experience. Just like REmake and how it handled the original's plot. I'm not saying they are necessary remakes and I'd rather see new games or better preservation efforts. But since Capcom is already remaking older RE games, those two are more deserving in my eyes than RE4. Even though that remake could be one of my new favorite games when it comes out. I doubt it. But the possibility exists. I'd just rather bet on a different remake, if Capcom has to make them at all.

[@ziadbruh]

i think i see this general perspective but i don't really understand why RE0 or code veronica would be "more deserving" of a remake? i could see the argument that it's more "interesting" because it would be a more significant gameplay pivot, but i don't think getting a different take on those stories (supposedly because they're stuck inside flawed games) necessarily warrants it more than RE4 for example. at the end of the day they're just gonna choose what's gonna make them the most money i guess, and creatively i don't see strong arguments for remaking one game over the other when they're always gonna be *new* games in the end anyway.

[@baaaldur]

solid video. you bring up interesting points which i largely agree with. i'm one of the biggest remake haters you can find but i didn't even have the kneejerk negative reaction to the announcement of the TLOU1 remake because my first thought was "oh, if this is handled right it could actually improve the game by quite a bit by implementing better AI and combat scenarios". seems like a lot of people dont approach video game remakes like that, though - in terms of what can be improved (or lost) by remaking it - and instead focus on stuff like "updating it for the modern era"; which in 99% of cases seems to just mean either "updating" the graphics to a more modern standard (even if the art direction is worse), or completely rehauling the mechanics to be more in line with what's common nowadays. like you said, it's really telling from how people talk about remakes that they look at them as essentially replacements, which is why i think remakes like bluepoint's are the most insidious and wrong-headed - no attempt is made to actually improve the mechanics, just the same thing with a new (worse) coat of paint. and when sony is tasked with bringing, say, shadow of the colossus to a new system, why wouldn't they choose bluepoint's version over the original? after all, it's Newer, therefore it's better.

[@kundlas100]

It’s weird initially, but then I thought about it and realized that Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition is basically the same thing. A graphical overhaul and QoL remake intended to bring the Original game up to the current standards of the series, which, while arguably unnecessary and there are gonna be people who just prefer the OG graphics and gameplay, is still a nice release and better realizes the original dev’s vision. If I’m okay and actively endorse that, I’d feel a bit hypocritical not being okay with this. Also puts it on a new platform the game wasn’t accessible on, and Last of Us on PC is a win in itself (or just give these games gyro aim). Now choosing to release it initially exclusively on a console people barely have that can already play the original for $50 dollars less (if they don’t already have it via PS Plus) is another story. Just reminds me that Uncharted 4 on PC is still AWOL and I’m still wondering how that’s gonna turn out since ND outsourced the port like Guerrilla did. Not a good sign IMO when Spider-Man has a PC date with Miles confirmed coming after and Naughty Dog has nothing and has announced another PC game.

[@heitorbatista5392]

I think there is a general expectation that games are pretty iterative (narrative aside), so sequels and remakes are treated moreso as improvements to a formula. I think it is worth mentioning that for The Last of Us remake, the fact that the priginal is so accessible is probably the reason people think it is unecessary. Remakes are more often then not used as the replacement of regular ports by both consumers and publishers.

[@WatashiWaBigBoy]

My boy's skin is GLOWING

[@ziadbruh]

yeah this was right before i caught the c-virus…

[@VoadoraSwallow]

I agree that remakes are neither necessary or unecessary, but i think there are some cases when It's more justifiable than others, one of those is when the game is from a console where It woud be Impossible to port It to a diferent one and preserve the experience at the same time, an example woud be some games from the DS and Wii libraries that make heavy use of those systems features, so wanting a remake wouldn't be ureasonable even If It isn't ideal. Anhother case woud be wanting to see the systems of older games (or even newer ones) expanded upon when It wouldn't make sense to do so in a sequel, this example is bit personal so bear with me, Kingdom hearts 358/2 days there are a lot of worthwhile mechanics ,sistems and ideas in this game, but the probability of them being explored in a new instalment in the franchise is a very low one, the problem with this is that some people might have some idea of what they want from the remake and could potentialy be disapointed by it, so at that point i might as well make the remake myself (i mean i practicaly have one in my mind). There are probably some more cases that i don't know of, but i think this get's my point across.

[@1xICExVIPERx1]

Plus if they don't want it don't buy it you have the remaster and you can play that you don't have to buy the Remake I've already pre-ordered mine

[@1xICExVIPERx1]

See I love the fact that they remade The Last of Us they're so Focus this time is not just on the PS5 but also on PC so those people on the PC that don't have PlayStation can enjoy the games that we enjoy they can't sell a 9-year-old product to PC

[@WanupDeShroom]

Omg I love these vids

[@paso6234]

you know when it comes to movies, bad remakes that do not understand the essence of the original and that just do whatever the fuck they want, obviously have to be criticized for exactly that. and there are some prime examples for bad remakes like the lion king or oldboy. but even they are treated like 2 seperate things. because thats what they are. its so annyoing when someone hasnt played the original re4 and just says "yeah, remake is coming out anyway, so i just wait for that one to come out.". i also do think that its kind of stupid to just say that the original tlou still plays and looks great so there is no need for a remake. like, wtf? take a look at movies again: michael haneke released funny games in 1997. its an austrian movie, even though its supposed to be a critique of violence in american movies. so about 10 years later he made a shot by shot remake and got to make the exact movie he wanted to make in the first place and i'd argue that the remake is by far better than the original. it doesnt matter how old tlou is because maybe they will be able to come even closer to the game they wanted to make. or maybe not. maybe its going to be super forgettable and no one gives a shit about the remake in a few years. either way, i definitely think any remake is justified and i agree with pretty much everything you said in this video. + its so refreshing that you always come up with interesting takes that i almost never hear from other creators.

[@ziadbruh]

thank you!

[@RustyXlV]

Nah, you're wrong! Nuff said. (haven't watched the video)

[@ziadbruh]

😔

[@RustyXlV]

@@ziadbruh Watched it now, only some of it was wrong. Which is better than most KZbinrs. Keep your chin up.

[@DHellfridge]

gamers are unnecessary yo

[@ziadbruh]

☝️

[@hylianbran7273]

Holding up the camera like that seems really uncomfortable

[@ziadbruh]

i got a selfie stick