The difference between remake, remaster and reboot in video games

Re-releases serve to preserve the history of video games. (Unsplash)

In the video game market, many names are often used that are coined by certain studio practices to market their games. Something that is constantly done is to recover old games to adapt them to current consoles and in the midst of that three terms are born that are separated by very specific differences: remake, remaster and reboot.

These three definitions can confuse players because at a general level they all consist of taking a game and releasing a new version of it, although each one has its particularities and focuses on something different, such as graphic details, gameplay or everything. title concept.

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We can define this term as the ‘basic’ level of a relaunch. It consists of taking a game and adapting its visual section to current consoles. This work does not include any modifications to the story or mechanics, rather the changes are purely graphic.

In most cases, what the studios do is improve the textures, increase the resolution that can be reached, adapt performance aspects, improve lighting and add settings for players to personalize the experience.

An example of a remaster is Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy. This installment brings together three classic games from the saga and presents them with visual improvements to adapt to current platforms.

Re-releases serve to preserve the history of video games.

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This is a relaunch that goes one step further. Although its base consists of improving a game from the past and adapting it to the present, what the developers do is modify many aspects, beyond the visual.

In most cases, a remake requires making a game from scratch, using new development tools, such as a different graphics engine, and changing important elements such as mechanics or even parts of the story.

The result is a game that is based on the classic, with all its general plot intact, but with big additions in visuals, gameplay, performance and small additions in the story.

An example of this type of relaunch is Resident Evil 4, which returned to current generation consoles as a remake with new visual aspects, adaptation to the controls and the current type of gameplay. In addition, he added some specific elements to the story without changing the general plot.

Re-releases serve to preserve the history of video games.

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This term means ‘reboot’ and is therefore the most drastic of the three. It consists of taking a game or a saga from the past and completely changing it to restart its story, make large modifications to its style of play and even modify the appearance of the character.

Tomb Raider is the best example of a reboot. This saga was known in the 90s as a platform and puzzle game, with some action touches in which Lara Croft was looking for treasures. But in 2013 a new trilogy was made that gave the franchise a big turn.

In these new installments, the game focused more on adventure, action, and the development of its story, telling elements from the past of the protagonist, who also had a redesign of her appearance.

Re-releases serve to preserve the history of video games.

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Although it goes along a somewhat different path than the three previous terms. The port is something that studios tend to do constantly and consists of adapting a game to a console on which it was not initially released. This with the aim of reaching more players.

In some cases, the studios must make a small remaster of the game, so that the move to this new platform meets the standards and looks properly.

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