Why Horror Game Remakes Have Become My Favorite Genre

Making a good horror game is much more complicated than we give it credit for, and remaking a successful horror title is perhaps even tougher. Not only must the developers add in a strong horror element, but they need to recapture the vibe and essence of the original. It may initially seem simple, but many modern-day developers can’t properly execute a remake.

In most cases, these “remakes” feel half-baked and often a sneaky cash grab. As such, I appreciate when studios take creative liberties and add their own spin to the remake, but only when they know what they’re doing. Fortunately, the horror genre is among the winners of this approach, and the devs seem to take great care when remaking these beloved titles.

Capcom’s Brilliance With The Resident Evil Remakes

Capcom has slowly become one of my favorite game developers lately—partially due to Street Fighter 6 but mostly because of their masterful Resident Evil remakes. They started making a mark with their Resident Evil 2 Remake, released in 2019—a smash success that was even nominated for Game of the Year.

They tried riding the wave and carrying the same momentum to their following remake, Resident Evil 3. However, it wasn’t as well-received, and most of its criticisms pivoted around being too short, easy, and with significant cut content. Fortunately, after realizing and accepting their pitfalls, Capcom tested their wits again by trying to remake the most critically acclaimed title in the series, Resident Evil 4.

Expectations for this remake being high were an understatement, especially for me—the original RE:4’s charm and vibe were nothing less than magic, and capturing that ethos needed care, dedication, and luck.

And when the remake dropped in March 2023, I was blown away by the sheer detail and craftsmanship it enveloped. This game looks stunning, from the characters to the environments; heck, it might even convince you to convert your old RE:4 images with a jfif to jpg converter just to see how massive the visual differences are.

Alongside a few horrific mobs and segments, Resident Evil 4’s main selling point was its cheesiness, boss fights, and emphasis on action. The game’s remake kept and even improved upon these factors, showcasing Leon’s one-liners, a brand-new parry system, and massive upgrades to several boss fights.

Resident evil 4 remake is absolutely incredible
byu/Imaginary_Ad8344 inresidentevil

All in all, Capcom’s remake trilogy, despite a bumpy journey, was built with passion and executed perfectly, especially RE4’s remake. They had a clear vision with each project; They understood what made the original titles so memorable, making the final product something new while respecting the source material.

The Unexpected Emergence Of Dead Space And Silent Hill

Aside from Capcom, Motive Studio and Bloober have also set examples for faithfully remaking cult classic horror titles. Let’s start with Dead Space, an incredible third-person shooter originally released in 2008 that is still enjoyable today.

“Aliens in Space” is still a fun idea to explore, and Dead Space made it work with exceptional voice acting and story, a gripping atmosphere, terrifying monsters, and a catalog of fun weapons. It was a technical and narrative marvel when it first came out, and the Dead Space Remake in 2023 revitalized the trope yet again.

Apart from its stunning visuals, the remake essentially removed the clunkiness and partial clutter of the original. With its Zero G mechanic refined, it feels more polished, and the AI feels more consistent rather than plain aggressive. On top of that, the liberties taken with expanding the story while keeping Isaac, the protagonist, at the core of it all was a pleasant surprise for me.

Bloober Redeeming Konami’s Lost Reputation With Silent Hill 2

Even after that gem of a title in 2023, Bloober almost surpassed it with the release of Silent Hill 2 in October 2024. The original Silent Hill 2 holds a special place in my heart because it was the first time I truly felt “lost” in a game, literally and figuratively. Amongst other things, I wanted this remake to recreate the original’s perplexity.

Thankfully, Bloober heard my prayers and released a game built upon the eerie nature, successfully reproducing the immersive forlornness I was begging for. With remarkable visuals, improved combat, enticing exploration, and a foggy ambiance to top it all off, this remake lived up to its hype for me and many others.

hot take but i believe silent hill 2 remake is better than the original in some aspects
byu/ranntipolee insilenthill

At this point, Konami had been a laughing stock for years, so seeing Bloober pull them out of the pit with this title was a breath of fresh air. I adore it when newer studios realize the aspirations of their precursors, and the Silent Hill 2 Remake and the Dead Space remake are ideal examples.

Conclusion

Horror games need the right setting, art style, and scare to make a worthwhile experience. Horror game remakes must execute all the aforementioned points while recognizing and accepting their source material’s qualities. Capcom, Bloober, and Motive’s remakes prove that not only can you fulfill these requirements, but you can also go above and beyond to surpass the original via modernity. 

And now, I only hope that the success of these titles encourages other horror game developers to revisit their cultural hits and bring them back for modern audiences. With Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Dead Space out of the way, I personally can’t wait to see Amnesia and Clive Barker’s Undying come back with a facelift.