Hello again all! Been awhile since I put in my two cents about what games I would personally love to see get a current generation remaster. Oddly enough, thanks to the return of Jason Bourne, I was able to remember some gems from my childhood.
It could simple be nostalgia but when I first played through this games I’m about to mention – teen Marcus had a awesome time with them. The chances of these titles actually getting a re-launch on current gen is extremely slim. Though if games like Legend of Kay and Marvel Ultimate Alliance can be brought back into the spotlight, maybe there’s a chance for these titles too? Let the Fanatical Five begin!
The Bourne Conspiracy
I decided to watch through all of the Bourne movies before going to see Matt Damon’s return in Jason Bourne. As I was re-watching Bourne Identity, the first in the trilogy, I had sudden flashbacks to when I played Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy. Surprising myself, I looked back upon those moments favorably, because when it comes to video games based on movies, The Bourne Conspiracy is one of the rare good ones.
The Bourne Conspiracy came out for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles a year after the Bourne trilogy came to a close. Focusing more on the events in Bourne Identity and closer to the novel than the film by the same name, Bourne Conspiracy tried but failed to capture the same tense nature as the movies/novels.
Instead, the game really shines when combat ensues, which happens quite often. That brutal, fast-paced hand-to-hand combat found in all the Bourne movies is also featured here in the game and that made my entire experience with Bourne Conspiracy worth replaying.
Enter The Matrix
The Matrix still stands as one of the best science fiction movies ever. The movie went on to spawn two sequels and animated shorts complied into The Animatrix, which was designed to flesh out The Matrix lore. We also then saw The Matrix’s influence spread into the video game world as Enter The Matrix and The Matrix Online (an MMO which went offline), with Enter The Matrix serving as the video game companion to the sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.
Enter The Matrix was a generation six title produced simultaneously with The Matrix sequels and thus, is a crucial portion to The Matrix’s plot. Now to be honest, I don’t remember much about this game at all. I just remember as a kid, the word “Matrix” was in the title and I was all for it. But honestly – that is part of why I want a remaster. I do remember beating the game but still not really understanding the story and how it integrated into the movies. After re-watching the films and the Animatrix a few months back, I’d like the chance to replay this title to help understand more of the lore, and understand the game’s purpose in the wider universe.
Jet Li: Rise to Honor
Growing up as a kid who obsessed over the martial artists trifecta that is Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee and Jet Li, I still watch their films from time to time. So back in 2004, when it was announced that Jet Li would be featured in a cinematic game called Rise To Honor, I knew this game would be in my PS2 disc tray when it launched. Back in the day, I didn’t have access to buying games like I did now, so I went to the place all kids loved to visit to try new games…Blockbuster!
It took me awhile to get used to the odd combat scheme where attacks were dealt out via the right analog stick. Eventually though, I was putting the beatdown on enemies and looking stylish while doing it. I don’t remember how well the story actually played out but I do remember having fun with the game. Even if Rise To Honor could never get a remaster, the game could definitely spawn a sequel or even a spiritual successor.
Burnout 3: Takedown
Easily the one of the best racing games I’ve ever played. Considering how little I dabble in the racing genre, that’s some pretty high praise coming from me. The thing about the Burnout series that always caught my attention is how little it takes itself seriously. Sure, the ultimate goal is to be the first car across the finish line, but the “how” you get there is where the fun comes from.
Crashing against rival racers and steering my own wreck into others in Burnout 3 felt so much better than those simulation racing titles. While I greatly enjoyed Burnout Paradise, Takedown to me was the better arcade racing experience. It has been pointed out that the former Criterion Games developers have hinted at a spiritual successor to the Burnout series being in development. While we may not get a Burnout 3 remaster, a whole new arcade racer could be speeding towards us.
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Lastly, I would love to Max Payne: The Fall of Max Payne come to current gen. Now, I can’t speak about this title too much because I’ve never played this but I did greatly enjoy my time with the original. I played Max Payne on my PS3 but when I went to search for the sequel on PSN, it was nowhere to be seen. Apparently, Max Payne 2 never released again after launching on the sixth generation consoles. This is especially odd because every other Max Payne can be played on the PlayStation 3 besides the second one.
By some chance, if Max Payne could get a remaster on current systems, I’d love to see a collection including all three games; allowing myself to play through the games as I was meant to rather than in a broken fashion.
And that’s it everybody! I have way more games I think should have the dust brushed off them and bought back into relevancy. For now though, leave your comments below and discuss what other games should be ported or remastered to current gen systems.
