20 Video Games That Are About To Make A HUGE Comeback
Just when we thought they were out of the race, they were pulled back in.
After years of nostalgia-fuelled hype, several gaming franchises are primed for a comeback. Long-dormant games are resurfacing thanks to renewed interest and passionate fan communities. Developers are reviving familiar characters and gameplay styles, combining retro mechanics with fresh innovations. The result is a wave of anticipation from players who grew up with these titles, and younger audiences discovering them for the first time.
Some of these series were once regarded as top-tier, so it's appealing to hear they might take centre-stage yet again. But there are other gems who never took off in the first place despite being highly praised. For this reason, let's hope these titles find the success they should've received in the first place.
Better still, many of these returning IPs aren't getting a bells-and-whistles remaster but a full-blown sequel or reboot that preserves the soul of the original while modernising the visuals, controls, and narrative depth. And if the devs play their cards right, these relics can become powerhouse brands.
Although there are countless games we'd love to see being rejuvenated, it's reassuring to learn these 20 entries are coming back.
20. Gothic
Serving as one of the first role-players with fully voiced dialogue, Gothic was a trailblazer in its heyday. Despite boasting an immersive world and open-ended exploration, Piranha Bytes' medieval RPG was overshadowed by similar titles, like Elder Scrolls and Baldur's Gate. The fervent modding community kept Gothic alive for a while, but the fantasy tale vanished into the ether, seemingly spelling its demise.
Fortunately, Alkimia Interactive and THQ Nordic are taking painstaking measures to ensure the announced Gothic remake lives up to expectations. In December 2019, a playable teaser was released alongside a public survey to garner feedback, proving the creators are fine-tuning every factor imaginable.
Gothic Remake's world will be up to 30% larger, including unfinished locations from the original. It'll utilise the Unreal Engine 5 to deliver improved visuals, lighting, animation and world scale. The gameplay will present customisable controls and more responsive combat, while retaining the hard but rewarding feel of the classic game.
Overhype is dangerous, but this remake could be something special, considering this year's demo obtained overwhelmingly positive reviews.
With Alkimia already setting their sights on redoing Gothic 2, it's like the underrated franchise never left.