2023 Video Game Innovations EVERYONE Should Copy

6. How To PERFECTLY Remake A Classic - Dead Space

Dead Space Remake
Electronic Arts

To be fair, 2023’s Dead Space remake isn’t the first excellent remake of our time, Shadow of the Colossus would make that list as would plenty of other games, but Dead Space did totally nail it.

What’s especially impressive with this effort from Motive Studio is the monumental task of taking on a game that was already a genre-defining masterpiece and not only honouring the original but also expanding on it in meaningful ways to make it even better. Besides the obvious visual overhaul, the remake also added new audio features, particularly in the realm of modern audio mixing capabilities, as well as addressing certain level complaints, giving Isaac a new voice, and enhancing some elements of the story and level design. In almost every scenario, these changes were for the better, which not only keeps the game alive for the current generation, it sets a compelling stage for what could be possible if a proper sequel were ever greenlit.

In what can only be called an expert undertaking in the realm of remakes, this effort retains everything that made the original fantastic while elevating the few elements that held it back.

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Contributor

Jess has been a journalist and content creator in the games industry for over 15 years and has been WhatCulture's resident Australian import and sorry cop since 2020, upping the quotient of swearing and apologising in WhatCulture Gaming's annual blooper videos considerably. She previously worked at GameSpot for 10 years, most notably hosting GameSpot News in addition to E3 live shows, and PAX panels. She regularly livestreams a variety of games on her 'jessmcdonell' YouTube and Twitch channels and hosts the 'Do It On The Day' podcast. She has won awards for her news and feature work in gaming as well as an accolade for her comedic writing (likely an admin error). She can be found on X at @jessmcdonell and Instagram at @jessicamcdonell sharing her current videogame fixations, industry insights, and videos of her cat, Karma.