Summary
SinceOctopath Travelerhit the market, Square Enix has released a steady stream offantastic RPGs in their signature HD-2D art style, both in the form of brand-new IP and remakes of classics likeLive A LiveandDragon Quest 3. The library of stellar HD-2D games continues to grow, with the original twoDragon Questgames on the way, and newer titles likeTriangle Strategykeeping players busy. Mixing more modern graphical styles like dynamic lighting and highly detailed 3D backgrounds with striking 2D sprites, HD-2D beautifully brings the charm of classic games into the present day.
Plenty of classic games could benefit from an overhaul in this striking art style, so that players with more modern sensibilities could appreciate them all over again. Many classics from a bygone era are difficult for younger and returning players to approach these days, so graphical and gameplay improvements would give them a new lease of life. 2D games with open-world settings would especially benefit from HD-2D remakes, allowing players from back in the day to explore these vibrant and immersive worlds once again, and even inspiring newcomers who could give them a try.
Some of the games on this list were considered open-world upon release, but may no longer fit the definition by modern standards.
The game that started it all,Grand Theft Auto, was born thanks to a bug that caused the police to be overly aggressive in their pursuit of criminals. Played from a top-down perspective to give a 3D effect to buildings and other scenery, the originalGTAis the first of the 2D games in the series. Highly controversial prior to and upon release, it spawned one of the best-selling and most beloved franchises in video gaming.
Compared to the 3D and HD releases, it seems a bit primitive and could benefit from a remake in the HD-2D style to really spruce up the visuals, which were even considered somewhat bland back in 1997. Revisiting the 2D versions of the three fully explorable and now iconic cities of Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas would be interesting for players to compare to their 3D counterparts, plus there could be the potential to recreate the two London expansions set in 1961 and 1969, just for an added bonus and curiosity in theGTAfranchise.
By 1992, theUltimaserieswas already highly influential, butUltima 7: The Black Gateis arguably the best of the entire franchise. The fantasy land of Britannia is one of the most interactive worlds in video gaming, rivaling those released in the decades since. Almost every object found around the world can be moved or interacted with somehow, which would even be somewhat impressive for games released in the decades since. Another claim to fame is that it was one of the first games to feature deep, branching dialogue trees.
Players have almost total freedom in playstyles, meaning they can role-play as almost any kind of character they wish, and NPCs will generally react accordingly. By modern standards, it doesn’t quite fit the label of open world, but that could easily be addressed in any hypothetical remake. Many believe that the vibrant graphics still hold up to this day, but everything can be improved upon, and an HD-2D remake could introduce theUltimaseries to a new audience.
Known by many asDowntown Nekketsu Monogatari,River City Ransomis a beat ‘em up game and the third entry in theKunio-kunseries. Moving through the open world of River City as high school students Ryan and Alex, players can punch, kick, jump, and either use or throw weapons against enemies, who each belong to different gangs, akin to those found in the popular filmThe Warriors. Initially unsuccessful outside Japan, it is retrospectively viewed as an all-time classic and one of the greatest games ever made.
Increased stats and new fighting techniques can be unlocked by collecting loot from defeated enemies and using it to purchase books. There have been multiple successors and spin-offs in the years since, and the game stands out from other beat ‘em ups of the time thanks to its open-world and role-playing elements. The gameplay still holds up several decades since its release, even rivaling and surpassing many of its genre counterparts, so a graphical upgrade would further aid the legacy ofRiver City Ransom.
One of the best games of the 1980s and one of the most important games ever made,The Legend of Zeldais Link’s very first adventure in Hyrule. Theoverworld setting of Hyrule can be freely explored, and the game can be completed in multiple different ways, which has spawned a few challenges, like completing the game without the sword. However, there are some limitations to free movement, such as certain temples being almost impossible to beat out of order, and the final temple only being accessible after Link collects all eight fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom.
The charming graphics are still very eye-catching, but given the advancements in the series in both 2D and 3D games,the visuals are rather dated. Still, it laid the foundations for theZeldaseries and countless other franchises going forward, and HD-2D graphics would complement the tight gameplay and enjoyable story, bringing it in line with the other must-play entries in the popular franchise.
Played from an isometric perspective, the very firstFalloutgame set the tone for the series going forward, with its combination of a bleak wasteland setting, morally ambiguous quests, and dark humor bringing some brevity to the otherwise post-apocalyptic franchise. Many series mainstays like the SPECIAL system are already present in this entry, having a huge impact on gameplay, especially when building a specific character type, blitzing through enemies in combat, or engaging in conversations with NPCs.
Graphically, the originalFalloutand its isometric successors are timeless and are still able to attract new players, but an HD-2D upgrade would really make both the backgrounds and character models pop. Tailoring gameplay for contemporary players may be in order, though some aspects of the game would even bewelcome additions in the more modernFalloutgames, such as the lack of a cap on the number of followers and the abundance of unique traits that add to role-playing possibilities.
