By Luke Kirby
Everyone is clear on what a reboot entails.
Just take games that are years old and give them a new lease on life through completely refreshing the storyline or adding new elements to the gameplay. Ideally a reboot will aim at keeping fans of the already existing franchise interested in the new iteration, while also attracting a new fan base to get involved in the series. Whether this actually happens though is another story altogether.
Everyone is clear on what a reboot entails.
Just take games that are years old and give them a new lease on life through completely refreshing the storyline or adding new elements to the gameplay. Ideally a reboot will aim at keeping fans of the already existing franchise interested in the new iteration, while also attracting a new fan base to get involved in the series. Whether this actually happens though is another story altogether.
There have been examples of reboots including the likes of Devil May Cry, Prince of Persia, Tomb Raider and (most recently) Wolfenstein. I can’t speak from personal experience as I haven't played them yet myself, but both DmC and Prince of Persia received fairly high scores from various reliable critics. So clearly there’s no issue of the game having positive aspects. There’s also the aspect of sales. The reboot of DmC shifted 1.5 million copies, whereas Prince of Persia made 2.2 million, which is really nothing to sneer at.
Now, although I thoroughly enjoyed playing the Tomb Raider games, I was never honestly grabbed by them. It may have been because I was younger but I never got too invested in it. So when I got my hands on the newest addition I was very pleased with how they chose to reinvent Lara Croft in a more modernised context. The gameplay mechanics were solid, and aesthetically it is a very pretty game. I also enjoyed this idea of seeing the naive protagonist having to transform herself in order to survive and being a part of what it is she ultimately becomes by the end of the storyline. It's safe to say that I’ll be picking up the sequel and I look forward to seeing how her character further develops. With Tomb Raider nearing the sales figure of 6 million sales, it’s clear to see that it was a rather well-received game too. It's proof that rebooting a franchise can be done to benefit both the series and the studios behind it.
Now, although I thoroughly enjoyed playing the Tomb Raider games, I was never honestly grabbed by them. It may have been because I was younger but I never got too invested in it. So when I got my hands on the newest addition I was very pleased with how they chose to reinvent Lara Croft in a more modernised context. The gameplay mechanics were solid, and aesthetically it is a very pretty game. I also enjoyed this idea of seeing the naive protagonist having to transform herself in order to survive and being a part of what it is she ultimately becomes by the end of the storyline. It's safe to say that I’ll be picking up the sequel and I look forward to seeing how her character further develops. With Tomb Raider nearing the sales figure of 6 million sales, it’s clear to see that it was a rather well-received game too. It's proof that rebooting a franchise can be done to benefit both the series and the studios behind it.
Wolfenstein is another reboot that I’ve enjoyed playing, I’ll admit not as much as Tomb Raider but it was still an enjoyable experience. I mean honestly, killing Nazis and mechanised Nazis, I fail to see why anyone wouldn’t find it enjoyable. Again like Tomb Raider if a sequel was made I’d probably pick that up to, but I’m not sure if I should be concerned in this becoming a trend.
While I like to take games for the experience they provide and not taking in any external stimuli it’s difficult to not think that reboots could be seen as being creatively lazy. I don’t mind reboots on the basis the game is of good quality but I’d find it really lazy if a studio releases a reboot with poor mechanics and sloppy gameplay, because really characters and elements of a story would already be present. More time and effort should be placed in other areas. Not trying to call any games but there were certain things in Wolfenstein that bugged me, particularly sharing the button for picking up ammo and reload…
Not very helpful with a giant Nazi robot is raining hellfire upon you!
Honestly reboots are always a good thing if done correctly, It’s crucial that the game still retains the elements from previous entries that established its initial fanbase, and what further develops made the game special in the first place but aiming it at newcomers. Reboots of long dead gaming series, such as Crash Bandicoot, I would certainly welcome as I have missed out on playing so many great (but dated) games that, if remade to accommodate a more modern playing style, I would definitely give a go!
While I like to take games for the experience they provide and not taking in any external stimuli it’s difficult to not think that reboots could be seen as being creatively lazy. I don’t mind reboots on the basis the game is of good quality but I’d find it really lazy if a studio releases a reboot with poor mechanics and sloppy gameplay, because really characters and elements of a story would already be present. More time and effort should be placed in other areas. Not trying to call any games but there were certain things in Wolfenstein that bugged me, particularly sharing the button for picking up ammo and reload…
Not very helpful with a giant Nazi robot is raining hellfire upon you!
Honestly reboots are always a good thing if done correctly, It’s crucial that the game still retains the elements from previous entries that established its initial fanbase, and what further develops made the game special in the first place but aiming it at newcomers. Reboots of long dead gaming series, such as Crash Bandicoot, I would certainly welcome as I have missed out on playing so many great (but dated) games that, if remade to accommodate a more modern playing style, I would definitely give a go!
So ... Are reboots good or bad then?
We've told you what we think, but now it's your turn!
Are there any particular gaming series' which you would like to see rebooted, and if so - why? Have you ever played any reboots which you thought deviated way too far away from the source material? Or is that actually a good thing?
Come let us know on our Facebook page or on Twitter!
Are there any particular gaming series' which you would like to see rebooted, and if so - why? Have you ever played any reboots which you thought deviated way too far away from the source material? Or is that actually a good thing?
Come let us know on our Facebook page or on Twitter!
RSS Feed
