2024 could arguably be called the year of the remake. We've already been spoilt for choice with the original Tomb Raider series, Last of Us Part 2, and Paper Mario, to name a few. And with half the year left, we still have heavy hitters like Until Dawn, Disney Epic Mickey, and Silent Hill to look forward to.
This week’s gaming recap looks at the recent releases that are taking gamers on a trip down memory lane. From an iconic Nintendo adventure to a cult classic from the early 2000s, to a new collection of one of Disney’s biggest gaming ventures, these titles are a mix of fun and familiar for you to enjoy.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD
Nintendo recognises the magic of its back catalogue of games. In the last year alone, we’ve seen remake after remake of Mario, all to fantastic success. And now, while rumours of Switch 2 continue to grow, the time is right to remind everyone of the often-overlooked comic genius that is Mario’s older brother, Luigi.
Based on the 2013 hit, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a polished remake of a now decade-old classic. Set across a variety of mysterious mansions, players take control of the green scaredy-cat, helping him navigate spooky ghosts and even spookier challenges - all to save his brother from King Boo.
Despite his cowardly grimaces and squeamish yelps, Luigi is more than a capable hero. This is thanks to the guidance of his friend, Professor E. Gadd, but also his trusted vacuum, the Poltergust 5000. With it, Luigi can light up scary rooms, uncover nearby secrets, and, most importantly, stun and capture a variety of hostile ghosts.
Whether aiming for Luigi’s weapons or interacting with every nook and cranny in the mansions, the game feels tactile and rewarding over the course of some 15 hours of content. And despite Luigi’s panicked look and nervous humming throughout, the game never oversteps the mark on the fright as slapstick comedy is found at every opportune moment.
While other Switch remakes relished the opportunity to upgrade gameplay and features for the Switch console, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is purely focused on delivering a visual overhaul. Content-wise, the game is a replica of the original story. – perhaps to a fault.
For some, recreating a 3DS game on a newer console with no new bells, whistles, or experimentation could seem like a missed opportunity. Especially considering the 2019 sequel, Luigi’s Mansion 3, took full advantage of the Switch’s capabilities, including a multiplayer couch co-op mode.
Ultimately, Luigi Mansion 2 HD is a spooky, fun-fuelled trip down memory lane. It’s filled with charm and nostalgia that can fill the gap for many hungry Nintendo fans. In truth, its only real weakness is living in the shadow cast by its much more ambitious sequel.
Luigi Mansion 2 HD is available to play on Nintendo Switch
Beyond Good and Evil's 20th Anniversary Edition
Twenty years since its original release, Beyond Good and Evil has become a bonafide cult classic. This recent anniversary edition revisits all the original’s whimsy and charm but with an unmistakable modern polish.
As a hybrid game, Beyond balanced everything from puzzle-solving to action-packed combat to driving simulator and more - all in one neat package. It is as ambitious now as it was back in 2003. As someone with feint memories of the original, I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by how much fun the game can deliver, as it swaps between game modes in quick succession.
You play as Jade, a photojournalist who finds herself investigating the mysterious invasion of the DomZ aliens on her home planet of Hillys. With her trusted camera and staff in hand, Jade battles fierce creatures, collects clues and treasure and explores the mysteries of her maritime homeland.
Joining Jade are a cast of utterly bizarre and iconic characters, including her adoptive uncle Pey’j (who, for some reason, is a pig) and the valiant Double H. Subtle, new textures found on characters and surfaces add vivid detail without appearing too out of place. New quality-of-life upgrades, including auto and crossing, cut scene skipping, and upgraded frame rates, heighten the experience while keeping the game grounded in its origins.
What would an anniversary edition be without some fan service? A new speedrun mode also throws down the gauntlet to set the best time—and with no saves allowed, it’s reserved for hardcore fans eager to earn bragging rights. The game is also brimming with extra concept artwork, videos, exclusive anecdotes, and footage of unreleased content to satisfy curious historians. This makes the wait for the long-awaited sequel and rumoured Netflix adaptation all the more exciting.
Beyond Good and Evil has been utterly revived in this anniversary edition. It is an incredibly well-executed remaster, preserving the original’s flare and bringing it into the modern era of gaming. No doubt many newcomers to the title will be impressed with its offering, as veterans were back in the day. And with new modes and new textures, this new spotlight is well and truly deserved.
Beyond Good and Evil’s 20th Anniversary Edition is available to play on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One,4, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC
Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece
Blending the magic of Disney and Pixar with the characters of Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts has long been the perfect example of a successful collaboration. Debuting in 2002, the series has taken us on epic adventures through our favourite cartoon worlds, including Frozen, Toy Story and The Little Mermaid, as well as Hercules, Monsters Inc., and Alice in Wonderland, to name but a few.
You play as Sora, a keyblade wielder with the power to seal away the growing darkness spreading between worlds. Journeying across the cosmos with Donald Duck and Goofy, you'll meet, work with or battle against iconic Disney and Pixar characters to restore harmony in the universe.
But with over 13 titles spread across multiple platforms and featuring one of the most confusing timelines in gaming, trying to experience the complete KH experience was a headache. That is, until now.
Integrum Masterpiece is a game-changer in the series, bundling all the magic and adventure in one neat collection that offers unmatched magical value. It comes with not only the base games but also a litany of add-ons, videos and remixed versions that many fans of the series no doubt missed out on when they originally released.
While available via cloud gaming on the Switch, the recently released PC edition offers arguably the smoothest experience. Players can customise and tailor graphics to their system and download whatever sections they want to focus on for offline play. The ability to use various controllers to suit their playstyle also offers a new way to enjoy the KH experience.
Most importantly, the games all look, run and play exceptionally well. From the original Kingdom Hearts to the PS2’s Chain of Memories, and even the 3DS-ported Dream Drop Distance, all the way to the 2019 Kingdom Hearts III, the entire pantheon of stories survives the timewarp.
For newcomers to the series, Integrum Masterpiece offers the definitive way to cover all of the series has to offer. And with the hotly anticipated Kingdom Hearts 4 somewhere on the horizon, it acts as the perfect revision course for fans to swot up on all their lore and finish loose ends before the next big adventure begins.
Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece is available to play on PC and Nintendo Switch
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