New games are great, but we also like to honor efforts to preserve and revive older classics. These Best Re-Release or Remaster of 2021 finalists did just that, breathing new life into these games.
These awards represent the consensus of the Siliconera staff. For more of the year’s award selections, check out our Game of the Year 2021 archive.
Winner: NieR Replicant
The original NieR was something special, but it was also something of a challenge to approach. Replicant is more than just a visual remaster, making the game more accessible and more connected. The extra content feels well-integrated, making it feel natural in a way new content in remakes often doesn’t. And, perhaps most importantly, the world might be more ready for NieR than it was a decade ago.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium was the surprise hit of 2019, offering an ambitious narrative and a lot of freedom in its character builds and decisions. In some ways, it felt like a surprise to the developers, too! So The Final Cut offers the more finished version of the game that the team likely would have wanted to deliver in the first place. More missions! Controller support! Fully voiced characters! It sticks to the original vision, but adds elements that make sense.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
The second release of FF7R adds context and new content to the game, making it the ideal way to play if you can. (We’re especially fond of the Fort Condor minigame.) Outside of that, though? It’s just a good-looking, smooth experience. And hey, that ain’t nothing!
What pick would you make for Best Remaster or Re-Release of 2021? Let us know in the comments! And stay tuned for more of Siliconera’s GotY 2021 awards.
Published: Dec 29, 2021 09:00 am