10 RPGs That NEED to be Remade

10 RPGs That Need to be Remade

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re taking a look at ten wonderful RPGs that we would love to see get the full-on remake treatment. Here’s hoping!

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s (Philosopher's) Stone” - Game Boy Color (2001)

Where most “Harry Potter” games of this time were pretty standard action-adventure titles, “Sorcerer’s Stone” flipendo-ed the script and made it a full-on turn-based RPG. It’s awesome! The Wizarding World here feels quite fleshed out and interactive despite the hardware limitations of the Game Boy Color. We would love to see a ground-up remake of this game in the vein of something like “Sea of Stars” or even “Octopath Traveler.” The game’s turn-based combat is a lot of fun, leaning into all of the magical spells and abilities from the source material. Levelling up Harry and equipping the right abilities for a fight is enjoyable and entertaining. Plus, the game even lets you spend time exploring Hogwarts and attending classes.

“Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King” (2004)

I still have many fond memories of playing this game on my PS2 with that additional screen accessory that you could attach to the console. Anyone else remember those? Good times. Even over 20 years later, “Dragon Quest VIII” still holds up remarkably well, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see it get the remake treatment. It’s an RPG that really is more than the sum of its parts. On the surface, it’s a turn-based RPG with fairly simple mechanics, random battles, a fantasy narrative and world, oddball characters, and the like; however, it all comes together magically to deliver an epic tale for the ages. Plus, I’d be remiss not to bring up the incredible art style this game offers. Simply sublime! Many “Dragon Quest” games have been getting remakes lately so here’s hoping “Journey of the Cursed King” is on the docket.

“Skies of Arcadia” (2000)

Have you ever wanted to play as a rag-tag bunch of sky pirates as they soar through the skies taking part in a legendary adventure? Of course you have…I mean who hasn’t, right? Vyse, Aika, and crew are at the helm of “Skies of Arcadia” as well as the GameCube enhanced port, “Skies of Arcadia: Legends.” This cult classic turn-based RPG is brimming with fun. The story is epic, the characters are lovable, the combat is frenetic and intense, the exploration is rewarding, and the whole affair is just an absolute blast to play. Plus, we really don’t have any other games like it today. To see this game get a remake in the vein of something like the “Final Fantasy VII” remakes would be stellar.

“Jade Empire” (2005)

Of all the BioWare games out there, we don’t hear as many people discuss the likes of “Jade Empire” when compared to something like “Mass Effect.” This is a real shame since “Jade Empire” is a truly epic tale with some thoughtfully written dialogue (lots and lots of it), meticulous world design, strategic and in-depth action combat, and plenty of RPG mechanics to keep you working hard to level up and grow stronger. The game really does still look good, especially playing on Series X via backwards compatibility. But, getting to see this game as a remake would really help shine a light on BioWare’s golden days of RPG goodness.

“Fable” (2004)

Now, yes, the upcoming “Fable” reboot from Playground Games does look like it will be a lot of fun. But, I think many of us OG “Fable” fans are really, really hoping the game leans into the quirky British humor, cartoony, stylized approach to both characters and world-building, and general light-hearted vibe. A new “Fable” game in my book is always a good thing, even if the approach ends up being quite a bit different. However, why not also have a ground-up remake of the original Xbox “Fable.” That game could be a true stunner if done right, helping to give a whole new group of players the ability to enjoy this classic fantasy RPG from Lionhead Studios. There’s just something so special about that first game that holds a special place in many gamer’s hearts and we would love to see it brought back to a modern audience.

“The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind” (2002)

If you fancy yourself a melancholic, ambiguous old-school RPG that trusts you to figure things out for all on your own, never holding your hand, then “Morrowind” is for you. This game is not like “Skyrim” nor is it even like “Oblivion.” It’s a beast in and of itself. Incredibly engaging and fun? Yes! But, highly complex and often confusing. We would honestly love to see a modernized version of “Morrowind,” one that keeps the otherworldly charm and intricate RPG systems but manages to infuse some elements that make it more palatable for those of us (yes, very much myself) who could never seem to figure out what to do or where to go. The cherry on top of it all would be how amazing the whole experience would look and sound if done right, like the “Oblivion” remake which people fell in love with.

“Dark Cloud 2 (Dark Chronicle” (2002)

While the first “Dark Cloud” from PS2 could certainly use a new lease on life, we think “Dark Cloud 2,” also known as “Dark Chronicle” is just the ticket for a full-on remake. Now, to be fair, you can play this game easily on your PS5 via PS Plus and the Classics catalogue, but it still feels dated in many areas and could use some modernity. The game’s time-bending and history-altering story is intriguing and Max and Monica as protagonists are both lovable, endearing, and determined. “Dark Cloud 2” fuses action-RPG mechanics, randomly generated dungeons, oodles of crafting, and even town-building aspects, all done with great effort. It honestly works very well and all weaves its way back into the central narrative. But again, it does feel quite dated by today’s standards. While the cel-shaded visuals and fantastic music still hold up, its overall gameplay could use some updated refinement in order to get a brand new lease on life. And who knows…maybe a “Dark Cloud 3” one day? Here’s hoping!

“Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines” (2004)

It’s honestly a real shame that “Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2” failed to live up to the vampire RPG expectations that many fans had. The 2004 game, while certainly rough around the edge, has become a classic…and for good reason. Its moody, seedy, gothic take on Los Angeles is a treat to explore. The in-depth RPG mechanics and systems are fun to play around with. The dialogue choices and moral ambiguity that comes from playing as a creature of the night in this world is intriguing. And the combat, while a bit wonky, features oodles of ferocity and intense vampiric powers to play around with. I, for one, would really love for this game to be remade so I can finally get a chance to play it. We need more vampire games in general and “Bloodlines” could really use the remake treatment.

“Eternal Sonata” (2007)

This is easily one of my favorite RPGs of all time; it’s just so darn good! Developer Tri-Crescendo really deserves a standing ovation for this one. You see, this game is set in pianist and composer Frederic Chopin’s dreams on his deathbed. Yes, I know, that sounds quite dark and ominous; however, his dream world is filled to the brim with vibrancy, fantasy, and endearing musical celebrations. Heck, the characters' names in this game are all music-themed: Allegretto, Beat, Polka, Viola, Falsetto, Salsa, Jazz, and more. It’s great! The cohesive and eloquent blending of the real world sections where Chopin is on his deathbed and the fantasy dream sections are truly top-notch here, a cut above the rest. It’s a deeply personal, heartfelt, and endearing narrative all wrapped up in fantastic characterization for the whole cast. Plus, the game’s time-based active battles are a real highlight here. Moving about the battlefield, using the time allotted to you, weaving to and fro between light and dark spots in order to dole out different attacks and abilities never gets old. And, of course, I’d be remiss not to mention the game’s incredible art style and musical score. It’s all simply sublime, even to this today. Maybe just a simple remaster is all that is needed here. Seriously, go play this game if you consider yourself an RPG fan or even a classical music fan. Good stuff!

“Shadow Hearts: Covenant” (2004)

The “Shadow Hearts” franchise is super underrated and overlooked, which is a real bummer since all of the games are fantastic in their own rights. But, for our money, it’s “Shadow Hearts: Covenant” that really stands tall as the best of the bunch. From the stellar Judgement Ring-centric turn-based combat to the mysterious and engaging alternate history narrative to the incredible cast of characters to the wide range of locales to explore, “Covenant” is in a league all of its own. Led by Yuri and Karin, your rag-tag bunch has their work cut out of them if they hope to stop the nefarious goings-on. Just getting to see this game shine once again with the remake treatment would be splendid. While there have been plenty of great turn-based RPGs since this game, none have really been able to match the way the Judgement Ring system hooks you to the moment. It’s just a truly fantastic game all around and it deserves more time and attention!

So, what did you think of our list? What are some of your favorite RPGs that you would love to see get the remake treatment? Let us know in the comments.