The distinction between a remaster and a remake can be difficult to discern, especially when the borders between the two categories are blurred. When Electronic Arts revealed that it will re-release Dead Space on contemporary platforms and technology, many asked if the new Dead Space would be a remake or remaster. Though both names appear to represent the same thing, there is a distinct distinction between a remake and a remaster, and thankfully, we know where the Dead Space 2023 version will be released.
What exactly is the distinction between a remake and a remaster?
Remakes and remasters are terms used to describe games that re-adapt prior releases. A remake is a re-adaptation that has been rebuilt from the bottom up with a whole new engine, visuals, and features. A remaster is a re-adaptation of a prior release title that includes enhanced graphics and quality-of-life features. A remake needs a company to create a whole new game from the ground up, whereas a remaster just modifies what is already there.
The newest Resident Evil remakes and Final Fantasy VII Remake are fantastic instances of what defines a game as a remake. Those are brand-new games that were created from the ground up using modern hardware. A remaster might sometimes look and feel like a remake, although this isn’t always the case. The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy includes the original three Crash games in all-new visuals and art design. The N. Sane Trilogy, on the other hand, is considered a remaster because the gameplay and level design are nearly identical.
Is Dead Space 2023 a remake or a remaster?
EA and Motive Studio have said unequivocally that Dead Space 2023 is a complete recreation of the original Dead Space. The Dead Space Remake follows the same plot and has comparable level layouts as the original title, but it employs a whole new graphics engine that differs from the original. The Dead Space Remake looks and plays like the original game, but it includes brand-new materials and features that distinguish it from a remaster.
