Remakes are all the rage these days, and gamers are ever so thankful for them considering the difficulty of game preservation and how inaccessible some classics become as hardware changes throughout the generations. One open-world game receiving a surprising facelift is Mafia: Definitive Edition, a complete overhaul of the 2002 title.
Few games of this scale have received a remake, so this game becoming a reality has our hopes up for more classic open-world games receiving a similar treatment. The ten games detailed below would greatly benefit from graphical improvements and modern gaming conveniences. Considering the recent advancements in open-world game design, remakes would breathe new life into these titles.
10 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Despite the primitive graphics, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City still manages to expertly capture the spirit and danger of 1980's Miami. However, other aspects of Tommy Varcetti's journey were issues even upon its release. The auto-aiming, for instance, is extremely unwieldy. A remake could update the graphics and bring the gunplay from modern Rockstar Games' titles to the 2002 opus. They should definitely retain the voice acting, however.
9 Driver
Open-world games were nigh nonexistent on the original PlayStation, making Driver's release particularly special. It felt immediately outdated when the PS2 hit shelves and Grand Theft Auto III came out, but the series deserves respect and a comeback. Remaking the original game would keep the focus on driving and pay as much attention to this mechanic as possible, including detailed crashes and dynamic damage on the car.
8 Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
After Elder Scrolls II, the series went full 3D and left behind the procedurally generated structure of the map. Despite the advancements made with Morrowind and Oblivion, some veteran fans still prefer the classic titles. Would it be so difficult to update the title visually, fixing many of the outdated mechanics while still retaining the massive scope? It could be a great way to entertain fans while they wait for Elder Scrolls VI.
7 Fallout
The Fallout brand has seen better days, but fans are still willing to give the series a second chance after the disastrous launch of Fallout 76. While Bethesda has done great things with the property, some still long for the isometric RPGs Interplay made in the late '90s. The first Wasteland recently received a remake, so seeing a new version of Fallout does not seem out of the realm of possibility. The graphics should be better than the aforementioned RPG, however.
6 Scarface: The World Is Yours
This 2006 title is notable for being one of the few adaptations of the generation that are actually worth anybody's time. It takes many cues from the Grand Theft Auto series, particularly Vice City, and takes place in a world where Tony Montana survived the attack on his mansion and once again rebuilds his empire.
Tony Montana is one of the most iconic characters in cinema, so updating his video game would be a treat for players who are fans of the film.
5 Shenmue
Shenmue was way ahead of its time. Starting development on the Sega Saturn, it eventually came out on Dreamcast and was basically the only game of the generation to present a living world for players to explore. The sequel expanded upon the idea and a third entry only came out in 2019. Remakes of the first two games were in development several years ago before getting the ax, but that does not mean Sega could not start the project up once again.
4 Mercenaries: Playground Of Destruction
Mercenaries perfectly describes itself. The game really is a playground of destruction, similar to other sandbox experiences like Just Cause. As entertaining as blowing things up is in the 2005 action title, the PS2's tech can only go so far. Think about the sandbox games that have come out since then, like Just Cause and Red Faction: Guerrilla. With more detailed destruction and better physics, a remake could shine far brighter than the original.
3 Simpsons: Hit And Run
Young adults fondly remember the Simpsons: Hit and Run. Most were too young to play San Andreas or many of the other open-world games, so they instead spent their days with this game based on the Simpsons television show.
It is still zany and allows for significant player freedom, but remains mostly family friendly. Updating the game for modern consoles would tickle numerous gamers' nostalgia.
2 Jak II And III
The first Jak and Daxter is a traditional 3D platformer and logical evolution from Naughty Dog's Crash Bandicoot franchise. The sequel took things even a step further by making an open-world environment instead of traditional hubs. The tech shows its age these days, though the core gameplay holds up well. The series has been dormant since the PlayStation 2, save for an HD collection for the PS3 and Vita, so what better way to bring the series back then a full fledged remake of the original trilogy?
1 Bully
Rockstar Games rarely ever puts out a dud. However, they have a couple of outliers in their catalog. Instead of the wild destruction or old west mayhem, Bully provides a more nuanced experience about a boy going through a school year. The simulator became a hit, and was notable for its detailed environments. A sequel has been in the rumor mill for over a decade, but probably will not become a reality. Given the 2006 release, many modern gamers were barely walking when it first hit shelves, making a remake a logical option.