“With the latest PSSR update, Silent Hill f now delivers an even smoother gameplay experience than before,” said Konami’s production team. “Fine details – from swaying blades of grass to shadows cast across the ground – are rendered with greater clarity, deepening immersion in the fog-shrouded Japan of the 1960s.” A short new trailer highlights the difference between the current PSSR and its upgraded version with the latter pretty much eliminating any flickering.

Ninja Theory head, Dom Matthews, noted the team’s excitement to collaborate with Sony while also being impressed by “the quality of particle effects with this latest update, helping to bring key gameplay moments to life through enhanced visuals.” Remedy’s graphical technical director, Tatu Aalto, also noted how the improved image upscaling resulted in “efficient stochastic sampling without sacrificing image stability” and how it “responds quickly to visibility changes in games, keeping motion clear while improving temporal stability.” The result is even “better, more stable image quality” in Control and Alan Wake 2.

Those worried that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on consoles would never fully depict the beauty of its characters’ hairstyles should also rejoice. Director Naoki Hamaguchi notes how “fine details such as character’s hair are naturally restored.” Of course, “less flickering and afterimage feeling” is also a bonus. You can also expect sharper edges for wildlife scenery in Nioh 3, whether it’s foliage or various flowers.

And while Capcom didn’t provide any additional comments on the technology, it will be available for Monster Hunter Wilds and Dragon’s Dogma 2. Resident Evil Requiem was the first title that leveraged Upgraded PSSR, and the results have been quite stunning thus far. Stay tuned for more details on other titles that will implement it in the coming weeks.

That is, unless you’re a game developer with a reasonably successful title that launched many years – or even just a few. You can then go back and remake it, as so many studios have done over the past decade or more. But it didn’t always used to be like this.

In the past, some games would premiere in arcades before hitting consoles, and when they did, some would have extensively retooled graphics. From Space Invaders in the late 1970s to Ultima 1: Age of Darkness, even Super Mario All-Stars can be considered a remake, since it updated the NES titles with new visuals. As technology improved across all platforms, you would have titles like Resident Evil HD in 2002 with far higher budgets.

Despite its success – to say nothing of everything that came before and after – the trend only really became so dominant after the success of 2019’s Resident Evil 2. And for good reason – it’s generally considered one of the very best ever made, and has sold millions of copies. Its changes were well-received by fans at large, and in a way, you could argue that it drew in a whole new generation to the Resident Evil franchise. This was perfect for the developer , which was in the midst of a renaissance of sorts thanks to Resident Evil 7: biohazard.

The trend has ballooned well past simply revisiting what worked and reinventing it for a new generation. Remakes are big business – 2025 alone saw the launch of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, Yooka-Replaylee, and so on. That’s not even getting into games that had Definitive Editions or remasters like Suikoden I and II HD Remaster, Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered, and so on, or titles like Silent Hill 2 remake, which was finally released on Xbox Series X/S.

However, it highlights a more noticeable quirk about the industry thus far, one that was also observable in a different way: Sequels. Think back to some of the most well-received and/or financially successful games of last year. Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Monster Hunter Wilds, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Battlefield 6, Mario Kart World, Silent Hill f – it’s a pretty extensive range of sequels, but they’re also some of the most hyped games of this generation.

Heck, even on a smaller scale, there are the likes of Ender Magnolia, Wizard of Legend 2, Citizen Sleeper 2, etc. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance may be considered soft reboots in a way, though they’re heavily based on their predecessors (and fit within the established canon). But either way, they’re part of established IPs. And let’s not forget that the most anticipated title of the year is Grand Theft Auto 6 – yet another entry in an established IP. Don’t even get me started on sequels like Code Vein 2, Nioh 3, Mario Tennis Fever, Resident Evil Requiem, and so on.

This isn’t to say we haven’t seen new ideas and stories. Clair Obscur is the most obvious choice, but you also have Blue Prince, Avowed, ARC Raiders, StarVaders, and Dispatch, among so many others. But the number of risks taken by the big players, the triple-A publishers, is relatively lower. Microsoft may have offered up South of Midnight and Keeper, but it gave far more attention – and marketing budgets – to games like The Outer Worlds 2. Halo: Campaign Evolved is out this year, and it got far more media attention.

Sony is an even wilder case with a treasure trove of beloved IPs that it’s yet to revisit. So while they would technically be sequels, a new Sly Cooper, Resistance or Jak and Daxter might as well be exempt from the rule. And there’s no guarantee that they’ll put in the numbers that The Last of Us Part 3, Uncharted 5, and other theoretical sequels would.

Now, I’m not saying that all sequels and remakes or even reboots are bad, or that they can’t push innovation. Donkey Kong Bananza may technically be part of an established IP, but its combination of destruction and platforming is something we haven’t seen before, even with Mario. Hades 2 follows the same formula as its predecessor, but makes sweeping changes and additions to its combat system to feel significantly – but not too heavily – different. The same could apply to Ghost of Yōtei and Death Stranding 2, and they’re absolutely pushing their respective gameplay formula – and genres as a whole – forward.

However, seeing brand new ideas on such a massive scale is becoming less common. Perhaps the most notable is Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic, and based on rumors, it’s looking at games like Elden Ring – a new IP but one that draws on FromSoftware’s extensive history with Dark Souls and Bloodborne – for its world design. At times, you have to wonder if the balance has tipped too far to the other side, to the extent that new IPs struggle for visibility. For every Clair Obscur, Dispatch and ARC Raiders that becomes massively successful, there are acclaimed titles like The Drifter, which sold 13,617 units in its first week.

But it’s clear to see why so many studios are focusing on remakes and sequels, besides the fact that they’re part of familiar brands, which means guaranteed audiences and less risk. Development costs only continue to rise, and publishers, the ones with the money, don’t just want the best return on their investments – they want games that drive growth.

There’s a reason franchises like Dead Space, Titanfall and Dragon Age are on ice – the return on their investments didn’t fulfil any of the conditions that Electronic Arts sought. Despite several Assassin’s Creed titles in development, there’s a reason why the developer has games like Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, Splinter Cell Remake and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake in the works. They’re safe bets, and if they blow up as Resident Evil 2 remake did, then they might drive renewed interest in dormant IPs, thus spurring even more remakes (and potential sequels).

Of course, the biggest reason we’ll continue to see sequels, remakes, reboots, remasters, and whatnot is because of those who buy them: Gamers. Time is limited, and the sheer number of choices in the triple-A, indie and free-to-play spaces is immense. Why not spend it on something familiar that’s also fun? It’s not the most unreasonable expectation, but the knock-on effect could result in huge shifts down the line. Would games like Keeper receive any attention if Double Fine weren’t part of Microsoft, or if it weren’t on Game Pass? Would developers even still be around if they weren’t acquired in the first place? What happens when their titles fail to perform well?

Whatever the case may be, the fixation isn’t going to end anytime soon, especially if it pays dividends. The only thing we can hope for is that innovation eventually breaks through, regardless of audience, brand name and studio size, as we’ve seen so many times this year.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

The last major milestone hit by the game was back in October 2025, when Konami had confirmed that it had shipped more than 2.5 million units worldwide, counting physical and digital sales.

Silent Hill 2 is a psychological horror game that revolves around James Sunderland having spent three years mourning the death of his wife, who passed away from a terminal illness. However, one day, he gets a strange letter signed by his wife, Mary, asking him to meet her in their “special place”—the town of Silent Hill. The remake was released on PC and PS5 back in October 2024, and eventually made its way to Xbox Series X/S in November 2025.

The original release of the game happened back in 2004 on PS2, Xbox and PC, and saw an immensely positive critical reception thanks to how it handled its horror aspects, including a tense atmosphere, as well as its deep storytelling and well-written characters.

Being such a beloved game, Bloober Team had spoken about having to dive into plenty of fan theories for the purposes of research during the development of the remake. Level designer Anna Oporska-Szybisz noted during a GDC talk last year that one of the core areas of this research was the Labyrinth.

“I can’t tell you how many hours we spent watching, reading, discussing all the elements that we can [find] on the internet,” Oporska-Szybisz said. “Our main goal has always been to respect the fans and never, ever disregard any of their theories.”

“I don’t like everything that I found there, to be honest, but when we started analyzing them and finding all the cons and pros behind them, I started to love the way that people were thinking about the Labyrinth, and wanted to incorporate as many things as I can in it.”

Since then, Bloober Team has gone on to develop and release another horror title—Cronos: The New Dawn. Director Jacek Zięba spoke about how the studio felt like underdogs until the release of Silent Hill 2 Remake.

“We are starting to stop feeling like underdogs all the time after Silent Hill,” he said. “The Silent Hill era wasn’t so easy in the eyes of the public. There were a lot of voices: ‘Oh no, Bloober is doing this. They will destroy that.’ It was very tough for the whole company to stick to our guns and put all our heart into that thing, even if most people don’t want it. We proved people wrong, so that’s nice.’”

For more details about Silent Hill 2 Remake, check out our review from back when it first came out. Also take a look at why we loved it enough to make it our game of the year for 2024, amidst heavy-hitters like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Astro Bot, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

We thought of quite a few titles that were developed since 2020, but ultimately decided that remakes of older titles would be a great way to showcase the manner in which modern graphics enhance the games that they aim to recreate. Without further ado, let’s dive right into our picks for games that demonstrate just how much graphics in video games have evolved over the years.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Konami’s decision to give a modern makeover to Naked Snake’s original adventure was a decision we wholeheartedly supported after seeing the end result. While the original game did have its charms, its graphics did show their age after several replays over the years.

However, the remake did a great job of giving the experience a complete overhaul on the graphical front. Naked Snake and his fellow cast of memorable characters looked better than before with improved character models, while the world his adventure takes place in was blessed with a sheen of immersion that had us glued to our screens for every second of it.

This one was an excellent showcase of the point we’re trying to make, and a lovely way to enjoy a source of many fond memories over the years.

2. Resident Evil 2

This last-gen remake was an already solid take on the original adventure, its improvements pushing the title into a new era of relevance among gamers who may not have had the chance to try it out back in the day. But it was the current-gen updates that truly brought Leon and Claire’s efforts to escape Racoon City to life, with improved resolutions and ray-traced graphics that made every area in the game feel fresh yet familiar.

The nostalgia was well backed up by the graphical marvels that this one brought to us, making the entire experience hit harder as a result. This one certainly wasn’t afraid to punch up, and continues to be a beacon for modern-day graphics in gaming.

3. Silent Hill 2

The Bloober Team sure hit gold with this one. It was everything a remake of the original experience should have been, and the graphical overhaul it received made it surpass even the original experience.

The very air around James seemed to shimmer with malevolence as he made his way through the painstakingly crafted levels of the game, each of which is a lovely argument in favor of evolved graphics, lending a fresh layer of realism to a title that’s probably been played too many times to count among its loyal fans.

Silent Hill 2 is as good as they come on the graphical front, and is another great game made even better with a graphical overhaul.

4. Shadow of the Colossus

Allow us to level with you. We approached this 2018 PS4 remake with a fair bit of trepidation. It isn’t easy to forget the many hours of frustration that a game that’s designed to be as opaque as it can be gives you. Each of the mighty colossi we took on back in the day had us feeling despair and frustration, considering the fact that we were quite young when we tried it out.

But Bluepoint’s efforts to invigorate the experience with a graphical overhaul are nothing short of spectacular. We soon found ourselves in the thick of the action, our muscle memories prompting our intentions against the giants we were taking on. It wasn’t a coincidence that this one sold approximately 70% over its original release. Bluepoint probably used a lot of the lessons it learned with this one to make its take on Demon’s Souls be as awesome as it was.

5. Dead Space

Although EA wasn’t too happy with how this remake performed in 2023, that doesn’t take away from the fact that rebuilding the game from the ground up while letting the Frostbite Engine show off its chops was a smart choice. Dynamic lighting and blazing fast loading times ensured that Isaac’s fight against the Necrormorphs and his own psychosis were given a new layer of immersion and engagement.

With levels seamlessly loading into each other and each one popping out with incredible detail and a level of polish that the original game could not achieve due to the limitations of the systems it was meant to run on. But all of that’s in the past, as Dead Space is now a beacon for current-gen focused remakes that make use of the tech to make an experience that feels brand new.

6. Final Fantasy 7

Both the remake and intergrade really did a number on the original experience, making Midgar feel like a new world entirely. Cloud Strife’s adventure was made even better thanks to a more streamlined story and an improved combat system that benefited from buttery smooth framerates on current-gen consoles while also bringing all the bells and whistles of modern hardware to the table.

As a game that aims to recapture the magic of the original, this one did quite well to be more than just a fresh coat of paint, a feat made possible by the improvements that modern gaming hardware is able to enable.

7. Mafia: Definitive Edition

The Mafia franchise is already famous for its cinematic quality and presentation, but the first entry in the franchise was limited by what the PS2 could achieve at the time. But two generations of consoles later, Tommy Angelo’s rise to prominence within the ranks of the Salieri crime family is now an adventure that looks good and plays so well it’s hard to remember what the original game felt like.

Hangar 13’s effort to rebuild things from the ground up paid off, and the first Mafia title is now a great introduction to the franchise, given a new lease of life by graphical improvements that were facilitated by upgraded tech.

8. System Shock 1

We can’t help but wonder if the folks over at Nightdive Studios saw something we didn’t that prompted the idea to remake a 1994 classic that might have slipped under the radar of the modern gamer, considering the many years that had passed since its release.

However, your character’s attempts to stop the malevolent AI program SHODAN in its tracks were made all the better by a remake that feels oddly relevant today. That makes System Shock a game that was ahead of its time, made even better by its modernization and graphical overhaul. The seven years it took to develop this one were definitely worth it.

9. Yakuza Kiwami 2

This one certainly earned the Kiwami in its title. A Japanese word meaning “ultimate”, the last and current-gen versions of this game are a great display of how video game graphics have evolved.

There’s a reason this one won the awards it did, bringing a revival of the original experience that brought a lot of graphical improvement while also elevating the experience through them, Kazuma Kiryu’s adventure becoming all the more immersive alongside a very welcome additional chapter focused on Goro Majima.

10. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

Colorful, charming, and confident. Those are the sentiments that were foremost during our time with the original games. But the N. Sane Trilogy took things up a notch with a visual overhaul of a largely faithful recreation of all three games that made this one truly stand out amongst a sea of remakes.

Hi-res textures, dynamic lighting, improved draw distances, and reworked animations did a very good job at giving the OG trilogy a new lease of life. Besides, Coco Banidicot being a playable character was just the icing on the cake. We’d go so far as to say that the improvements on this one were “N.Sane” enough to make us sit up and take notice of the painstaking effort that went into it.

And that’s a wrap on games that had a graphical leap that showcased just how far the gaming world has come, and the manner in which the experiences it brings to us year after year have now been elevated, thanks to how realistic the worlds they take us to have become.

Alongside releasing for Microsoft’s console, this marks the remake’s release on the Microsoft Store for PC as well. As many suspected from the leaked back-end listing, it supports Xbox Play Anywhere, which means buying it on either platform will make it available on the other.

Other notable features, as indicated on the storefront, include Variable Refresh Rate support, HDR10, Dolby Atmos, Ray Tracing, and more. Not unexpected, considering the PS5 version, but still good to know.

Does that pour cold water over the possibility of a Born from a Wish DLC announcement, much less a PS5 Pro patch? We’ll find out when it appears during the Partner Preview at 10 AM PST.

When asked about whether there has been any update regarding an Xbox Partner Showcase slated for November, NateTheHate responded on social media by saying that an “announcement for it is very soon.” On further questions about what kinds of announcements can be expected during the showcase, he brought up the Silent Hill 2 remake as one of the big subjects of the event.

What “very soon” means in this context is anyone’s guess, but chances are that Microsoft will officially announce this Xbox Partner Showcase sometime this week. The showcase will reportedly take place either later this week or next week before the end of November.

As for the Silent Hill 2 remake, a listing for the title had reportedly popped up on the Microsoft Store’s back-end earlier this month, indicating a release for Xbox Series X/S on November 21. The listing also indicated a Deluxe Edition, which would include bonuses like a digital art book and the soundtrack. Since the listing had Xbox Series X/S and PC as its platforms, it could be an Xbox Play Anywhere title (or at least feature a PC version native to the storefront).

Rumours of Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 remake coming to Xbox Series X/S had first popped up back in October, when updates made to the game’s official website were noticed that included a couple of new blank elements for where the game’s platforms are listed. These blank elements are assumed to be further updated once the Xbox release is officially announced.

These rumours started getting more credible because a listing for Silent Hill 2 for Xbox Series X/S was spotted on the official website for the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

While Silent Hill 2 itself is all but confirmed as coming to Xbox Series X/S, there have also been questions about a DLC, dubbed Born from a Wish. Bloober Team itself is yet to confirm anything about the rumoured DLC, but it was seemingly teased by narrative designer Grzegorz Like. The DLC may be officially unveiled closer to the theatrical release of the film Return to Silent Hill, which is based on Silent Hill 2.

Since its original release on PS5 and PC last year, Konami has confirmed that the Silent Hill 2 remake has been quite successful, topping 2.5 million sales worldwide. A later update to the official Konami website also revealed that the Silent Hill franchise has overall sold 13 million copies since the franchise’s debut back in 1999.

For more details about the Silent Hill 2 remake, check out our review.

Going by the image, it will support Xbox cloud saves, Achievements, and more. A Deluxe Edition is also seemingly on the way, with a digital art book and soundtrack. It’s worth noting that Xbox Series X/S and PC are listed as platforms, but Xbox Play Anywhere support isn’t specified.

It’s possible that the listing is still a work in progress, so we’ll have to wait for the official announcement. If Silent Hill 2 remake is dropping seemingly out of nowhere in the coming weeks for Xbox, then what about Born from a Wish, the long-rumored additional scenario turned paid DLC?

Actor Salóme Rannveig Gunnarsdóttir, who plays Maria in the base game, said that Bloober Team hadn’t contacted her for the same. However, narrative designer Grzegorz Like seemingly teased its existence, responding to a fan with, “Born from what?” and the “eyes” emoji.

Stealth drop incoming? At the very least, it could be an announcement at The Game Awards on December 11th. In the meantime, check out our review of Silent Hill 2 remake on PS5 here. You can also learn more about the latest entry, Silent Hill f, here.

Ampere’s sample covered 42 titles shipped between Jan 2024 and Sept 2025 (15 remakes, 27 remasters) and found that the average consumer spend on a remake was 2.2 times that of a remaster. A notable outlier on the remaster side was The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, which peaked at about $180 million in consumer spend and seven million monthly active users across PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam.

Two recent examples that further support this claim are Konami’s Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Silent Hill 2. After crossing 2 million in its first few months, Konami recently touted 2.5 million shipments and digital sales for the latter roughly a year on – evidence that premium horror remakes can keep momentum beyond launch spikes.

Meanwhile, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater illustrates how modern remakes can sell more than nostalgia: new tech (UE5), revised controls, and feature updates aim to re-present a classic with contemporary expectations. It sold over one million copies on its launch day alone.

Bottom line: Players aren’t just buying memories, they’re buying modern experiences built on old blueprints. When a remake rewrites the feel, not just the resolution, it earns time spent and dollars that a remaster typically can’t.

But what about Born from a Wish, the highly-rumored bonus-scenario-turned-DLC that’s allegedly in the works for the remake? Bloober Team hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but lead narrative designer Grzegorz Like seemingly teased its existence. Replying to a Twitter user about whether the Xbox version would include the same, Like said, “Born from what?” followed by the “eyes” emoji.

Not the most subtle hint, but something is definitely afoot (even if Maria actor Salóme Rannveig Gunnarsdóttir hasn’t been contacted). If there was ever a time for an announcement and reveal, it may be at The Game Awards on December 11th, especially since Return to Silent Hill is out a month later.

For those who can’t wait, Silent Hill 2 remake is available for PS5 and PC. It was also recently added to PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe.

Rated “M” for Mature 17+ – and for good reason, given the explicit content in the game, from blood and gore to suggestive content and torture – this suggests an imminent announcement. Rumors previously claimed that it would be revealed alongside a PS5 Pro patch and the upcoming film Return to Silent Hill, which is scheduled for release in January 2026.

You would think the rumored Born From a Wish, now apparently a standalone DLC, would also be announced. However, Salóme Rannveig Gunnarsdóttir, who plays Maria, revealed that she hadn’t been contacted for the same.

Regardless, if an announcement is inbound, it could be at The Game Awards on December 11th, so stay tuned. Silent Hill 2 remake is currently available for PS5 and PC. It also recently arrived on PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium, and crossed 2.5 million in worldwide shipments.