It's getting to the point that, in the eyes of us mere mortals, Rockstar Games can do no wrong.
The developers recently announced that Red Dead Redemption (RDR) would be getting a sequel, and the news was met with the same amount of excitement as when your partner finally puts down his controller.
While we wait for the new addition in one of the only game series to rival Grand Theft Auto, many will be revisiting the original RDR. As that is happening, I think we should talk about the game that most of us go back to when boredom kicks in and nostalgia is the only cure.
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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas had its 12th birthday last week (I know, time flies), and after we live streamed the legendary game on our Facebook, it got us thinking - is it time that it got completely remastered?
Don't get me wrong, a brand new GTA would probably be a better option, but there was something about CJ and his adventures across Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturas that struck a chord with our generation. Back in 2014, for the 10th anniversary of the game, it got a slight remaster for the PS3 (which was more of a touch up, rather than anything else) but certain elements were missing which didn't please fans. It was also only available on the PlayStore, as it is now for the fourth PlayStation, however, again, it's pretty much just the same as the original but with sharper images.
The original three Crash Bandicoot games are currently undergoing a remaster, and are expected to be released on PlayStation 4 early next year. Being able to play these games, with all the nostalgia that a Dip Dab and a gobstopper brings, but this time with the modern graphics that don't turn your eyes square, is a prospect we couldn't have dreamed of a few years ago.
When it comes to the likes of GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas, the first 20 minutes of gameplay on an old console are greeted with childish squeals, before that quickly turns to hearty derision at the fact that Carl's head is square, the controls are stodgy and we already know Big Smoke is a traitor.
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In the most recent instalment of Rockstar's success story series, we saw Los Santos undergo a face lift. Granted, we got some new, lovable characters - mostly in the form of Trevor - but there was something missing when taking that trip back to Grove Street. We located it on the map and drove there, but when taking a stroll around the infamous cul-de-sac, it was a bit underwhelming.
It looked great in the new graphics, and it was a nice blast of nostalgia, but that feeling was completely overwhelmed by lethargic emotions upon the realisation that CJ wasn't there to do a drive-by on Ballas in a Banshee, listening to Bounce FM before heading to a Cluckin' Bell.
A complete remaster, almost like an overhaul, with the exact same storyline, characters, speech, weapons, vehicles, secrets and - most importantly - cheats, would be insane. Maybe keep the 'Hot Coffee' glitch in there, too, just for a laugh.
I'm not going to pretend I even have the slightest clue as to what happens when remastering a game, so I can't say it'd be an easy or quick job. I'm just saying, y'know, if you've got important stuff going on, Rockstar, just give this as a little side project to a spotty intern. Then, when the ball really begins to roll, kick them off and finish it. Take all the credit.
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In reality there's not much chance of this happening anytime soon, not at least while bigger projects like Red Dead Redemption 2 are happening, but there'd definitely be a lot of salivating if it was announced for either the 15th or 20th anniversary of the original release (three and eight years away, respectively).
As said above, the idea of playing a childhood favourite on the might and power of a modern console like a PS4 or Xbox One is up there with the idea of having a plasma screen installed directly opposite the toilet seat.
More important than any A - Z. Credit: Rockstar
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There were so many missions, and the storyline was so timeless and long that there's not a chance we'd become bored of it. It'd be brand new all over again, but still manage to make you feel like you're in your pre-teens.
There's obviously room for the argument that it'd be better left untouched, remaining in its original capacity. But I guess we'll never know whether that's the way it should be unless we try a remaster. Suck it and see.
So, in your own time, Rockstar. No pressure.
Featured image credit: Rockstar
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Technology, Grand Theft Auto