5 Classic PS3 Games That Deserve Modern Remakes

From “Resident Evil” to “Call of Duty,” remakes and reimaginings have been a growing force in the video game industry. When done right, these projects feel like a fresh take on a familiar story, not only improving the technical presentation but providing quality of life enhancements. With the PlayStation 3 now 30 years old, there are plenty of games produced for that console that could benefit from the remake treatment. Today, we’re taking a look at several fan-favorite PS3 games that are each well worth revisiting through a remake.

To be clear, we’re not talking about remasters, which just enhance games to run visibly better on more modern hardware. Instead, we’re talking about projects rebuilding games from the ground up, retaining the narrative and designs but re-envisioned for contemporary sensibilities and possibilities. Moreover, we’re shining a light on games that were, at least initially, PS3 exclusives rather than multi-platform titles for their launch. Here are five classic PS3 games that deserve modern remakes, faithfully reimagined but taking advantage of more advanced hardware capabilities.

Resistance: Fall of Man

Sony Interactive Entertainment

While Xbox had the “Halo” series, PlayStation had several exclusive first-person sci-fi shooters of its own, like “Killzone.” Among the biggest exclusive launch titles for the PlayStation 3 was “Resistance: Fall of Man,” developed by Sony subsidiary Insomniac Games. The game is set in an alternate 20th century where Europe has been conquered by an extraterrestrial race known as the Chimera. The game’s protagonist is American soldier Nathan Hale, who gains superhuman abilities to fight back against the Chimera and liberate the United Kingdom.

“Resistance: Fall of Man” kicked off its own small series for the PlayStation 3 and Sony’s handheld consoles before coming to an end in 2012. The first game really showcased what the console was capable of while building its own alternate history lore and frenetic first-person action. That said, it feels like Sony has brushed this franchise under the rug, with the “Resistance” titles among the classic PS3 games unplayable today. Sony could bring back its forgotten first-person shooter franchise 20 years later with remakes of the “Resistance” series, or at least its first game.

Heavenly Sword

Sony Interactive Entertainment

One of the earliest hack-and-slash exclusives for the PlayStation 3 was “Heavenly Sword,” released in 2007. A medieval fantasy title, the game’s story follows Nariko, a warrior who obtains the mythical heavenly sword. This places Nariko and her friends in a pitched battle against the villainous King Bohan, played by Andy Serkis (he also co-wrote the game’s story). Nariko can assume different stances while wielding her blade, each with their own distinct fighting styles and techniques.

An epic sequel to “Heavenly Sword” was planned by its developer Ninja Theory, only for Sony to keep it to a one-and-done title. Nearly 20 years later, the game could be reimagined in the vein of a modern hack-and-slash title like “Devil May Cry” or “Stellar Blade.” Sony Interactive Entertainment still owns the IP rights to the game, meaning a different studio could theoretically take the reins on the project. A remake of the original “Heavenly Sword” could be a good way to gauge interest to see if the franchise could be revived.

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune

Sony Interactive Entertainment

One of the more prolific video game series during the PlayStation 3 era was “Uncharted,” which saw an entire trilogy released for the console. This started with 2007’s “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune,” introducing treasure-hunting protagonist Nathan Drake, who’s as quick on the draw as he is with a wry joke. The game features Nate racing against a small army of crooks trying to find the fabled El Dorado on a remote island in the South Pacific. The third-person shooter and gameplay and platforming elements are introduced here as Nate discovers the deadly truth behind the treasure’s legend.

“Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” is the game in the series that’s aged the worst, which is perfectly understandable given that it’s the oldest. But more than the technical presentation, the gameplay mechanics that the series refined in subsequent installments are at their clunkiest here. The game was remastered as part of “Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection” in 2015 for the PlayStation 4, but it could use a full rework. With Naughty Dog seemingly finished with the “Uncharted” series, a remake of the first game by them or another developer could reignite interest in the property.

LittleBigPlanet

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Amid the push for bigger and more bombastic 3D gameplay, “LittleBigPlanet” sharpened its focus with a side-scrolling perspective. The 2008 game has players control a small character named Sackboy as he traverses vibrantly designed levels resembling stop-motion animation. The game allows for up to four-person cooperative multiplayer, with some of the platforming puzzles requiring multiple players to complete. But one of the biggest things that “LittleBigPlanet” brings to the table is its level editor, letting players build and share their own levels.

Given its timeless presentation and art design, any proposed “LittleBigPlanet” remake wouldn’t have to alter the source material that much. But the gameplay could use a little tightening, especially with Sackboy feeling like he’s running on ice, which is frustrating for a title relying on precise platforming. Similarly, the online features and co-op gameplay could be refined to better appeal to modern audiences. Like several other titles on this list, the “LittleBigPlanet” franchise has been dormant for years, and a remake of a proven success could completely reinvigorate it.

Heavy Rain

French development studio Quantic Dream has produced some of the best interactive story games of all time. The studio’s association with PlayStation really took shape with 2010’s “Heavy Rain,” a neo-noir thriller that was originally a PS3 exclusive. The game has single father Ethan Mars search for his son after the boy is kidnapped by the Origami Killer, a prolific child murderer. Players control four different characters, including Ethan, as the mystery deepens and the notorious child killer is revealed.

Interactive story games have come a long way since “Heavy Rain,” and more than just with their technical presentation. Titles like “Until Dawn” and “The Dark Pictures Anthology” kept the horror genre alive and well for subsequent generations with more refined gameplay. Several of Quantic Dream’s games could benefit from remakes reflecting those quality of life improvements and modern sensibilities, including “Heavy Rain.” Setting the template that “Until Dawn” would follow years later, “Heavy Rain” is a moody PS3 experience ready to shine again on more advanced hardware.