Gaming Nostalgia Done Right: The Best Remasters & Remakes (2022–2025)

Some games don’t just live in our memories—they become part of us. We remember the moment we first booted them up, the twists that left us speechless, the soundtracks that became background music to our lives. And then, when these classics come back better than ever, it’s like revisiting an old friend who’s somehow even cooler now.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen remasters and remakes that respect nostalgia while refining the experience for modern players. Here are four that truly nailed it.

1. Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023) – Survival Horror Perfection Reborn

When Resident Evil 4 first dropped in 2005, it redefined survival horror and third-person shooters, cementing itself as one of the greatest games of all time. Fast forward to 2023, and Capcom somehow managed to make it even better.

This remake enhanced visuals, tightened combat, and deepened the horror elements, making Leon’s journey through the Spanish countryside more intense than ever. It wasn’t just a graphical update—it was a complete reimagining that preserved what made the original great while adding layers of polish and tension.

• Metacritic Score: 93/100
• Copies Sold: Over 9 million copies, making it the fastest-selling Resident Evil game ever.
• How It’s Doing Now: Still thriving, with strong player engagement and continued updates from Capcom. The Separate Ways DLC added more depth to Ada Wong’s story, keeping fans invested.

2. The Last of Us Part I (2022) – A Masterpiece, Refined

There’s a reason The Last of Us is considered one of the greatest narrative-driven games ever made. But did it need a remake? Initially, some fans were skeptical—until they saw the breathtaking improvements.

This wasn’t just about updating textures—it was about bringing the world of Joel and Ellie to life like never before. The emotional weight of every cutscene hit harder with subtle facial animations and enhanced lighting, and the combat felt tighter, more fluid without disrupting the original’s pacing.

• Metacritic Score: 89/100
• Copies Sold: Over 40 million across all versions of The Last of Us.
• How It’s Doing Now: Still a benchmark for storytelling in gaming, with strong sales and continued relevance, especially after the success of the HBO adaptation.

3. Persona 3 Reload (2024) – A Classic JRPG, Modernized

Ask any Persona fan, and they’ll tell you: Persona 3 is a game that deserved a proper remake. And in 2024, Atlus finally delivered.

This wasn’t just a touch-up—it was a full-scale rebuild that brought modern polish to an emotionally powerful JRPG. Everything from dungeon crawling to social interactions felt smoother, and the updated character models, UI, and voice acting helped make it feel like a contemporary Persona experience while still keeping the haunting atmosphere of the original.

• Metacritic Score: 87/100
• Copies Sold: Over 1 million copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling Persona game ever.
• How It’s Doing Now: Still performing well, with strong sales and continued interest from JRPG fans.

4. Silent Hill 2 Remake (2025) – Horror’s Greatest Tale Returns

Silent Hill 2 isn’t just a horror game—it’s an experience, one that burrows deep into the player’s psyche. For years, fans hoped Konami would give it the remake it deserved. And finally, in 2025, it arrived.

With next-gen visuals that made every shadow, every fog-drenched street feel more oppressive, this remake captured the chilling, slow-burn psychological horror that made the original legendary. More importantly, it kept James Sunderland’s heartbreaking descent intact, ensuring that newcomers and longtime fans alike could experience one of gaming’s most emotionally devastating stories in its best possible form.

• Metacritic Score: 86/100
• Copies Sold: Over 2 million copies.
• How It’s Doing Now: Still a major success, with strong sales and praise for its faithful recreation of the original’s atmosphere.

These remasters and remakes show that nostalgia isn’t just about looking back—it’s about rediscovering old favorites in a way that makes them feel fresh, new, and even more immersive.

Which one had the biggest impact on you? Let’s keep the conversation going!

Also, check out my previous post: Borderlands 4 Reveal: New Vault Hunters, Kairos & Big Gameplay Overhauls! • Board Activity