Nostalgia is big business in video games, with virtually every publisher constantly re-releasing better versions of their most beloved games for modern hardware. These remakes and remasters run the gamut from relatively simple next-gen ports to full-fledged reimaginings such as Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. And 2025 was a big year for the revival of retro gaming, especially for RPG fans. Here are Polygon's favorite remakes, remasters and re-releases of 2025.
Final Fantasy Tactics: Chronicles of Ivalice
Chronicles of Ivalice won the Game Award for Best Simulation/Strategy this year, and the main reason for this is its impeccable employment system. If you like customizing characters and sending lopsided groups into battle – oops, all the summoners! – then this strategy role-playing game is for you. The latest fantasy tactic'the fighting is on notoriously difficultbut the flexibility and freedom of the task system makes trial and error a big part of the fun. You'll suffer a lot of quick defeats here, but this will only add to the satisfaction of finally developing a winning approach.
Paths in the Sky Chapter 1
The Trails series is Gaming's answer to Robert Jordan's (and now Brandon Sanderson's) Wheel of Time novels. The Trails series is a massive 13-part sci-fi epic with an overarching story. Falcom intended this game to be the most ambitious story ever told in a video game, so you can understand why newcomers are a little intimidated by the prospect. Now no excuses: Paths in the Sky Chapter 1 is the perfect place to start this legendary adventure – no matter how deep down the rabbit hole you dare to go.
Konami's remake of the third Metal Gear Solid game is likely just the beginning of a series of re-releases of Hideo Kojima's beloved spy series. damn good. It's a careful remake that doesn't stray too far from Kojima's original vision, for better or for worse: Delta retains all the potential of the original game for crazy experimentation in combat, but also retains a penchant for evil and creepy camera angles.
Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake
Inspired by Wizardry and Ultima, OG Dragon Quest is the very first console role-playing game, released back in 1986. The story is simple but familiar: you must seal away an ancient evil, rescue a princess, and collect some mystical MacGuffins along the way. Square Enix's sleek HD-2D remaster gives the first two games a great shine and smoothes out some of the rough edges of the 8-bit era, such as the ability to save at only one specific castle and the lack of a sprint button. It's the perfect way to experience the classics – without the nasty old-fashioned clatter.
Suikoden 1+2 HD Remastered
Aesthetically, this collection is more of a mild update than a complete overhaul, and that's all this timeless PS1 classic really needs. The whole point of the Suikoden games is that you need to recruit 108 party members. Some of these recruits are tough warriors, many of them shouldn't be leveled up, and the rest are just fools who hang out in your castle. The first game in the set is great, but the real meat is here Suikoden 2which features one of the most amazing villains of all time, a phenomenal soundtrack, and some truly amazing plot twists. If you love golden age RPGs, this collection is definitely worth your time.
It's been the worst kept secret in the gaming industry for months, but when Oblivion The remaster finally came out of the shadows back in April and lived up to all the hype. WITH Elder Scrolls 6 still far, far away more than 9 million Bethesda veterans and newcomers alike enthusiastically immersed themselves in the world Cyrodiil. The remaster includes changes to the user interface and leveling system to bring it closer to modern RPGs, and enemy animations have been updated to give combat more weight and realism. And, thank the gods, there is now a sprint button.
Professional Skater Tony Hawk 3+4
Saved from the brink of cancellation when a new studio joined the project, Professional Skater Tony Hawk 3+4 gives the arcade skater a fresh coat of paint and adds a bunch of playable characters, but removes the career mode in the fourth game. Polygon called bundle “a bolder and more conservative sequel to its 2020 predecessor” in his review and noted that it made a compelling case for Iron Galaxy to take control of the franchise in the future.
Gears of War: Reboot
The best shooter Dudes Rock is back and it's as cool as ever. This is one of many signs that 2025 will mark the end of the console war as we know it. Rebooted forever abandoned the exclusivity of the series for consoles and came out on PS5. A product of Very Brown Games' PS3/360 era, the remake adds a few welcome splashes of color here and there as part of its visual upgrade. Sure, the story and characters are paper thin, but you're not here for Shakespeare, you're here for great dumb funAnd Gears of War: Reboot delivers.
A Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
This is a remastered version of the 2008 Nintendo DS game. Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar stands out for its fast development and community focusallowing it to bypass some of the more tedious aspects of its Life-Sim counterparts. The robust and open romance mechanics only add to the appeal. This is a must-have game for lovers of cozy games.
Talos Principle: Awakening
This Portal-meets-Mist Unreal Engine 5 restructures the mashup from top to bottom, but improved visuals aren't the only benefit. Awakened adds Mario Maker-a puzzle editor that lets you share your creations online, plus interactive developer commentary that will make you wish more games put this level of thought and care into their remasters.
