Top 6 Noteworthy Redesigns Utilizing Unreal Engine 5 to Date
Unreal Engine 5 is proving to be a powerful tool for both developers and enthusiasts, as it allows for the remaking of classic games with modern visuals and gameplay improvements. This versatile engine is being used in both official studio projects and fan-made efforts, showcasing its capabilities in preserving classic gameplay experiences and delivering cinematic, high-fidelity worlds.
One of the most notable official remakes is Konami's Silent Hill 2, developed by Blooper Team and praised for its atmospheric environmental design, a new over-the-shoulder camera, and richly detailed worlds that enhance the original's claustrophobic horror experience. The remake offers a fresh perspective on the game's worlds, making it feel more immersive and claustrophobic.
Another high-profile remake is Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, developed by Ninja Theory and Xbox Game Studios. While not a strict remake, this sequel leverages Unreal Engine 5 for cinematic realism, impressive combat animations, and immersive storytelling, setting a new standard for visual fidelity.
Konami's Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake, developed by Virtuos, is another official UE5 remake noted for stunning visuals, though it has faced criticism for performance issues on consoles, raising concerns about optimization.
In addition to official remakes, Unreal Engine 5 is also being used by passionate fans to recreate classic games. For example, Mitch Theriault is remaking Tony Hawk's Underground as a personal project, using 3D scans and Unreal’s Metahuman tools to faithfully replicate characters and environments. The remake includes cars using a mix of existing models and new assets.
JeliLiam is creating a Unreal Engine 5 remake of Sonic Adventure 2, focusing on upgrading the lighting and level of detail. A playable demo is available on Game Jolt, allowing fans to experience the enhanced version of the early 2000s 3D Sonic game.
There are also fan remakes of classic games like Super Mario World and Sonic Adventures in Unreal Engine 5, demonstrating the engine's versatility and accessibility for both commercial and enthusiast developers.
Unreal Engine 5 is a free real-time development toolset that has become popular for making games. It is making high-end, cutting-edge graphics more accessible for indie developers, allowing them to create games with cinematic visuals and immersive gameplay.
For example, CryZENx has been working on an Unreal Engine remake of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for years, and several levels of the remake, including Zora's Domain, the Zora River, and Kakariko Village, are now available via the developer's Patreon. In these levels, players can enter some houses, fight several enemies, use their ocarina, collect items, break objects, and speak with NPCs.
Eyeballistic Games has also created proof-of-concept Unreal Engine 5 videos for a fan remaster of the original Mortal Kombat trilogy, stirring fan demand for an official remaster with the engine's visual enhancements.
In conclusion, Unreal Engine 5 is a powerful tool for both official studio titles and passionate fan projects, allowing for the preservation of classic gameplay experiences and the delivery of cinematic, high-fidelity worlds. Whether it's a remake of a classic like Silent Hill 2 or a personal project like Tony Hawk's Underground, Unreal Engine 5 is proving to be a versatile and accessible engine for developers and enthusiasts alike.
- Unreal Engine 5 is being used by developers and enthusiasts to create games with modern visuals and gameplay improvements, such as Konami's Silent Hill 2 remake, which offers atmospheric environmental design and richly detailed worlds.
- Notable fan-made efforts using Unreal Engine 5 include Mitch Theriault's remake of Tony Hawk's Underground, which leverages Metahuman tools for character and environment replication.
- Another fan remake, JeliLiam's Sonic Adventure 2, focuses on enhancing the lighting and level of detail to improve the early 2000s 3D Sonic game.
- Unreal Engine 5 demonstrates its versatility and accessibility with fan remakes of classic games like Super Mario World and Sonic Adventures.
- Unreal Engine 5 is a free development toolset, making high-end, cutting-edge graphics more accessible for indie developers, such as CryZENx's long-term project of a Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.
- Eyeballistic Games has generated fan demand for an official remaster of the Mortal Kombat trilogy with their Unreal Engine 5 proof-of-concept videos.
- Regardless of whether it's an official studio title or a personal project, Unreal Engine 5 is a versatile and accessible engine for both commercial and enthusiast developers, showcasing its capabilities in game remakes and preserving classic gameplay experiences.
