Since gaming has been around since the late ’70s, plenty of series have come and gone, but some require just a little bit of dusting off so that they can be better suited for a modern-day audience. These games are usually known as reboots, entries in a series that can act as a total reset, so it can reintroduce the series or sometimes be a ‘soft reboot’, which keeps most of the canon but has a separate adventure to ease newcomers in.
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Some reboots have failed but plenty have succeeded in bringing great series back to life and some have even created games that are better than their original. However, you may wonder, just what are the best reboots out there? What are the games that managed to not only bring their series back but also be incredible games all on their own?
8Tomb Raider (2013)
By 2013,Tomb Raiderhadn’t had a new entry since Tomb Raider: Underworld, which came out five years prior and was considered to be a disappointment when it came to sales. On top of all that, the game was also glitchy and seemed to be the end of a trilogy that started back in Tomb Raider: Legend, leaving fans wondering where Lara would go now.
The series was rebooted with the simply titled Tomb Raider, which was originally meant to be a prequel and saw Lara Croft embark on her first adventure when she and her friends are shipwrecked on an island controlled by a lost Japanese queen and her cult of followers. The game was a critical and commercial success and is still remembered fondly as one of the best games in the entire history of the series.
7Wolfenstein: The New Order
Wolfenstein is most known for being that old game where you invade Hitler’s castle and one of the most iconic shooters of all time. ButWolfenstein: The New Orderseemed to take everything good from modern-day gaming such as a focus on storytelling, great controls and visceral combat and plant it in a new Wolfenstein game.
Wolfenstein: The New Order successfully brings back BJ Blazkowicz and tells a new and exciting story whilst still being an all-around great game with new concepts that find a great home in the series. This reboot is often credited as bringing the series back to the modern day.
6God Of War (2018)
When it was announced that there would be aGod of Warreboot, many people were concerned just how they were going towrite Kratos in the new game. Was it just going to be him taking down the Norse gods in another fit of revenge? Or were they going to somehow try a redemption arc for him which would be difficult to do?
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It turns out it was the latter, but along with a redemption arc came an enthralling world inspired by Norse myth, a heartfelt story and some of the best combat the series has ever seen. God of War is a love letter to the series for its fans and stands as an example of a fantastic soft reboot for a beloved franchise.
5Resident Evil 7
WhenResident Evil 6came out, it divided fans with its odd gameplay and even odder story which saw you taking control of a duo of different characters whilst a new virus ravaged China. But imagine people’s shock and surprise when a game that looked to be inspired by Kojima’s P.T demo, was actually announced asResident Evil 7.
The game acted as a soft reboot that went back to the series' horror roots, being first-person and in a new environment dripping with atmosphere. Resident Evil 7 became a huge success and alongside a slew of impressive remakes has been credited as saving the once flailing Resident Evil series.
4DOOM (2016)
Doomwill always be known as another one ofthe classic and iconic shooters, but it would also soon be known for having a fantastic remake. Though it kept to the aesthetic of the series, with some incredible music and fast-paced action, the reboot known simply as Doom wowed the gaming community.
Although it didn’t have to introduce a whole new story or change much of its formula, the game had fun incorporating more modern elements of shooters and fantastic designs of its demonic enemies which caused the game to be seen as a great return to form for the series.
3Tomb Raider: Legend
Yes, we can’t believe it either but the Tomb Raider series has actually hadtworeboots. After the critically panned Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness, Eidos Interactive was let go and Crystal Dynamics was chosen as the new developers of the Tomb Raider games. A lot was on the line, but they impressed everyone with Tomb Raider: Legend, a game that kept the classical sassy Lara Croft and told a story that went more into her origin story.
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It was the start of a brand-new trilogy and impressed with fantastic environments from tombs beneath England to the cityscape of Japan. Tomb Raider: Legend is still regarded as a high point of the series and its success guaranteed more games to come for the series.
2Hitman (2016)
Hitmanhas always been an enigma of a series, one that has had a cult following but still trying to break out into the wider mainstream market. Although it had been well received for years, its soft reboot simply titled Hitman also began a new trilogy. The stealth action game utilised advancements when it came to stealth mechanics and gameplay as well as some much more improved visuals.
The game also had more of a story, especially showcasing Agent 47 and Diana’s interesting relationship, which helped to frame the missions and make them much more memorable.
1Grand Theft Auto 3
Perhaps the most successful reboot of them all,Grand Theft Auto 3was a soft reboot that arrived in 2001 and greatly enhanced the Grand Theft Auto series. Although the first two titles had a fanbase, Rockstar Games became a household name with the third main installment in the series which featured an open world, atmospheric city and better gameplay in a new 3D environment.
The game was controversial, creative and ultimately commercially successful, practically making Rockstar Games the acclaimed company they are today and helping pave the way for Grand Theft Auto to be one of the most successful series ever.
