What's your favourite glow up game? | Team Talk

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With Cyberpunk 2077 getting a shot in the arm from a current gen re-release and titles like No Man's Sky being totally transformed by post-launch updates, it got us thinking about games that have had the best "glow up".

Remasters, re-releases and ports are all on the table, so what game became your favourite after a bit of a face-lift? Let us know in the comments, if you've got time between jumping into Horizon Forbidden West and waiting for Elden Ring.

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​by James Michael Parry

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@James_Parry

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by Team PTC

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@pass_controller

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Alan Wake Remastered | James

Although I'd always heard of Alan Wake back in the day, I think it's fair to say I didn't give it much thought when it came out. It's remaster though, came at the perfect time to introduce me to Bright Falls (though unfortunately without the accompanying live action micro-series).

Remedy first got my attention with Quantum Break and then even more so with Control, and I've really enjoyed diving into one of their foundational characters.

Of course, the character himself leaves a lot to be desired, he seems to blame his wife and resent her far more than he needs to, while at the same time risking his life to save her. Perhaps in the recently announced sequel the portrayal will be kinder.

This recent release polishes in all the right places, and the lighting in particular really stands out in creating the game's signature atmosphere. The performances in general hold up, despite the pulpy surrealism that grounds the story itself.

Your manager and best friend Barry is a particular stand out, his panicked phone calls and general disbelief underlines the feelings of the audience, while still keeping you guessing about what will happen next.

If you haven't played before, then it's a great time to pay Alan a visit.

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Yakuza Kiwami | Liam

I never played the original Yakuza, which came out in 2005, but after hearing lots of talk about the latest (and eighth!) game in the main series, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, I decided to give the remake of the original a try seeing as it was on Game Pass.

I’m very glad I did, as it turned out to be a quality game. The story is captivating enough, and there’s also a few memorable characters knocking about, such as Majima, who periodically turns up for boss fights. Gameplay and is also solid, and the Tokyo-inspired setting is an interesting one.

But I’ve probably been most impressed by the visuals. Although the remake came out on last gen consoles, it could easily pass as a current gen title. The streets of Kamurocho look particularly impressive, with lots of pedestrians milling about, and, my personal favourite, super shiny puddles that reflect the buildings’ neon signs.

I’m not a graphics snob, but I don’t think I would have stuck with Yakuza if I have if I were playing the original version now. I understand the appeal of enjoying classic games in their original form, but sometimes it’s just nice to play a sleeker, more modern take on an excellent game.

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Borderlands: The Handsome Collection | Chris

Borderlands passed me by upon release and I never really cared for the series until very recently. Although I was impressed with the first entry, it's certainly showing its age. It was only the promise of something bigger and better that drove me to see it through to the end.

Borderlands 2 (re-released as part of The Handsome Collection) is a much smoother ride with fewer of the (fairly minor, yet persistent) niggles which made its predecessor hard work as the game dragged on. I can't say how much of an improvement Borderlands 2 is over the original, nor how much the Ultra HD Texture Pack enhances the visuals, but it feels modern and looks crisp.

The story manages to be rather grim at times without ever seeming too serious. Events which would, in another universe, be dark and macabre are somehow lightened by the downright silliness that waits around every corner.

Once the credits roll, I can move on to the Pre-Sequel which has also been given a facelift. I'm unsure whether I'll be as drawn to the narrative, knowing that Borderlands 3 is out there and I may get some of my questions answered, but over-the-top weapons and frantic gunfights are the main reasons I find it hard to put down.

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What game did you return to or discover after a revamp? Let us know below.