Big Game Franchises Are Going Backwards

Sony’s recent PlayStation State of Play featured a short teaser for a remake of the original God of War trilogy, with TC Carson returning as the voice of Kratos. The announcement was notable not for a new entry but for a return to earlier games. That move fits a broader pattern.

Xbox’s Halo Studios is remaking Halo: Combat Evolved for release in 2026 on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PS5, and Ubisoft is working on a Splinter Cell remake despite an unclear launch window and recent cancellations at the company, including a Prince of Persia PS2 remake.

After a series of missteps, some publishers have gravitated back toward familiar territory. Other high-profile projects follow the same path: Remedy is developing remakes of the first two Max Payne games rather than a new sequel, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis remakes the original despite an earlier Anniversary release and a recent remaster, and a new Tomb Raider titled Catalyst is scheduled for 2027.

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