Reviving Classics: Forever Entertainment's Approach to Remakes

Revamping classic games is a complex task that requires careful consideration of how retro titles will resonate with modern audiences and function on contemporary consoles. It also demands attention to finer details, such as dialogue clarity, gameplay balance, and quality-of-life enhancements. However, when remakes become an integral part of a company's business model, it's clear that they have mastered the process. Forever Entertainment has established itself as a leader in this field with its remakes of Panzer Dragoon, The House of The Dead, Front Mission 1st, and Front Mission 2, and has also announced the development of Panzer Dragoon 2: Zwei. According to Monika Ginter, communications and marketing manager at Forever Entertainment, the company's focus on retro titles stems from the team's genuine passion for classic games. "We are fans of old games, and we want modern players to experience the classics that had a significant impact on our lives," she explains. "We believe that this niche in the market will continue to gain interest over time. Every year, we aim to release more remakes, and we are currently working on both announced and unannounced titles. Remakes are a crucial part of our operations." Ginter highlights the distinction between remakes and remasters, emphasizing that remakes involve starting from scratch and require significant effort. "While our remakes may appear similar to the originals in terms of mechanics, we invest considerable effort in analyzing the original game to build our remakes from the ground up," she notes. Forever Entertainment is committed to delivering remakes that not only revive classic games but also elevate them to new heights. The company believes that gaming classics deserve more than just a straightforward port, and its past remakes have demonstrated growing support for this niche among gamers. Ginter emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between preserving the spirit of the original game and incorporating improvements that modern players expect. The company's past releases have paved the way for its focus on remakes, and its successful remakes have facilitated negotiations with IP owners like Square Enix. Forever Entertainment approached Square Enix with a proposal to remake the first three Front Mission titles, and its past remakes helped establish its credibility. As a publisher and developer, Forever Entertainment is always on the lookout for new opportunities. Remakes offer an interesting challenge and a chance to realize the company's ambitions. "We have many fans of turn-based strategy games within the company, and we operate on the principle that it's always better to work on what you love," Ginter explains. Forever Entertainment released Front Mission 2 Remake on additional platforms last month, following its release on the Nintendo Switch last year. The game was originally launched in 1997 for the PlayStation 1 in Japan and had not received an English or Western release prior to its remake. The company localized the game in multiple languages and balanced its gameplay, relying on its previous experience and work to take on the task. Ginter notes that the company takes an individual approach to each game, prioritizing support for multiple languages to ensure a comfortable gaming experience and broaden its audience. The localization of Front Mission 1 and Front Mission 2 involved translating nearly 140,000 words of English script, and the company ensured that the narrative, dialogue, and text conveyed the essence of the original scripts. While working on remakes, Forever Entertainment is in constant contact with IP owners to balance quality-of-life changes with preserving the essential elements of the original game. The company aims to make the game accessible to new players while retaining the depth and detail that are iconic to the Front Mission series. Forever Entertainment received guidance from Square Enix during development and consulted Japanese-language sources to ensure consistency with the franchise's lore. Ginter emphasizes the importance of meeting expectations when developing remakes. "It's not easy to create a game that satisfies the nostalgia of long-time fans while also captivating a new audience," she explains. "With each new remake, we strive for continuous improvement, and it seems we are succeeding, thanks in part to the valuable feedback from our players." Forever Entertainment is receptive to balancing games based on user feedback, and the company continuously listens to player feedback and rolls out updates that address issues and add new features. The company introduced new game modes, such as Horde mode, and a gallery with achievements, unlockable weapons, and a model viewer featuring all enemies in The House of The Dead: Remake. Regarding the target audience for remakes, Ginter notes that the Nintendo Switch serves as the go-to console for Forever Entertainment's releases. The company considers the Switch an ideal platform for classic remakes, appreciating its accessibility and diverse user base, which allows its games to reach a broad audience, including those who may not have encountered classics like Front Mission or Panzer Dragoon before.