Top Character Redesigns in Remastered Titles

22 December 2025

Ah yes, the sweet, sweet nostalgia of booting up a remastered game from yesteryear. You know the drill: you’re ready to relive the glory days, but wait! Suddenly, your once-pixely, square-jawed hero looks like they just stepped off a runway in Milan. That’s right, character redesigns. Some are jaw-droppingly epic, while others make you wonder if the dev team was accidentally working on a different game entirely.

In this wild and wacky world of remasters and reboots, today we’re diving headfirst into the Top Character Redesigns in Remastered Titles. We're talking major glow-ups, dramatic transformations, and a few changes that sparked more debate than pineapple on pizza.

So grab your favorite snack (or, let’s be real, energy drink) and buckle up for a fun ride!

What Makes a Redesign Great?

Before we dive into the pixel soup of facelifts and wardrobe upgrades, let’s get something straight – a great redesign isn’t just about giving a character HD eyebrows and moodier lighting.

It’s about preserving the soul of the character while updating the look to feel modern, relevant, and more lifelike (or more stylized if that’s your thing). Good redesigns make you say, “Dang, that’s how I remember them, but even better!” Bad ones make you wonder if the devs were on a secret mission to troll the fanbase.

Alrighty! With that public service announcement out of the way, let's look at the champions of character glow-ups.

1. Lara Croft – Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition

Let’s start with the queen herself – Lara “I-don’t-need-a-map” Croft.

When Tomb Raider got the remaster treatment in the Definitive Edition, Lara traded in her triangle-boob era for a much more realistic (and emotionally expressive) version that finally made her feel like a human instead of a cardboard cutout from a 90s action movie. And honestly? We love to see it.

Gone were the days of blocky jumps and pixelated ponytails. Now, Lara was gritty, detailed, and actually looked like she’d been through 12 caves and a rockslide. Her design screamed "I'm surviving, not just platforming."

Why it works: The new look respects her adventurous spirit but makes her more grounded and believable. Plus, you can see her actual face now – what a concept!

2. Leon S. Kennedy – Resident Evil 2 Remake

Leon went from rookie cop with a middle-part haircut that screamed "boy band audition" to a hardened, “I’ve-seen-some-things” hero with sharper visuals, better hair physics, and actual pants that look like they exist in the real world.

Let’s be honest, the original design in the PS1 version looked like a stretched action figure. But in the Resident Evil 2 Remake, Leon looks like someone who could rescue you from zombies and still make it to brunch with flawless hair.

Why it works: The redesign adds realism and detail while keeping Leon’s iconic “cool under pressure” vibe. Also, shout-out to the jacket. That jacket's doing some heavy lifting.

3. Kratos – God of War (2018)

Okay, okay – this one technically blurs the line between "remake" and "soft reboot" but c’mon, you can’t talk about character redesigns without mentioning Kratos 2.0.

The God of War of old was all anger, abs, and screaming “Zeussssss” every five minutes. The redesigned Kratos in the 2018 reboot? Bearded, brooding, emotionally repressed—but like, in a hot way.

This new Kratos looks like he listens to Viking podcasts and gets into deep conversations about fatherhood. The design choice to tone down the rage and pump up the emotional depth through his aged appearance was chef’s kiss.

Why it works: It’s not just a visual change—it reflects a massive character evolution. And also, that beard could be a character unto itself.

4. Cloud Strife – Final Fantasy VII Remake

Ah, Cloud. The spiky-haired, buster-sword-wielding teen heartthrob of the late 90s. His original look was… let’s say, charmingly polygonal. But in the Final Fantasy VII Remake, Cloud's redesign is like a glow-up on steroids.

He maintains the iconic look (you can’t mess with the hair, it’s sacred), but now he’s got expressive eyes, beautifully animated clothes, and a stoic pout that could stop traffic.

Why it works: They kept what made Cloud iconic, but turned the volume up with modern visuals that make his internal struggle way more tangible. Plus, the sword still looks like it was forged by a caffeinated blacksmith during a metal concert.

5. Spyro the Dragon – Spyro Reignited Trilogy

From a somewhat squishy PS1 blob to a charming, expressive purple fireball of sass, Spyro’s redesign in the Reignited Trilogy is nothing short of adorable wizardry.

The original Spyro had personality, sure. But the remastered Spyro is like if Pixar got their hands on him and said, “Let’s make this lizard pop.” And boy, did he.

He’s more expressive, more mischievous, and honestly, just a joy to guide around. The textures, animations, and even his tiny wings got a love-fueled facelift.

Why it works: The redesign keeps Spyro’s cheeky essence alive while making him feel more alive than ever before. He’s the dragon equivalent of a glow-up Instagram reel.

6. Ellie – The Last of Us Part I

Now, okay, this one sparked some debates. When The Last of Us got the full Part I remake, Ellie’s design was updated to match her sequel look more closely. Some fans didn’t love the change, but others saw it as a more authentic and emotionally consistent redesign.

Her facial expressions became more nuanced, and even the way she stood and moved felt more natural. Gone were some of those uncanny valley vibes from the original – instead, we got a heroine who felt more like a real person.

Why it works: It brings cohesion to her arc across both games and ups the emotional immersion big time. Plus, more freckles! Who doesn’t love freckles?

7. Sora – Kingdom Hearts HD Remixes

Sora’s design updates across the Kingdom Hearts remakes are more subtle than some others on this list, but still worth the shoutout. He went from "JRPG boy who might fall over from the size of his shoes" to a much slicker, smoother version of himself.

His facial animations actually match his goofy voice now, and his hair has gone from pillow-like to something that might actually move in the wind. It’s still anime, but upgraded anime.

Why it works: It’s an evolution rather than a revolution. They kept the charm and just added a lot more polish (and thank goodness, shadow effects that don’t look like sticker cutouts).

8. Dante – Devil May Cry HD Collection vs. DmC Reboot

Okay, hot take time. The DmC: Devil May Cry reboot from Ninja Theory gave us a very different Dante — younger, edgier, and about 300% more “Hot Topic” energy. Fans were divided faster than people in a pineapple pizza debate. But let’s give credit where it’s due.

As a standalone redesign, it worked. The look matched the grittier, rebellious tone of the reboot. The classic Dante? More camp, more sass. The reboot Dante? More eyeliner, more angst.

Why it works (kind of): It fits the version of Dante they were going for, even if not everyone loved it. At least he didn’t wear a fedora.

9. CJ – Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition

CJ from GTA: San Andreas got a lot of attention when the Definitive Edition hit shelves—let’s just say not all of it was good attention.

His redesign was odd. Like, “I’ve seen wax figures in museums that look more natural” odd. In theory, updating CJ with better lighting, smoother textures, and realistic proportions should’ve been a win. But instead, we got what felt like a bootleg mobile game version of CJ.

So… why is he on this list? Because sometimes bad redesigns deserve the spotlight, too. It’s a cautionary tale: just because you can update a character doesn’t mean you should without checking twice (or, you know, getting a second opinion).

Why it “works”: It doesn’t. But it sure gave the internet memes for days.

10. Geralt of Rivia – The Witcher 3: Next Gen Update

Technically not a full remaster, but the next-gen patch gave Geralt a glow-up worthy of a L’Oréal commercial. Now with ray-traced cheekbones, sun-kissed scars, and a beard that looks hand-woven by Slavic gods, Geralt got a cinematic polish that had fans swooning all over again.

Also, don’t even get me started on the upgraded armor textures. This Witcher is not just hunting monsters—he’s slaying hearts.

Why it works: It takes what was already great and makes it borderline unfair to other digital characters. Like, how are we supposed to focus on quests with that face on screen?

Honorable Mentions

- Ashley Graham – Resident Evil 4 Remake: Less “helpless escort mission,” more “I can hold my own, thank you.”
- Link – The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening Remake: Turned into an adorable plastic figurine and somehow stole everyone’s heart.
- Crash Bandicoot – N. Sane Trilogy: Now 50% more fur and 100% more chaotic energy.

Final Thoughts

Redesigns are a risky business. Get it right, and you’ve got fans lining up to toss roses at your feet. Get it wrong, and well… there’s a Reddit thread waiting for you. But when done right, a character redesign breathes new life into a beloved icon, giving us reason to fall in love all over again.

Whether it’s realistic textures, expressive faces, or just better fashion choices (looking at you, Cloud), these redesigns remind us that sometimes change is good—even if we’re still mad about our favorite character losing their mullet.