Microids has announced Syberia Remastered, a modernized remaster-slash-remake of the original point-and-click classic with revamped gameplay and improved visuals.
In a post on social media platform X, Microids promises that the remaster will feature a “stunning visual overhaul”, as well as “redesigned gameplay”. It will, however, tell the “same unforgettable story” as the original, so don’t worry; the plot details haven’t been changed.
The remaster will see protagonist Kate Walker and her automaton companion Oscar exploring “carefully rebuilt” environments which use an art style that “stays true” to original creator Benoît Sokal’s vision while also utilizing “beautifully enhanced 3D”, according to Microids.
Whether or not that means the new game will feature pre-rendered environments in a similar way to the original isn’t clear, but it does sound like Microids is overhauling the visual style completely, so perhaps you’ll be able to explore a fully rendered version of Sokal’s world this time around.
In keeping with modern design trends, Syberia Remastered will offer “a fresh take” on the original’s puzzles, which have been “redesigned to provide a smoother and more intuitive experience”.
Additionally, the remaster will feature a reworked UI, as well as “improved 3D navigation”, so it should be a little easier to move Kate around her environment now; the slightly clunky movement of the original sounds as though it’s been addressed, which is nice.
Otherwise, it’s still the same tale of Kate’s “legal assignment” that transforms into “a profound journey of self-discovery”. If you love the original Syberia, it sounds very much like this is the remaster you’ve been waiting for.
The Syberia series began all the way back in 1999 with first-person adventure Amerzone, so Syberia is technically the second game in the series, although it’s the first to bear what would become the franchise’s name.
A sequel followed in 2004, followed by another thirteen years later. The latest game in the series, Syberia: The World Before, was released in 2022, and is the first to launch following Sokal’s death in 2021 from a long-term illness.
With regards to the future of the series, it’s not just Syberia Remastered you’ve got to look forward to; an animated series based on the franchise is also in development, although we don’t know when it’s arriving yet.
Syberia Remastered launches sometime later this year for PC. You can wishlist it right now via Steam.