Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition, a "modern restoration" of the 1997 classic from Westwood Studios, is to be released on Nintendo Switch and other platforms, it has been announced.
Nightdive Studios has partnered with Alcon Entertainment to make this enhanced release possible, bringing the original game's innovative adventure to a brand new audience. The original was praised for its successful recreation of the sci-fi world found within the 1982 Ridley Scott film, showcasing a new story which ran parallel to the film's plot.
The Enhanced Edition will feature "updated character models and animations, upscaled cutscenes using machine learning algorithms, widescreen resolution support, keyboard and controller customisation, and much more", but the team behind its creation is keen to note that the original look and feel of the game is being preserved.
Nightdive CEO Stephen Kick has shared the following in a press release:
"Blade Runner is still a jaw-dropping achievement on every level, so while we’re using KEX to upgrade the graphics and respectfully elevate the gaming experience in a way you’ve never seen before, we’re still preserving Westwood’s vision and gameplay in all its glory. While you can enjoy the benefits of playing the game on modern hardware, the game should look and feel not as it was, but as glorious as you remember it being."
KEX is a proprietary game engine from Nightdive which has been used to restore a number of classic games such as System Shock: Enhanced Edition, Turok, Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, Blood, and Forsaken Remastered.
No footage or visuals (other than the logo tease above) have been shared so far, but the game's release is expected to arrive in 2020. More details are to be shared in due course.
Excited for this one? Are you a fan of the original 1997 release? Tell us below.
Comments 58
Woah, that’s really cool. It’s a game I’ve always wanted to play but never got round to.
I would like to see how the updated visuals look. I bought this game recently for the PC (GOG.com), and it still holds up very well even if the character models are blocky, especially when they're close to the camera.
Also, new character animations? How is that possible? I was under the impression that the original high resolution art assets were lost decades ago. What sort of wizardry is this?
Oh wow, this is great news. The game is actually pretty good. Rather short, if anything. Looking forward to the updated visuals although the graphics were already quite good for the time (pre-rendered backgrounds with 3D characters).
Wouldn't mind playing it again.
I keep meaning to read the original. Or any Dick, if I'm honest. My life has had insufficient Dick.
Brilliant news, always wanted to play this!!!
I'd rather see Nightdive finish the System Shock remake I backed almost five years ago.
@PanurgeJr Life really is a lot less fun without some Dick to keep you going. I hear the library is a great place to go cruising for Dick!
Great news ! I just reviewed the game for www.nerdweltenpodcast.com and am really exited, as the switch is just perfect for classic adventure games !! So cool that this long lost classic can now be experienced by a new generation of gamers !
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
My word. I loved this game so much. Day one.
Oh my god this is awesome news...day one purchase for me too.
I might get this day one, as long as it isn't 59.99 or something silly.
Turok and Turok 2 are excellent ports.
I look forward to this.
My buddy and I were just talking about how this game needed a re-release. And, of course, SNATCHER.
Oh wow- I remember reading about this years ago on Cyberpunk Collective... I just might download this game day one of release!! ❤️
@GamingFan4Lyf
Anyone who hasn’t read that book needs to you won’t see the bizarre climax coming .
@PanurgeJr This is one of those rare instances of the film being vastly superior to the book.
Do Androids Dream is a bit of a mixed bag. Blade Runner took only the good parts and amplified them with incredible depth, world-building and philosophy. Blade Runner’s Neo-Noir restyling was genius.
I wouldn’t read the book again. But I’ll watch the film over and over and over. It’s a masterpiece.
@nessisonett Some Dicks are longer than others, mind.
Woah, that's amazing, I'm interested to see how it looks. LOVED this game on PC when it came out and would certainly re-visit the future on Switch!
I LOVE Nightdive! I remember seeing videos of this game back when I had a Packard-Bell PC and I was playing games G-Nome and Chip’s Challenge. I always wanted to play it as it was sort of like a Resident Evil with quality pre-rendered backgrounds and graphics but those backgrounds were animated. It just always looked like a cool game.
Of course I’m going purely off memory right now but what I think I remember always looked so cool. Can’t wait to give it a shot!
I regret selling my PC Big Box version I had as a kid. Really happy to hear it comes to Switch!
Cross your fingers that Limited Run don't get their grubby hands on this release. Some things are sacred.
Holy crap. I thought this one would be eternally buried in obsolescence. What a welcome surprise.
Yeah definitely a buy for me for 19.99 max
Oh my god this is excellent news, haven’t played this in like two decades.
I'm very excited about this. I remember reading a very long form article in PC Gamer about this game and how the "Voxel" engine was going to revolutionized gaming. I bought the game and didn't play much of it. I was young and hadn't seen Rlade runner yet. Also, it didn't play like the Sierra and Lucas Arts adventure games I was used to. I should break out my old video game crateand see if the CD-ROM is still in there......
Wish they did more then just graphics, I'll have to pass on this.
Maybe Snatcher wil one day actually happen at this rate.
@nessisonett
I've had the pc versions for years now.
Stil never got round to playing it.
I didn't realise Forsaken had been remastered.
Played Blade Runner a long time ago but think I kept getting stuck. Was quite young at the time though so would be nice to give it another try.
Got see the trailers or demo review to see how it looks and play to know.
My favorite Blade Runner game is Snatcher for the Sega CD.
Neato. This will probably be a launch download if it's appropriately priced.
Fantastic game, I have really great memories of it. My understanding is that it did not sell well back then, hopefully this time around it will do better in sales
O yeah, I'm stoked for this one.
Cool! I never did finish the original.
I loved this game as a kid, liked it way better than the movie (which I saw later). Can't wait to see the enhanced version!
I loved this back in '97 when I played it last. I'm not sure how all it will hold up, but I'm excited it's being rescued for a new audience and preservation purposes.
Used to play this up my friends. I hate PC gaming but Blade Runner and Monkey Island 3 made me want a gaming PC.
I recall the security camera part when you try to identify the female being difficult as you had to zoom in certain things.
Not too keen on these "updated graphics" ideas. I want to see some of those sweet sweet voxels that I was promised!
@PanurgeJr I've had a lot of Dick in mine. I love Dick. I ordered the box set of Dick that has 13 works of Dick for around $60 on Amazon. He's one of my favorite writers.
This is really great news!!!!!! I’d love it if they could bring Blood: Fresh Supply to Switch as well. I’m always down for more Old School FPS’s (i know Bladerunner isn’t one but that game is a great adventure, point and click game).
This is great. I had the original but never finished it. I got stuck at a part and couldn’t get past. Now I can finish it in remastered style!
Fabulous game that may finally get the recognition it deserves.
It will be really interesting to see how machine learning can allow for more of these kinds of enhanced and updated versions of older games in the future.
Oh yes.Never had chance to play it but definitely will.
Day 1 if physical.
wow this is great news.
Fantastic news! Westwood's Blade Runner and Grim Fandango ended the original Age of Adventure in incredible style, and I'm glad both will have a chance to return again.
The Blade Runner game beautifully blended the film and the book, with more than 10 different endings and surprising replayability. Westwood's done a man's job, sir.
Physical Edition with bonus Replicant figures please.
NICE!!!
I discovered this game when I saw Razörfist stream it.
I just want Nightdive to put Blood and Forsaken on the Switch.
This is great news. Looking forward to this.
Never played the game, but love the 1982 film. Should be a fun time
Hey what, where is System Shock?
I am interested in this game so we will wait and see how it turns out.
I am stunned. I’ve been saying for a long time that the point and click adventure games would do well on tablets and now of course Switch. This game specifically is one I’ve been waiting to play again. I waited so long I actually watched a play through videos that was four hours long, it wasn’t enough.
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