Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: A Series Revival?

For over a decade, fans have yearned for a new Suikoden game. The upcoming HD remaster of the first two titles aims to reignite the series' popularity and pave the way for future installments in this beloved JRPG franchise.

Suikoden Remaster: A Revival for a Classic JRPG

Introducing a New Generation to Suikoden

The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is poised to revitalize this classic JRPG series. In a recent interview with Famitsu (translated via Google), Director Tatsuya Ogushi and Lead Planner Takahiro Sakiyama expressed their hopes that this remaster will not only introduce a new generation of gamers to Suikoden but also rekindle the passion of longtime fans. Ogushi, deeply connected to the series, spoke of his admiration for the late Yoshitaka Murayama, the series creator, stating, "I’m sure Murayama would have wanted to be involved as well. When I told him I was going to participate in the remake of the illustrations, he was very envious."

Sakiyama, director of Suikoden V, emphasized his desire to bring Suikoden back into the spotlight: "I really wanted to bring ‘Genso Suikoden’ back to the world, and now I can finally deliver it. I hope that the IP ‘Genso Suikoden’ will continue to expand from here into the future."

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: A Closer Look

Comparison From Suikoden 1&2 HD Remaster Official Website

This remaster builds upon the Japan-exclusive 2006 PlayStation Portable collection, Genso Suikoden I & II. Konami is updating this enhanced version for modern platforms with several key improvements.

Visually, expect a stunning upgrade. Konami promises enhanced background illustrations with rich HD textures, creating more immersive and detailed environments. The pixel art of the original sprites has been polished while retaining its original charm. A new Gallery featuring music, cutscenes, and an event viewer allows players to revisit memorable moments directly from the title screen.

Beyond visual enhancements, the remaster addresses past issues. The infamous shortened Luca Blight cutscene from Suikoden II’s PSP release has been restored to its original length. Furthermore, some dialogue has been adjusted to reflect modern sensibilities; for instance, Richmond's smoking habit from Suikoden II has been removed to align with current Japanese smoking regulations.

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster launches March 6, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. For a deeper dive into the gameplay and story, be sure to check out our related article!