Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: A Series Revival?

Suikoden has been deeply missed for over a decade. However, the forthcoming HD remaster of the first two games aims to revitalize the series' popularity and pave the way for future entries in the cherished JRPG franchise.

Suikoden Remaster Aims to Revive the Classic JRPG SeriesDevelopers Hope Remaster Introduces Series to New Generation

The forthcoming Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is poised to revitalize the classic JRPG franchise. However, in a recent interview, Director Tatsuya Ogushi and Lead Planner Takahiro Sakiyama expressed their wish that the remaster will not only introduce a new generation of gamers to the cherished Suikoden series but also rekindle the enthusiasm of longtime fans.

In an interview with Famitsu, translated via Google, Ogushi and Sakiyama voiced their hopes that the HD remaster would act as a springboard for more Suikoden titles in the future. Ogushi, who has a strong personal connection to the series, shared his respect for series creator Yoshitaka Murayama, who unfortunately passed away earlier this year. "I’m sure Murayama would have wanted to be involved as well," Ogushi said. " When I told him I was going to participate in the remake of the illustrations, he was very envious."

Sakiyama, conversely, highlighted his ambition to bring Suikoden back into the public eye. "I really wanted to bring ‘Genso Suikoden’ back to the world, and now I can finally deliver it," he stated. "I hope that the IP ‘Genso Suikoden’ will continue to flourish from here into the future." Sakiyama directed Suikoden V as a newcomer to the Suikoden franchise.

Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster Overview

Comparison From Suikoden 1&2 HD Remaster Official Website

Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is based on the Japan-exclusive Genso Suikoden 1 & 2 compilation for the PlayStation Portable. Released in 2006, this compilation offered Japanese players an improved version of the two classic JRPGs, while the global audience missed out. Now, Konami is revisiting this compilation, upgrading it for contemporary platforms with some fascinating adjustments.

Visually, Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster seeks to revitalize the games. Konami has pledged enhanced background artwork with rich HD textures, which should make the environments feel more immersive and detailed than before. Expect beautifully rendered locations, from the majestic castles of Gregminster to the war-torn landscapes of Suikoden 2. The pixel art of the original characters is being refined, but the core aesthetic is being maintained.

You can also explore a Gallery showcasing the game's music and cutscenes, as well as an event viewer that lets you revisit memorable moments. These are accessible from the main menu.

Despite being based on the PSP compilation, the HD remaster does resolve several problems from that release. For example, Suikoden 2’s notorious Luca Blight cutscene, which was inadvertently truncated in the PSP compilation due to it being too "extreme," will be reinstated to its complete form.

Furthermore, to conform to modern standards, some character dialogues have been modified. For example, Richmond, the private investigator from Suikoden 2, no longer smokes in this remastered version to mirror the widespread indoor and outdoor smoking prohibitions enacted in Japan.

Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is set to launch on March 6, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. If you want to learn more about the game's gameplay and story, you can check out our article below!