Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster Hopes to Revive the Series

The absence of Suikoden has been keenly felt for over a decade. The upcoming HD remaster of the first two games aims to revitalize the series' appeal and lay the groundwork for future entries in this cherished JRPG franchise.

Suikoden Remaster: Reigniting a Classic JRPG

A New Generation Awaits

The Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is poised to reinvigorate this classic JRPG series. In a recent interview, Director Tatsuya Ogushi and Lead Planner Takahiro Sakiyama expressed their hopes that the remaster will not only introduce a new audience to Suikoden but also rekindle the enthusiasm of longtime fans.

Speaking with Famitsu (translated via Google), Ogushi and Sakiyama voiced their ambition for the HD remaster to spark further Suikoden development. Ogushi, deeply connected to the series, paid tribute to the late Yoshitaka Murayama, the series creator. "I’m sure Murayama would have wanted to be involved," Ogushi stated. "When I told him I was going to participate in the remake of the illustrations, he was very envious."

Sakiyama highlighted his commitment to reintroducing Suikoden to a wider audience. "I really wanted to bring ‘Genso Suikoden’ back to the world, and now I can finally deliver it," he explained. "I hope that the IP ‘Genso Suikoden’ will continue to expand from here into the future." Sakiyama, a relative newcomer to the franchise, previously directed Suikoden V.

Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: A Closer Look

Comparison From Suikoden 1&2 HD Remaster Official WebsiteThe Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is built upon the Japan-only Genso Suikoden 1 & 2 collection for the PlayStation Portable. Released in 2006, this collection offered enhanced versions of the two classic JRPGs to Japanese players, a privilege the rest of the world missed. Konami is now bringing this collection to modern platforms with notable improvements.

Visually, the remaster promises a significant upgrade. Konami has detailed enhanced background illustrations with high-definition textures, creating a more immersive and detailed experience. Expect stunning visuals, from the grand castles of Gregminster to the ravaged battlefields of Suikoden 2. While the original pixel art sprites have been refined, their original charm remains intact.

A dedicated Gallery, accessible from the main menu, showcases the game's music and cutscenes, along with an event viewer to revisit key moments.

Despite its foundation in the PSP collection, the HD remaster addresses several previous shortcomings. The famously truncated Luca Blight cutscene from Suikoden 2 (shortened in the PSP version due to its perceived intensity) has been fully restored.

In keeping with modern sensibilities, certain dialogue has been updated. For instance, Richmond, the private investigator in Suikoden 2, no longer smokes, reflecting Japan's nationwide smoking bans.

The Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is scheduled for release on 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 narrative, explore our related article!