The Suikoden series is finally making a comeback with the highly anticipated Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars. After years of fan requests, Konami is bringing these classic RPGs to modern platforms with enhanced visuals, improved audio, and a host of quality-of-life features. Whether you’re a longtime fan looking to relive the adventure or a newcomer curious about these legendary games, this guide will cover everything you need to know now that the game is available.
- The Legacy of Suikoden I & II
- Who Developed the Remaster?
- Visual and Audio Enhancements
- Gameplay and Quality-of-Life Features
- Price and Platforms
The Legacy of Suikoden I & II
For many RPG enthusiasts and especially for me, Suikoden I and Suikoden II hold a special place in gaming history. The first game launched on the original PlayStation in 1995 (Japan) and 1996 (North America), introducing players to a vast world inspired by the classic Chinese novel Water Margin. Its unique feature was the recruitment of 108 characters, known as the “Stars of Destiny,” each bringing their own stories and abilities to the player’s growing rebellion against a corrupt empire.
The sequel, Suikoden II, arrived in 1998 (Japan) and 1999 (North America), expanding on the foundation of the first game with improved graphics, deeper storytelling, and an emotional tale of war and betrayal. It introduced one of the most memorable villains in RPG history, Luca Blight, and solidified its status as one of the greatest turn-based RPGs of all time. Despite initially flying under the radar, Suikoden II became a sought-after gem, with original physical copies selling for high prices due to its limited print run.
Who Developed the Remaster?
The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is being developed and published by Konami Digital Entertainment, the original company behind the series. The project was officially announced at Tokyo Game Show 2022, marking the first major revival of the franchise in years.
One of the most exciting aspects of the remaster is the return of Junko Kawano, the character designer of Suikoden I, who has personally re-drawn all of the character portraits in high definition. This ensures that the remaster stays faithful to the artistic vision of the originals while updating the visuals for modern displays.
While the remaster is being handled internally by Konami, it’s worth noting that the original Suikoden series creator, Yoshitaka Murayama, is not involved. Murayama left Konami long ago and went on to create Eiyuden Chronicle, a spiritual successor to Suikoden. Despite his absence, the remaster remains true to the classic experience, with enhancements that modern players will appreciate.
Visual and Audio Enhancements
The most significant upgrade in the remaster is the fully redrawn backgrounds and enhanced environmental effects. While the character sprites retain their pixel-art charm, the environments have been modernized with higher-resolution textures, improved lighting, animated details, and more depth. Konami has incorporated effects like moving clouds, flickering flames, and reflective water surfaces to make the world feel more alive.
Character portraits have also been redrawn from scratch by Junko Kawano, ensuring a fresh but faithful interpretation of the beloved cast. Fans will immediately notice sharper details and more expressive faces, staying true to the art style of the originals.
For the first time, Suikoden I & II will feature remastered sound effects and environmental audio. Players will hear new ambient sounds like flowing water, wind rustling through trees, and distant echoes in caves, adding a layer of immersion that was absent in the PlayStation versions.
The battle sound effects have also been upgraded, making attacks, magic, and duels feel more impactful. While Konami has not confirmed a fully orchestrated soundtrack, the music is expected to be remastered in high definition, ensuring a clearer and richer listening experience.
Gameplay and Quality-of-Life Features
While the core mechanics remain unchanged, Konami has introduced several modern quality-of-life improvements to make the experience smoother and more accessible:
- Battle Speed Options – Players can choose 2x or 4x battle speed, making grinding much more efficient.
- Auto-Battle Function – A new automatic battle option allows for streamlined combat against weaker enemies.
- Dialogue Log – Players can now review past dialogue, ensuring they never miss important story details.
- Auto-Save – The game will now automatically save progress when entering key areas, reducing the risk of losing hours of gameplay.
- Updated UI and Menus – Inventory management, rune equipping, and party setup are now more intuitive, making it easier to navigate complex mechanics.
Despite these updates, the core turn-based combat, six-character battle system, and large-scale war battles remain intact, preserving the feel and depth that made the originals great.
Price and Platforms
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is now available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam). Both digital and physical editions are available. The standard edition of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is priced at $49.99 USD, while the European and UK pricing is €49.99 and £44.99, respectively. Belo you can find the launch trailer.
