The long-awaited return of Suikoden! After over a decade of absence, the upcoming HD remaster of the first two games aims to reignite the franchise's popularity and potentially pave the way for future entries in this beloved JRPG series.
Suikoden Remaster: A Revival of a Classic JRPG
A New Generation Awaits
The Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster seeks to revitalize this classic JRPG. Director Tatsuya Ogushi and Lead Planner Takahiro Sakiyama expressed their hopes in a Famitsu interview (translated via Google) that the remaster will introduce the series to a new audience while rekindling the passion of longtime fans. The remaster is envisioned as a springboard for future Suikoden titles. Ogushi, deeply connected to the series, paid tribute to the late Yoshitaka Murayama, the series creator, stating, "I’m sure Murayama would have wanted to be involved as well." Sakiyama, who directed Suikoden V, expressed his desire to bring Suikoden back into the spotlight, hoping the IP will continue to grow.
A Closer Look at the Remaster
Based on the 2006 Japan-exclusive PlayStation Portable collection, Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster brings these classics to modern platforms with significant enhancements. Konami promises vastly improved HD background illustrations, creating more immersive environments. While the pixel art sprites are polished, their original charm remains intact.
The remaster includes a Gallery showcasing music and cutscenes, and an Event Viewer to revisit key moments, both accessible from the title screen. Furthermore, several issues from the PSP version have been addressed. The infamous shortened Luca Blight cutscene from Suikoden 2 is restored to its original length. In line with modern sensibilities, some dialogue has been updated; for instance, Richmond's smoking habit from Suikoden 2 has been removed to reflect Japan's smoking bans.
Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster launches March 6, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Prepare for a nostalgic journey or a captivating new adventure!
