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' popularity and potentially pave the path for future entries in this cherished JRPG franchise.

Suikoden Remaster: A New Generation, A Renewed Classic

Reviving a Beloved Series for Old and New Fans

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 hope that this remaster will not only introduce a new audience to Suikoden but also re-ignite the passion of longtime fans.

Speaking with Famitsu (translation via Google), Ogushi and Sakiyama voiced their ambition for the remaster to act as a springboard for future Suikoden installments. Ogushi, deeply connected to the series, expressed his admiration for 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 returning Suikoden to prominence. "I really wanted to bring ‘Genso Suikoden’ back to the world, and now I can finally deliver it," he said. "I hope that the IP ‘Genso Suikoden’ will continue to expand from here into the future." It's noteworthy that Sakiyama directed Suikoden V, marking his entry into the Suikoden universe.

Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: A Closer Look

Comparison From Suikoden 1&2 HD Remaster Official WebsiteThe Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster builds upon the Japan-only Genso Suikoden 1 & 2 PlayStation Portable collection from 2006. This collection offered Japanese players enhanced versions of the originals, a privilege previously unavailable to the rest of the world. Konami now brings this enhanced experience to modern platforms with significant updates.

Visually, the remaster aims for a significant upgrade. Konami promises enhanced background illustrations with rich HD textures, creating a more immersive and detailed world. Expect breathtaking visuals, from Gregminster's majestic castles to the ravaged battlefields of Suikoden 2. While the pixel art sprites are refined, the original artistic style remains intact.

A new Gallery featuring music and cutscenes, plus an event viewer to revisit key moments, is accessible from the title screen.

Beyond the PSP collection, the HD remaster addresses previous shortcomings. For instance, Suikoden 2's famously truncated Luca Blight cutscene (shortened in the PSP version due to its content) is restored to its original length.

Furthermore, some dialogue has been updated to meet modern sensibilities. For example, Richmond's smoking habit from Suikoden 2 has been removed to reflect Japan's smoking regulations.

Suikoden 1 & 2 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, explore our related article!