Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster Hopes to Revive the Series

The much-loved Suikoden series, absent for over a decade, is poised for a comeback. The upcoming HD remaster of the first two games aims to reignite fan enthusiasm and potentially pave the path for future entries in this cherished JRPG franchise.

Suikoden Remaster: A Revival of a Classic JRPG

A New Generation Awaits

The Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster promises a fresh start for this iconic series. Director Tatsuya Ogushi and Lead Planner Takahiro Sakiyama expressed their hopes in a recent Famitsu interview (translated via Google) that the remaster will not only introduce Suikoden to a new audience but also rekindle the passion of longtime fans.

Ogushi, deeply connected to the series, paid tribute to the late creator, Yoshitaka Murayama, stating, "I’m sure Murayama would have wanted to be involved as well. When I told him I was going to participate in the remake of the illustrations, he was very envious."

Sakiyama, director of Suikoden V, highlighted his ambition to reintroduce Suikoden (known in Japan as Genso Suikoden) to a wider audience, stating, "I really wanted to bring ‘Genso Suikoden’ back to the world, and now I can finally deliver it. I hope that the IP ‘Genso Suikoden’ will continue to expand from here into the future."

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 2006 Japan-exclusive PlayStation Portable collection. Konami is updating this enhanced version for modern platforms with several key improvements.

Expect visually stunning enhancements: High-definition textures will breathe new life into the game's backgrounds, creating richer, more immersive environments. The original pixel art sprites have been refined while preserving their classic charm.

A new Gallery mode offers access to music, cutscenes, and an event viewer, allowing players to revisit memorable moments from the title selection screen.

This remaster addresses past issues. The infamous shortened Luca Blight cutscene from the PSP version of Suikoden 2 has been fully restored. Furthermore, some dialogue has been adjusted to reflect modern sensibilities; for instance, Richmond's smoking habit has been removed to align with Japanese smoking regulations.

Launching March 6, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, the Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster promises a revitalized experience for both newcomers and longtime fans.