Review of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster

Bundling Suikoden I and II for the Switch feels a bit like Konami’s way of justifying the inclusion of the decent, yet unimpressive, first game to truly highlight the brilliance of the second. Over the past few weeks of diving back into these classics, I’ve jokingly said the pros and cons of this package boil down to having “Suikoden II” as the pro and “Suikoden I” as the con. While that’s an oversimplification, it’s undeniable that Suikoden II stands out as one of the greatest RPGs of its time — perhaps even of all time — whereas its predecessor, although a step in the right direction, is somewhat lacking. Nevertheless, for fans of RPGs from the ’90s, Suikoden II alone makes this remaster worth every penny, even if the first game is merely okay.

Originally released on the PlayStation in 1996, Suikoden I was the first game directed by Yoshitaka Murayama, who, before his passing in 2024, worked on its spiritual successor, Eiyuden Chronicles. It ambitiously offers 107 characters to recruit, diverse battle systems, and an engaging storyline. However, the execution didn’t quite resonate for me. The narrative pacing felt inconsistent across its roughly 20-hour duration, and while the turn-based combat was solid, it didn’t fully utilize the war and duel systems. The new HD Remaster addresses some of these issues; everything flows more smoothly than the PlayStation version, and you can speed up battle animations during those inevitable grinding sessions. The soundtrack remains strong, and the visual enhancements respectfully modernize the game without losing its original charm. It’s a competent remaster of a decent game.

Switching gears to Suikoden II, the remaster of this exceptional game shines brightly. Playing through the two games in sequence, my anticipation shifted to worry, fearing I would harshly critique two RPGs I hadn’t revisited in over two decades by 2025. Fortunately, Suikoden II starts with a captivating introduction and sustains its momentum and intrigue through a campaign nearly twice as long as its predecessor. The sequel, released in 1999, refines all the rough edges from the first game. The narrative is tightly woven, brilliantly portraying a personal story set against a nation-defining war. The silent protagonist and best friend Jowy’s fateful beginnings set the stage, supported by other unforgettable characters like childhood companion Nanami and the iconic villain Luca Blight.

Easter eggs referencing the original game pepper Suikoden II, with familiar faces returning and even your original protagonist making an appearance if you completed the first game. While the battle system retains its foundation, clever upgrades include a more flexible rune system allowing characters to use up to three runes and a grid-based system that enhances your strategic options in battle. War and duel encounters haven’t drastically changed but are more impactful in this sequel.

When it comes to the overall remaster package, it does a commendable job, offering bonus content like concept art and other extras. The 2D graphics have been gracefully updated for HD, paying homage to the original while not feeling out of place in a more modern context. The gameplay features are minimally altered, with the most notable changes being new difficulty settings and the ability to speed up battles. While not a critical omission, it would have been nice to have the option to disable random battles, which would be especially welcome during gameplay.

If Suikoden II is an undiscovered gem for you and you have a passion for Japanese RPGs, hurry and secure your pre-order; this game stands proudly alongside ’90s Square Enix classics. While I’m not as enthusiastic about Suikoden I, it parallels the NES entries of Final Fantasy in contrast to Suikoden II’s SNES counterparts. Observing the series’ evolution is intriguing, but there’s no mistaking which game earns its place in RPG all-time greatness.