SUIKODEN 1&2 HD REMASTER REVIEW
Release Date: 03/06/2025
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Genres: Role-playing video game, Adventure game
Developers: Konami, Konami Digital Entertainment
Publishers: Konami, Konami Digital Entertainment
“Review Copy Provided By Konami”
Nearly three decades after their original release, Suikoden I & II remain among the greatest RPGs ever crafted. Their ability to blend the mystical with the grim realities of war and political upheaval is just as compelling now as it was back then. Despite the passage of time, these games still deliver an emotionally resonant journey filled with memorable characters, heartbreaking decisions, and exhilarating battles. What truly sets them apart is their ability to balance all of this with moments of levity—whether it’s through lighthearted minigames like cooking competitions or charming collectables such as bathhouse decorations.
The HD Remaster stays remarkably true to the original experience. I can pick up an old strategy guide and follow it beat for beat, collecting the same rare items from treasure chests and finding beloved characters in the same familiar locations. This faithfulness extends to the core mechanics as well. The Suikoden series has always been about forging bonds, and these remasters uphold that tradition by retaining the robust recruitment system that encourages players to seek out all 108 Stars of Destiny. It’s a mechanic that remains as rewarding as ever, offering both tangible gameplay benefits and a deep emotional investment in your growing army.
Even in a modern landscape where RPGs boast expansive cinematics and intricate world-building—exemplified by franchises like Final Fantasy and Falcom’s Trails series—Suikoden’s storytelling still stands out. What makes these narratives exceptional is how seamlessly they weave the personal with the political. Sometimes, duty demands sacrifice. Other times, friendship and loyalty outweigh the needs of the many. The writing remains sharp and impactful, avoiding unnecessary fluff. Every line of dialogue serves a purpose, every antagonist strikes swiftly, and every heartfelt sacrifice stings all the more because the pacing doesn’t give you time to fully process the weight of your choices.
For me, Suikoden II remains the pinnacle of the genre. I still own physical copies of both Suikoden II and Suikoden V, kept in pristine condition due to their rarity. That said, Suikoden I is still an incredible experience, a game I’ve played through countless times. Any RPG fan who hasn’t played these titles owes it to themselves to do so, especially now that the remastered versions are undeniably the best way to experience them. But does that mean they’re flawless? Not quite.
A Story That Still Stands the Test of Time
One of the best aspects of these remasters is that the narrative remains untouched—and that’s a very good thing. Each Suikoden game follows a similar structure: you start as a relatively insignificant figure caught in a larger conflict between warring nations or factions, only to rise to power by recruiting an army of misfits, warriors, and strategists. Along the way, you’ll be forced to confront difficult choices, often finding yourself on opposite sides of the battlefield from people you once called family or friends.
In Suikoden I, this dynamic is established early. You play as Tir McDohl, the son of one of the Scarlet Moon Empire’s most esteemed generals. As you complete missions for the empire, you begin to see firsthand the corruption and suffering it perpetuates. When personal tragedy strikes, you are forced to turn against your own father and lead the resistance against the empire you once served.
Suikoden II takes a slightly different approach, drawing you in with its deeply personal story of friendship and betrayal. You play as Riou, a member of Highland’s youth brigade. When he and his best friend, Jowy, uncover a horrific betrayal from their own nation, they escape to the neighboring City-State of Jowston, which maintains a fragile peace with Highland. The two friends soon find themselves on opposite sides of the ensuing war, wrestling with their loyalties to their homeland, their newfound allies, and, most painfully, to each other. Suikoden doesn’t deal in simple black-and-white morality; every character has their own reasons for fighting, and sometimes their motives are even more compelling than your own.
Few RPGs explore the human cost of war as effectively as Suikoden. The series isn’t just about large-scale battles and political struggles—it’s about people, about the weight of leadership, and about the relationships that shape the course of history. The sheer scale of the cast is staggering, yet the games never lose sight of their characters’ personal stories. Suikoden II, in particular, is a masterclass in character writing, with its central trio—Riou, Jowy, and Nanami—remaining one of the most emotionally affecting groups in RPG history. Even after multiple playthroughs, the ending still hits me just as hard as it did the first time.
A Combat System That Still Holds Up
Combat in Suikoden is as engaging as ever. Regular encounters are quick, chaotic, and visually dynamic, with the perspective shifting during battle to highlight critical strikes, counters, and devastating spells. The ability to speed up standard encounters is a welcome addition in the remasters, although the way it distorts the game’s incredible soundtrack makes it hard to use consistently.
Beyond standard battles, Suikoden’s duels and large-scale army clashes add exciting variety. The duels function as intense rock-paper-scissors encounters, where you must anticipate your opponent’s next move based on their dialogue. Meanwhile, army battles take on different forms across the two games: Suikoden I features simplified engagements that rely on strategic planning and espionage, while Suikoden II opts for a more in-depth, grid-based tactical system. These large-scale conflicts drive home the gravity of the war, reinforcing that not every battle can be won with a small party of heroes alone.
However, the permadeath mechanic in army battles remains a frustrating relic from the past. Party members can die permanently in these fights—and only these fights—based purely on bad luck. It was frustrating in the 90s, and it’s disappointing that the remaster didn’t address it.
Where the Remaster Falls Short
While the remasters introduce some modern conveniences, they also retain some outdated design choices that should have been addressed.
One of the biggest omissions is the lack of a proper save-anywhere or suspend feature. Instead, the game relies on an extremely limited autosave system that only activates in designated save rooms—rendering it almost useless. In an era where most RPGs allow for greater flexibility, this feels like an unnecessary restriction.
Another issue is that Suikoden I, in particular, didn’t receive the same level of visual polish as its sequel. While Suikoden II benefits from beautiful lighting effects, detailed character sprites, and stunning battlefields, Suikoden I’s environments often feel sterile and lifeless. The lack of clutter and texture makes some areas look artificially clean and flat, lacking the lived-in feel they should have.
The menu system in Suikoden I is another area that remains frustratingly clunky. The simple act of buying and equipping new gear requires excessive back-and-forth navigation, something Suikoden II had already streamlined back in 1998. Why didn’t this remaster adopt those improvements across both games?
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
Remastering a beloved classic is never easy. Fans want improvements, but they also want the original experience preserved. In the case of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, the end result is a mixed bag. Visually, the remasters look sharper, the localization is improved, and new quality-of-life features are welcome. But the lack of deeper refinements to UI, inventory management, and battle systems make the package feel like a superficial upgrade rather than a truly definitive edition.
That said, these are still two of the greatest RPGs ever made, and this is the best way to experience them today. The emotional depth, the political intrigue, the strategic battles, and the joy of building your own army—it’s all here, and it still holds up beautifully.
So, is the remaster worth picking up? Absolutely. It’s still Suikoden, and it’s still glorious.
