"Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster Aims to Revive Classic Series"

For over a decade, fans of the Suikoden series have been longing for its return. The anticipation is finally coming to an end with the upcoming HD remaster of the first two games, aiming to rekindle the flame of this cherished JRPG franchise and set the stage for future entries.

Suikoden Remaster Aims to Revive the Classic JRPG Series

Devs Hope Remaster Introduces Series to New Generation

The much-anticipated Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is poised to inject new vigor into the iconic JRPG series. In a recent interview with Famitsu, translated via Google, Director Tatsuya Ogushi and Lead Planner Takahiro Sakiyama shared their aspirations for the project. They expressed a strong desire for the remaster to not only introduce the Suikoden series to a fresh audience but also to reignite the passion among its long-time devotees.

Ogushi, with a profound connection to the series, paid tribute to the late creator Yoshitaka Murayama, expressing that Murayama would have eagerly participated in the project. "I’m sure Murayama would have wanted to be involved as well," Ogushi remarked. "When I told him I was going to participate in the remake of the illustrations, he was very envious."

Meanwhile, Sakiyama, who directed Suikoden V, emphasized his commitment to reviving the series. "I really wanted to bring ‘Genso Suikoden’ back to the world, and now I can finally deliver it," he stated. "I hope that the IP ‘Genso Suikoden’ will continue to expand from here into the future."

Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster Overview

Comparison From Suikoden 1&2 HD Remaster Official Website

The Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster draws its foundation from the Japan-exclusive Genso Suikoden 1 & 2 collection released for the PlayStation Portable in 2006. This collection offered Japanese players enhanced versions of the beloved classics, an experience that was previously unavailable to global audiences. Now, Konami is bringing this collection to modern platforms with significant enhancements.

Visually, the remaster promises to rejuvenate the games with enhanced background illustrations featuring rich HD textures, making the environments more immersive and detailed. From the majestic castles of Gregminster to the war-torn landscapes of Suikoden 2, players can expect beautifully rendered locales. The original pixel art of the sprites is being refined while preserving the essence of the original design.

Additional features include a Gallery with the game's music and cutscenes, and an event viewer for reliving memorable moments, both accessible from the title selection screen.

The HD remaster also addresses issues from the original PSP release. Notably, Suikoden 2's infamous Luca Blight cutscene, which was inadvertently shortened in the PSP version, will be restored to its full intensity. Furthermore, to meet contemporary standards, certain character dialogues have been updated. For instance, Richmond, the private investigator from Suikoden 2, no longer smokes, reflecting Japan's current indoor and outdoor smoking regulations.

Set to launch on March 6, 2025, the Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. For more insights into the game's gameplay and story, feel free to explore our detailed article below!