Konami Revives Suikoden Series with HD Remasters

After a long hiatus, the beloved Suikoden series is making a comeback! The upcoming HD remaster of the first two games aims to reignite the franchise's popularity and pave the way for future entries in this cherished JRPG series.

Suikoden Remaster: A New Generation Awaits

The Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is poised to revitalize this classic JRPG. In a recent interview, Director Tatsuya Ogushi and Lead Planner Takahiro Sakiyama expressed their hopes that the remaster will not only introduce Suikoden to a new audience but also rekindle the enthusiasm of long-time fans.

In a Famitsu interview (translated via Google), Ogushi and Sakiyama revealed their ambition for the remaster to spark the creation of future Suikoden titles. Ogushi, deeply connected to the series, paid tribute to 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 echoed this sentiment, highlighting his desire to bring Suikoden back into the spotlight. "I really wanted to bring ‘Genso Suikoden’ back to the world, and now I can finally deliver it," he explained. "I hope that the IP ‘Genso Suikoden’ will continue to expand from here into the future." Notably, Sakiyama directed Suikoden V, marking his entry into the franchise.

Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: A Detailed Look

Image from the Official Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster WebsiteThe Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is built upon the Japan-exclusive Genso Suikoden 1 & 2 collection for the PlayStation Portable (PSP), released in 2006. This collection offered enhanced versions to Japanese players, a privilege now extended globally by Konami.

Visually, the remaster boasts significant improvements. Konami promises enhanced background illustrations with rich HD textures, creating more immersive and detailed environments. Expect stunning visuals, from the grandeur of Gregminster's castles to the ravaged landscapes of Suikoden 2. While the pixel art of the original sprites is refined, the original artistic style remains intact.

The remaster also includes a Gallery showcasing the game's music and cutscenes, along with an event viewer for revisiting memorable moments—all accessible from the main menu.

Building on the PSP collection, the HD remaster addresses previous shortcomings. For instance, the infamous shortened Luca Blight cutscene from Suikoden 2 (due to its content being deemed "extreme" at the time) is restored to its original length.

Furthermore, some dialogue has been adjusted to meet modern sensibilities. For example, Richmond's smoking habit in Suikoden 2 has been removed, reflecting Japan's nationwide smoking bans.

The 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 storyline, explore our related articles.