Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: A 5-Year Journey to Faithfulness

The development of the Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster took a dedicated 5 years, showcasing the developers' commitment to delivering a faithful and high-quality remaster of the beloved original games. Dive into the details of how the team approached the game's production and what lies ahead for the Suikoden franchise.

Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster’s Development Time Was Longer Than Expected

Developers Wanted To Honor The Originals

The Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster project spanned 5 years as the developers aimed to create a top-notch remaster that truly honored the original games. In an insightful interview with Dengeki Online on March 4, 2025, the team behind Suikoden I & II HD Remaster (Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR) shared their journey in crafting this high-quality remaster.

Initially announced in 2022 with a planned release in 2023, the game faced delays and is now set to launch this year. Suikoden Gensho series IP and Game Director Takahiro Sakiyama explained that during the final stages of development, extensive debugging led to the realization that further refinements were necessary, prompting the delay.

Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR Game Director Tatsuya Ogushi emphasized the meticulous approach they took, stating, "Rather than being bold, we started by grasping the situation. After confirming and discussing with Sakiyama, including the quality line, it became clear that there were many areas that needed to be worked on, and that we needed to deal with them firmly."

Reviving the Series

The remaster is more than just a nostalgic revisit; it marks the first step in reviving the Suikoden franchise. Suikoden series Producer Rui Naito outlined their vision for the series' future, emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation.

Naito communicated this vision clearly to the production team, stating, "The most important thing was that this was the first step in reviving the Suikoden IP, so we needed to make sure we didn't stumble here. So, ‘make it solid’ is the basic order." He further stressed the importance of quality, adding, "In the case of Suikoden I&II HDR, I told Sakiyama and his colleagues to ‘make something solid’ because if we put out a half-baked work at the starting point that will be the flow of reviving the series, it will end here."

Gensou Suikoden Live Revealed New Anime, Mobile Game, and More

The recent Gensou Suikoden Live event on March 4, 2025, unveiled exciting future projects for the Suikoden series, marking the second step in revitalizing the IP. Producer Rui Naito expressed uncertainty about the number of steps needed to fully revive the franchise but highlighted ongoing efforts.

He stated, "For this reason, we have been reworking Suikoden I & II HDR and pursuing a strong commitment to the upcoming mobile Suikoden STAR LEAP and Suikoden II anime." Naito added, "After we have been able to deliver this accumulation well, I think we will be able to think about what to do next."

Konami also announced "Suikoden: The Anime," an anime adaptation based on the events of Suikoden 2, marking the first venture into anime production for Konami Animation. Additionally, a new mobile game, "Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP," was revealed, although specific release dates for both projects remain undisclosed. Teaser trailers have been released, generating anticipation among fans.

As Konami continues to work on more projects and events related to the Suikoden franchise, the future looks promising for bringing this cherished IP back into the spotlight.

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune & Dunan Unification Wars is scheduled for release on March 6, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. For the latest updates on Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, be sure to check out our dedicated article below!