Review of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster

Bringing Suikoden I and II together for the Nintendo Switch might seem like an obligatory combination, perhaps like Konami felt they had no choice but to pair the mediocre first game with its superior sequel. Over the course of my recent playthroughs of these classics, I’ve been chatting with fellow fans, often joking that the main selling point here is simply “Suikoden II,” while the downside is “Suikoden I.” Of course, reality is a bit more nuanced than that. Suikoden II stands out as one of the top RPGs from its era, if not of all time, whereas the original Suikoden serves as a somewhat flawed yet promising starting point. Regardless, if you have a fondness for RPGs from the ’90s, Suikoden II alone justifies the cost of this remaster, even if the first installment is somewhat less remarkable.

The original Suikoden debuted on the PlayStation back in 1996, marking the first directorial effort of the late Yoshitaka Murayama, who later contributed to the creation of Eiyuden Chronicles, a spiritual successor to Suikoden, before his untimely passing in 2024. Suikoden I ambitiously attempts to impress, boasting 107 recruitable characters, various battle systems, and an intriguing narrative. It’s an ambitious endeavor, but overall, it didn’t fully click with me. The storyline, despite its relatively short 20-hour playtime, feels uneven in terms of pacing. While the turn-based combat shines in traditional six-player battles, it falls short in fully exploring the war and duel mechanics. The HD Remaster does address some of these issues, making the game run smoother than its PlayStation predecessor and allowing you to speed up battle sequences during grinding sessions. The revamped soundtrack is commendable, and the visual enhancements strike a good balance between nostalgia and modernity without sacrificing the original’s charm. All things considered, this remaster makes an okay game better.

Now, Suikoden II is a different story—a fantastic remaster of an outstanding game. Playing these titles in order, I initially had concerns about revisiting two RPGs that I hadn’t touched in over two decades. But Suikoden II quickly dispelled my worries with its gripping opening and managed to retain its momentum over a playtime nearly double that of its predecessor. Where Suikoden I had rough patches, its sequel is polished and finely-tuned. The narrative is laser-focused, presenting a compelling personal saga against the backdrop of a nation-shaping war. Your silent lead character is destined to journey alongside his best friend Jowy, setting the stage for an engaging plot filled with memorable personalities like childhood companion Nanami and legendary RPG villain Luca Blight.

The sequel cleverly incorporates references to the original, featuring returning characters and even the option to import your protagonist from Suikoden I, enriching the lore considerably. While the core battle system remains intact, it benefits from smart updates. The magic rune system is expanded, allowing up to three runes per character, and the new grid system for turn-based encounters offers more strategic control. Although the war and duel battles haven’t changed drastically, their integration into the storyline feels significantly more impactful.

This remaster package doesn’t disappoint, either. It includes concept art and other extras, with HD upgrades that respect the original’s aesthetic while ensuring the game doesn’t feel like a relic from the past. Gameplay-wise, it’s a subtle remaster with notable enhancements like three difficulty levels and accelerated battle options. While the lack of an option to disable random battles isn’t a dealbreaker, it would’ve been a useful addition for games featuring such encounters.

If Suikoden II has eluded your gaming collection and you consider yourself a fan of Japanese RPGs, you should already be planning to add this to your shelf. It’s a title that stands shoulder to shoulder with the iconic ‘90s classics from Square Enix. While I’m less enthusiastic about Suikoden I, its role is akin to the NES-era Final Fantasy games when compared to the SNES-era entries. Observing the series’ evolution is intriguing, yet there’s no denying which installment has achieved legendary status.