Konami Preps Suikoden Remasters for Revival

After more than a decade of absence, 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 and Renewed Passion

Remastering a Classic for New and Old Fans Alike

The Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is poised to revitalize this classic JRPG. Director Tatsuya Ogushi and Lead Planner Takahiro Sakiyama recently shared their hopes that the remaster will introduce a new generation to Suikoden while rekindling the enthusiasm of longtime fans.

In a Famitsu interview (translated via Google), Ogushi and Sakiyama expressed their ambition for the remaster to spur the creation of future Suikoden titles. Ogushi, deeply connected to the series, spoke of his respect for 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 highlighted 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 said. "I hope that the IP ‘Genso Suikoden’ will continue to expand from here into the future." Sakiyama, who previously directed Suikoden V, is a relative newcomer to the franchise.

Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: A Closer Look

Comparison From Suikoden 1&2 HD Remaster Official WebsiteThe Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is based on the 2006 Japan-exclusive PlayStation Portable collection, Genso Suikoden 1 & 2. This collection offered enhanced versions of the original games to Japanese players, a privilege previously unavailable to the rest of the world. Konami is now bringing this enhanced experience to modern platforms with several notable improvements.

Visually, the remaster breathes new life into the games. Konami has promised enhanced HD background illustrations, creating more immersive and detailed environments. Expect stunning depictions of locations, from the grand castles of Gregminster to the ravaged battlefields of Suikoden 2. While the pixel art sprites have been polished, the original artistic style remains intact.

The remaster also includes a Gallery featuring music and cutscenes, and an Event Viewer allowing players to revisit key moments. These features are accessible from the main menu.

Building upon the PSP release, the HD remaster addresses several past issues. For example, the infamous shortened Luca Blight cutscene from Suikoden 2's PSP version has been fully restored.

Furthermore, some dialogue has been updated to reflect modern sensibilities. For instance, Richmond's smoking habit from Suikoden 2 has been removed to align with Japan's smoking bans.

Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is scheduled for release on March 6, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. For a deeper dive into the gameplay and story, be sure to check out our related articles!