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

The development of Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster took a meticulous five years, as the team strived to create a remaster that honors the original games. Dive into the details of how the developers approached the 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 took five years to complete, with the developers dedicated to delivering a high-fidelity remaster that stays true to the beloved originals. 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 remaster.

Initially announced in 2022 and slated for a 2023 release, the project faced delays and is now set to launch this year. Takahiro Sakiyama, the IP and Game Director for the Suikoden Gensho series, explained that the need for extensive debugging and review led to the postponement of the original release date.

Tatsuya Ogushi, the Game Director for Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR, elaborated, "We began by assessing the situation thoroughly. After discussions with Sakiyama about the quality benchmarks, it was evident that numerous aspects required further refinement, and we needed to address them diligently."

Reviving the Series

The remaster is more than just a standalone project; it's the first step in the broader initiative to revive the Suikoden franchise. Rui Naito, the Suikoden series Producer, outlined their vision for the franchise's future, emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation.

Naito conveyed this vision to the production team, stating, "This remaster marks the beginning of the Suikoden IP's revival, so it's crucial we don't falter here. Our directive was to 'make it solid.' For Suikoden I & II HDR, I instructed Sakiyama and the team to create something robust, as a subpar launch could halt the revival efforts in their tracks."

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

During the Gensou Suikoden Live event on March 4, 2025, Konami unveiled several upcoming projects aimed at rejuvenating the Suikoden franchise. Naito described the live event as the second phase in the IP's revival, although he was uncertain about the total number of steps required to fully bring back the series.

He noted, "We've been meticulously refining Suikoden I & II HDR while also dedicating ourselves to the upcoming mobile game, Suikoden STAR LEAP, and the Suikoden II anime." Naito added, "Once we successfully deliver these projects, we'll be better positioned to plan our next moves."

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 titled "Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP" was revealed. Both the anime and the mobile game have released teaser trailers, but official release dates are yet to be announced.

As Konami continues to develop more projects and events around the Suikoden franchise, fans can look forward to seeing this cherished IP return to 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. Stay tuned to our updates for the latest news on Suikoden I & II HD Remaster!