Review of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster

Bundling Suikoden I and II for the Switch seems like an attempt by Konami to justify the remastering of the stellar sequel, by pairing it with its not-so-impressive predecessor. As I’ve revisited these classics over recent weeks, I found myself talking to folks about how the main draw here is undoubtedly “Suikoden II”, while “Suikoden I” doesn’t quite hit the same high notes. It’s not exactly black and white like that, but there’s no denying that Suikoden II is a standout RPG classic from its time (if not all time), whereas its predecessor feels more like an initial step in the right direction. For fans of ’90s RPGs, Suikoden II is a true gem, justifying the remaster’s price tag, even if the first game is merely decent.

Suikoden I originally debuted on the PlayStation back in 1996 under the direction of the late Yoshitaka Murayama, who later contributed to Eiyuden Chronicles before his passing in 2024. The game ambitiously attempted a sprawling narrative with over 107 recruitable characters, varying battle systems, and an engaging storyline. Yet, it fell short overall. The pacing felt erratic across its relatively short 20-hour span. The turn-based combat was competent but didn’t reach greatness—shining only in traditional six-player battles, while underutilizing the war and duel systems. The HD Remaster introduces some helpful enhancements. Everything flows more smoothly compared to its PlayStation ancestor, and you can speed up those battle animations, perfect for grinding sessions. The music holds up, and the visual improvements are impressive, bridging the gap between nostalgic and modern aesthetics without sacrificing the original’s unique style. Ultimately, it’s a solid remaster of an average game.

Suikoden II, in contrast, is a magnificent remaster of an extraordinary title. Playing them in sequence, I initially worried that revisiting these RPGs after two decades might spoil my fond memories. Thankfully, Suikoden II defied that concern with a gripping introduction, maintaining its momentum and intrigue across a lengthier adventure nearly double that of the first. It smooths out the roughness of its predecessor, delivering a poignant personal tale set against a sweeping war narrative. Your silent hero, alongside best friend Jowy, embarks on a compelling journey, supported by memorable characters like childhood companion Nanami and the unforgettable antagonist, Luca Blight.

The sequel also throws in nods to the original, with familiar faces returning, including your first game’s protagonist if you completed it beforehand, adding depth to the lore. The battle system remains mostly intact but benefits from some clever tweaks. The magical rune system is more dynamic, letting you equip up to three runes per character. Enhanced tactical control is provided by a grid system for turn-based fights, and while the war and duel mechanics don’t see drastic changes, they feel more impactful through the game.

Overall, the remaster package delivers the goods, including concept art and other nuggets for fans. The 2D visuals are polished for HD, maintaining respect for the original artwork while keeping in mind that it’s a title from over 25 years ago. Gameplaywise, it’s a lightly touched remaster, offering features like three difficulty levels and an option to speed up battles, though a toggle to occasionally disable random encounters would’ve been a nice touch.

If Suikoden II has been missing from your RPG collection and you’re an aficionado of Japanese RPGs, it’s high time to pre-order it. This epic stands proudly alongside the ’90s titans from Square Enix. While I feel less enthusiastic about Suikoden I, likening it to NES-era Final Fantasy compared to Suikoden II’s SNES-era pedigree, it’s fascinating to witness the franchise’s evolution and recognize which entry shines as an all-time great.