Bundling Suikoden I and II in one package seems like a strategic move by Konami, likely aimed at justifying the inclusion of the somewhat forgettable first game by remastering the outstanding sequel. As I’ve been diving into these titles over the past few weeks, I’ve frequently jested with friends that the main attraction here is undoubtedly “Suikoden II,” while the lesser “Suikoden I” takes a backseat. However, this doesn’t paint the entire picture. Suikoden II remains one of the golden RPGs from its era, possibly of all time, while its predecessor serves as a flawed but crucial step towards greatness. For enthusiasts of ’90s RPGs, Suikoden II alone makes this remaster a worthy investment, even if the initial installment merely passes as decent.
The journey began with Suikoden I, which debuted on PlayStation in 1996 and marked the first project helmed by the legendary Yoshitaka Murayama, who sadly passed in 2024 after working on Eiyuden Chronicles. Here, the game ambitiously presents 107 recruitable characters, varied battle systems, and a story that manages to intrigue to some extent. Yet, the overall execution doesn’t quite hit the mark. Even at a brisk 20 hours, the narrative’s pacing is erratic. The combat, while serviceable, especially shines in the standard six-player skirmishes, though it fails to fully utilize the war and duel systems. Some improvements in the HD Remaster address prior issues—everything flows more smoothly than its original PlayStation counterpart, offering accelerated battle animations to ease the grind. The soundtrack remains a highlight, and the visual enhancements respect the game’s vintage style while catering to modern tastes. As remasters go, this one lifts up an otherwise average game.
When it comes to Suikoden II, however, we’re dealing with a phenomenal remaster of an already stellar game. Playing these back-to-back, I initially feared I’d end up critiquing both after such a long hiatus from them since before 2025. Fortunately, Suikoden II captivates right from the get-go and maintains momentum throughout its longer runtime. Every flaw noted in the first game seems smoothed out in this 1999 sequel. The storyline is tightly woven, interlacing an emotionally resonant narrative amidst a war that reshapes nations. Your silent main character is entrenched in destiny alongside Jowy, setting a riveting tale that further involves notable figures such as Nanami and the infamous villain, Luca Blight.
This sequel also cleverly plays homage to its predecessor with familiar faces and protagonist appearances (assuming you completed the original). The battle mechanics retain their core with some thoughtful tweaks: the magical rune system gains versatility, allowing for three runes per character, enhancing strategic play. While the war and duel skirmishes don’t drastically change, their integration into the story is far more impactful.
The remaster enhances the overall package with bonuses like concept art, handled with care so the upgraded HD visuals honor the original game’s legacy without painfully showing their age. Gameplay adjustments focus on providing a gentler touch, primarily adding three difficulty modes and battle speed adjustments. Ideally, there’d be an option to turn off random battles altogether, but this isn’t a major setback.
For those who’ve never experienced Suikoden II and cherish Japanese RPGs, this should already be in your cart. It proudly stands alongside ’90s legends from Square Enix. While my enthusiasm for Suikoden I doesn’t reach the same heights, it serves like an NES counterpart to Suikoden II’s SNES—interesting for witnessing growth, but we’ll all remember which game ascended to classic status.
