Suikoden has been sorely missed for over a decade. However, the upcoming HD remaster of the first two games aims to reignite the series' popularity and pave the way for future installments in the beloved JRPG franchise.
Suikoden Remaster Aims to Revive the Classic JRPG Series
Devs Hope Remaster Introduces Series to New Generation
The upcoming Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is set to breathe new life into the classic JRPG series. However, in a recent interview, Director Tatsuya Ogushi and Lead Planner Takahiro Sakiyama hope that the said remaster will not only introduce a new generation of gamers to the beloved Suikoden series but also reignite the passion of longtime fans.
In an interview with Famitsu, translated via Google, Ogushi and Sakiyama expressed their hopes that the HD remaster would serve as a catalyst for more Suikoden titles in the future. Ogushi, who has a deep personal connection to the series, shared his admiration for series creator Yoshitaka Murayama, who sadly passed away earlier this year. "I’m sure Murayama would have wanted to be involved as well," Ogushi said. " When I told him I was going to participate in the remake of the illustrations, he was very envious."
Sakiyama, on the other hand, emphasized his desire to bring Suikoden back to people’s radars. "I really wanted to bring ‘Genso Suikoden’ back to the world, and now I can finally deliver it," he stated. "I hope that the IP ‘Genso Suikoden’ will continue to expand from here into the future." Sakiyama directed Suikoden V as a newcomer to the Suikoden franchise.
Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster Overview
Comparison From Suikoden 1&2 HD Remaster Official Website
Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is based on the Japan-exclusive Genso Suikoden 1 & 2 collection for the PlayStation Portable. Released in 2006, the said collection gave Japanese players an enhanced version of the two classic JRPGs, while the rest of the world missed out. Now, Konami is revisiting that collection, updating it for modern platforms with some intriguing tweaks along the way.
Visually, Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster aims to breathe new life into the games. Konami has promised enhanced background illustrations with rich HD textures, which should make the environments feel more immersive and detailed than ever. Expect beautifully drawn locales, from the majestic castles of Gregminster to the war-torn landscapes of Suikoden 2. The pixel art of the original sprites is being polished, but the essence of the original design is being respected.
You can also explore a Gallery featuring the game's music and cutscenes, as well as an event viewer that allows you to relive memorable moments. These are accessible from the title selection screen.
Despite being based on the PSP collection, the HD remaster does address several issues from that release. For example, Suikoden 2’s infamous Luca Blight cutscene, which was accidentally shortened in the PSP collection due to it being too "extreme," will be restored to its full glory.
Moreover, to align with contemporary standards, certain character dialogues have been adjusted. For example, Richmond, the private investigator from Suikoden 2, no longer smokes in this remastered version to reflect the nationwide indoor and outdoor smoking bans implemented in Japan.
Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is set to launch on March 6, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. If you want to learn more about the game's gameplay and story, you can check out our article below!
Sources:
『幻想水滸伝 1＆2 HDリマスター』名シーンを振り返れるイベントビューワー実装。開発インタビューで細かな変更点や復活経緯を訊いた【TGS2024】
The Japan Times | Japan's watered-down smoking ban clears Diet
