Suikoden Remasters Aim to Revive Series

The beloved Suikoden series, dormant for over a decade, is poised for a resurgence. The upcoming HD remaster of the first two games aims to reignite fan enthusiasm and introduce a new generation to this classic JRPG franchise.

Remaster Hopes to Revive a Classic

The Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster seeks to revitalize this cherished series. In a recent interview with Famitsu, Director Tatsuya Ogushi and Lead Planner Takahiro Sakiyama expressed their hopes that the remaster will not only attract new players but also rekindle the passion of longtime fans, potentially paving the way for future installments.

Ogushi, deeply connected to the series, paid tribute to the late creator, Yoshitaka Murayama, stating, "I’m sure Murayama would have wanted to be involved as well...When I told him I was going to participate in the remake of the illustrations, he was very envious." Sakiyama echoed this sentiment, expressing 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. I hope that the IP ‘Genso Suikoden’ will continue to expand from here into the future."

A Modernized Classic

Based on the Japan-exclusive PlayStation Portable collection, Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster boasts significant enhancements. Konami promises enriched HD backgrounds, creating more immersive environments. While the original pixel art sprites remain true to their roots, they've been meticulously polished. New additions include a gallery showcasing music and cutscenes, and an event viewer allowing players to revisit key moments.

This remaster also addresses previous issues. The infamous shortened Luca Blight cutscene from the PSP version of Suikoden 2 has been restored to its original length. Furthermore, certain dialogues have been subtly adjusted to reflect modern sensibilities; for instance, Richmond's smoking habit has been removed to align with current Japanese smoking regulations.

Launching March 6, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is set to recapture the magic of this beloved JRPG series for both veteran fans and newcomers alike.