Review of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster

Bundling Suikoden I and II for the Switch feels a bit like Konami trying to check off a box, throwing in the less impressive first game to validate the efforts poured into revamping the outstanding sequel. Over the past few weeks, I’ve revisited both games and found myself repeatedly thinking, the highlight here is clearly “Suikoden II,” while the drawback lies in “Suikoden I.” Of course, it’s a bit more nuanced than that. The truth is, Suikoden II stands out as one of the top RPGs of its generation, perhaps even of all time, while its predecessor made some missteps on its way to greatness. But for those with a fondness for ‘90s RPGs, Suikoden II is absolutely worth investing in, despite its package mate being more of an afterthought.

Originally released for the PlayStation in 1996, Suikoden I marked the directorial debut of the late Yoshitaka Murayama, who later contributed to the Suikoden-inspired Eiyuden Chronicle before his untimely passing in 2024. The game ambitiously aimed high with over 100 recruitable characters and diverse combat systems, wrapped in an engaging narrative premise. Despite these intentions, it fell a bit short for me. The narrative pacing was uneven, even across its relatively short 20-hour span. While the turn-based battles came across as decent, they didn’t fully capitalize on the war and duel mechanics. Thankfully, the HD Remaster addresses some of these issues, offering a smoother experience than the original and the convenience of speeding up battle animations during grinding sessions. The soundtrack holds up well, and the visual tweaks honor the original art while meeting modern standards. All in all, it’s a solid remaster of a game that’s just okay.

Suikoden II, by contrast, is an exceptional game, polished to brilliance in this remaster. Playing the games sequentially, I feared that revisiting the franchise after 20-plus years would leave me less impressed. Fortunately, Suikoden II captivated me from the start, maintaining its momentum and intrigue throughout an adventure nearly twice as long as its predecessor. The successor skillfully mends the rough patches of the first game, delivering a more cohesive and emotionally intense storyline against the backdrop of a nation in turmoil. Your silent hero, entangled in fate with his friend Jowy, embarks on a well-crafted journey filled with unforgettable characters like Nanami and the infamous villain Luca Blight.

Suikoden II cleverly interweaves elements from the first game, enriching its lore with familiar faces and even the protagonist from the previous installment, provided you complete the first game before diving into the sequel. The battle framework retains its core strengths while incorporating insightful enhancements. Characters can now wield up to three magical runes, granting strategic versatility, and a grid system in turn-based battles allows greater tactical control. Although the war and duel battles haven’t drastically changed, they’re more effectively woven into the game.

The remaster’s bonus content includes concept art and other enticements, with upgraded 2D visuals that respect the original design while updating them for HD without nostalgia-heavy interference. Gameplay modifications are subtle, largely introducing three difficulty variations and a battle speed-up option. While not a dealbreaker, having the option to disable random encounters would have been a welcomed addition.

For those who’ve never experienced Suikoden II and have a passion for Japanese RPGs, this game deserves to be secured on your shelf, standing shoulder to shoulder with Square Enix’s ‘90s masterpieces. My enthusiasm doesn’t extend as fervently to Suikoden I, which feels more akin to the NES installments of Final Fantasy leading up to Suikoden II’s SNES evolution. Observing the series’ growth is interesting, yet it’s undeniable which game has achieved legendary status.