Review of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster

Bringing Suikoden I and II together on the Nintendo Switch feels a bit like a required pairing, where Konami might have felt it necessary to bundle the less remarkable first game in order to revisit and remaster its outstanding sequel fully. Conversations I’ve had during my recent playthrough of both games often boiled down to this: if the “Pro” of this set is undoubtedly “Suikoden II,” then the “Con” might just as well be “Suikoden I.” It’s not entirely black and white, of course, yet the truth remains; Suikoden II shines as one of the most superb RPGs from its time—and perhaps ever—while its forerunner is simply a tentative step forward. So, if RPGs from the ’90s resonate with you, this remaster of Suikoden II is an absolute gem, even if the first installment barely manages to hold its own.

Suikoden I originally graced the PlayStation back in 1996, directed by the late Yoshitaka Murayama, an industry visionary who left a lasting legacy before his passing in 2024 after working on its spiritual successor, Eiyuden Chronicles. The game ambitiously aims high with a whopping 108 recruitable characters, a unique blend of various battle systems, and a storyline that’s relatively engaging. Despite these bold strides, for me, it never quite landed. The story’s pacing felt inconsistent, even over a concise 20-hour playthrough. The traditional six-character battles are decent enough, but the other forms like war and duel systems don’t reach their full potential. Thankfully, the HD Remaster smooths over some rough spots—everything runs more fluidly, and you can speed through battle animations during those grind-heavy moments. The soundtrack remains a highlight, and visually, the enhancements bring the game closer to today’s standards without losing its original charm. Overall, it’s a solid remaster of a game that’s just passable.

When it comes to Suikoden II, though, we’re stepping into extraordinary territory. Playing these games sequentially, I was initially apprehensive that I’d have to critique two decades-old RPGs without any fresh perspective. Yet Suikoden II immediately captures attention with a gripping beginning, sustaining interest throughout a journey nearly twice as long as its predecessor. The shortcomings evident in the first game are largely refined or eliminated by this 1999 sequel. Its narrative deftly balances personal heartbreak with the broader strokes of a war-torn nation, all centered around your silent hero and his best friend, Jowy. The plot unfurls with compelling characters like Nanami and one of the greatest RPG antagonists, Luca Blight.

There are subtle nods to the first game, featuring returning characters, and if you completed Suikoden I beforehand, your initial protagonist even makes an appearance, deepening the storyline. The battle system retains its familiar feel but includes thoughtful improvements. You can now equip characters with up to three magical runes, and a new grid system in battles provides greater strategic control. While the war and duel battles largely keep their form, their presence is felt more significantly throughout the game.

This remaster package comes with some delightful bonus content, like concept art, enhancing the classic 2D visuals to high definition in ways that honor the original artistry without making it look like an outdated relic. While the remaster itself isn’t extensive—chiefly offering three difficulty options and faster battles—it would have been a nice touch to add an option to switch off random encounters, especially for those of us who relish choice.

If you’ve never ventured into the world of Suikoden II and hold a passion for Japanese RPGs, consider this a must-have. It deserves a place among top-tier classics from the ’90s like those from Square Enix. While Suikoden I doesn’t share the same brilliance, analogous to early NES Final Fantasy titles compared to their SNES successors, it’s fascinating to witness its foundational role in building up to such greatness as its sequel achieved.