Suikoden I & II HD Remaster [PC] | REVIEW

Few RPGs have managed to capture the scale and emotional depth of war like the Suikoden series, which to this day still stands out as one of my most beloved RPG franchises after playing through the first two titles with my older brother in my younger years. And now, with Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, Konami has brought these beloved classics to a new generation with improved visuals and thoughtful gameplay enhancements that ensure that the games are just as brilliant now as they were when they originally released.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Both Suikoden and Suikoden II tell gripping stories of war, betrayal, and the struggle for peace, though they approach these themes from different angles. In Suikoden, you play as Tir, the son of a high-ranking general in the Scarlet Moon Empire. When you discover the corruption at the heart of the empire, you’re forced to flee and ultimately become the leader of a rebellion. The story revolves around the burden of leadership and the difficult choices that come with it, whilst the protagonist’s connection to the Rune of Life and Death adds a layer of personal conflict to the larger political struggle.

Suikoden II takes a more emotionally charged approach, with players taking on the role of Riou, a young soldier who is betrayed by his commanding officer. Alongside his childhood friend Jowy and adopted sister Nanami, Riou is drawn into a brutal war between rival nations, with the emotional core of the story coming in the shifting relationship between Riou and Jowy, whose ideals and loyalties pull them down opposing paths.

Both stories are framed by large-scale conflicts but remain grounded thanks to the ever-developing personal relationships that each protagonist shares with others and the political tensions found between armies. But most importantly? They’re riveting tales that’ll keep players hooked in from start to end. The Suikoden series has always taken a more grounded approach with its storytelling, focusing on political intrigue and the horrors of war as opposed to grand epic adventures to save the world, and it’s something that is still easy to appreciate so many years on from its initial release. The storytelling has certainly stood the test of time, with the mighty cast of characters still as engaging now as they were when the series first released on the original PlayStation.

The core gameplay loop of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster takes your typical RPG approach, with players exploring a vast world, clearing out areas of enemies, building up their party, and so forth. It’s got that typical 90s RPG vibe that a lot of players are likely to be familiar with, and whilst it takes a different narrative approach to similar fantasy-heavy releases in the genre of that time, it still features plenty of typical RPG tropes. It’s a good thing though, especially since that classic style still holds up today.

“Suikoden I & II HD Remaster successfully brings two beloved RPG classics into the modern era without losing the heart of what made them special in the first place.”

Both games use a turn-based battle system with parties of up to six characters, with the larger party size allowing for greater strategic flexibility (and compensating for the sheer number of characters available in the game). Characters have access to normal attacks, special Rune-based magic, and Unite attacks – powerful combination moves that require specific characters to be in the party to perform. Formations and positioning play a heavy role in the tactical success of your party, whilst levelling up your characters to deal with ever-growing threats is imperative to your success. In honesty, it’s pretty standard as far as turn-based RPG battling is concerned, but whilst it might not offer anything too distinct, it still remains exciting.

Where Suikoden I & II HD Remaster feel more unique is in their large-scale army battles and one-on-one duels. In Suikoden, large battles play out like a rock-paper-scissors game, with charge, bow, and magic commands countering each other. Suikoden II expands on this by introducing a tactical grid-based system, where unit positioning and character strengths play a larger role. They’re enjoyable diversions that really emphasise the scale of the war that you find yourself in, with each epic showdown making for some gripping moments in-game.

Duels pit the player against key antagonists in tense one-on-one encounters, with the player required to read enemy cues and determine which action they need to respond with to overpower them – again, it’s kind of like rock-paper-scissors, though there’s less of an element of random luck to it and is based more upon interpreting what your opponent will do. It’s a bit simpler than the large-scale army battles (and admittedly a lot easier given how easy it can be to read your opponent’s actions), but there’s something so exciting about these showdowns that it’s hard not to find yourself completely invested in them. Again, like the large-scale army battles, it is expanded upon in Suikoden II, though the core mechanics remain the same.

Both systems help give Suikoden I & II HD Remaster its own unique sense of identity that no other RPG has managed to match, ensuring there’s more to combat than just your typical turn-based battling. However, the most satisfying (and arguably most defining) feature of the series comes with its recruitment system, which sees players working to recruit up to 108 characters per game (known as the Stars of Destiny) to help expand their army and headquarters.

Check out some screenshots down below:

It has always been my favourite thing about the Suikoden series and what initially drew me in all those years ago, with the game almost embracing a puzzle-like approach in discovering and recruiting each of the Stars of Destiny to your cause. Some join you naturally through the main story, some will be discovered through side quests, some join you by completing a mini-game, whilst some have to be beaten to prove your worth – it’s always rewarding to discover a new character and recruit them to your rebellion, with the variety of recruitment methods encouraging players to delve deeper into the world and all of the game’s mechanics. Don’t get me wrong, some are a nightmare to find (don’t be surprised if you need to consult a guide), but it’s always rewarding to discover a new recruit on your own.

Best of all? Recruited characters aren’t just there to fill out your battle party but also populate your headquarters and bring with them a variety of bonuses. They might open additional shops, provide vital services, or unlock mini-games to complete, whilst some will even strengthen your army and make it easier to find success in the large-scale army battles. It helps create a satisfying sense of progression that goes beyond just story advancement, and seeing your headquarters grow into a bustling community of allies is one of the most rewarding aspects of each game.

Given that this is a remastered release, there’ve been a host of enhancements made to give the game a modern feel. The pixel art has been carefully enhanced, with character sprites cleaner and more detailed than before, while backgrounds have been redrawn with richer colours and added depth to ensure everything looks clean on modern platforms. The character portraits have also been completely redrawn, but whilst these do look sharper, I think I preferred the originals – it’s not that they look bad at all, but I’m a sucker for nostalgia.

Several thoughtful gameplay improvements have also been introduced, such as a fast-forward option for battles (though this speeds up the music too which feels intrusive given how good the battle themes are), auto-battling, the ability to move diagonally when exploring, and streamlined menus that make for easier navigation. There’s also an auto-save function, though it did seem a little inconsistent – I was caught out on one occasion where I assumed the game had auto-saved, only to find myself having to replay through a small chunk of gameplay. They’re all meaningful improvements that will certainly make the game that bit more accessible to modern gamers who aren’t quite so acclimatised with how intense classic RPGs could be.

Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Platform(s): PC (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Website: https://www.konami.com/games/suikoden/rem/1_2/