In my recent review of Tales of Graces f Remastered, I discussed how many Japanese publishers and developers maintained a flagship RPG series that has stood the test of time. For KONAMI, that series would be the Suikoden, except that there has not been a mainline numbered release in the series since 2006. This is a shame since, while I had never played the original title, the latter releases on the PlayStation 2 led the way with some revolutionary approaches for the time – from giant party sizes to multiple narrative perspectives. In what is hopefully a return to an RPG franchise rather than just dusting off an old IP and making money off previous development work, Konami has released Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars (or Suikoden I & II HD Remaster for short) on a majority of major gaming platforms including the PC (via Steam), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. But do these earliest releases in the franchise fare well against a modern-day market? Read on to find out!
Suikoden I & II each offer two distinct but thematically resonant stories, bound by the series’ core conceit: the gathering of 108 “Stars of Destiny” to combat political corruption and tyranny. Suikoden I is the more compact and archetypal tale of rebellion, placing you in the boots of Tir McDohl, a reluctant hero whose loyalty to a decaying empire is tested when betrayal strikes close to home. The story is straightforward and unfolds at a brisk pace, yet it doesn’t shy away from emotional punches. There are genuine moments of sacrifice and heartbreak, even if the storytelling feels hurried and some of its cast lacks depth. It reads like a strong foundation – a prototype for what would follow – with flashes of narrative ambition. While it is arguably the lesser of the two games in this collection, there is still much to appreciate.
Whereas Suikoden I lays the groundwork, Suikoden II constructs a towering monument of character-driven political drama. Set three years following the events of the first game and superior in almost every way, its narrative is both a spiritual and mechanical sequel, offering returning characters and world-building that reward fans of the first game while telling a story that comfortably stands on its own (If you only have time to play one game in this collection, Suikoden II is the way to go). At its heart is the fractured bond between childhood friends Riou and Jowy, a tragic core that anchors a sweeping tale of war, betrayal, and moral ambiguity. There is a maturity to how the game handles its themes, avoiding simplistic good-versus-evil binaries in favour of exploring how personal ideals can clash against broader socio-political forces. If the first game is a war story told through broad strokes, Suikoden II is an epic painted with intricate detail and emotional sincerity.
Aesthetically, Suikoden I & II HD Remaster finds itself walking the fine line between preserving its original artistic style and modernisation. The sprite work, remarkably expressive for its time, remains untouched in form and largely in spirit, retaining the charm and emotive punch that many modern pixel-based RPGs still strive to emulate. However, Konami’s decision to layer these retro sprites over new, high-definition backgrounds yields mixed results. In Suikoden II, this hybrid approach is mostly successful; improved lighting, layered environmental effects, and beautifully reworked spell animations breathe fresh life into iconic scenes. Forest paths dappled in moonlight and war-torn fortresses shimmer with atmosphere in a way the originals only hinted at. Unfortunately, Suikoden I doesn’t fare quite as well in this regard. Its simpler environments now appear oddly sterile – a little too clean, too polished – lacking the lived-in texture that gave its original settings their charm. But in the end, while they are arguably not modern-day masterpieces, they do the classic stylings of their original releases justice, favouring authenticity.
What deserves more unanimous praise, however, is the remaster’s handling of sound and music. Miki Higashino’s compositions, already timeless in their original form, have been lovingly preserved with clarity and fullness that enhance without overwhelming. From the melancholy strains of a rebel’s lament to the bombast of an army clash, the score still knows when to swell and when to retreat. Even the smaller, incidental pieces—the breezy castle themes, the shop jingles—evoke a powerful sense of place. Sound effects have seen slight adjustments, though they remain largely faithful to the originals, subtle enough to satisfy purists yet refined enough not to distract.
Suikoden I & II’s core gameplay loop remains rooted in classic turn-based RPG traditions but introduces enough distinct mechanics to set it apart from its contemporaries. Players build parties of six characters, each with fixed weapon types and defined roles based on their attack range – short, medium, or long. Front and back row placement adds a tactical dimension, especially when balancing survivability and effectiveness. Combat resolves quickly and with a satisfying rhythm, further aided by the remaster’s speed-enhancing options. The return of the Unite system, which enables specific character combinations to perform unique joint attacks, injects welcome variety and charm into battles, encouraging thoughtful party composition.
The Rune system lies at the heart of each character’s magical or passive ability set. Equippable Runes grant spells or special skills, with Suikoden II pushing this further by allowing some characters to equip up to three simultaneously. This opens up a range of strategic possibilities – stacking elemental attacks, managing crowd control, or leveraging passive buffs to overcome tougher encounters. While the game rarely demands deep min-maxing, the system is flexible enough to satisfy both casual and tactical players. Even on Hard Mode, the difficulty never becomes too overwhelming but remains engaging enough to support experimentation and discovery.
Diversifying the standard turn-based fare are the duel and war battle mechanics – alternative formats that elevate narrative stakes and moment-to-moment gameplay. Duels are dramatic one-on-one battles that rely on a rock-paper-scissors mechanic, with player choices guided by reading the opponent’s dialogue. These often appear at pivotal narrative moments and serve to crystallize personal conflicts. Army battles, on the other hand, blow things up to a larger scale. Suikoden I keeps it simple with command-based skirmishes, while Suikoden II leans into tactical RPG territory with grid-based movement and unit management. Though the latter occasionally drags, it succeeds in adding scope and dramatic weight to the campaign.
Outside of combat, base-building and recruitment form the backbone of the Suikoden experience. Gathering all 108 Stars of Destiny isn’t just a checklist – it’s about transforming a lonely fortress into a bustling, self-sustaining hub. Each recruit brings unique utility, from blacksmithing and trading to quirky minigames like cooking duels and dice gambling. It creates a feedback loop of progression that’s more than just statistical. Not all recruits are easy to find – some are gated behind obscure or time-sensitive conditions – but uncovering them feels rewarding. In the end, this core gameplay loop reinforces Suikoden’s central message: that everyone, no matter their role, can make a difference in the face of overwhelming odds.
Ultimately, Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is a tale of two games bound by shared ideals and revitalized with just enough polish to welcome both nostalgic fans and newcomers alike. While not every modernization hits the mark—particularly in Suikoden I’s occasionally lifeless visuals or the uneven quality-of-life updates—what remains at the heart of this collection is a pair of deeply human stories underscored by timeless design. These aren’t just relics of a bygone era; they are reminders of the kind of storytelling and systems-driven design that helped define a genre. Whether you’re returning to reunite with old companions or stepping into this world for the first time, Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars remains a compelling journey worth taking.
Final Score for Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars
A digital PlayStation 5 review code of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars was provided by Australian distributor Five Star Games to facilitate this review. This review was conducted on a PlayStation 5 Pro retail unit.
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is now available to purchase on PC, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X, and the Nintendo Switch.
