Review of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster

Bundling Suikoden I and II for the Switch feels a bit like a necessary evil—an excuse to justify resurrecting the exceptional Suikoden II by also tossing in its less celebrated predecessor. Over the past several weeks, I’ve immersed myself in both titles, and it’s become a running joke in conversations that the highlight of this package is simply Suikoden II, while the downside is Suikoden I. Of course, such a sweeping statement doesn’t capture the full story. Suikoden II is undeniably one of the standout RPGs from its time—and perhaps ever—while its forerunner is an uneven but earnest effort. For fans of ‘90s RPGs, Suikoden II is a masterpiece worth the price of admission, even if the first game is just middling.

Back in 1996, the original Suikoden hit the PlayStation as the directorial debut of the late Yoshitaka Murayama, who notably worked on the Suikoden-inspired Eiyuden Chronicles before passing in 2024. This game ambitiously offers 107 recruitable characters, multiple battle systems, and a storyline with some intriguing moments. It’s a bold attempt but doesn’t quite gel. Over a relatively short 20 hours, the pacing felt off. The turn-based combat system satisfies mainly in traditional six-character battles while not pushing the war and duel systems to their potential. The HD Remaster does iron out some issues, running more smoothly and allowing quicker battle animations to ease the grind. The soundtrack holds up nicely, and visual updates offer a refreshed, yet nostalgically authentic, look. Overall, it’s a solid remaster of a decent original.

Now, Suikoden II is a different beast altogether, offering a masterful remaster of an already outstanding game. Playing them back-to-back, I worried I’d criticize these two RPGs I hadn’t revisited in over 20 years since 2025. Yet, Suikoden II dispels those anxieties right out of the gate with a gripping opening that maintains its pace across a storyline twice the length of its predecessor. Sharp edges evident in Suikoden I get smoothly polished away. Its narrative strikes a perfect balance, delivering an emotionally potent tale set against the backdrop of a nation in turmoil. The silent hero is intertwined with his friend Jowy, setting off a well-crafted saga featuring memorable figures like Nanami and the infamous villain, Luca Blight.

For those familiar with the series, nods to its history through returning characters—including a cameo by your first game’s protagonist if you completed it—help expand the lore. The combat keeps its foundation but refines its mechanics. The rune system now allows for greater flexibility, accommodating up to three runes on characters. A grid system introduces more tactical depth to battles. While the war and duel conflicts haven’t drastically changed, their execution now carries more significance.

The remaster package itself is impressive, featuring concept art and other bonuses. The upgraded 2D graphics stay true to the original style while dispelling any lingering reminders of their 25-year-old origins. In terms of gameplay, this remaster tweaks lightly, with the most significant updates being three difficulty levels and the option to speed up battles. While not a dealbreaker, the ability to skip random battles would’ve been a welcome addition.

For anyone who hasn’t yet experienced Suikoden II and has a love for Japanese RPGs, this is a must-have, ready to join the ranks of the ‘90s classics from Square Enix. Suikoden I may not hold quite the same allure, but it stands akin to the NES Final Fantasy games compared to Suikoden II’s SNES-like glory. Observing this evolution is interesting, yet we all know which game truly achieves legendary status.