Suikoden I&II HD Remaster might not change a lot past the video games’ presentation, however there’s little question that this bundle is one of the best ways to get pleasure from what’s a criminally ignored RPG collection. It’s a tragedy that it’s taken this lengthy for the Suikoden video games to return in all their glory. Whereas the franchise might not have the popularity of titans like Remaining Fantasy or Persona, Konami’s revolutionary strategy to the system was spectacular for 1995, a lot in order that it nonetheless holds up remarkably properly 30 years later.
By way of the content material, the HD remasters of each Suikoden and its 1998 sequel shall be immediately acquainted to anybody who performed them on the PlayStation One. Konami has finished little or no to alter the gameplay and tales of those sprawling adventures, for higher and worse. The visible upgrades are simple, as will be anticipated of remasters of video games from a bygone period, and whereas these enhancements are appreciated, I’d have preferred to see among the extra dated components reworked, even when the change was only for comfort.
Chasing The 2D-HD Pattern
Suikoden HD Remaster’s Type Nonetheless Holds Up
Suikoden’s visible fashion has all the time been fascinating for its style: The mash-up of 2D-pixel characters inside 3D battle environments was hanging in 1995 and helped separate it from different titles trying to take full benefit of the PlayStation One’s energy, particularly because the consequence typically regarded awkward. The HD Remaster retains this aesthetic however doubles down on the separate kinds, rendering the overworld and battle screens in 3D, emulating the look of one thing like Octopath Traveller. It is probably not as visually detailed as Sq.-Enix’s so-called HD-2D fashion, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a major improve for each Suikoden I and II.
This holds very true for Suikoden II which was already a serious improve over its predecessor. Whereas the unique recreation can nonetheless look slightly flat due to fundamental lighting and rancid environments, the sequel’s refined pixel animation and dense backgrounds look much more spectacular with the additional benefit of visible results. Specifically, particular assaults look considerably higher due to new particle results, making Unite and Rune assaults all of the extra thrilling.
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Mechanically talking, the HD Remaster is much less apparent in its adjustments however the abundance of small tweaks add as much as have a serious influence on the expertise. Maybe the most important improve is the addition of an auto-save characteristic that triggers earlier than sure tough dungeons or areas. Whereas it’s not so prolific as to take away the necessity for the guide save, it is a first rate help although Konami made the odd determination to typically set off the autosave throughout the identical room as a save level, making it solely a minor comfort.
There are a handful of extra upgrades that push Suikoden into the trendy period and whereas none of them are particularly revolutionary, their influence can’t be ignored. Having a fast-forward possibility for battles is sort of a necessity for a JRPG remaster, although it, annoyingly, applies to the music too, making the wonderful fight theme nearly unlistenable. The dialog log, whereas not important, can also be an excellent possibility. Given the scale of those video games, I discovered it particularly helpful as a way to recall my subsequent quest or vacation spot, even when navigating the checklist of dialogue is slightly cumbersome.
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Having mentioned that, there are some things I believe may have been refined slightly extra. Navigating the assorted menus to prepare gadgets and tools is a chore, particularly in Suikoden I. Having to always micromanage celebration members or switch gadgets between the group takes far too lengthy. This downside is basically solved by the introduction of the bag in Suikoden II, however it might have been good to see this characteristic dropped at the unique recreation.
I’d even have loved the addition of a run button when exploring the overworld. Exploring the map is initially thrilling, however given how lengthy it will probably take to enterprise to completely different cities, even with the eventual unlock of a teleporter in each video games, growing the motion velocity would have been ideally suited. Moreover, having the fast-travel solely return gamers to their house base turns into tedious – a extra versatile mechanic would have been appreciated, even when it lower down on among the exploration.
Suikoden I & II Are Timeless JRPGs
Like A Comfortable, Nostalgic Hug
Those that have already performed the primary two Suikoden video games don’t should be instructed about their high quality. Konami’s tackle the tried-and-tested JRPG system is acquainted sufficient that it feels snug for gamers trying to relive the style’s glory days, nevertheless it additionally introduces gameplay components that add slightly extra taste. The core characteristic is the Stars of Future, a system that permits gamers to recruit over 100 distinctive characters to affix their fledgling military. Doing so helps their trigger develop alongside their headquarters which progressively will increase in measurement to accommodate everybody.
These NPCs are greater than further celebration members to stage up in battle: they’re retailer homeowners, blacksmiths, innkeepers, and even bathtub specialists to assist the heroes chill out after a tough combat. It’s value allowing for that the customization choices aren’t particularly strong (these video games are 30 years previous) however seeing every new recruit take their place within the house fortress is rewarding. Greater than the fight or story, the characters gamers meet after which develop alongside present an actual sense of development.
By way of narratives, Suikoden I is a serviceable story that’s not precisely doing a lot to reinvent the JRPG style. The king of the land out of the blue turns evil, declares conflict on everybody, and the protagonist is caught up within the occasions, rising to grow to be a hero of the folks and main everybody to victory. Whereas it might dabble with ideas which are barely extra mature than many different RPGs of the time, it is not the sport’s greatest draw.
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From Remaining Fantasy to Persona 5 Royal, the JRPG subgenre is among the most enduring within the online game trade, with novices having fun with these video games.
Then again, Suikoden II’s story remains to be spectacular in 2025. Elevated by gorgeous pixel animation and a forged of recent and returning characters, it’s propelled ahead by the aforementioned Luca Blight, a villain that’s as uncomplicated as he’s loathsome. JRPG followers doubtless already despise Luca, an antagonist whose penchant for chaos and dying always causes the narrative to redirect because the characters are pressured to adapt and overcome. Coupled with the hero’s layered relationship together with his childhood good friend and rival Jowy, the narrative goes locations newcomers doubtless will not count on.
Having mentioned that, I’d be remiss if I did not point out that the story does drag at sure factors. Suikoden II‘s normal pacing can nonetheless be grating because the story typically grinds to a halt, forcing gamers to sit down via prolonged exposition cutscenes. It isn’t horrible, and it is definitely higher than many different JRPGs of the time, however when in comparison with Suikoden I‘s brisk, albeit extra easy, narrative, I did really feel myself tuning out at some factors.
Remaining Ideas & Evaluation Rating
ScreenRant Provides Suikoden I&II HD Remaster 8/10
It will have been simple for Konami to easily port the unique Suikoden video games to fashionable platforms with out the added advantages of a remaster; if something, it might nonetheless have been a win for preservationists. But the HD Remaster goes an extended option to not solely make these gems playable however considerably higher than the unique variations. Suikoden I&II strikes an excellent stability between traditional gameplay and improved bells and whistles, permitting gamers to re-experience the JRPGs how they keep in mind them fairly than how they really have been.
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is a wonderful return to the franchise that upgrades sufficient for all the expertise to really feel contemporary whereas nonetheless retaining what made the unique variations so memorable. Whereas some gameplay mechanics may have finished with a extra important overhaul, and the UI generally is a little clumsy, the bundle is powerful sufficient that followers and newcomers shall be happy. If something, I am simply glad to see two PlayStation One legends accessible on fashionable platforms for a brand new era.
Reviewed on PC
- Nice visible enhancements for backgrounds and battles.
- Autosave characteristic helps with accessibility.
- Timeless tales with glorious characters.
- Distinctive development system and satisfying gameplay loop.
- Clunky UI makes celebration administration annoying.
- Some outdated mechanics may have been improved extra.
ScreenRant was supplied with a PC obtain code for the aim of this overview.
