Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: A 5-Year Journey to Fidelity

The highly anticipated Suikoden I & II HD Remaster took five years to develop, a testament to the developers' commitment to creating a faithful and high-quality remaster of these classic RPGs. This article delves into the development process and the exciting future of the Suikoden franchise.

A Five-Year Journey to Fidelity

The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster’s five-year development period reflects a dedication to honoring the original games. In a March 4, 2025 interview with Dengeki Online, the development team detailed their meticulous approach. Initially slated for a 2023 release, the game was delayed to ensure the final product met their exacting standards. The team discovered the need for extensive review and debugging during the later stages of development, leading to the postponement.

Game Director Tatsuya Ogushi emphasized a measured approach: "Rather than being bold, we started by grasping the situation. After confirming and discussing with [Game Director Takahiro] Sakiyama, including the quality line, it became clear that there were many areas that needed to be worked on, and that we needed to deal with them firmly."

Reviving a Beloved Franchise

This remaster wasn't just a standalone project; it marks the first step in Konami's efforts to revitalize the Suikoden franchise. Producer Rui Naito stressed the importance of a solid foundation: "The most important thing was that this was the first step in reviving the Suikoden IP, so we needed to make sure we didn't stumble here. So, ‘make it solid’ is the basic order." He added, "In the case of Suikoden I&II HDR, I told Sakiyama and his colleagues to ‘make something solid’ because if we put out a half-baked work at the starting point that will be the flow of reviving the series, it will end here."

Gensou Suikoden Live Unveils New Projects

The March 4, 2025 Gensou Suikoden Live event showcased Konami's broader plans for the franchise. Naito viewed the live event as the second step in this revival, acknowledging the uncertain number of steps required for a complete resurgence. He stated, "For this reason, we have been reworking Suikoden I & II HDR and pursuing a strong commitment to the upcoming mobile Suikoden STAR LEAP and Suikoden II anime." He further explained, "After we have been able to deliver this accumulation well, I think we will be able to think about what to do next."

Konami announced Suikoden: The Anime, an adaptation of Suikoden II, produced by Konami Animation. Additionally, a mobile game, Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP, is in development. Teaser trailers for both have been released, though release dates remain unannounced. Further projects and events are planned as Konami works to bring the Suikoden franchise back into the spotlight.

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune & Dunan Unification Wars launches March 6, 2025 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates!