Merging Suikoden I and II into a single package seems like Konami’s way of justifying the remaster by including the somewhat underwhelming first installment alongside the truly outstanding second one. Over the past few weeks of diving into these two games, my discussions with others have often boiled down to a simple observation: the “Pro” here is clearly “Suikoden II,” while the “Con” could just be labeled “Suikoden I.” Of course, there’s more complexity to it than that. But the core truth remains: Suikoden II stands as one of the defining RPGs of its time—and perhaps all time—whereas its predecessor feels like a moderate, though earnest, attempt in the right direction. Yet, for fans of ‘90s-era RPGs, Suikoden II is undeniably a gem worth the price of this remaster, even if the first game serves merely as a pleasant add-on.
The debut of Suikoden I on the original PlayStation in 1996 marked a noteworthy beginning for director Yoshitaka Murayama (who tragically passed in 2024 after working on Eiyuden Chronicles). The game certainly aims high, featuring a vast lineup of 108 recruitable characters, various battle systems, and a story that piques your interest. Still, as much as I wanted to click with it, the game just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Its story, while short at around 20 hours, had inconsistent pacing. The traditional turn-based battles held their ground, but the game didn’t fully explore the potential of its war and duel battle mechanics. Thankfully, some updates in the HD Remaster address a few of my issues. Performance is smoother than on the original PlayStation, and you’re given the handy option to speed up battle animations when grinding. The soundtrack holds up well, and the visual enhancements are thoughtfully done, capturing the essence of the original while updating it for modern tastes. Overall, it’s a solid remaster of a reasonably good game.
Suikoden II, however, stands in a league of its own even in this remastered form. Playing through both games sequentially, I initially feared I would be slogging through a couple of dated RPGs I hadn’t touched in over two decades before 2025 rolled around. Yet, Suikoden II quickly demolished those fears with a stellar opening that sustains its momentum throughout a tale nearly twice as long as its forerunner. All the shortcomings that were glaring in Suikoden I all but vanished by the time this 1999 sequel rolled out. Its narrative is tightly woven, delivering a compelling personal story of heartache amidst a backdrop of national turmoil. The silent protagonist’s journey, intertwined with his best friend Jowy, is especially poignant and is complemented by a memorable cast including childhood companion Nanami and one of the genre’s greatest antagonists, Luca Blight.
The sequel also peppers in delightful callbacks, featuring returning faces and even your first game’s protagonist if finished before diving into Suikoden II, enriching the lore considerably. The battle system, though recognizable, benefits from smart refinements. The magical rune system becomes more dynamic, with characters being able to hold up to three runes each. Meanwhile, a grid-based component in turn-based battles gives players enhanced strategic mobility. Though the core mechanics of war and duel battles haven’t changed dramatically, their execution within the story bears greater significance.
The remaster package itself is thoughtfully curated, adding concept art and other nostalgic treasures. The enhanced 2D graphics maintain the charm of the original’s style, avoiding the trap of looking overtly like a quarter-century-old RPG. The remaster’s changes to gameplay are subtle, primarily introducing three difficulty levels and offering battle speed-up options. While turning off random battles might have been a welcome addition, the lack of this feature isn’t a dealbreaker.
For those who haven’t yet experienced Suikoden II, especially if you cherish Japanese RPGs, this is a title you should have on your radar. It’s a standout that deserves recognition alongside the ’90s hits from Square Enix. Although my enthusiasm for Suikoden I doesn’t nearly reach the same heights, it serves a similar role to how NES Final Fantasy games relate to their SNES successors—offering a glimpse of evolution while leaving no doubt which game has reached legendary status.
