titans like Final Fantasy or Persona, Konami’s innovative approach to the formula was impressive for 1995, so much so that it still holds up remarkably well 30 years later.
In of the content, the HD remasters of both Suikoden and its 1998 sequel will be instantly familiar to anyone who played them on the PlayStation One. Konami has done very little to change the gameplay and stories of these sprawling adventures, for better and worse. The visual upgrades are undeniable, as can be expected of remasters of games from a bygone era, and while those improvements are appreciated, I would have liked to see some of the more dated elements reworked, even if the change was just for convenience.
Chasing The 2D-HD Trend
Suikoden HD Remaster’s Style Still Holds Up
Suikoden’s visual style has always been interesting for its genre: The mash-up of 2D-pixel characters within 3D battle environments was striking in 1995 and helped separate it from other titles looking to take full advantage of the PlayStation One’s power, especially since the result often looked awkward. The HD Remaster retains this aesthetic but doubles down on the separate styles, rendering the overworld and battle screens in 3D, emulating the look of something like Octopath Traveller. It may not be as visually detailed as Square-Enix’s so-called HD-2D style, but it's still a significant upgrade for both Suikoden I and II.
This holds especially true for Suikoden II which was already a major upgrade over its predecessor. While the original game can still look a little flat thanks to basic lighting and stale environments, the sequel’s refined pixel animation and dense backgrounds look even more impressive with the added benefit of visual effects. In particular, special attacks look significantly better thanks to new particle effects, making Unite and Rune attacks all the more exciting.
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Mechanically speaking, the HD Remaster is less obvious in its changes but the abundance of small tweaks add up to have a major impact on the experience. Perhaps the biggest upgrade is the addition of an auto-save feature that triggers before certain difficult dungeons or areas. While it’s not so prolific as to remove the need for the manual save, it's a decent assist even though Konami made the odd decision to often trigger the autosave within the same room as a save point, making it only a minor convenience.
There are a handful of additional upgrades that push Suikoden into the modern era and while none of them are especially innovative, their impact can’t be ignored. Having a fast-forward option for battles is almost a necessity for a JRPG remaster, even though it, annoyingly, applies to the music too, making the excellent combat theme almost unlistenable. The conversation log, while not essential, is also a great option. Given the size of these games, I found it especially useful as a means to recall my next quest or destination, even if navigating the list of dialogue is a little cumbersome.
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Having said that, there are a few things I think could have been refined a little more. Navigating the various menus to organize items and equipment is a chore, especially in Suikoden I. Having to constantly micromanage party or transfer items between the group takes far too long. This problem is largely solved by the introduction of the bag in Suikoden II, but it would have been nice to see this feature brought to the original game.
I would also have enjoyed the addition of a run button when exploring the overworld. Exploring the map is initially exciting, but given how long it can take to venture to different towns, even with the eventual unlock of a teleporter in both games, increasing the movement speed would have been ideal. Additionally, having the fast-travel only return players to their home base becomes tedious - a more flexible mechanic would have been appreciated, even if it cut down on some of the exploration.
Suikoden I & II Are Timeless JRPGs
Like A Comfy, Nostalgic Hug
Those who have already played the first two Suikoden games don’t need to be told about their quality. Konami’s take on the tried-and-tested JRPG formula is familiar enough that it feels comfortable for players looking to relive the genre’s glory days, but it also introduces gameplay elements that add a little more flavor. The core feature is the Stars of Destiny, a system that allows players to recruit over 100 unique characters to their fledgling army. Doing so helps their cause grow alongside their headquarters which gradually increases in size to accommodate everyone.
These NPCs are more than extra party to level up in battle: they’re store owners, blacksmiths, innkeepers, and even bath specialists to help the heroes relax after a difficult fight. It’s worth bearing in mind that the customization options aren’t especially robust (these games are 30 years old) but seeing each new recruit take their place in the home fortress is rewarding. More than the combat or story, the characters players meet and then grow alongside provide a real sense of progression.
In of narratives, Suikoden I is a serviceable story that’s not exactly doing much to reinvent the JRPG genre. The king of the land suddenly turns evil, declares war on everyone, and the protagonist is caught up in the events, rising to become a hero of the people and leading everyone to victory. While it may dabble with concepts that are slightly more mature than many other RPGs of the time, it's not the game's biggest draw.
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On the other hand, Suikoden II’s story is still impressive in 2025. Elevated by stunning pixel animation and a cast of new and returning characters, it’s propelled forward by the aforementioned Luca Blight, a villain that’s as uncomplicated as he is loathsome. JRPG fans likely already despise Luca, an antagonist whose penchant for chaos and death constantly causes the narrative to redirect as the characters are forced to adapt and overcome. Coupled with the hero's layered relationship with his childhood friend and rival Jowy, the narrative goes places newcomers likely won't expect.
Having said that, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the story does drag at certain points. Suikoden II's general pacing can still be grating as the story often grinds to a halt, forcing players to sit through lengthy exposition cutscenes. It's not terrible, and it's certainly better than many other JRPGs of the time, but when compared to Suikoden I's brisk, albeit more simple, narrative, I did feel myself tuning out at some points.
Final Thoughts & Review Score
ScreenRant Gives Suikoden I&II HD Remaster 8/10
It would have been easy for Konami to simply port the original Suikoden games to modern platforms without the added benefits of a remaster; if anything, it would still have been a win for preservationists. Yet the HD Remaster goes a long way to not only make these gems playable but significantly better than the original versions. Suikoden I&II strikes a great balance between classic gameplay and improved bells and whistles, allowing players to re-experience the JRPGs how they them rather than how they actually were.
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is an excellent return to the franchise that upgrades enough for the entire experience to feel fresh while still retaining what made the original versions so memorable. While some gameplay mechanics could have done with a more significant overhaul, and the UI can be a little clumsy, the package is strong enough that fans and newcomers will be pleased. If anything, I'm just glad to see two PlayStation One legends accessible on modern platforms for a new generation.
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars
Reviewed on PC
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- Top Critic Avg: 83/100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Great visual enhancements for backgrounds and battles.
- Autosave feature helps with accessibility.
- Timeless stories with excellent characters.
- Unique progression system and satisfying gameplay loop.
- Clunky UI makes party management annoying.
- Some outdated mechanics could have been improved more.
ScreenRant was provided with a PC code for the purpose of this review.
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