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

Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster Took 5 Years to Be as Faithful as Possible

The journey to remaster Suikoden 1 and 2 into a high-definition experience has been a meticulous five-year endeavor by the developers, aiming to honor the legacy of these classic games. Dive deeper into the production process and discover what the future holds for the Suikoden franchise.

Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster’s Development Time Was Longer Than Expected

Developers Wanted To Honor The Originals

The dedication to creating a faithful remaster of Suikoden 1 and 2 spanned over five years, driven by the developers' commitment to excellence. In a revealing interview with Dengeki Online on March 4, 2025, the team behind Suikoden I & II HD Remaster (Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR) shed light on the intricate process of revitalizing these beloved titles.

Originally announced in 2022 with a planned release for 2023, the project faced delays, pushing the launch to this year. Game Director Takahiro Sakiyama explained that the decision to delay came during the final stages of development, as the team discovered areas needing further refinement. "We needed to review it," Sakiyama stated, underscoring the importance of delivering a polished product.

Echoing this sentiment, Game Director Tatsuya Ogushi shared, "Rather than being bold, we started by grasping the situation. After confirming and discussing with 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 the Series

The remaster is more than just a nostalgic revisit; it's the cornerstone of a broader effort to revive the Suikoden franchise. Producer Rui Naito articulated their long-term vision, emphasizing the critical nature of this project as a stepping stone. "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," Naito emphasized. He further urged the team, "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 Revealed New Anime, Mobile Game, and More

The recent Gensou Suikoden Live event on March 4, 2025, unveiled exciting new ventures for the Suikoden universe. Naito viewed this live event as the second step in their revival strategy, though he remained uncertain about the number of steps required to fully rejuvenate the IP. "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," Naito explained. He added, "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 focusing on the narrative of Suikoden 2, marking a first for Konami Animation. Additionally, a mobile game titled "Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP" was introduced. Both projects have released teaser trailers, though specific release dates remain undisclosed.

As Konami continues to expand the Suikoden universe, more projects and events are in the pipeline, promising to keep the franchise in the spotlight.

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune & Dunan Unification Wars is scheduled for release on March 6, 2025, across multiple platforms including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated remaster by checking out our dedicated article below!