Before Final Fantasy VII pushed RPGs into the spotlight, Suikoden was already making waves as one of the first high-quality RPGs available outside Japan on the PlayStation. Its story echoed the Chinese classic The Water Margin, centering on a young outcast and his comrades as they enlisted 108 heroes to establish a powerful rebellion against a tyrannical empire. This unique premise led to the creation of a beloved series, including the esteemed sequel Suikoden II, often lauded as a staple of the PS1 RPG library.
However, the original physical copies of Suikoden II have become increasingly rare and expensive, with prices reaching into the hundreds, especially due to bugs in the English version. To rectify this, Konami announced a remaster package for both games, promising enhanced HD graphics and extra content. After a lengthy development period since its announcement in 2022, Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars was finally released, yet it raises questions about the time spent on its development.
Having originally played both games on the PS1, returning to Suikoden was particularly exciting after many years. The remaster introduces elements like smoother combat and reduced load times, making it faster to complete the game, typically in around 15-20 hours. Still, despite its engaging narrative and sped-up gameplay, the remaster struggles with pacing issues and rushed character development. In contrast, Suikoden II excels in storytelling, offering deeper character arcs and prolonged plotlines, making it generally longer at 30-40 hours of play.
When discussing the remastered features, high-definition visuals are one of the selling points. The graphics, particularly the backgrounds and character portraits, received significant improvement, yet the original character sprites remain unchanged, only sharpened for HD displays. This mismatch can detract from the immersion, especially during battles where character detail clashes with elaborate backgrounds.
Aside from visuals, the remaster introduces features such as an in-game gallery and a battle speed-up option. Still, many expected quality-of-life improvements are missing. For instance, the cumbersome item management system from Suikoden I remains largely unchanged, which can become frustrating with multiple character inventories to handle.
Despite the evident charm and quality that Suikoden I & II retain, the remaster feels lackluster compared to its potential. While the core experiences of both games are enjoyable, the execution leaves something to be desired. It presents a serviceable collection of beloved titles, but many fans hoped for a more polished revival rather than the mixed visual updates and minimal enhancements.
Ultimately, the Suikoden series holds a special place in the hearts of RPG enthusiasts and deserves a more celebrated resurgence than what this remaster may offer. The essence and engagement of the original games linger on but could benefit from a more thorough and thoughtful modernization approach.
