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

The journey to remaster Suikoden 1 and 2 into high-definition glory took the developers a meticulous 5 years, showcasing their dedication to preserving the essence of these classic titles. Dive into the details of how the team approached this ambitious project and what lies ahead for the Suikoden franchise.

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

Developers Wanted To Honor The Originals

The painstaking process to bring Suikoden 1 and 2 to modern audiences in HD took 5 years, as the developers strived to create a remaster that remained true to the spirit of the originals. In an insightful interview with Dengeki Online on March 4, 2025, the team behind Suikoden I & II HD Remaster (Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR) shared the intricacies of their journey.

Originally announced in 2022 with a planned release in 2023, the project faced delays, pushing the launch to this year. Takahiro Sakiyama, the IP and Game Director for the Suikoden Gensho series, explained that the need for extensive debugging and quality review led to the postponement.

Tatsuya Ogushi, the Game Director for Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR, elaborated on their approach, saying, "Rather than rushing, we took the time to assess the situation thoroughly. After discussions with Sakiyama about the quality standards, it became evident that there were numerous aspects requiring attention and improvement."

Reviving the Series

The remaster isn't just a standalone project; it's the cornerstone of efforts to revive the Suikoden franchise. Rui Naito, the Producer of the Suikoden series, highlighted the significance of this project as a launchpad for future endeavors.

Naito emphasized the importance of a strong foundation, stating, "This remaster marks the first step in reviving the Suikoden IP. We couldn't afford to falter at the outset. Our directive was to make it solid." He further stressed, "For Suikoden I & II HDR, I instructed Sakiyama and the team to deliver a robust product. A subpar launch could have halted the series' revival right then and there."

Gensou Suikoden Live Revealed New Anime, Mobile Game, and More

During the recent Gensou Suikoden Live event on March 4, 2025, Konami unveiled exciting new developments for the Suikoden franchise. Naito described the event as the second phase in their strategy to rejuvenate the IP, though he remained uncertain about the total number of steps required to fully revive the series.

He elaborated on their ongoing efforts, saying, "We've been meticulously refining Suikoden I & II HDR while also dedicating ourselves to the upcoming mobile game, Suikoden STAR LEAP, and the Suikoden II anime." Naito added, "Once we successfully launch these projects, we'll be better positioned to plan our next moves."

Konami also announced "Suikoden: The Anime," an adaptation of Suikoden 2's story and events, marking a first for Konami Animation. Additionally, "Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP," a new mobile game, was introduced. Both projects have released teaser trailers, though specific release dates remain undisclosed.

With more initiatives and events on the horizon, Konami is committed to revitalizing the Suikoden franchise and bringing it back into the spotlight.

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune & Dunan Unification Wars is slated for release on March 6, 2025, across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Stay tuned for the latest updates on Suikoden I & II HD Remaster by checking out our dedicated article below!