"Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: 5 Years for Faithfulness"

The journey to bring Suikoden 1 and 2 back to life in high definition has been a meticulous and time-consuming endeavor, spanning five years of dedicated work. The developers' commitment to honoring the original games has resulted in a remaster that aims to capture the essence of what made these titles so beloved. Dive deeper into the development 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 developers of Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster poured five years into ensuring that the remaster would be a faithful representation of the classic games. In a detailed interview with Dengeki Online on March 4, 2025, the team behind Suikoden I & II HD Remaster (Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR) shared insights into their process.

Originally announced in 2022 with a planned release in 2023, the game faced delays and is now scheduled for release this year. Suikoden Gensho series IP and Game Director Takahiro Sakiyama explained that the team's dedication to quality led to the postponement. He noted, "As we continued to debug towards the end of development, we realized the need for further review, which necessitated the delay."

Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR Game Director Tatsuya Ogushi elaborated on their approach, stating, "We began by assessing the situation thoroughly. After discussions with Sakiyama about the quality standards, it was evident that numerous aspects required additional attention and refinement."

Reviving the Series

The remaster is not just a standalone project; it's the first step in breathing new life into the Suikoden franchise. Suikoden series Producer Rui Naito outlined their vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation. He conveyed to the production team, "This is the first step in reviving the Suikoden IP, so we must ensure we don't stumble here. Our directive was to 'make it solid'."

Naito further stressed the significance of the remaster's success, saying, "If we release a half-baked product at the outset of reviving the series, it could end there. So, I instructed Sakiyama and his team to 'create something solid'."

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

The recent Gensou Suikoden Live event on March 4, 2025, showcased Konami's ambitious plans for the Suikoden franchise. Naito described the live event as the second step in the IP's revival, though he remained uncertain about how many steps would be needed to fully bring back the franchise.

He highlighted the ongoing efforts, stating, "We've been reworking Suikoden I & II HDR and are committed to the upcoming mobile game Suikoden STAR LEAP and the Suikoden II anime." Naito added, "Once we've successfully delivered these projects, we can consider what to do next."

Konami also announced "Suikoden: The Anime," an adaptation of Suikoden 2's story, marking a first for Konami Animation. Additionally, a new mobile game, "Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP," was unveiled. 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, aiming to reignite the passion for this cherished franchise.

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune & Dunan Unification Wars is set to launch 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 Suikoden I & II HD Remaster by following our coverage!