Pairing Suikoden I and II in the same bundle feels like Konami included the less remarkable first game just to justify the effort poured into remastering the outstanding sequel. While revisiting these classics over the past few weeks, I’ve had countless chats with others and joked how the perks of this collection could simply read “Suikoden II” and its downside as “Suikoden I.” Of course, it’s a bit more nuanced than that, but the truth remains: Suikoden II stands as one of the finest RPGs from its era—and maybe even across all eras—while its precursor takes a few stumbles on its journey forward. Yet, for anyone who cherishes RPGs from the ’90s, Suikoden II alone is worth every penny of this remaster’s price, even if the inaugural game only manages to be decent.
Suikoden I made its debut on the PlayStation back in 1996 and marked the directorial entrance of the late Yoshitaka Murayama, who later contributed to the Suikoden-inspired Eiyuden Chronicles before his passing in 2024. The game certainly aimed high with its 107 recruitable characters, varied battle systems, and a somewhat engaging narrative. The concept is impressive, but ultimately, it didn’t fully click with me. Despite its fairly concise 20-hour playtime, the story’s pacing felt sporadic. The turn-based combat is competent in the traditional six-player format, albeit without maximizing the potential of war and duel battles. Some enhancements in the HD Remaster address a few of my issues. Overall, the performance is smoother than the PS1 version, and you can accelerate battle animations, which is handy for grinding. The soundtrack holds its own, and the visual refinements align well with contemporary standards while preserving the original’s distinct aesthetic. This remaster upgrades an okay game to a good one.
Switching gears, Suikoden II undergoes a stellar remastering process of a phenomenal game. Playing them sequentially, my experience with the first game left me concerned about critiquing two RPGs I hadn’t revisited in over two decades. Fortunately, Suikoden II opened with flair, maintaining momentum and intrigue through its nearly doubled runtime. The rough edges from Suikoden I are substantially smoothed in this 1999 follow-up. Here, the plot is sharper and skillfully intertwines a heart-wrenching personal tale against the vast backdrop of a war-torn nation. The silent protagonist shares a fateful bond with his friend Jowy, setting the stage for a gripping narrative enriched by standout characters like childhood pal Nanami and iconic antagonist Luca Blight.
Suikoden II incorporates several callbacks to the original, with familiar faces (including your prior protagonist if the first game was completed before diving into the sequel) that deepen the lore. While the combat system remains fundamentally similar, it benefits from clever tweaks. The magical rune aspect is more adaptable, with characters able to equip up to three runes. The introduction of a grid system in turn-based skirmishes grants enhanced tactical control over your squad. Although the war and duel battles don’t massively transform, their execution throughout the game is far more consequential.
The remaster package is commendable, offering concept art and other appealing extras. The 2D graphics have been refreshingly updated for HD while respecting the original aesthetics, yet they don’t distract from the fact that it’s an RPG harking back 25+ years. Gameplay-wise, this is a minimalistic remaster, with the most notable changes being three difficulty tiers and the ability to hasten battles. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but in games featuring random encounters, having the option to disable them occasionally would have been nice.
For those yet to experience Suikoden II and count themselves as aficionados of Japanese RPGs, this title should already be at the top of your pre-order list. It undoubtedly deserves a spot beside the ’90s classics from Square Enix. My enthusiasm doesn’t quite extend to Suikoden I, yet the first installment resembles the NES Final Fantasy games compared to Suikoden II’s SNES Final Fantasy caliber. Observing their progression is fascinating, but it’s clear which entry has achieved legendary status.
