The journey to remaster Suikoden 1 and 2 into high-definition glory took the developers a meticulous five years, driven by a deep commitment to honor the essence of the original games. Dive into the details of how the team approached this 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 dedication to crafting a faithful remaster of Suikoden 1 and 2 spanned five years, as the developers aimed for nothing short of excellence. 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 their journey in remastering these classics.
Initially announced in 2022 with a planned release in 2023, the project faced delays, pushing the launch to this year. Suikoden Gensho series IP and Game Director Takahiro Sakiyama explained that the need for thorough debugging and review led to the postponement. "As we approached the end of development, we realized the necessity for further refinement," Sakiyama noted.
Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR Game Director Tatsuya Ogushi elaborated on their approach, saying, "We started by assessing the situation thoroughly. After discussions with Sakiyama about the quality standards, it was evident that many aspects required significant attention and improvement."
Reviving the Series
The remaster project is more than just a nostalgic revisit; it's the cornerstone for reviving the Suikoden franchise. Suikoden series Producer Rui Naito outlined their vision, emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation for future endeavors.
Naito communicated this vision to the team, stating, "This remaster is the first step in bringing back the Suikoden IP, and we cannot afford to falter. The directive was clear: 'make it solid.' If we release a substandard product at this stage, it could jeopardize the entire revival effort."
Gensou Suikoden Live Revealed New Anime, Mobile Game, and More
During the Gensou Suikoden Live event on March 4, 2025, Konami unveiled exciting new projects aimed at revitalizing the Suikoden franchise. Naito described this event as the second step in their multi-phase plan to revive the IP, though he remained uncertain about the total number of steps required.
"We've been diligently refining Suikoden I & II HDR while also focusing on the upcoming mobile game, Suikoden STAR LEAP, and the Suikoden II anime," Naito explained. "Once these projects are successfully launched, we'll be in a better position to plan our next moves."
Konami also announced "Suikoden: The Anime," an adaptation of Suikoden 2's story, marking the first anime project for Konami Animation. Additionally, a new mobile game, "Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP," was introduced. Both projects have released teaser trailers, but specific release dates remain undisclosed.
As Konami continues to expand the Suikoden universe, more projects and events are in the pipeline, signaling a robust effort to bring this cherished IP back into the spotlight.
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune & Dunan Unification Wars is slated 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!
