The highly anticipated Suikoden I & II HD Remaster represents a five-year labor of love, a testament to the developers' commitment to creating a faithful and top-tier remaster of the beloved originals. This article delves into the development journey and the exciting future of the Suikoden franchise.
A Five-Year Journey to Fidelity
Initially slated for a 2023 release following its 2022 announcement, the Suikoden I & II HD Remaster (hereafter referred to as Suikoden 1 & 2 HDR) faced a delay, ultimately arriving in 2025. In a March 4, 2025 interview with Dengeki Online, the development team shed light on this extended timeframe. The team's dedication to honoring the original games led to a meticulous process, extending beyond initial expectations. As the game neared completion, further debugging revealed areas needing significant attention, prompting the delay.
Game Director Tatsuya Ogushi emphasized a measured approach: "Rather than being bold, we started by grasping the situation. After confirming and discussing with [Game Director Takahiro] Sakiyama, including the quality line, it became clear that there were many areas that needed to be worked on, and that we needed to deal with them firmly."
Reviving a Legacy: More Than Just a Remaster
The Suikoden 1 & 2 HDR project transcends a simple remaster; it marks the first step in a broader initiative to revitalize the entire Suikoden franchise. Producer Rui Naito articulated this vision, stressing the importance of a solid foundation: "The most important thing was that this was the first step in reviving the Suikoden IP, so we needed to make sure we didn't stumble here. So, ‘make it solid’ is the basic order." He further explained, "In the case of Suikoden I&II HDR, I told Sakiyama and his colleagues to ‘make something solid’ because if we put out a half-baked work at the starting point that will be the flow of reviving the series, it will end here."
Gensou Suikoden Live: A Glimpse into the Future
The March 4, 2025 Gensou Suikoden Live event unveiled Konami's ambitious plans for the franchise's future. Naito viewed the live event as the second step in this revival, acknowledging the uncertain number of steps required for a complete resurgence. He stated, "For this reason, we have been reworking Suikoden I & II HDR and pursuing a strong commitment to the upcoming mobile Suikoden STAR LEAP and Suikoden II anime." He added, "After we have been able to deliver this accumulation well, I think we will be able to think about what to do next."
Konami announced Suikoden: The Anime, an adaptation of Suikoden II, produced by Konami Animation—a first for the team. Additionally, a mobile game, Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP, is in development. While teaser trailers exist, official release dates for both the anime and mobile game remain unannounced.
With numerous projects underway, Konami is clearly invested in returning the beloved Suikoden franchise to the forefront.
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune & Dunan Unification Wars launches March 6, 2025, on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Stay tuned for further updates!
