The journey to bring Suikoden 1 and 2 to modern gamers through an HD remaster has been a meticulous five-year endeavor, reflecting the developers' dedication to honoring the original games. Dive in to discover the intricacies of the game's production and 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 Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster project spanned five years, driven by the developers' commitment to crafting a high-fidelity remaster that stays true to the essence of the original 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 the challenges and dedication involved in remastering these classics.
Initially 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, highlighted that the final stages of development required extensive debugging and review, necessitating the postponement.
Tatsuya Ogushi, the Game Director for Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR, emphasized a meticulous approach to development, stating, "We started by thoroughly understanding the situation. After discussions with Sakiyama about the quality standards, it became evident that many aspects required further refinement, and we addressed these diligently."
Reviving the Series
The remaster is not merely a standalone project but the initial step in revitalizing the Suikoden franchise. Rui Naito, the Suikoden series Producer, outlined their vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of a strong foundation. He instructed the production team, "This is the first step in reviving the Suikoden IP, so we must ensure it's solid. If we release a substandard product at the outset, 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 several exciting projects aimed at rejuvenating the Suikoden IP. Naito described this event as the second phase in the franchise's revival, though he remained uncertain about the total number of steps required to fully restore its prominence.
He elaborated, "We've been refining Suikoden I & II HDR and are deeply committed to the upcoming mobile game, Suikoden STAR LEAP, and the Suikoden II anime. Once these projects are successfully launched, we can consider our next moves."
Konami also announced "Suikoden: The Anime," an adaptation of Suikoden 2's story, marking the first venture into anime production for Konami Animation. Additionally, a new mobile game, "Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP," was introduced. 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, signaling a robust effort to bring this cherished IP back into the spotlight.
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune & Dunan Unification Wars is scheduled 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 the Suikoden I & II HD Remaster by checking out our dedicated article below!
