"Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: A 5-Year Journey to Faithfulness"

The journey to remaster Suikoden 1 and 2 into high-definition glory took the developers a remarkable five years, a testament to their commitment to honoring the beloved originals. In a detailed interview with Dengeki Online on March 4, 2025, the team behind Suikoden I & II HD Remaster (HDR) shared insights into the meticulous process of crafting a remaster that respects the essence of the classics.

Developers Committed to Honoring the Originals

Originally announced in 2022 with a planned release in 2023, the project faced delays, pushing its launch to this year. Game Director Takahiro Sakiyama explained that as the team neared completion, extensive debugging revealed the need for further refinement, thus necessitating a delay. Fellow Game Director Tatsuya Ogushi emphasized their approach, stating, "Rather than being bold, we started by grasping the situation. After confirming and discussing with 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 the Beloved Series

The remaster is more than just a revisit to the past; it's the first step in a broader vision to revive the Suikoden franchise. Producer Rui Naito underscored this goal, saying, "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 stressed the importance of a strong foundation, adding, "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 Unveils Exciting Future Projects

The recent Gensou Suikoden Live event on March 4, 2025, showcased Konami's ambitious plans for the franchise. Naito described the event as the second step in the IP's revival, though he remained uncertain about how many steps would ultimately be needed. He highlighted ongoing efforts, saying, "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." Looking ahead, Naito noted, "After we have been able to deliver this accumulation well, I think we will be able to think about 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 mobile game, "Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP," was revealed. Both projects have released teaser trailers, but release dates remain undisclosed. Konami's dedication to expanding the Suikoden universe promises more exciting developments and events in the future.

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. For the latest updates on Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, keep an eye on our dedicated coverage.