Suikoden I HD Remaster Review – A Faithful Revival of a Classic RPG

Title	Suikoden I HD Remaster
Released	March 6, 2025
Developer(s):	Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Publisher(s):	Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Platform(s):
Genre	JRPG, Turn-Based
Rating	T

Completed on the Nintendo Switch in Handheld Mode, on Easy

HowLongToBeat Time: 26 Hrs (Completionist) | My Clear Time: 21hrs 43min

Background

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Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars released on March 6, 2025, for multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch, PS4/PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Development for this remaster collection began in 2020, with the goal of bringing the classic RPGs to modern audiences while maintaining the original vision. The process was a long one, with a focus on creating a faithful remaster that honors the legacy of the original games.

The dev team, led by producer Rui Naito, worked diligently to preserve the essence of the original titles, ensuring that nothing was lost in translation to the modern HD format. In fact, many of the visual elements, including the character portraits and backgrounds, were redrawn to keep the integrity of the original art intact, while still looking stunning on modern displays.

The opening movie was also redone and you can check it out below:

This remaster also includes quality of life improvements such as autosave and battle speed-ups, but the team worked to ensure that the combat difficulty remained faithful to the originals. While the devs consulted with original staff, this remaster marks the last chance for the team to collaborate with them before the passing of the series’ original creator, Yoshihito Murayama.

The development team for Suikoden I HD Remaster includes:

Experience

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I’ve had a long history with Konami’s games, from the fast-paced action of Bomberman MAX Challenger on my Game Boy Color to the psychological intensity of Silent Hill and the strategic brilliance of Metal Gear. Yet, despite hearing constant praise for Suikoden, particularly the second game and its infamous antagonist Luca Blight, I never had the chance to experience the series firsthand. Without owning a PS1 at the time, I missed out on this classic era.

While I’m familiar with a few iconic moments, like the unforgettable “Die, pig” scene, I’m stepping into Suikoden I with fresh eyes. As a longtime fan of the JRPG genre, having played over ten Final Fantasy titles, multiple Shin Megami Tensei games, and the Parasite Eve series, I was excited to finally discover what makes Suikoden so revered.

Impressions

Introduction

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Right from the start, the remaster leaves a strong impression with a sleek yet simple menu. The options are straightforward:

• New Game
• Continue
• Manual (game manual)
• Back (go back to the Suikoden I & II selection screen).

This clean interface sets the tone for a more polished experience, and as you dive in, you’re quickly introduced to the political tensions of the Scarlet Moon Empire, laying the groundwork for a tale of rebellion and political unrest. Without spoiling too much, the opening effectively immerses you in the larger conflict as you embark on your journey.

From there, the remaster’s improvements continue to blend nostalgia with fresh enhancements, capturing the essence of the original while inviting new players into this classic story.

Gameplay and Mechanics

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Suikoden I combines traditional turn-based RPG mechanics with unique features that add depth and strategy to its combat. Here are the standout elements:

Front and Back Rows
In battle, positioning characters in the front or back row affects combat. Front-row characters engage in melee, while back-row characters typically use magic or ranged attacks. This adds strategic depth, as proper placement can influence the outcome of battles.

Weapon Reach
Weapon reach dictates each character’s positioning and attack range. Long-range weapons like bows and magic are suited for the back row, while melee fighters excel in the front. This flexibility allows for customization of your party layout based on enemy types and battle situations.

Unity Moves
Certain character pairings unlock Unity Moves, powerful team-based attacks triggered when these characters are together in battle. These moves add another layer of strategy, allowing for synergies that can devastate enemies.

Rune System
The Rune System is central to Suikoden I‘s magic and abilities. Characters equip runes that grant access to unique spells and abilities. From offensive magic to healing spells, the rune system offers a variety of customization options, letting you tailor characters’ skills for specific combat needs.

Elemental Pieces
Elemental Pieces can be slotted into weapons, granting them elemental effects like Fire, Water, or Earth damage. These allow you to exploit enemy weaknesses, adding a strategic layer to combat.

Minigames
Beyond core combat, Suikoden I includes fun minigames like duels (one-on-one combat) and the lottery (offering rewards). These break up the pace of the main story and offer chances to earn valuable items.

Art & Audio

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The Suikoden I HD Remaster features mixed visuals that maintain the charm of the original while modernizing the experience. Character portraits are completely redrawn by the original artist, Junko Kawano, with some retaining their original look and others receiving slight redesigns that may not appeal to fans of the PS1-era portraits.

The backgrounds have been fully redone, offering cleaner, more polished depictions of towns, castles, and dungeons. However, the character sprites remain unchanged, preserving their original pixelated style. This creates a noticeable contrast between the sharper environments and the lower-resolution sprites. While this can initially feel jarring, I quickly adjusted, and the difference became less noticeable over time.

On the audio side, Suikoden I features a wide range of memorable tracks. The music captures the sense of adventure, with pieces like Into A World of Illusion setting the tone for exploration, and Eternal Flow evoking the mystical feel of the game’s Eastern influences.The music matches the game’s various settings, from upbeat town themes to somber, emotional melodies. Sound effects also enhance immersion, with satisfying sword clashes and atmospheric sounds adding to the experience.

Unique Features and Mechanics

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The Suikoden I HD Remaster introduces several quality-of-life improvements that make the gameplay experience smoother and more accessible without compromising the essence of the original game. Some of these features include:

Auto-battle Function
The auto-battle function lets the game automatically handle repetitive battles. While purists may prefer manual combat, this feature is a time-saver for grinding or less challenging encounters.

Battle Speed
Players can adjust the battle speed, speeding up fights with three different speed options to make combat more efficient.

Updated Save System
The remaster introduces a modernized save system, offering both manual and auto-save options. This makes saving progress more flexible, particularly during long dungeons or challenging areas.

Fast Travel
A fast travel system makes it easier to navigate the large map, reducing unnecessary backtracking and improving overall flow.

Higher Resolution Support
The remaster supports higher resolutions, improving the clarity of backgrounds, menus, and visuals overall. While the character sprites remain pixelated, the game’s presentation is noticeably sharper.

Enhanced Load Times
The remaster significantly reduces load times, improving transitions between areas and after battles, making for a smoother overall experience.

New Trophy / Achievements System
The introduction of a new Trophy/Achievements system offers players additional challenges and rewards, encouraging exploration and completion. Note: Not available on Nintendo Switch.

Story & Writing

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Suikoden I tells a gripping political tale set in a war-torn kingdom. You play as a young officer in the Imperial Army, thrust into rebellion after the fall of your commander. As the protagonist, known as Tenkou (or your chosen name), you recruit the 108 Stars of Destiny—warriors, strategists, and outcasts—each playing a vital role in the fate of the kingdom.

What begins as a revenge-driven uprising evolves into a layered narrative exploring political power, the cost of war, and the weight of destiny. The struggle for control over the kingdom is far from black-and-white, as treacherous alliances and moral dilemmas test the convictions of your growing resistance.

For its era, Suikoden I features remarkably strong writing. Despite technical limitations, characters feel distinct, with concise, purposeful dialogue that cuts to the heart of their motivations. Development unfolds naturally as relationships grow and hidden depths emerge.

The HD remaster introduces a completely new translation, refining the script with expanded text boxes that restore nuance lost in the original localization. The result is a more fluid and engaging narrative, preserving the intent of the Japanese script while making character interactions feel more natural.

The game establishes its core themes early—individual ambition versus the greater good—allowing choices to shape both the story and the fates of your companions. This keeps players invested not just in the war, but in the personal journeys of those fighting alongside them.

One key element of the game is the recruitment of the 108 Stars of Destiny. These characters represent individuals with unique skills, backgrounds, and motivations, and gathering all of them throughout the game unlocks the true ending. This is a rewarding challenge for dedicated players, offering a more complete and fulfilling conclusion to the story and giving greater insight into the fates of the characters you’ve recruited.

Verdict

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The Suikoden I HD Remaster faithfully modernizes the classic RPG, enhancing visuals, refining gameplay, and introducing key quality-of-life improvements. The fully redrawn backgrounds and updated menus breathe new life into the experience, though the contrast between sharper environments and pixelated character sprites is noticeable.

Streamlined mechanics, such as fast travel, auto-battle, and an improved save system, make progression smoother without compromising the game’s strategic depth. The turn-based combat remains engaging, with mechanics like Unity Moves, elemental customization, and rune-based abilities adding layers of strategy. Minigames and side content help maintain a dynamic pace.

One of the most notable upgrades is the completely reworked translation, which restores nuance lost in the original, enhances dialogue flow, and takes advantage of expanded text boxes for a more natural script. This refinement strengthens the game’s gripping narrative of political intrigue, rebellion, and personal stakes. Recruiting all 108 Stars of Destiny for the true ending remains as rewarding as ever.

As a first-time player of both Suikoden I and the series, I found it to be a deeply satisfying RPG, reminiscent of Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy V. With smart refinements that respect its legacy while making it more accessible, this remaster is an easy recommendation for both newcomers and longtime fans.

TLDR

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Pros

• Visually Polished: Fully redrawn backgrounds and modernized menu interface enhance the visual experience while preserving the nostalgic charm of the original game.
• Quality-of-Life Improvements: Auto-battle, fast travel, and an updated save system streamline gameplay, making it more accessible without sacrificing depth.
• Tactical Combat: Unique mechanics like weapon reach, Unity Moves, rune system, and elemental pieces offer extensive customization and strategic depth in battles.
• Evocative Music: The memorable soundtrack complements the game’s tone, enhancing emotional moments and world-building.

Cons

•  Unremarkable Auto-Save: The auto-save function doesn’t add much value or convenience to the gameplay experience.
• Manual Adjustments for Auto-Battle and Battle Speed: Auto-battle and battle speed settings must be adjusted manually during each fight, which can be cumbersome for players who prefer a faster pace.

References

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1. Townsend, V. (2025, March 4). Suikoden I & II HD remaster took 5 years to make because the DEVS want to reboot the IP with a faithful remaster that honors the Originals. AUTOMATON WEST.
2. Into a World of Illusion
3. Eternal Flow