Combining Suikoden I and II in a single collection feels a bit like Konami had no choice but to bundle the less thrilling first installment to justify the meticulous remastering of the phenomenal sequel. Over the past weeks, I’ve replayed both games, and the general consensus in my chats has been that the standout pro is Suikoden II, while the con is undeniably Suikoden I. While this simplification doesn’t capture the full picture, it’s true that Suikoden II ranks among the titans of RPGs from its era—perhaps even of all time—while its predecessor stumbles as a flawed attempt at greatness. However, if you’re a fan of 90s RPGs, Suikoden II alone is a gem that makes this collection well worth the investment, even if you’re only mildly entertained by the first game.
Released on PlayStation in 1996, Suikoden I was the first project helmed by the late Yoshitaka Murayama (who contributed to the Suikoden-inspired Eiyuden Chronicles before his passing in 2024). The game ambitiously features 107 recruitable characters, a mix of battle systems, and a somewhat intriguing plot. The ideas are compelling, but the execution didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Even for a 20-hour game, the story’s pacing felt erratic. The turn-based combat is passable, shining brightest in six-player battles, but it doesn’t fully exploit the war and duel battle systems. Fortunately, the HD Remaster addresses some of these gripes, offering a smoother gameplay experience than the original and the ability to fast-forward through battle animations, which is especially handy for grinding. The soundtrack holds up well, and the visual updates enhance the original artwork to align closer with modern standards while retaining the original game’s unique charm. Ultimately, this is a solid remaster of an otherwise average game.
But then there’s Suikoden II, and it’s a truly remarkable remaster of an outstanding game. Playing these back-to-back, I wondered if I’d end up harshly criticizing two games I hadn’t touched in over two decades. Thankfully, Suikoden II doesn’t disappoint—it launches with a gripping introduction and sustains that energy and intrigue throughout its much longer storyline. The imperfections that stood out in Suikoden I are polished in the 1999 sequel. The narrative is more coherent, expertly weaving an emotional, personal journey against the backdrop of a nation-altering conflict. Your silent protagonist’s destiny intertwines with his friend Jowy right from the start, setting off a masterfully told story featuring memorable characters like childhood friend Nanami and the iconic antagonist, Luca Blight.
The sequel cleverly ties back to the first game with familiar characters and even allows you to bring over your original protagonist if you completed Suikoden I before starting II, enriching the lore. The battle system gets clever tweaks; the rune magic system now lets characters harness up to three runes simultaneously, and a grid system in turn-based combat gives you more tactical control. While the war and duel battles haven’t drastically changed, their integration into the story is far more impactful.
As for the remaster package itself, it includes some concept art and other charming extras. The HD upgrade respects the original 2D visuals without making the game feel like a relic from two and a half decades ago. Gameplay-wise, the remaster takes a gentle approach, featuring three difficulty choices and a battle speed-up option. Although not a dealbreaker, it would have been nice to remove random battles, especially since they can be a bit much at times.
If Suikoden II isn’t already in your collection and you love Japanese RPGs, it should be on your priority list. This title belongs amongst the 90s greats from the likes of Square Enix. While Suikoden I might not leave as strong an impression, it plays a role similar to the NES Final Fantasy games compared to Suikoden II’s SNES Final Fantasy caliber. Observing its evolution is intriguing, but we all know which game stands the test of time as a classic.
