Cue the Gregminster Theme!
The Suikoden collection holds a particular place in my coronary heart as a few of the first RPGs I performed on my PlayStation. I bear in mind my brother’s pal loaning me a replica of Suikoden II, and I used to be hooked from the beginning. Since then, I’ve supported each launch, and even gone so far as cosplaying characters from totally different installments. It’s a franchise with a legacy, and for a lot of RPGamers it’s considered with principally optimistic connotations. The visibility of this franchise has waned over time, although in 2025, Konami determined it was lastly time to revive these beloved classics with Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification. Whereas these remasters are welcome on new platforms, the trouble concerning how a lot was remastered is a little bit of a debatable level. No matter Konami’s bare-bones efforts, each video games nonetheless maintain their very own as being must-play classics.
In Suikoden I, gamers tackle the function of Tir McDohl, the son of Teo McDohl, an awesome normal within the Scarlet Moon Empire. However when Tir is given the ability of the Soul Eater rune from his dying pal, who’s being chased by a power-hungry witch, his life takes an sudden flip. After being chased from his house, he meets the chief of the resistance, Odessa Silverberg, who affords him an opportunity to vary the world and restore order to the Scarlet Moon Empire. In Suikoden II, gamers are launched to 2 greatest buddies, Jowy and Riou, who witness a horrific act as a part of the Highland Unicorn Brigade Military by the hands of the Mad Prince Luca Blight. The 2 runaways are labelled traitors of the Highlands and flee to the city-state of Jowston. They quickly be taught that what they witnessed was the Highlands going again on their phrase concerning a cease-fire, reigniting the flames of battle, and priming the enemy to invade. Their lives change, with Jowy and Riou compelled onto the other sides of the battle, however each wishing for a similar potential final result — peace.
Each video games share an identical premise, specializing in two younger teenagers thrust into battle because of authoritarian nations making an attempt to broaden and conquer. Our heroes grow to be the leaders of a rebelling military, centered on serving to the downtrodden and saving their territories from invading nations. Every hero is bestowed a True Rune, magic that has the ability to unite people collectively, to combat again in opposition to injustice. In addition they meet different like-minded people who be a part of their trigger in hopes of ending battle. Suikoden‘s energy lies in its compelling, politically pushed storytelling, typically displaying how the horrors of battle have an effect on individuals from all walks of life. The video games by no means draw back from tragedy, however there may be all the time the constant theme of discovering hope within the darkness and the ability of neighborhood in instances of disaster.
Look how fairly the overworld map is!
Much more than 1 / 4 of a century after their writing, the narratives woven inside these video games proceed to resonate strongly with gamers. Regardless of not possessing the identical narrative depth as its sequel, Suikoden I stays completely price taking part in for its emotional core, implausible storybeats, enjoyable villains, and charming characters. However, Suikoden II is story perfection, as all of the beats join and the load of the participant’s choices feels impactful. There isn’t any second in both recreation the place the tales really feel bloated or outstay their welcome within the 15-20+ hours it takes to finish them. Even with all the heavy moments within the video games, there are additionally a ton of humour and delicate moments that do an awesome job of reminding the participant that hope can are available many varieties, whether or not it’s from Kobald’s dancing on stage, to assessments of manhood that require made up fetchquests — the purpose is, even in battle, the individuals the heroes recruit are displaying that they by no means quit.
Each video games use pretty conventional turn-based fight that doesn’t have a number of bells or whistles. Gamers may have a celebration of six characters who can carry out an assault, use a magic rune, defend, or shift between rows. Social gathering members’ weapon ranges matter when it comes to format, as characters with quick ranged weapons can not do injury in a again row, whereas medium ranged weapon-wielders can go in both row. The final is lengthy vary, which these members ought to all the time be within the again row, as they’re typically extra squishy and are unable to take punishment. Contemplating there are 108 totally different characters, there may be room for experimentation when it comes to discovering a celebration mixture that one enjoys, and sure combos of characters can lead to a Unite assault — a joint potential amongst get together members that may do tons of injury. Fight is straightforward and intuitive, however outdoors of the Unite assaults is usually unremarkable.
Conventional turn-based battles aren’t the one types of fight within the Suikoden video games. One-on-one duels happen throughout high-pressure story moments and see the protagonists face off in opposition to larger-than-life foes. These duels play out within the type of rock-paper-scissors, with the enemy’s dialogue offering hints at what they’re about to do. Whereas the brand new localization is first rate, this is among the few areas the place it does a greater job at hinting to the participant as as to whether they should assault, defend, or use a particular assault. These one-on-one duels provide a pleasant problem, and spotlight how determined most of the story beats will be. Suikoden II, specifically, has some memorable duels that actually add that life-or-death stress, and when the participant is profitable, it appears like such a satisfying second.
Ready for Jowy to come back again…
The ultimate sort of fight in Suikoden is the military battles, that are a neat addition in each video games, however when it comes to execution, not notably deep. In Suikoden, gamers are tasked with combating one foremost enemy unit, which, as soon as they’re all destroyed, seals the victory. Every participant unit works in teams of three, and a few have distinctive skills comparable to having the ability to sway enemies to the participant’s aspect or discovering out what potential the enemy will use subsequent. One of many advantages of the remaster is that the UI is far clearer when it comes to the rock-paper-scissors system, so having the visible makes it simpler for the participant to know what talent sort defeats the opposite. In Suikoden II, a number of what was completed in Suikoden remains to be the identical; the one main distinction is that gamers tackle a bigger variety of enemy items, the place they will transfer round a map and plan an precise technique. The military battles are a pleasant addition in each video games, breaking apart a few of the bigger dungeons or story factors. They aren’t notably tough, or unfair, however as soon as in a blue moon, the random quantity generator gods can and might be unkind.
Since this can be a remaster, one would hope Konami had put some effort into making this assortment a must-grab. Sadly, a number of what they added isn’t as spectacular because it might be. For starters, the auto-save solely happens in the identical room as a save level, which is fairly silly, as when a recreation over happens, one is instantly transported again to the final save anyway, making it pointless. Having the ability to sprint from the beginning as an alternative of getting to carry a button down is a pleasant enchancment, but it surely isn’t one thing one needs to be screaming as an awesome new function. Having 8-way motion is neat, but it surely’s not an actual high quality of life enchancment. An space that they need to have improved is the sport’s cumbersome tools administration, which in each video games remains to be tough to determine which gadgets are higher stats-wise. Whereas Suikoden II now affords an Optimize possibility for tools, why this wasn’t given to Suikoden I is unusual.
Suikoden I additionally acquired the pleasure of getting up to date character portraits completed by the unique artist, Junko Kawano, and whereas that is welcome, a few of the newer portraits usually are not notably flattering, and a few of them are lacking what made her authentic designs distinctive. Kimberley not has a protracted nostril, Lepant is not Cheeto orange, and whereas they give the impression of being cleaner, these unusual little particulars are sorely missed. That being mentioned, each video games are nonetheless attractive trying, with wonderful sprite work and detailing. The clean-up on this HD remaster is gorgeous, and whereas Suikoden II didn’t get a personality portrait replace, they did get refreshed in order that small particulars are far more noticeable, comparable to somebody’s earrings or perhaps a mole on one’s face. The detailing of the sprite animations has all the time been a standout in each video games, and do a beautiful job of expressing the feelings within the scene story sequences.
The Brilliant Protect Rune at its most interesting!
One other addition particularly for Suikoden II that may be a optimistic is the flexibility to show off the occasion timer. One of the vital tough sidequests in Suikoden II required the participant to seek out and full a collection of occasions earlier than the twenty-hour mark, which, for many gamers, was not one thing they seemingly tracked. Something that was initially a timed occasion in Suikoden II can now be accessed with this function, which means gamers may have a better time recruiting sure characters or gaining the very best leads to sure occasions. Konami additionally added adjustable problem to each video games, although it solely impacts enemy HP and injury. Having the ability to cycle between the three difficulties permits gamers to benefit from the recreation at their desired consolation degree. Each video games initially additionally had lengthy loading instances, which for this HD remaster have positively been addressed, as transferring between areas feels a lot swifter than earlier than.
Each video games have all the time had implausible soundtracks, and the enhancements to the audio actually stand out. Each location has a singular and distinctive sound, from using conventional Asian devices in a few of the smaller cities, to the long-lasting observe, “The Chase” which provides off the depth of going through off in opposition to the Mad Prince, Luca Blight. Each observe aesthetically suits and enhances what is happening all through the story. The vocal tracks, comparable to “La Passione Commuove La Storia,” are beautiful and soulful. A private favorite, current in each video games, is the tune “Gregminister,” which is a full of life city observe that actually suits the hustle and bussle of this massive metropolis, whereas additionally being a kind of tracks that one will discover themselves buzzing lengthy after the sport has been turned off.
Whereas I wasn’t totally impressed by Konami’s additions on this remaster assortment, I’m completely satisfied for anybody who can lastly entry these two classics. The Suikoden collection is for many who love political intrigue, gripping storytelling, and a implausible soundtrack. Suikoden as a collection does a tremendous job of pulling RPGamers into their war-torn worlds and making them really feel invested in what is going on. Whereas I miss a few of the quirks of the unique localization, comparable to Jowy having a number of spellings to his title or the Celestial Sword being referred to as the Sward Dragon Sword (it’s going to all the time be the SDS of my coronary heart), I can not deny how a lot happiness I felt replaying two of my all-time favorite RPGs. Though this remastered assortment is pretty barebones for veteran gamers, it’s completely price grabbing for anybody who has by no means had the chance to play these basic JRPGs.
Graphical and sound enhancements are fantastic
Two implausible tales in a single bundle
YOU CAN DASH NOW!
Auto-save solely happens in a spot the place Save Factors exists
Localization has some awkwardness
Menus are nonetheless cumbersome even with new UI
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