The journey to remaster Suikoden 1 and 2 into HD took the developers a dedicated five years, striving to honor the essence of the original games. Dive into the details of how the team approached this project 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 commitment to crafting a faithful remaster of Suikoden 1 and 2 extended the development timeline to five years. In an insightful interview with Dengeki Online on March 4, 2025, the developers behind Suikoden I & II HD Remaster (Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR) shared the intricate process of ensuring a high-quality remaster.
Initially announced in 2022 with a planned release in 2023, the game faced delays, pushing its launch to this year. Takahiro Sakiyama, the IP and Game Director for the Suikoden Gensho series, explained that extensive debugging and review processes necessitated the delay.
Tatsuya Ogushi, Game Director for Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR, elaborated on their approach, saying, "Rather than rushing, we took time to assess the situation thoroughly. After discussions with Sakiyama about maintaining our quality standards, it became evident that significant improvements were necessary."
Reviving the Series
The remaster project is more than just a nostalgic revisit; it's the first stride in rejuvenating the Suikoden franchise. Rui Naito, the series Producer, outlined their long-term vision for the IP, emphasizing the importance of this initial step.
Naito stressed to the production team, "This remaster is crucial as the starting point for reviving Suikoden. We must ensure it's solid, as a substandard launch could halt our efforts to bring the series back to life."
Gensou Suikoden Live Revealed New Anime, Mobile Game, and More
The recent Gensou Suikoden Live event on March 4, 2025, unveiled exciting future projects for Suikoden. Naito described the live event as the second phase in their strategy to revive the IP, although he remains uncertain about the total number of steps required.
He highlighted their ongoing efforts, stating, "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." Naito added, "Once these initiatives are successfully launched, we'll be able to consider our next moves."
Konami announced "Suikoden: The Anime," an adaptation of the Suikoden 2 storyline, marking a new venture for Konami Animation. Additionally, a mobile game titled "Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP" is in development. Both projects have released teaser trailers, though specific release dates remain undisclosed.
As Konami aims to revitalize the Suikoden franchise, more projects and events are planned to keep the series in 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 the latest updates on Suikoden I & II HD Remaster by following our dedicated coverage.
