Pairing Suikoden I and II together on the Switch feels a bit like Konami had an obligation to toss in the lukewarm first installment just to make the remaster of the outstanding second game plausible. Over the past few weeks, as I’ve immersed myself in both titles, I’ve joked with friends that the standout feature of this bundle could simply be called “Suikoden II,” while the downside might be labeled “Suikoden I.” It’s not quite that black and white, but there’s a truth here: Suikoden II stands as a pinnacle RPG of its time (perhaps ever), whereas its predecessor merely lays an imperfect foundation. However, if you savor RPGs from the ’90s, Suikoden II alone makes this remaster worth every penny, even if the first game is merely decent.
Suikoden I made its debut on the PlayStation in 1996, marking the directorial debut of the late Yoshitaka Murayama (who, before his passing in 2024, worked on the spiritual successor Eiyuden Chronicles). This game ambitiously aimed high, featuring 107 recruitable characters, diverse battle systems, and an engaging storyline. Though the concept was intriguing, the execution left me wanting. Spanning around 20 hours, the story’s pacing frequently falters. While the turn-based combat shines in classic six-player skirmishes, it doesn’t fully exploit the potential of its war and duel systems. Fortunately, some of my grievances are addressed in the HD Remaster, which enhances the overall performance compared to the original game and lets you speed up battle animations, making grinding less tedious. The soundtrack still hits the right notes, and the visual updates elegantly bring the artwork up to modern standards without sacrificing its original charm. It’s a solid remaster of a game that’s just okay.
On the flip side, Suikoden II stands as an exceptional remaster of an already remarkable game. Playing these games in sequence, I feared that I’d end up critiquing two RPGs I hadn’t played since before 2025. Thankfully, Suikoden II starts strong and maintains a riveting pace in a game almost twice as long as its precursor. The narrative of this 1999 sequel is more refined, beautifully illustrating a poignant personal story set against the backdrop of a nation-changing conflict. Your silent hero is entwined with best friend Jowy early on, setting the stage for a compelling tale interwoven with memorable characters, including the protagonist’s childhood friend Nanami and the infamous RPG villain, Luca Blight.
Fans will appreciate the many callbacks to the first game, with returning characters (including your previous protagonist if you finished Suikoden I) enriching the lore. The battle system receives meaningful improvements, with the magical rune system now allowing up to three runes per character and a grid system introducing more strategic depth. The war and duel systems aren’t radically different but are implemented with much greater significance throughout the game.
The remaster package is solid, featuring concept art and enticing extras. The HD upgrade of the 2D visuals maintains the original aesthetic’s integrity while seamlessly adapting it to modern displays. Gameplay tweaks are minimal, focusing on three difficulty levels and faster battles. While not a major issue, the option to toggle off random encounters would’ve been welcome, especially in games filled with them.
For those yet to experience Suikoden II and who cherish Japanese RPGs, you should already be lining up to add this to your collection. It ranks alongside the greats of the ‘90s from Square Enix. While I’m lukewarm about Suikoden I, it’s like comparing the NES Final Fantasy games to Suikoden II’s SNES-like brilliance. It’s fascinating to witness the progression, but there’s no doubt which title is destined for legendary status.
