When Konami announced the Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, I felt a mix of excitement and curiosity. These games were formative JRPGs for many, often mentioned in the same breath as other classics of the PlayStation era. But for me, they were a blind spot. Despite being deeply into JRPGs during the PS1 days, I somehow never got around to Suikoden. The remaster felt like the perfect opportunity to finally see what I had missed out on—and I'm glad I did.
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So far, I've beaten the first Suikoden, and it was my very first time ever trying the series. I had heard a lot about Suikoden over the years, but somehow never got around to it. During the PlayStation 1 days, my JRPG fix came from the Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior, and Pokémon series. On top of that, I also dipped into offbeat titles like Jade Cocoon, Legend of Dragoon, and even the Lunar series.
As time went on, the internet was abuzz about Suikoden, especially in retro gaming circles. But the collector resell value for these games consistently continued to rise, making it harder and harder to justify diving in. Because of this, I never experienced the series—until now.
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From the opening hours of Suikoden I, I was transported into a rich, politically-charged world—and the game wastes no time getting there. The narrative picks up quickly, and before you know it, your hero is caught up in a rebellion, pit directly against the army led by his own father. It's an emotional and surprisingly mature storyline that caught me off guard in the best way.
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One of the most welcome updates is the addition of quality-of-life features like the ability to press X to double the speed and Y to auto-battle, which makes grinding incredibly fast and smooth. Some of the auto-battling turns it into a kind of joy to play—you can sit back, relax, and focus more on squad building and the story rather than getting bogged down by traditional turn-based fighting.
That said, not all of the original friction has been smoothed out. The inventory system in Suikoden I feels particularly dated and, at times, is the most frustrating part of the whole experience. Managing item space across individual characters, with no shared inventory pool, becomes a chore quickly—especially in longer dungeons or boss encounters. It's a relic of the era, and even with the remaster's polish, it stands out in a not-so-good way.
Suikoden II does make some improvements in this area. The inventory management is streamlined somewhat—it's still not great, but it is passable. It's clear the developers took some player feedback into account, and while it doesn't fully modernize the system, it's at least less of a headache than in the first game.
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One of the most compelling and unique aspects of Suikoden I is its recruitment system. Unlike traditional RPGs where you gradually add a handful of party members, here you're tasked with recruiting up to 108 characters—many of whom offer gameplay-altering benefits. Some provide overworld map visibility, others unlock fast travel, blacksmithing upgrades, item storage, and more. It turns your castle into a living, evolving hub of operations and gives the game a satisfying layer of strategy and discovery.
I won't go into specific plot spoilers beyond that, but I will say the act of recruiting these characters is tied into the story in meaningful ways. It leads to some emotionally resonant and memorable moments that kept me fully engaged. Nearly 30 years after its original release, I can confidently say: this story still holds up.
After finishing Suikoden I, I felt both satisfied and hungry for more. The world, the characters, and the political intrigue had fully pulled me in—and thankfully, I didn't have to wait long to dive into Suikoden II. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of the series, the sequel not only builds on the foundation of the first game but deepens it in just about every way: thematically, emotionally, and mechanically. It's a rare kind of sequel that doesn't just continue the story—it recontextualizes and elevates.
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The updated visuals are respectful of the original sprite work, offering cleaner lines, richer colors, and subtle animations that breathe new life into characters without losing their charm. The new lighting and environmental effects give the world a warmer, more lived-in feel, especially in key story locations.
Suikoden II remains the highlight. Its layered narrative, political intrigue, and emotional character arcs hit just as hard today as they did when fans first experienced it. The rivalry between Riou and Jowy feels even more poignant with the improved character portraits and expressive animations. It reminded me why this game is often considered one of the best JRPGs of all time.
While Suikoden II often gets hailed as the best in the series and the ideal entry point, I'd like to push back on that notion. For players picking up this remastered collection, I strongly recommend starting with the original. Without getting into spoiler territory, certain characters and events carry over directly from Suikoden I into II. Unlike Final Fantasy—where each entry is its own standalone story with a new setting and cast—Suikoden is very much about continuity.
Can you jump into Suikoden II and still have a great time? Absolutely. I wouldn't be surprised if many longtime fans first played the sequel without touching the original. But in my opinion, you'd be missing out on the optimal experience. Starting with Suikoden I gives far more emotional weight and context to what follows.
That said, moving into Suikoden II, a few things immediately stand out. The presentation and graphical style get a clear boost, and the story remains as engaging as ever while introducing intuitive evolutions to the combat system. While I haven't fully completed Suikoden II just yet, I've played a majority of it—and I get the hype. I really wish I had grown up with this game.
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The characters in the sequel are more thoughtfully written, which makes their individual arcs and the larger story even more compelling. It's the kind of game that's hard to put down—especially when playing on a handheld like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. Just like the original, recruiting party members remains a core mechanic, but this time around, the differences between characters feel more impactful in combat. In Suikoden I, many characters felt somewhat interchangeable aside from stat or rune differences. In II, they feel like a true cornucopia of gameplay options, making experimentation far more rewarding.
In the end, the Suikoden I & II HD Remaster feels like a rare gift: a chance to finally experience two beloved classics in a format that respects their legacy while making them more approachable for modern players. As someone who missed these games the first time around, I came in with fresh eyes—and left with a deep appreciation for what made this series so special to so many. These aren't just good old games—they're timeless stories, filled with heart, political drama, and a level of world-building that still holds its own today. Whether you're a returning fan or a curious newcomer like I was, this collection is absolutely worth your time.
This collection is an absolute must-play for any RPG fan out there. The value in this package is also hard to beat by today's standards. Each game is going to net you anywhere between 30–40 hours, so you're looking at around 60–80 hours' worth of game value for only $49.99.
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