The development of Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster took an impressive five years, driven by the developers' dedication to creating a faithful remaster of these classic games. Dive in to discover 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 journey to remaster Suikoden 1 and 2 spanned five years, as the developers were committed to delivering a top-quality product that remained true to the original games. In a recent interview with Dengeki Online on March 4, 2025, the team behind Suikoden I & II HD Remaster (Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR) shared insights into the meticulous process of crafting this high-fidelity remaster.
Initially announced in 2022 with a planned release in 2023, the project faced delays and is now set to launch this year. Suikoden Gensho series IP and Game Director Takahiro Sakiyama explained that the need for thorough debugging and review towards the end of development necessitated the postponement of the original release date.
Tatsuya Ogushi, the Game Director for Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR, elaborated, "We started by thoroughly understanding the situation. After discussions with Sakiyama about the quality we aimed to achieve, it was evident that there were many areas requiring significant attention and improvement."
Reviving the Series
The remaster isn't just a standalone project; it's the first step in reviving the Suikoden franchise. Suikoden series Producer Rui Naito shared the team's vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of this initial step.
Naito communicated this vision to the production staff, stating, "This is the first step in reviving the Suikoden IP, and we cannot afford to stumble here. The directive was to 'make it solid.' For Suikoden I & II HDR, I instructed Sakiyama and the team to create a robust product because a half-baked release at the start could halt the revival process."
Gensou Suikoden Live Revealed New Anime, Mobile Game, and More
The recent Gensou Suikoden Live event on March 4, 2025, showcased Konami's plans for the Suikoden franchise. Naito described the live event as the second step in the IP's revival, though he remains uncertain about the number of steps required to fully restore the franchise.
He explained, "We have been reworking Suikoden I & II HDR and are strongly committed to the upcoming mobile game Suikoden STAR LEAP and the Suikoden II anime." Naito added, "Once we successfully deliver these projects, we can start planning our next moves."
Konami also announced "Suikoden: The Anime," an adaptation based on the events of Suikoden 2, marking the first anime project for Konami Animation. Additionally, a new mobile game titled "Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP" was unveiled. Both projects have released teaser trailers, but specific release dates are yet to be announced.
The Suikoden franchise continues to evolve with more projects and events in development, as Konami aims to bring this beloved IP back into 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. For the latest updates on Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, be sure to check our dedicated article below!
