The development of Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster spanned five years, as the team dedicated themselves to crafting a remaster that honors the essence of the original games. This article delves into the developers' approach to the game’s production and what lies ahead 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 delivering a high-quality remaster of Suikoden 1 and 2 took the developers five years. In an insightful interview with Dengeki Online on March 4, 2025, the team behind Suikoden I & II HD Remaster (Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR) shared the intricacies of their process.

Originally announced in 2022 with a planned release in 2023, the game's launch was pushed back to this year. Suikoden Gensho series IP and Game Director Takahiro Sakiyama explained that the delay was due to the need for additional debugging and review at the end of development.

Tatsuya Ogushi, the Game Director for Suikoden 1 and 2 HDR, emphasized a meticulous approach: "Rather than rushing, we took time to assess the situation thoroughly. After discussions with Sakiyama on quality standards, it became evident that many aspects required further refinement."

Reviving the Series

The remaster project is seen as the initial step in reviving the Suikoden franchise. Suikoden series Producer Rui Naito outlined their vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation: "This remaster is crucial for rekindling the Suikoden IP. We cannot afford to falter at the start, so our directive was to make it robust. For Suikoden I & II HDR, I instructed Sakiyama and the team to create something substantial because a half-hearted effort at this stage could end the revival efforts prematurely."

Gensou Suikoden Live Revealed New Anime, Mobile Game, and More

During the Gensou Suikoden Live event on March 4, 2025, Konami unveiled additional projects aimed at revitalizing the Suikoden franchise. Naito described the live event as a pivotal second step in this journey, though he remained uncertain about the total number of steps needed to fully revive the IP.

He stated, "We've been refining Suikoden I & II HDR while also focusing on upcoming projects like the mobile game Suikoden STAR LEAP and the Suikoden II anime. Once these are successfully launched, we will consider our next moves."

Konami announced "Suikoden: The Anime," an anime adaptation of Suikoden 2's narrative, marking a first for Konami Animation. Additionally, a new mobile game titled "Genso Suikoden: STAR LEAP" was introduced. Both projects have released teaser trailers, though specific release dates remain undisclosed.

Konami's efforts extend beyond these announcements, with more projects and events planned to reignite interest in the Suikoden franchise.

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, stay tuned to our dedicated coverage.