Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars Review

Konami was undeniably a driving force behind the PlayStation’s success in the 1990s. During this era, the company released several of the PS1’s most iconic titles, including Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Metal Gear Solid, and Silent Hill. While Squaresoft dominated the JRPG scene with masterpieces like Final Fantasy VII and Xenogears, Konami carved out its legacy in the genre with the beloved Suikoden duology.

Although subsequent consoles saw the series continue, Suikoden I and Suikoden II remain fan favorites, with the latter often regarded as the pinnacle of the franchise. It’s no surprise that decades later, these classics have been remastered under the title Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars.

For longtime fans, this remaster is a nostalgic return to two cherished JRPGs. For newcomers, it offers an opportunity to experience why these games hold such a special place in gaming history—and why their revival is both timely and well-deserved.

The Beginning of Fate’s Journey

Inspired by the classic Ming Dynasty novel Water Margin, Suikoden (Gensō Suikoden in Japan) tells the tale of a young hero from the Scarlet Moon Empire, destined to challenge his own empire’s tyranny. With the guidance of fate, the protagonist assembles the 108 Stars of Destiny, a diverse group of individuals united to bring change.

Unlike conventional save-the-world narratives, Suikoden explores mature themes of rebellion, tyranny, and the harsh realities of war. Beneath the game’s bright aesthetic lies a story that touches on loss, prejudice, betrayal, and the difficult choices its characters face.

The gameplay offers a variety of combat styles, including 6-man turn-based battles, duels, and large-scale army confrontations. While the latter two follow a simplified rock-paper-scissors format, success depends on the strategic use of available resources.

A hallmark of Suikoden is the inclusion of 108 characters to recruit, each contributing uniquely to the player’s burgeoning community. While some are battlefield-ready, others provide vital services, and many require specific conditions before joining the cause.

For moments of respite from battle, players can enjoy mini-games like dice and matching cards. Overall, Suikoden I delivers a robust JRPG experience with an engaging story and enjoyable combat. Despite minor frustrations, such as cumbersome item management and the risk of permadeath in army battles, the game remains a beloved classic.

Another Place, Another Story

Set three years after the events of its predecessor, Suikoden II follows a new hero on a mission to assemble a fresh group of 108 Stars of Destiny and lead a new army to free the land from tyranny and oppression. In contrast to the previous game’s story of rebellion, Suikoden II happens north of the first game’s setting with a war between opposing sides, each having their reasons to continue the fight.

While the core gameplay remains consistent with the original—featuring turn-based combat, duels, army battles, and community building—Suikoden II elevates the experience by refining nearly every aspect. The sequel offers a deeper, more mature narrative, building on themes of prejudice, betrayal, and loss while introducing unexpected twists that keep players engaged.

Combat enhancements are particularly noteworthy. Turn-based battles are now more customizable, with additional rune options, and army battles adopt a strategy RPG format, requiring careful troop positioning. The expanded selection of mini-games includes returning favorites like Chinchirorin dice, along with new additions such as rope climbing, whack-a-mole, and even a cooking battle.

The game also addresses item management issues from the first installment. In Suikoden I, each character had a separate inventory, making it tedious to manage party items. Suikoden II improves this with a centralized item bag accessible to all characters, streamlining gameplay.

However, the challenge of permadeath persists in major army battles. Losing one of the 108 Stars of Destiny can impact the game’s outcomes, making multiple save files essential. Achieving the best endings in both Suikoden I and Suikoden II requires recruiting and preserving all 108 Stars of Destiny.

A Welcome and Improved Return

The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster truly lives up to its name, delivering a visually and audibly enhanced experience that delights both new and returning fans. In Suikoden I, character portraits have been redrawn with sharper details, the world map boasts a more three-dimensional appearance, and water animations are now smoother. Combat and rune effects feature cleaner, more polished animations, while the pixelated character models retain their retro charm.

The audio has also received notable upgrades, with an improved soundtrack and immersive details like footsteps and running water. While these may seem minor by modern standards, they breathe new life into these classics, further enhanced by the memorable musical themes that remain iconic.

Gameplay improvements are equally impressive. Running, previously exclusive to Suikoden II, is now available in Suikoden I, and both games support eight-directional movement. This small but impactful change greatly enhances the overall experience. Additionally, auto-saves have been implemented at key points, adding a layer of convenience.

For those seeking an extra challenge, the introduction of Hard Difficulty spices up the experience. Enemies hit harder, encouraging strategic preparation with proper gear and levels. Tied to these updates is the inclusion of trophies, offering an added incentive for players who enjoy achievement hunting.

A gallery feature lets players revisit each game’s endings and soundtracks, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore alternate conclusions. This ties in well with the Event Timer toggle in Suikoden II, a feature that caters to those who prefer a leisurely pace without the pressure of timed side quests, making it easier to fully enjoy the story and recruit all 108 Stars of Destiny.

While either game can be played individually, it’s highly recommended to start with Suikoden I. Carrying over complete save data into Suikoden II unlocks delightful surprises for fans. Furthermore, glitches, such as a certain shortcut in part two, have been fixed—an update that may polarize long-time fans, but ultimately enhances the experience.

Finally, the remaster benefits from current-generation hardware, with lightning-fast load times on platforms like the PlayStation 5. Fast battle options also streamline gameplay, making it easier to level up the game’s extensive cast of characters.

Overall, while a bit light on the improvements outside of the usual, both titles have proven worthy even today. Konami could have splurged a bit more on this release, seeing as they are genuinely beloved classics. The Gallery, for one, could have offered more than cinematics and endings like full character artworks. Nonetheless, what’s on offer now is enough to enjoy both games.

Verdict: Buy It!

While some of the blemishes from the original games, such as permadeath and item management in Suikoden I, remain, they do little to diminish the enduring appeal of the Suikoden duology. These enhancements bring the games into the modern era, allowing returning fans and newcomers—particularly JRPG enthusiasts—to fully appreciate their timeless charm. The remaster is a bit light on the updates, and while we would have loved to see and consume more Suikoden content, what’s on offer now is enough to enjoy both games at their best.

Whether Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars will pave the way for remastered versions of other titles in the series remains uncertain. For now, these two interconnected yet standalone classics offer an engaging experience filled with compelling narratives, enjoyable combat, and entertaining minigames. They stand as a testament to why Suikoden I and II are celebrated as some of the finest JRPGs from the early days of the PlayStation, earning a well-deserved revival decades later.

*Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.