An all-time nice involves Change saddled with its much less spectacular predecessor.
Placing Suikoden I and II collectively in the identical bundle looks like Konami was contractually obligated to incorporate the mediocre first sport to justify spending sources on remastering the superb second sport. As I’ve performed via the 2 video games over the previous few weeks, I’ve mentioned with a number of folks how the Professional for this bundle may merely be “Suikoden II” and the Con for this might merely be “Suikoden I.” Naturally, it’s not fairly so simple as that, however the truth of the matter is Suikoden II is likely one of the finest RPGs of its period (and probably all time) and its predecessor is a flawed half-step in the fitting path. That every one being mentioned, for those who love ‘90s-era RPGs, Suikoden II is a masterpiece properly well worth the value of admission for this remaster, even when the primary sport is simply okay.
Suikoden I initially got here out PlayStation again in 1996 and was the primary sport directed by the late Yoshitaka Murayama (who final labored on the Suikoden religious successor Eiyuden Chronicles earlier than his passing in 2024). In loads of methods, it swings for the fences with 107 different recruitable characters, quite a lot of completely different battle techniques, and a comparatively intriguing story. It’s a cool idea, however general it didn’t coalesce for me. The pacing of the story (even over a brisk 20-ish hour sport) was everywhere. The turn-based battling is nice however not nice, faring finest within the extra conventional six-player battles whereas not exploring the struggle and duel battle techniques to their fullest extent. A few of the modifications within the HD Remaster assist out with a few of my complaints. On the whole, all the things runs smoother than the PlayStation unique and you may as well velocity up battle animations for once you grind. The soundtrack is stable and loads of the visible modifications do an amazing job of enhancing the unique artwork nearer to trendy expectations whereas not dropping the distinct look of the unique sport. It is a good remaster of an alright sport.
Suikoden II, however, is an effective remaster of an unbelievable sport. I performed the 2 video games so as and after wrapping Suikoden I, I used to be fearful I used to be going to come back in right here and simply drag two RPGs I hadn’t touched in 20+ years earlier than 2025. Fortunately, Suikoden II has a superb intro and manages to maintain up the tempo and intrigue over a sport that’s practically double the size of the unique. All of the tough edges that stood out in Suikoden I are roughly washed away within the 1999 sequel. The story is extra targeted, doing an amazing job of crafting a heartbreaking private story in entrance of the backdrop of a country-altering struggle. Your silent protagonist is fated along with his finest buddy Jowy early on, kicking off a well-told plot dotted with different memorable characters like childhood buddy Nanami and all-time RPG villain Luca Blight.
Quite a few winks and nods to the earlier sport are included, with returning characters (and even your protagonist from the unique sport for those who accomplished it earlier than beginning the sequel) that deepen the lore. The battle system stays comparatively the identical with some good upgrades. The magical rune system is extra versatile, permitting you to equip characters with as much as three runes directly. A grid system for the turn-based battles provides you somewhat bit extra tactical management over your get together. The struggle and duel battles aren’t wildly completely different, however the implementation of them all through the sport have way more influence.
The general remaster bundle is nice, together with some idea artwork and different goodies. The 2D visuals are upgraded for HD in a method that’s respectful of the unique work but additionally not distractingly an RPG from 25+ years in the past. Gameplay-wise, it is a comparatively gentle contact remaster, with the largest alterations being three problem settings and the choice to hurry up battles. This isn’t a dealbreaker, however particularly in video games with random battles, it’d be good to have the choice to show them off at occasions.
When you’ve by no means performed Suikoden II and contemplate your self a lover of Japanese-made RPGs, you need to have already got this sport pre-ordered. It is a sport that belongs on the rostrum close to the ‘90s classics from Sq. Enix. I’m not practically as scorching on Suikoden I, however the first sport is extra just like the NES Ultimate Fantasy entries to Suikoden II’s SNES Ultimate Fantasy entries. It’s cool to see the evolution, however everyone knows what sport has ascended to all-timer standing.