Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars Reviews
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster touches up two classic JRPGs and adds just enough QoL improvements to work out some of the antiquated systems while leaving a few annoyances intact.
Even though the quality of life features could have gone further, Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars brings two classic RPGs in great style. For those who haven't played yet and want to check out the two, it's a great opportunity to dive into the universe conceived by the late Yoshitaka Murayama.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
As it is, though, this remaster is the most approachable way to replaying both games as they are not available digitally outside of the soon-to-be deactivated PS3 store. With its release on just about every modern platform, this is, obviously, the readiest form to play these games. So if you don’t have a PS3 at the ready with both games in its hard-drive or were lucky enough to hold onto their original PS1 discs from back in the day, there’s only one legal avenue left to go. Even if it’s not the ideal one, at least it exists, right?
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars does an excellent job of retaining the originals' charm and depth while updating them for modern times. These games are every bit as compelling today as they were when they were originally released because of their profound story, broad cast of characters, and revolutionary game mechanics.
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is a fantastic remaster that faithfully preserves the originals while enhancing visuals and gameplay, with engaging if unremarkable stories, enjoyable turn-based battles, and helpful QoL upgrades—though the auto-save is poorly tuned—making it a nostalgic yet refined way to revisit these classics.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster successfully brings two beloved RPG classics into the modern era without losing the heart of what made them special in the first place. The emotional and politically charged stories, the satisfyingly strategic combat across turn-based battling, large-scale army battles, and duels, and the rewarding character recruitment all remain as engaging as ever, whilst the visual upgrades enhance the experience without sacrificing its nostalgic charm. The quality-of-life enhancements help make the game more accessible and streamlined too, though be warned: the auto-save isn’t quite as reliable as you might think. For longtime fans, it’s a welcome trip down memory lane, and for newcomers, it’s a chance to discover two of the most special RPGs of their time. Suikoden I & II HD Remaster has reminded me why I loved the games so much in the first place, and it feels really special seeing them getting the love and care that they deserve in this wonderful remastered release.
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster gives players the chance to experience (or re-experience) a piece of gaming history long thought lost, warts and all. If you can survive the design decisions of three decades in the past, you'll come to understand why these titles are so beloved.
Small issues don't diminish the big merit that Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars has by existing, reviving two PS1 era classics (with the second being considered the best JRPG in the console along with the timeless Final Fantasy VII) with excellent enhancements to improve the experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster revives two beloved JRPG classics with enhanced visuals and quality-of-life improvements. While Suikoden I offers a solid, if rushed, introduction, Suikoden II stands out as a masterclass in storytelling, character development, and emotional depth. With strategic combat, 108 recruitable characters, and new difficulty options, this remaster reintroduces a long-lost gem to a modern audience—flaws and all.
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.
With Suikoden I&II HD Remaster, Konami brings to current generations and all nostalgic players a pair of JRPGs that are still fresh and fun nearly 30 years after the original debut. While some gaming era quirks can be overlooked, the remastering work by the Japanese company is quite (too) minimal. The graphics and sound have been slightly cleaned up, but there are no additional improvements to impress both old and new players. At least it's offered at a reasonable price, considering what it costs to get original copies. However, a bit more effort from Konami would have been reasonable to expect.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Konami has absolutely delivered with Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars. These games are a dream come true for fans and an essential experience for RPG enthusiasts. The improvements make it the best way to experience these classics, ensuring that their timeless storytelling, deep strategy, and unforgettable characters reach a new generation of players. The deep storytelling, strategic combat, and unforgettable characters make this collection a must-play. This is more than just a nostalgia trip. It’s a gold-standard remaster that proves why these games are still held in such high regard. If you’re an RPG fan, this is an essential addition to your collection. These remasters are a shining example of how remasters should be done!
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is a great compilation of two JRPGs that, in my opinion, are excellent from a franchise that no longer receives the love it deserves.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
At the end of the day, the remasters are exactly what you'd hope for out of a graphical update that remains faithful to the original releases. They are the definitive way to play through them, especially if you've never played through them before. Sure, I would have loved to see just a bit more in terms of enhancements and new features when it comes to some of the gameplay elements and options. Still, this is a splendid collection that retains everything I loved about the originals, though now with a shinier coat of paint that makes it feel fresh and exciting to revisit. I can't think of a better way to reexperience these gems of a masterpiece, and though I don't feel as fondly for the latter iterations, I do hope this remaster paves the way for more collections in the series.
Konami gives us the opportunity to relive the first two Suikoden adventures with all possible qualities of life, or to get to know an emblematic saga that had its origins a whopping 30 years ago.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars collection not only allows us to dust off two revamped JRPG classics, but also breathes new hope into the Suikoden saga. We're delighted that Konami has brought new lustre to Murayama's work, and we hope that the PlayStation 2 chapters will also be converted in the future. And who knows, there might even be room for a Suikoden 6...
Review in Italian | Read full review
With “Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars”, Konami is adapting two of my favorite JRPGs for modern displays. Unlike Square Enix with the “Dragon Quest” remasters, however, the developer is not relying on the popular 2.5D style, but redesigning the backgrounds in HD. This may not look quite as pretty as 2.5D, but it remains true to the original.
Review in German | Read full review
Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster might not have earth-shattering additions, but the graphical updates and quality of life adjustments make it a joy to return to these fantastic JRPGs games.
Replaying Suikoden I & II in this remastered version was a real journey through time. These games, which marked my childhood and adolescence, today retain all their narrative and playful power, sublimated by an update respectful of their heritage.
Review in French | Read full review
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster brings these RPG classics to modern platforms with sharper visuals, a cleaned-up translation, and a few quality-of-life tweaks. The political storytelling, fast-paced combat, and 108 Stars of Destiny recruitment system are just as strong as ever, though some gameplay mechanics show their age. It’s not a perfect remaster, but it’s the easiest way to experience two of the best RPGs of their time.