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

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is the best way to play two of my favorite RPGs, but Konami falls short of delivering a truly essential new way to play these all-time classics.

90%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

grinding, stability

97% User Score Based on 2,062 reviews

Critic Score 83%Based on 17 reviews

Platforms

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About

In Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars, players shape history as they join the Liberation Army in a rebellion against an oppressive empire, recruiting the 108 stars of Destiny. The story continues in Suikoden II, where the hero and his friend Jowy find themselves in a truce that hides the fires of a new war. This remastered version features HD background illustrations and updated effects for a refreshed gaming experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

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

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,079 reviews

story249 positive mentions

grinding43 negative mentions

The remaster beautifully updates the graphics and character portraits while maintaining the charm of the original games.
Suikoden II is widely regarded as one of the best JRPGs of all time, with a compelling story and memorable characters.
Quality of life improvements, such as battle speed-up and the ability to run from the start, enhance the gameplay experience.

The inventory management system in Suikoden I remains cumbersome and outdated, detracting from the overall experience.
The auto-save feature is poorly implemented, only triggering at specific save points, which can lead to lost progress.
Some players feel that the character sprites look out of place against the updated backgrounds, creating a jarring visual contrast.

story
530 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
52%
1%
The story of the Suikoden series, particularly in Suikoden II, is widely praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and intricate character development, making it a standout in the RPG genre. Players are drawn into a rich narrative filled with themes of war, friendship, and betrayal, supported by a diverse cast of 108 characters, each contributing uniquely to the overarching plot. While some mechanics may feel dated, the storytelling remains compelling and timeless, captivating both new players and long-time fans alike.
- “The story is timeless, a tale of war, friendship, betrayal, and hope that remains just as powerful today as it was back then.”
- “Suikoden II is easily the best storyline of any RPG game I have ever played.”
- “What truly makes Suikoden stand out is the deep and captivating storyline, and it shines just as brightly in this remaster.”
- “The plot does move at a breakneck pace which doesn't give important plot beats time to breathe.”
- “The story by itself is almost identical to Suikoden I in length, just slightly longer around 8-20 hours, and getting all the 108 stars will double that game time.”
- “It's a very old style RPG and the story it tells in both games is pretty generic... the runes are kind of an afterthought and the villains are silly.”
graphics
346 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
68%
3%
The remastered graphics of Suikoden I & II have received widespread praise for enhancing the original pixel art while introducing beautifully redrawn backgrounds and character portraits. Many players appreciate the nostalgic charm retained through the original sprites, although some note a contrast between the updated visuals and the pixelated character art that can feel jarring. Overall, the remaster successfully modernizes the aesthetic without losing the essence of the beloved classics, making it a visually appealing experience for both newcomers and veterans alike.
- “The hd remaster is crisp and pretty, with updated key art and visuals, but maintaining the old sprites that were core to the charm of the original.”
- “The remastered art feels like how the art looked back in the day and the graphics for the backgrounds are stunning in hd.”
- “The updated graphics are absolutely gorgeous—while staying faithful to the original design, they breathe new life into the world of suikoden.”
- “The only jarring part was the 3D graphics on the world map.”
- “While the dungeon graphics are better than the original, they don't look like anything to write home about, especially when you look at Suikoden II's graphics.”
- “If Konami thinks they can just take 26+ year old iconic games from my childhood and zhuzh them up with newer graphics, updated UIs, and improved translations without making any changes to the gameplay, then they are 100% correct.”
music
206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
49%
1%
The music in the remastered Suikoden series is widely praised for its beauty and emotional depth, with many reviewers highlighting the nostalgic and evocative quality of the soundtracks composed by Miki Higashino. While the remaster retains the original compositions, some players expressed disappointment that the battle music speeds up when using the fast-forward feature. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout aspect of the games, enhancing the storytelling and gameplay experience.
- “The music is a masterpiece—each note carrying nostalgia, triumph, and sorrow in equal measure.”
- “The soundtrack is often praised for its ability to enhance the storytelling, with memorable themes that evoke a range of emotions.”
- “The music is endlessly moving, the graphics and spritework are beautiful and this game continues to stand at the apex of hand-drawn RPGs.”
- “The music is exactly, and I mean exactly the same as it was 30 years ago.”
- “Unfortunately, the speed up increases speed for everything, including the music and sound effects.”
- “A shame that the battle speed-up also speeds up the music - hopefully that can be changed so we can properly hear the nice tunes while still speeding up the (sometimes long) animations.”
gameplay
138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
75%
3%
The gameplay of the remastered Suikoden series retains much of the original mechanics, offering a blend of turn-based combat, character recruitment, and castle-building elements, though some players find the combat lacking in variety and the mechanics somewhat dated. While the remaster introduces quality-of-life improvements and enhanced graphics, it largely preserves the classic gameplay experience, appealing to both nostalgic fans and newcomers. Overall, the engaging story and character depth compensate for any gameplay limitations, making it a worthwhile experience for JRPG enthusiasts.
- “I highly recommend this to anyone who loves good stories with interesting gameplay mechanics.”
- “The way you implement features to your gameplay as you recruit NPCs to your home base is very satisfying, makes the game feel immersive and allows you to have a lot of quality-of-life options not commonly available in other games of its time.”
- “Gameplay-wise, I love Suikoden because it shifts away from the grind-heavy JRPG loop, instead streamlining leveling up and getting equipment so the player can focus more on the story.”
- “The combat is kinda meh, the character combat variety is basically nonexistent and mostly just came down to which model I liked more. The inventory system in the first is terrible, and certain gameplay decisions really make you scratch your head.”
- “Game improved in graphics but did not improve in terms of gameplay to the point that I saw it as a downgrade of the original Suikoden 1.”
- “Spending an hour farming a single item is just not good gameplay.”
grinding
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
Overall, the grinding aspect in these games is generally viewed as minimal and manageable, with many players appreciating the option to speed up battles and the improved inventory management. While some players find certain grinding moments tedious, especially when farming for rare items, the engaging storylines and character development help mitigate the grind. Newcomers to JRPGs may find the experience less daunting, as the games avoid excessive grinding and focus on delivering a compelling narrative.
- “Spending an hour farming a single item is just not good gameplay.”
- “This is as tedious to play as the original.”
- “Tedious to play and just not fun.”
emotional
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players consistently highlight the emotional depth of the game, noting its ability to evoke strong feelings ranging from nostalgia to heartbreak. Many describe moments that left them in tears or filled with joy, emphasizing the well-crafted storylines and character relationships that resonate deeply. The remastering of the game has been praised for enhancing these emotional experiences, making it a powerful journey that feels both familiar and fresh.
- “After 110+ hours playing through two of my absolute favorite JRPGs growing up, I still wholeheartedly believe that the Suikoden games just age like fine wine and that the stories of these games, the emotional conflicts between perspectives and ideologies, and the nostalgia factor really impacted me in ways like never before.”
- “The game balances intimate character drama with epic battles, creating a powerful emotional experience that resonates with players.”
- “From the first few opening scenes to the climactic and heartbreaking/warming ending (depending on your success in recruiting all the Stars of Destiny!), the narrative alone is enough to win awards.”
humor
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by lighthearted storytelling, enjoyable dialogue, and nostalgic elements that evoke fond memories of past gaming experiences. While some players appreciate the comedic aspects, including quirky character designs and amusing translation errors, there are mixed feelings about the removal of certain funny bugs and clunky dialogue that added to the charm. Overall, the humor contributes positively to the game's pacing and enjoyment, despite some minor complaints about changes in the remaster.
- “The story is lighthearted with great pacing, and enjoyable and funny dialogue from the cast and characters.”
- “It's funny too, because the things (grinds, stale genre, remaster of an old game) that usually make you bored of a game are all present in this game also.”
- “The updated character portraits are really nice to see, albeit some are quite funny (I'm looking at you Tai Ho in S1).”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
12%
63%
The game demonstrates strong stability across various platforms, including the Steam Deck and laptops with RTX 3050, with no crashes or freezes reported. While many old glitches have been addressed, some issues from the original versions remain, indicating a mix of improvements and lingering bugs. Overall, players have experienced a smooth gameplay experience without significant technical problems.
- “The game runs great on the Steam Deck, as you would hope.”
- “Runs great on the ROG Ally.”
- “No bugs, no glitches, no issues after about 8 hours in.”
- “Looks like nobody went through the code to try to clean up twenty-year-old glitches and bugs, though.”
- “Glitches carried over from the original versions are still unrepaired.”
- “They fixed some glitches, you can't save scum and farm 10k gold anymore in s1 for example; I haven't tried the dragon armor glitch yet in s2 or the Muse Matilda glitch in s2.”
character development
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
16%
15%
The character development in this game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting its depth and quality, making it a standout in the franchise. The combination of well-written characters, engaging storytelling, and appealing character designs contributes to an overall positive reception, particularly in the context of the remaster. Players who were previously skeptical about character development in the series are reassured by the improvements made in this installment.
- “This is the best game in the franchise for a reason and the story and characters are wonderfully written, with great character development.”
- “With its amazing storytelling, character development, and music, I was super happy to hear that this remaster was coming out.”
- “With its engaging story, deep character development, and strategic gameplay, this remaster is a must-play for any JRPG fan.”
- “If you were on the fence because Eiyuden was boring with bad character development, then fear not.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The optimization of the remastered games has received positive feedback, with users noting that they run smoothly and look visually appealing on current PCs, including laptops with RTX 3060 graphics. Reviewers appreciate Konami's efforts in enhancing performance compared to the original versions, highlighting a well-executed remaster that avoids the pitfalls of poor optimization often seen in other titles.
- “For a reasonable price, you can get both games together in a polished version that runs smoothly on current PCs.”
- “The game actually runs smoothly; I know it's a PS1 game, but hey, it runs flawlessly.”
- “Konami did a great job with this, and it's a genuine positive example of how remasters are handled and improved from the original to the remaster release instead of just releasing the same game with worse performance and a color filter slapped on top like some developers love to do.”
- “What surprised me the most was the performance.”
- “Konami did a great job with this, and it's a genuine white pill in terms of how remasters are handled and improved from the original to remaster release instead of just releasing literally the same game but with worse performance and a color filter slapped on top like some developers love to do.”
- “- Performance on my RTX 3060 laptop is solid.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game offers notable replayability through its multiple endings and the option to achieve 100% completion, appealing to completionists. Improvements such as enhanced controls, menu redesigns, and quality-of-life features make it more accessible and enjoyable for modern players, while the absence of grinding allows for a more streamlined experience. Overall, players appreciate the balance between nostalgia and contemporary enhancements, contributing to its replay value.
- “They improved on things to make the game more playable by today's standards, which enhances replayability.”
- “At least there's some replay value if you want to 100% the game, so that's something.”
- “Different endings give the game replay value.”
- “They didn't touch what doesn't need to be touched, and they improved on things to make the game more playable by today's standards, but the replayability feels limited.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users labeling it as a "lazy cash grab" and criticizing its gacha elements, while others feel that despite a high price, it does not come off as a cheap cash grab compared to other titles. Overall, opinions vary on the value and integrity of the monetization approach.
- “Looks like a decent mobile port, fitting that their next Suikoden game is a gacha cash grab.”
- “This PC port is a lazy cash grab.”
- “The price may seem high, but this does not feel like a cheap cash grab that so many others have done.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The remastered music significantly enhances the game's nostalgic atmosphere, with users praising its iconic quality and the overall immersive experience it creates.
- “The music, which has always been iconic, has been remastered beautifully, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere of the game.”