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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, monetization
97% User Score Based on 876 reviews
Critic Score 83%Based on 17 reviews

Platforms

NSNintendo SwitchPCPCP4Playstation 4P5Playstation 5SDSteam DeckWinWindowsXOXbox OneXSXXbox Series X|SPlaPlayStationXboxXbox

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.

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

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 893 reviews
story97 positive mentions
grinding17 negative mentions

  • The remaster beautifully updates the graphics while preserving the charm of the original games.
  • Engaging storylines and memorable characters make Suikoden I & II a must-play for JRPG fans.
  • Quality-of-life improvements, such as battle speed-up and the ability to run, enhance the overall experience.
  • The inventory management system remains cumbersome and could use further improvement.
  • Some players find the character sprites too pixelated and out of place against the updated backgrounds.
  • There is no quit option in the game menu, requiring players to use ALT+F4 or windowed mode to exit.
  • story
    168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of Suikoden 1 and 2 is widely praised for its depth, character development, and engaging narrative, with many considering Suikoden 2 to be a masterpiece of JRPG storytelling. Players appreciate the intricate plot involving political intrigue and the emotional journeys of a diverse cast of 108 characters, each contributing uniquely to the overall experience. While some critiques mention the original game's age and certain gameplay mechanics, the remaster enhances the storytelling with improved visuals and quality-of-life features, making it a timeless classic that resonates with both new and returning players.

    • “Suikoden II is hands down the best JRPG story I've ever experienced.”
    • “What truly makes Suikoden stand out is the deep and captivating storyline, and it shines just as brightly in this remaster.”
    • “The gripping story, strategic battles, and massive cast of 108 stars of destiny remain as captivating as ever.”
    • “Most importantly, the story and characters are all the same.”
    • “The plot and themes themselves may not be groundbreaking, especially 27 years later when many other games have come and gone, but what makes Suikoden 2 so incredible is the way the story is told.”
    • “The equipment and rune equipping user interface and trading gear and runes between characters is the same as classic; make the wrong moves and you'll be losing runes and equips either for a while or forever depending on player deaths and storyline party changes. It's a bummer to see this wasn't given any quality of life improvements.”
  • graphics
    148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The remastered graphics of Suikoden I & II have received largely positive feedback, with many praising the beautiful updates to backgrounds, character portraits, and spell animations that enhance the nostalgic experience while maintaining the original charm. However, some users noted inconsistencies, such as character sprites appearing outdated compared to the polished backgrounds, and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the remaster successfully modernizes the visuals, making it appealing for both returning fans and new players, despite some criticisms regarding the extent of the upgrades.

    • “Konami really respects your time with these games; nothing feels pointless yet it's filled to the brim with so much content on top of beautiful pixel graphics and other amazing art styles.”
    • “The updated graphics are absolutely gorgeous—while staying faithful to the original design, they breathe new life into the world of Suikoden.”
    • “The graphics are a massive improvement over the originals, and it is obvious just how much in the first few minutes of play.”
    • “My only negative criticisms are a line occasionally appearing temporarily across the screen, like a warping of graphics.”
    • “Part of me thinks that they could have upgraded the graphics a lot more.”
    • “Not exactly considering all they did was take games from the late 90's and improve the graphics.”
  • music
    90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the remastered versions of Suikoden I and II has received widespread acclaim, with many praising its nostalgic charm and enhanced clarity. Composed by Miki Higashino, the soundtracks are described as iconic and beautifully remastered, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Players appreciate the immediate access to the entire soundtrack and the inclusion of a music player, allowing them to relive their favorite tracks while enjoying the updated graphics and gameplay.

    • “The music, which has always been iconic, has been remastered beautifully, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The nostalgia is strong, but the remaster brings it into the modern age with stunning art, a soundtrack that kills (seriously), and those 1v1 duels that are just pure gold.”
    • “Music is phenomenal, tracks like 'Days Past' (which remained as my alarm clock/ringtone for many years), 'Name Entry', and 'Reminiscence' to name a few still stick with me to this day.”
    • “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.”
    • “Crappy framerate, fast forward button which also fast forwards music like you would have done on every PSX emulator.”
    • “Then you have the SFX and music which are all the same, yes even the Dhalsim stage elephant roar, but I have noticed that the damage SFX for hitting enemies is different. After listening to it for 3 hours, I think it is the original SFX but the original game had them bass boosted; I say this because Viktor's sword attacks sound the exact same but with less bass to it.”
  • gameplay
    52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the Suikoden series is characterized by traditional turn-based mechanics and a unique castle-building feature, appealing primarily to fans of classic JRPGs. While some players appreciate the nostalgic value and depth of the story, others find the gameplay dated and simplistic, particularly when compared to modern standards. The remastered versions maintain the original gameplay experience, which may disappoint those expecting significant updates, but still offer engaging mechanics like large-scale battles and rune combinations that encourage experimentation.

    • “But aside from that, the core gameplay, compelling storytelling, and epic army battles hold up remarkably well.”
    • “A unique gameplay mode that allows you to engage in large scale battles by amassing all the characters that you have acquired (up to 108 playable characters, many said characters I might add, can be missable if you're not keen on finding/acquiring them all) against enemy armies.”
    • “The rune combination feature further enhances gameplay by introducing various spell and attack combos based on which rune each two characters are using, encouraging experimentation.”
    • “Spending an hour farming a single item is just not good gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it's quite antiquated and doesn't have all the bells and whistles and quality of life features of modern games, which may be a hit or miss for some people.”
    • “For old Suikoden players, if for whatever reason you're expecting some grand remake with entirely overhauled mechanics, entirely remade sprites, and a different functional gameplay experience from the original 90s releases, you will be disappointed.”
  • grinding
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that while some grinding exists, it is generally manageable and not overly tedious, thanks to features like auto-battle and quick combat. Players appreciate the engaging stories and character interactions, but some express a desire for modern quality-of-life improvements, particularly regarding inventory management. Overall, the game strikes a balance between challenge and enjoyment, avoiding excessive grinding that can detract from the experience.

    • “Spending an hour farming a single item is just not good gameplay.”
    • “They suffer from the same issues many games did back in the day: unwieldy, occasionally grindy, and sometimes obtuse.”
    • “That said, I do wish they had revamped the inventory system in Suikoden I—it’s still as tedious as ever.”
  • emotional
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its dramatic and emotional storytelling, evoking a heartfelt experience reminiscent of classic JRPGs like Suikoden. Players highlight the impactful narrative, from the opening scenes to a climactic ending that can be either heartbreaking or uplifting, suggesting it has the potential to win awards for its emotional depth.

    • “Overall, it really looks like a perfect game and gives a more dramatic and emotional vibe in each scene of the game.”
    • “It's why JRPGs are a fulfilling, complete, and artistic genre that is capable of creating a heartfelt, genuine experience.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users labeling it as a "lazy cash grab" and criticizing its gacha mechanics, 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 strategy.

    • “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.”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the remaster has been praised for significantly improving performance compared to the original, with users noting solid performance on modern hardware like the RTX 3060. This positive reception highlights Konami's commitment to enhancing the gaming experience rather than simply re-releasing the same game with minimal changes.

    • “Konami did a great job with this, and it's a genuine positive aspect in terms 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.”
    • “Performance on my RTX 3060 laptop is solid.”
    • “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 the same game with worse performance and a color filter slapped on top like some developers love to do.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in Eiyuden is praised for its depth and engagement, transforming initial perceptions of the game as boring. The remaster enhances the storytelling and character arcs, making it a compelling experience for JRPG fans.

    • “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.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers noted that the game has lost some of its humor due to the removal of certain funny translations, which detracted from the overall comedic experience.

  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game demonstrates excellent stability, with users reporting no bugs, glitches, or issues even after extensive playtime of around eight hours.

    • “No bugs, no glitches, no issues after about 8 hours of gameplay.”
    • “No bugs, no glitches, no issues after about 8 hours of gameplay.”
  • atmosphere
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”

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