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

The launch of brand the return of two classic JRPGs adventures to the modern era, bringing with it a series of visual, sound and gameplay improvements. Developed and published by, this Remaster brings together two of the most iconic games of the series, which has five volumes and several spin-offs, offering a rethought experience to attract a new generation and respect the feeling of nostalgia of veteran fans.

This collection presents a significant evolution in relation to the original versions released for PlayStation, offering an experience that seeks to balance the nostalgic classics with the modern expectations of players. However, some elements remain unchanged and may seem off, leaving that feeling dated by moving away from the most modern style of RPGs.

A modern classic

SUIKODEN I & II HD REMASTER offers two epic stories that captivate the player from start to finish. In the first game, you assume the role of the son of a Scarlet Moon Empire, a once prosperous kingdom who now suffers under the dominance of a cruel tyrant. Its destination is to gather 108 legendary warriors, known as the stars of fate, to lead a revolution against the corrupt empire and restore peace in a devastated land by war.

Suikoden II further elevates the narrative, presenting an exciting plot of friendship, betrayal and political conflict. You control a young member of the Unicorn Youth Brigade, involved in a border dispute between rival nations. When a truce is broken by a power -thirsty psychopath prince, you see yourself at the center of a war that threatens to destroy everything you love.

The history of both games is still one of its main attractions. Originally launched in 1996, Suikoden I presents an ambitious concept with over 100 recruitable characters and a narrative that, although intriguing, suffers from an irregular rhythm. Suikoden II, from 1999, is widely considered one of the best JRPGs of his time, with a more focused and emotionally engaging plot. The story unfolds against the background of a war that alters the fate of a country, with many memorable characters and Remaster has been able to maintain this essence of the original stories, with some improvements in the presentation that enhance the depth of the plots.

Both games stand out for their mature narratives and complex characters, offering an experience that goes far beyond the typical “good against evil” by addressing deep topics such as war horrors, loyalty and the price of power, while you gather allies and face difficult choices that will shape the fate of whole nations. The hundred recruitable characters, each with their own history and motivations, which was very surprising for the generation of the time, makes Suikoden a living and pulsating world that invites the player to dive into his political intrigue and personal dramas.

Even brighter stars

Visually, Suikoden I & II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars brings remarkable improvements based on PSP remaster and renewing the PlayStation experience, but not without curious choices that can divide opinions. The scenarios were redesigned with new lighting effects, water and high definition textures, while the characters portraits received an HD update at the hands of Junko Kawano, the original artist. Nevertheless, character sprites remain virtually unchanged, creating an uncomfortable contrast between pixelate models and detailed backgrounds. This discrepancy is especially evident during battles, where camera movement highlights the lack of visual integration between the elements.

The gameplay of the two games remains true to the original versions, with a shift combat system that includes six characters battles, a prominent point when breaking the party pattern with up to four, as well as large -scale battles and longer duels. Focusing on life improvement, the remaster brings the option of accelerating battles up to four times the original speed, also facilitating the Grinding process, which is very present throughout history, as well as the Auto Battle function that allows players to undergo simpler fighting without having to invest much attention. The movement was also improved with the addition of the diagonal when moving and the Auto Save system was implemented to avoid loss of progress in critical areas.

Another novelty is the inclusion of dialogue logs, allowing players to revisit important moments in history, as well as facilitating the understanding of a game that still (in the middle of 2025) follows without an official PT-BR version. After all, Suikoden I&I HD is a game strongly dependent on dialogues for the progression of history and the absence of translation into Portuguese significantly limits the access of Brazilian players. Next in dubious choices by developers, the inventory management system remains the same as before, with each character having its own inventory and can load only a limited number of items, which can be frustrating for modern players.

Just as the remaster graphics are one of the main improvements, creating a more vibrant and immersive environment, the trail and sound effects have also evolved significantly. Environmental sounds such as the noise of running water, wind and insects were added to create a more immersive experience when accompanying visual work. While the sound effects of battle have been resounded for HD, providing a more dynamic and realistic experience, not to mention the excellent soundtrack that grows in the most intense moments in history.

In addition to visual and sound improvements, Konami has been concerned with adding difficulty levels, ranging from easy to difficult, allowing players to choose the challenge that best fits their playing style, but without the option of being able to change it during history. We can also stop the Suikoden II event timer, allowing players to explore without temporal pressure, facilitating the completion of missions or even the longest steps to recruit the characters.

SUIKODEN I & II HD REMASTER GATE RUNE AND DUNAN UNIFICATION WARS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR JRPGS Fans Try two classics of the old consoles era with a new outfit. Although Suikoden I may seem a bit dated compared to his successor, Suikoden II shines as one of the best JRPGs of all time. Visual, sound, and gameplay improvements make the experience more enjoyable and accessible to new players, even if the lack of deeper gameplay can be a point of discussion. Konami’s work with this Remaster is an excellent choice for any classic RPG fan and a great hope for revisiting PS2 games in the future.