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

I had never had the pleasure of playing the Suikoden games until now, and I cannot believe I missed out on such a gem of a series. I love RPGs, especially those with an endearing storyline that takes me on a journey through the beautifully crafted fantasy landscapes created by talented writers. Having never experienced the games in their original format, I approached the remaster with zero expectations. However, that didn’t mean I was going to go easy on them.

I have to say, I was hooked by the charm and charisma of both entries in this remastered duo; each game has its own unique personality and is an absolute joy to play. While I would love to delve deeply into the storylines of each game, there simply isn’t enough space in a review. Suffice it to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures I embarked on, leading the liberation army against the empire’s folly in the first game and exploring the vast scope of the world in the second. These games truly excel at packing a wealth of action and plot into such a compact experience.

All in all, this is a remaster done right: modern controls, enhanced music, and, from what I’ve read, a more streamlined battle system. Pair that with the ability to recruit over 100 characters for your party (five at a time), and you have a game with endless replayability. Do yourself a favour—enjoy this fantastic duo of JRPGs that absolutely deserve a place in your collection.

Things I liked!

• Graphics | Some people may not be fans of the old-school pixel-style graphics, but I certainly am. I love the modern retro vibe of games like this and sincerely hope more RPGs adopt this style for older games and remasters. The only thing I wish for is a little more attention to detail in the backgrounds.

• Music and Sound | The music in Suikoden is truly epic. The transition from bit-tune to orchestral soundtrack is a welcome change, as it enhances the ambience and immerses you deeper into the unfolding story. Each track drives the narrative forward and adds a thrilling edge to the epic battles you face. The sound effects are excellent as well—though, I must admit, I’ve never heard a dragon sound quite like that before!
  
  
• Battles | Turn-based battle systems can be a bit hit-or-miss; however, with a vast array of characters to choose from and plenty of combat options, you’ll never find yourself bored with the battles in this game. Additionally, you’ll face more epic encounters between armies, which demand thoughtful planning and strategy until you’ve mastered the mechanics. For those who simply want to immerse themselves in the story, there’s also an option to activate the auto-battle feature, which handles the fights automatically.

Mixed & disliked!

• Length | I realise that, as these are remasters and not remakes, the length of each game in the collection has a set beginning, middle, and end. That doesn’t stop me from wanting more, though—which, let’s be honest, isn’t a bad thing. After all, some games out there can overstay their welcome. So while I am, admittedly, a little sad that these games are shorter than the average RPG, I understand it was due to the memory constraints of the time.

• Amount of characters | I have a love-hate relationship with the sheer number of characters available to find and utilise in this game. On one hand, it offers incredible freedom to craft your ideal adventure; on the other, it can feel overwhelming. Who is the best choice? Should I select characters with richer backstories? What will make the progression more interesting? There are so many variables that create an experience that’s both engaging and occasionally frustrating, depending on who you choose as allies. Sometimes, less is more—but I do enjoy uncovering the lore nonetheless.

CONCLUSION

Score: 92/100

Overall I found Suikoden I & II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars to be a couple of fantastic remastered games; they both have their charms, and I believe that if you are a fan of classic JRPGs, you will find something to entertain and delight you in both of the titles in this collection. From the retro-style graphics to the amazing soundscape, there really is something to be said for classic JRPGs. If only some of the modern games out there could learn a little about tightly woven stories and character depth. If you have never tried a JRPG before and are looking to explore a game that is both epic and accessible for beginners, then you can’t go wrong with this classic remaster.