"Suikoden I & II HD Remaster" Switch Review: A Gorgeous Rebirth of a Classic RPG

Hello, fellow NS players! I'm your old friend, the game connoisseur. Today, we're going to talk about this nostalgic classic RPG remake – "Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars." Many veteran players have undoubtedly been eagerly awaiting this, and for new players, it's definitely a rare opportunity to experience the golden age of JRPGs. As a seasoned gamer with over ten years of experience, I will provide an objective and professional perspective to give you an in-depth understanding of the game's appeal and its potential performance on the Nintendo Switch and, in the future, the Nintendo Switch 2.

1. "Suikoden I & II HD Remaster": Classic Reimagined, Nostalgia Remains

The Suikoden series, with its vast world, moving story, and unique "One Hundred and Eight Stars" system, has left an indelible mark on RPG history. Suikoden I & II HD Remaster brings these two classics back in high definition, allowing players to relive that emotion on modern platforms.

Synopsis:

• Suikoden I: Tells the story of a protagonist from the son of an Imperial General to the leader of a liberation army resisting Imperial tyranny. He will gather the One Hundred and Eight Stars to overthrow the corrupt empire and protect the freedom of the people.
• Suikoden II: Set a few years after Suikoden I, the protagonist and his close friend Jowy are caught up in the Highland Kingdom's civil war. To prevent Jowy from falling into darkness, the protagonist must once again gather the One Hundred and Eight Stars and fight against fate.

Key Features:

• One Hundred and Eight Stars System: This is the most core feature of the Suikoden series. Players need to search for one hundred and eight companions with unique abilities and personalities all over the world to join your party.
• Rich Story and Characters: The game has a vast world and many distinctive characters. Each character has their own story and background, and their fates are intertwined, forming an epic tapestry.
• Diverse Battle System: The game uses a turn-based battle system, where players can freely assemble a party, use different character skills and characteristics, and formulate tactics.
• Unique War System: In addition to normal battles, the game also includes large-scale war scenes where players need to command troops and conduct strategic deployments.

2. "Suikoden I & II HD Remaster" Review: Strengths and Weaknesses

Next, we will conduct an in-depth review of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster from multiple dimensions, including gameplay, graphics, sound effects, story, and controls, and compare it with similar games.

2.1 Gameplay: Inheritance and Innovation of Classic RPGs

• Pros:
  • Rich Collection Elements: The process of collecting the One Hundred and Eight Stars is extremely challenging and fun, and the addition of each character will bring new abilities and possibilities to the team.
  • Engaging Story: The game's plot is full of ups and downs, suspense, and emotion. The bonds and emotional entanglements between the characters are unforgettable for players.
  • Strategic Battle System: Properly matching the team and using the different skills and characteristics of the characters is key to defeating enemies.
  • Unique War System: Command troops, conduct strategic deployments, and experience the excitement and fun of large-scale wars.
• Cons:
  • High Encounter Rate: Especially in Suikoden I, the encounter rate is high, which may affect the game experience.
  • Some Systems Are Slightly Outdated: As a remake, the game retains the settings of the original in some systems, which may not be in line with the habits of modern players. For example, the backpack capacity is limited, and item management is cumbersome.

2.2 Graphics: Visual Improvements Brought by High Definition

• Pros:
  • Characters and Scenes in High Definition: The game has been processed in high definition for characters and scenes, making the picture clearer and more delicate, and the colors more vivid.
  • UI Interface Optimization: The UI interface has been optimized to be more beautiful and easier to operate.
• Cons:
  • Some Textures Are Slightly Rough: Although high-definition processing has been performed, some textures are still slightly rough, especially when viewed on a large screen.
  • Animation Effects Are Slightly Simple: The animation effects are relatively simple and lack the smoothness and expressiveness of modern games.

2.3 Sound Effects: Reproduction and Optimization of Classic Melodies

• Pros:
  • Classic Music Remastered: The game has remastered the classic music, making the sound quality clearer and the effects more shocking.
  • Excellent Atmosphere Creation: The music and scene atmosphere are perfectly integrated, creating a strong sense of epicness.
• Cons:
  • Lack of Full Voice Acting: The game lacks full voice acting, which may affect the player's sense of immersion.

2.4 Story: Touching Stories and Characters

• Pros:
  • Plot Full of Ups and Downs: The game's plot is full of suspense and twists, which is fascinating.
  • Delicate Character Portrayal: Each character has their own story and personality, and their fates are intertwined, forming an epic tapestry.
  • Deep Theme: The game explores profound themes such as war, friendship, betrayal, and sacrifice, which trigger players' thinking.
• Cons:
  • The Pace of Some Plots Is Slightly Slow: The pace of some plots is slightly slow, which may require players to experience it patiently.

2.5 Controls: Optimization and Adjustments for Switch

• Pros:
  • Flexible Operation Methods: The game supports a variety of operation methods, including Joy-Con, Pro controller, and touch screen.
  • Simple Operation Interface: The operation interface is simple and easy to understand, making it convenient for players to operate.
• Cons:
  • Some Operations Are Slightly Cumbersome: Some operations are slightly cumbersome, such as item management and team adjustment.

2.6 Comparative Analysis with Similar Games:

Compared with classic JRPGs such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, the biggest feature of the Suikoden series is its unique "One Hundred and Eight Stars" system and vast network of character relationships. Although it may be slightly inferior to some modern JRPGs in terms of graphics and sound effects, it is by no means inferior in terms of story depth and character portrayal.

Score: 8.5/10

• Pros: Classic story, rich collection, strategic battles, excellent music
• Cons: High encounter rate, some outdated systems, slightly rough graphics

Reason for Scoring: Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is an excellent JRPG remake that retains the essence of the original and has been processed in high definition, allowing players to experience the classic again on modern platforms. Although there are some shortcomings, they do not detract from the overall quality, and it is still a game worth recommending.

Reference Citations:

• IGN Score (Please search for the corresponding game IGN score yourself)
• Metacritic Score (Please search for the corresponding game Metacritic score yourself)

3. "Suikoden I & II HD Remaster" Beginner's Guide

For players who are new to the Suikoden series, here are some beginner's guides:

• Understand the One Hundred and Eight Stars System: The One Hundred and Eight Stars are the core of the game. Collect as many characters as possible. Each character has unique abilities and functions.
• Reasonable Team Matching: Team matching is very important. Choose the right characters according to the attributes and characteristics of the enemies.
• Familiarize Yourself with the Battle System: Master the skills and characteristics of different characters and develop tactics.
• Make Good Use of Items: Items play an important role in the game. Be good at using various items to improve combat effectiveness.
• Talk to NPCs More: Talking to NPCs can obtain tasks and information to help you better understand the game world.
• Explore the Game World: The game world is very vast. Exploring more can discover hidden elements and treasures.

4. "Suikoden I & II HD Remaster" Advanced Tips and Strategies

• Find Hidden Characters: There are some hidden characters in the game that need to meet specific conditions to join.
• Cultivate Character Skills: Characters can increase their levels through battles and learn new skills.
• Upgrade Equipment: Upgrading equipment can improve the character's attributes and combat effectiveness.
• Use Attribute Restraint: There is attribute restraint in the game. Using attribute restraint can defeat enemies more easily.
• Master the War System: The war system requires players to conduct strategic deployments. You must make reasonable use of arms and terrain to achieve victory.

5. Prospects for "Suikoden I & II HD Remaster" on Nintendo Switch 2

With the upcoming release of Nintendo Switch 2, we can't help but look forward to the performance of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster on Nintendo Switch 2. According to nintendo switch2 price, we have a certain expectation for the price of Nintendo Switch 2. If it is ported to Nintendo Switch 2, here are some possible improvements and enhancements:

• More Powerful Performance: Nintendo Switch 2 has more powerful performance, which can improve the game's graphics and make the game smoother.
• Higher Resolution: Nintendo Switch 2 supports higher resolutions, which can present clearer and more delicate images.
• Faster Loading Speed: Nintendo Switch 2 has faster storage speed, which can shorten the game's loading time.
• Better Operating Experience: Nintendo Switch 2 may adopt a new controller design to provide a better operating experience.
• Ray Tracing and Other Graphics Technologies: If Nintendo Switch 2 supports ray tracing and other graphics technologies, the game's visual effects will be qualitatively improved.

According to nintendo switch2 first look, we can learn some preliminary information about Nintendo Switch 2, and we are even more looking forward to the performance of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster on Nintendo Switch 2.

Considering nintendo switch2 compatibility, we hope that Suikoden I & II HD Remaster can run on Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility, so that players do not need to repurchase it and can experience this classic on Nintendo Switch 2.

6. "Suikoden I & II HD Remaster" Purchase Recommendations

• Is It Worth Buying? If you are a JRPG enthusiast or are interested in the Suikoden series, then this game is definitely worth buying.
• Purchase Recommendations: It is recommended to buy the digital version for easy playing anytime, anywhere.
• Price Analysis: The game price is moderate and cost-effective.
• Comparison with Other Games: Compared with other JRPGs, the biggest feature of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is its unique "One Hundred and Eight Stars" system and vast network of character relationships.

7. Summary and Outlook

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is an excellent JRPG remake that revitalizes the classic and allows new and old players to experience the charm of this game. Looking forward to its better performance on Nintendo Switch 2, and also hoping that Konami can continue to launch more works in the Suikoden series.

This game has performed quite well on the Nintendo Switch platform. If it can land on Nintendo Switch 2 in the future, I believe that with its more powerful performance, this classic RPG can be presented to players in a more perfect form. Let us look forward to it together!

Finally, thank you for reading. If you have any other questions about Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, please leave a message in the comment area, and I will try my best to answer them. See you in the next issue!