Konami has announced that the highly anticipated Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars will not be released in 2023 as planned. The remaster of the classic JRPG series will require more time to ensure the quality performance and gameplay experience that fans deserve.
A Long-Awaited Return
Suikoden is a beloved JRPG series that debuted in 1995 for the PlayStation, with a direct sequel Suikoden II arriving in 1998. The games are set in a fantasy world inspired by Chinese history and mythology, where the protagonists must gather 108 allies and fight against corrupt empires. The games feature turn-based combat, strategic battles, and branching storylines with multiple endings.
The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster was announced at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2020, and was scheduled to be released in 2023 for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The remaster would also be playable on current-gen consoles PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The remaster would include improvements to graphics, sound, cutscenes, character portraits, and quality-of-life features.
A Sincere Apology
Konami broke the news of the delay on its official website and social media accounts on August 30, 2023. The announcement read:
Notice Regarding Release Schedule for Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars
We would like to thank Suikoden fans everywhere for your ongoing passion and support for the Suikoden series.
Regarding the planned release of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars, we have reached the conclusion that despite the very best efforts of our dedicated development staff to release the Remasters in 2023, additional time is needed to ensure the quality performance and gameplay experience our users deserve.
The entire Suikoden team is renewing our efforts to bring Suikoden I & II HD Remaster to release as soon as is possible. We will share further release information as soon as it becomes available, on our official social media accounts and official homepage.
We appreciate your understanding and sincerely hope you will continue to lend Suikoden your support.
Thank you,
The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars Team
Konami did not specify a new release window for the remaster, but promised to update fans as soon as possible.
A Mixed Reaction
The delay of the Suikoden I & II HD Remaster has elicited a mixed reaction from fans of the series. Some expressed their disappointment and frustration, while others showed their understanding and patience. Some fans also expressed their hope that the delay would result in a better product that would honor the legacy of the original games.
Here are some of the comments from fans on Twitter:
- “I’m so sad about this news. I’ve been waiting for this remaster for so long. Why can’t they just release it already?” – @suiko_fan_23
- “I’m okay with this delay. I want them to make the best remaster possible. Suikoden deserves nothing less.” – @suiko_lover_12
- “I hope they use this extra time to fix some of the bugs and glitches that were in the original games. And maybe add some new content too.” – @suiko_expert_45
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is one of the most anticipated remasters of recent years, as it marks the return of a cult-classic JRPG series that has been dormant since 2012. Fans will have to wait a little longer to relive the epic adventures of Tir McDohl and Riou, but hopefully it will be worth the wait.
