Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is among one of the most anticipated JRPG releases in 2023, and the games have already been rated by the ESRB. The ESRB rating comes just a few weeks after Konami officially announced Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster at Tokyo Game Show 2022. Although an exact release date was not given, Konami could be preparing to share more news soon.
Each Suikoden remaster was rated separately by the ESRB with Suikoden 1 HD Remaster receiving an "E10+" rating and Suikoden 2 HD Remaster receiving a "Teen" rating. The Suikoden ratings differ due to in-game contents such as suggestive themes, mild language, and blood. Most notably, Suikoden 1 HD Remaster's rating has changed from the original game's "Kids to Adults" rating to "E10+." The original Suikoden title released in December 1996, which was a few years before the ESRB revised its ratings and changed the "Kids to Adults" rating to "Everyone." Suikoden 2 HD Remaster keeps its rating from the original December 1998 release for the PlayStation.
Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster was rated for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PC. The Suikoden remasters retain their top-down perspective as players explore environments and challenge enemies in classic turn-based combat across all major platforms. Additionally, Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster includes a plethora of new features such as high-speed battle mode, auto-battle, and a dialogue backlog. The new features in Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster are complemented by HD enhancements to pixel sprites and environmental art.
Suikoden original character artist Junko Kawano returns with new character drawings in the upcoming remasters. The excitement for Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is shared by fans and developers alike according to producer Yasuo Daikai. Daikai would like to keep making Suikoden games in the future, but the decision to continue after Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is left up to Konami. The producer hopes fans "root for us and support us."
Although a release date has not been revealed by Konami, the ratings could indicate that the company may share news about the Suikoden remasters soon. ESRB ratings are usually made when a game's development approaches its completion, so news or trailers for Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster could arrive before the start of 2023.
The success of Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster could motivate Konami to consider development of more Suikoden remasters and new games in the series. Competition from Suikoden spiritual successor Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes could be beneficial for JRPGs going forward as well.
Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster releases in 2023 for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.