Review: Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster (Switch) - Two Of The PS1's Best RPGs Beautifully Preserved, For The Most Part

Read the rune, Konami.

Few RPGs, or video games, deal with war and hope in the face of tyranny like the Suikoden series. Konami’s prime RPG series, created by the late, great Yoshitaka Muriyama, is beloved by those who have played them – particularly the first two. They’re about the underdogs, about those who want better for their country, and not at the cost of a life. In the face of war, we push back against tyrannical empires and oppressive governments in order to give the people, and the oppressed, hope and a better life.

But Suikoden isn’t just about war. As is written in the Chinese epic The Water Margin, on which Suikoden is loosely based: “A close neighbor means more than a distant relative.” These games are all about interpersonal relationships and conflicts between friends and family, and they never shy away from the morally grey. But when ideals are challenged and faith is shaken, how does one maintain those bonds? Suikoden manages to balance topics of oppression, racism, politics, and familial relationships and friendships with delicacy and heart.

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