PS1 JRPG Suikoden's big PS5 change could really fix it Suikoden I and II HD Remaster is getting some big combat changes which could make a massive difference to the first of these PS1 JRPGs.Lee Brady Published 30 Sep 2024 FollowtopicsKonami Digital EntertainmentPlayStation 4PlayStation 5Lee Brady We've been hoping to hear more about how those Suikoden I and II HD Remaster trophies are shaping up after the PS5 remaster got delayed, and we got that update at Tokyo Game Show 2024! The big news is that Suikoden I and II HD Remaster is getting some combat changes that could transform the original PS1 game into one of the best PS5 JRPGs around.Suikoden I and II will play much faster in upcoming PS5 remasterDuring Konami's Tokyo Game Show 2024 showcase, Suikoden V director Takahiro Sakiyama appeared to give a short update on the upcoming Suikoden I and II HD Remaster (embedded below). These PS1 JRPG remasters recently received a delayed PS5 and PS4 release date of Thursday, March 6, 2025, and now we're finally getting a closer look at both games.This latest update largely confirms that Suikoden I and II will preserve the original character pixel art from the PS1 original while updating and redrawing the more detailed backgrounds used in the game. Fans could ascertain these details from the release date trailer (embedded below), so that news isn't too surprising.However, we also learned that the battle system for both Suikoden I and II would receive considerable updates on PS5. In particular, the HD Remaster will reportedly introduce new features to help speed up combat, including the option to automate fights with a single button press.Lee — Suikoden I could benefit massively from faster combatWhile Suikoden II is sure to benefit from these changes to some degree, the deeper combat system of the second game is more involving, so it might not make all that big a difference. However, speeding up combat could make a huge difference to the original Suikoden because battles in that PS1 game can be an absolute chore.Suikoden I is a tremendously fun JRPG that offers lots of variety and depth with the many party members you can add and the various abilities and spells they can unlock. However, the combat in the first game is strategically straightforward. Most of the time, you're simply ordering your party to attack — only in harder boss battles do you really need to micromanage your characters.To that end, the PS1 release of Suikoden comes with an 'Auto' option in combat — Free Will — that allows your entire party to attack in one button press. It would be an incredibly handy feature were it not for one (admittedly petty) flaw — you need to press the down button about three times to reach the Free Will option.The rushing player has two options: they can either press down three times in the menu and then hit select to use Free Will, or they can slam the X button repeatedly until the party line up their default attacks. Either way, it makes each and every move in Suikoden I needlessly time-consuming, especially since most battles won't require all of your party members.With this small quality-of-life update coming in the Suikoden I and II HD Remaster, PS5 and PS4 players will likely get to experience the first PS1 game with one of its biggest annoyances firmly addressed. That would make the remastered version of Suikoden the definitive way to play the game — so long as the rest of the port turns out well!These PS1 remasters are easily some of the most exciting upcoming PS5 games for 2025, so here's hoping they stick the landing in March! Are you looking forward to checking out Suikoden I and II HD Remaster on PS5 and PS4? Let us know down in the comments below. PlayStation 5PlayStation 4 Written by Lee BradyStaff Writer Lee keeps one eye on the future (Astro Bot), one eye on the past (PS1, PS2, and PS3 games), and his secret third eye on junk he really likes (Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Sonic). A PlayStation fan for over 25 years, he loves replaying classic games via PS Plus.