To successfully recruit all secret characters in Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, you’ll need to navigate complex recruitment mechanics, including specific conditions, dialogue choices, and timing constraints. Below is a comprehensive guide outlining the essential characters, recruitment strategies, and general advice for both games.

Suikoden I HD Remaster

Key Secret Characters:
1. Simone: To recruit her, first acquire the Rose Brooch from the Rare Finds shop in Banner Village. Post-acquisition, return to Simone’s location to complete the recruitment.
2. Ted: Ted automatically joins your party early in the game but will depart later. You can re-recruit him after advancing to a certain story point at Mt. Seifu.
3. Fu Su Lu: This character becomes available in Kouan’s Armor Shop following the progression of the story beyond Milich Oppenheimer. Utilize teleportation abilities to revisit the shop for recruitment.
4. Krin: Located in Kirov after the Siege of Kwaba. Be sure to recruit him before progressing further in the story to avoid missing him.
5. Viktor: Although Viktor joins automatically during the storyline, ensure to revisit Gregminster later to solidify his position in your party.

Recruitment Tips:
– Utilize Hellion’s Blinking Mirror and Viki’s Teleportation abilities for efficient backtracking to earlier locations, like Kalekka and Toran Lake Castle.
– Follow a chronological order for character recruitment, especially for characters like Pahn, as some can become permanently missable if recruited after specific battles.

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Suikoden II HD Remaster

Critical Secret Characters:
1. Clive: Initiate the “On the Trail of a Mysterious Woman” quest early by speaking with Elza in South Window. Complete this quest before the battle against Luca Blight for a successful recruitment.
2. Hai Yo: Participate in the Matilda Gladiator Tournament and then head to Two River’s Restaurant to recruit him.
3. Tengaar & Hix: After defeating Neclord, visit the Academy Area in Greenhill. Ensure you pass a dialogue check for recruitment.
4. Futch: After obtaining the Black Dragon egg, find and reunite with Humphrey in Kyaro Town.
5. Genshu: Complete the Three-Star Inn questline in Radat and locate him in the dojo of North Window.

Bonus Characters:
– To recruit the protagonist from Suikoden I, either import a clear save file or fulfill certain in-game requirements (like specific name entries) which will also grant you the “Soul Eater” trophy.
– Recruit the Five Flying Squirrels scattered throughout hidden locations, such as Kobold Village and Tinto, to earn the “Five Squirrel Squad” trophy.

Recruitment Tips:
– Engage in minigames, including Cooking Duels, Rope Climbing, and Dancing with Karen to unlock various characters.
– Many secret characters are tied to trophy achievements within the game, such as “A Dancer is Born” for completing Karen’s dance minigame.

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General Strategies for Both Games

1. Check Stone Tablets: Utilize the in-game lists available through Stone Tablets to track down any missing characters and their locations.
2. Prioritize Time-Sensitive Quests: Focus on recruits like Clive and Simone immediately after their trigger points to ensure you don’t misplace your opportunity for their recruitment.
3. Post-Game Save: After completing the main storyline and watching the credits, save your game before proceeding to ensure the ability to go back and recruit any characters you may have missed.

By following this detailed breakdown and employing strategic planning for your recruitment efforts, you can unlock all 108 Stars of Destiny in both Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, unlocking their best endings, additional story scenes, and enhancing combat capabilities with powerful unite attacks.