Finding that one specific item to complete a collection in a massive JRPG is, honestly, one of the most frustrating joys of the genre. You’ve got 107 Stars of Destiny, your castle is looking majestic, but your library is missing a single volume. If you’re hunting for the Suikoden Remaster Old Book Vol. 4, you already know the struggle. This isn't just about fluff or lore. It’s about that 100% completion mark that feels so out of reach when RNG is working against you.
The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gatekeeper and Dunan Unification Wars brings back all the 1990s quirks. That includes the specific, sometimes cryptic locations for the "Old Books." Volume 4 is a bit of a weird one because its location depends entirely on which game you're playing within the collection, though most players hitting this wall are deep into the first game's campaign.
The Hunt for Old Book Vol. 4 in Suikoden I
In the original Suikoden (and its remastered counterpart), Old Books are items you hand over to Hugo the Librarian once you’ve recruited him at your headquarters. While some volumes are tucked away in obvious chests, Suikoden Remaster Old Book Vol. 4 requires you to head back to a location that’s easy to overlook once the plot moves forward.
You need to go to Seek Valley.
If you remember the trek to find the Dragon Knights, you’ve been here. It’s a craggy, winding path. Most players are so focused on the boss fight at the end or the emotional weight of the dragon subplot that they blink and miss the side paths. The fourth volume is tucked away in a treasure chest within this region.
Specifically, look for a screen where the path forks significantly before you reach the main habitation of the dragons. It’s not behind a hidden wall or anything particularly "mean" by Konami standards, but because Seek Valley is a high-encounter zone with some heavy hitters, people tend to rush. Don't rush.
Why the Remaster Changes the Grind
The HD Remaster introduces some quality-of-life features, like the ability to speed up battles. Use it. Tracking down Suikoden Remaster Old Book Vol. 4 involves a fair bit of backtracking if you didn't grab it during your first visit to Seek Valley with Joshua and Humphrey.
The visuals are crisper now. In the original 1995 release, treasure chests occasionally blended into the muddy brown textures of the mountain rock. Now, the contrast is higher. You can actually see the pixel-art chest popping against the background. It sounds small, but it saves you from hugging every wall and mashing the confirm button.
What’s Actually Inside?
You might wonder why you’re doing this. Is it just for a trophy? Sorta. But the Old Books provide the "Internal History" of the world. Volume 4 specifically dives into the legends surrounding the Gate Rune and the early history of the Scarlet Moon Empire.
If you’re a lore nerd, it’s essential. If you just want the Platinum trophy or the in-game achievement for a full library, it’s a non-negotiable roadblock.
Common Mistakes in the Search
A lot of players confuse the volumes between Suikoden I and Suikoden II. In the second game, the Old Books are scattered much differently—often appearing in NPC dialogues or specific shops in towns like Muse or South Window.
For the first game, if you’re looking for Volume 4 and you’ve already cleared the Shasarazade fortress, you might feel like you’ve missed your window. The good news? Seek Valley remains accessible for the majority of the late game. You aren't permanently locked out of the library completion until you cross the "point of no return" at the very end of the game.
Check your inventory. Then check Hugo. Sometimes people actually pick up the Suikoden Remaster Old Book Vol. 4 and forget to "Give" it to him. Items don't automatically register in the library just by sitting in your bag. You have to physically walk up to Hugo at HQ and select the option to hand over the books.
Getting It Done
Don't let the completionist itch drive you crazy. If you’re at the end-game and that shelf is still empty, warp to the Dragon Knights' domain, hike down the mountain into Seek Valley, and keep your eyes peeled for that lone chest on the cliffside.
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Once you have it, take it back to the castle. Talk to Hugo. Watch the collection fill up. It’s one of those small, quiet satisfactions that makes the Suikoden series so enduring after all these decades.
Your Completionist Checklist
- Confirm you are playing the first game in the Remaster collection.
- Travel to the Dragon Knight's Fortress via Blinking Mirror or dragon ride.
- Descend into Seek Valley.
- Locate the chest in the mid-mountain transition screens.
- Return to HQ and manually hand the item to Hugo.
This completes the entry and moves you one step closer to the perfect save file. Be sure to save your game immediately after handing it over; the Remaster's auto-save is helpful, but nothing beats a manual hard save when you're hunting collectibles.