Konami making new Suikoden game

According to the latest issue of Shonen Jump magazine, Konami is making a spin-off of Suikoden IV, which will be titled "Rapsodia" (without Suikoden in its name). Slated for release on the PlayStation 2 this fall in Japan, the game will be the first strategy role-playing game in the series.

Rapsodia will depict the story of a group of travelers in search of a "rune cannon," which represents a threat to the world. The player will take the role of the main character Kiril, a dark-haired youngster who's been traveling with his father and friends. Other party members include Andark, a young, earnest man who works for Kiril's father, and Seneka, a lady who travels with Kiril.

Rapsodia takes place in the same world as the original Suikoden IV, so its characters will be making appearances in the game. One confirmed character is Suikoden IV’s female pirate Kika, an old friend of Kiril and his group. Kika is also spotted in the battle screen, suggesting that the characters from Suikoden IV will be usable as party members as well.