Suikoden IV E3 2004 Preshow Impressions

Konami has today released new information on Suikoden IV, which is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 this fall. Like its predecessors, the game is based on a Chinese tale in which 108 ordinary people (known as the Stars of Destiny in the game) from very different backgrounds come together to do great things.

In Suikoden IV, you'll assume the role of a young knight who finds himself in possession of the life-sapping "Rune of Punishment" and embarks on an adventure that takes him to a strange world filled with vast oceans, beautiful islands, and huge ships with which to navigate them. As you progress through the game by visiting the islands, you'll have opportunities to recruit each and every one of the 108 Stars of Destiny for your army, and you'll then be able to add them to your group at your home base. Suikoden IV will be the first game in the series to feature full voice-overs for many of the characters in the game, although it's not yet clear which characters this applies to.

Combat will play a large part in Suikoden IV, and as you progress through the game, you'll become embroiled in one-on-one, party, group, army, and ship-to-ship battles. You'll also have the option to play various minigames during your adventure, including ones that involve fishing and dice games that you might recognize from previous entries in the series.

We'll bring you more information on Suikoden IV as soon as it becomes available.