Have Konami returned to form in the strategy game stakes or is it well worth a miss?
The game follows the story of Kyril, a young boy in quest for vengeance against the weapons that killed his father. It begins seven years before Island Nations conflict of Suikoden IV but after a few chapters, the story progresses to a point just after the conflict. For this reason it is worth either reading a plot summary or playing Suikoden IV first. Furthermore there is the option to load data from Suikoden IV into a new game of Suikoden Tactics to unlock bonus features.
During Battle
Fans of the Suikoden series should not be fooled by its name as Tactics is very different from its RPG namesake, and rightly so, Tactics is a turn-based strategy game. As such, the game features the typical attributes of the genre like ‘menu travelling’, ‘grid battles’ and a lot of text to digest. The battle system itself is a standard grid-based affair, but it does offer a unique twist with being able to change the element of the ground you stand on. Each character has an element affinity, for example Kyril has an affinity for fire, so standing on fire terrain makes him stronger and recovers his health. However, if Kyril stands on water terrain he will become substantially weaker, and it is this system which gives Suikoden Tactics the hook to keep you entertained. It is important to master this system early but it is easy enough to understand, as there are only five elements to choose from. Also, a help menu is only ever a button press away detailing every aspect of battle.
Another interesting twist to the battles would best be described as the ‘speech bubble system’. In battle, icons will appear above an ally’s head, some mean you can talk to that ally and maybe unlock a special attack, or it may only mean that your ally wants healing. It is a simple system, but thoroughly enjoyable, and it means you don’t have to trawl through menus to find out how your characters are doing in combat.
Travel
Travel in the game is made easy, all you have to do select a destination and a 2d sprite of a ship or Kyril will take you there. It isn’t flashy or innovative but it works and that is all that matters for a genre where transportation isn’t that important.
Visuals
Graphically, Suikoden Tactics is quite different from previous Konami strategy games in that it implements cel-shaded visuals, but only on the characters. Whilst this may sound different and exciting it really isn’t, a lack of detail means the characters look blocky, and the hands look like bricks on the end of the arms. It is reminiscent of Final Fantasy VII and that is not a good thing. Whilst this might not detract from the playability of the game, when you consider that the visually stunning ‘Shadow of the Colossus’ was released in the same year, Suikoden Tactics does seem quite cheap.
Sounds of Suikoden
The accompanying score to Suikoden Tactics is good, if not a little short. Whilst the orchestral sounds may be in keeping with the mood of the game, it quickly becomes repetitive when you are hearing the same battle melody over and over again. Plus there are only so many sword slash sound effects you can cope with before you want to silence the TV. One saving grace for the sound is some pretty solid voice acting, well, most of it anyway. The adult characters are voiced quite well, but children, especially the young Kyril and Corselia, sport the most annoying voices I have heard in a game of late, and that includes Rikku from Final Fantasy X! Think Joe Pasquale on helium and you are most of the way there. I personally suggest muting the TV when the young Kyril or Corselia are about to speak and the game will be more enjoyable.
Worth it?
Value-wise the game will last about 15 hours max for the story alone. However if you take advantage of the side-quests, especially the ‘Quest Guild’ it can take a long time to finish. Also, it is worth doing this side-quest if only for the characters and items it unlocks. Other advantages include the money and skill points you will get for completing a quest. Skill points are especially useful since the are used to upgrade your characters.
Suikoden Tactics isn’t likely to convert anyone new to the series but existing fans should enjoy revisiting characters, and adding to the story of Suikoden IV.