Suikoden brings to life the reality of corruption, it also brings a few friends along...
Other Platforms: PSN
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Release Date: December1st 1996, PSN re-released in Dec. of '08
Genre: RPG
Number of Players: 1
ERSB Rating: Everyone
Review
Suikoden was originally released on the PSOne and had mixed reviews. IGN gave it a generous 9.0 while Gamespot only a 6.5 as you can see. Now I finished the first version of the game many years ago and haven't touched it since. That is until it was re-released onto the PSP/PS3 via the PSN. For a small chunk of change you could relive the game that started an epic series of five games in the main series with a few other spin-offs here and and in Japan. One aspect of the famed Suikoden series is that they have massive amounts of characters you can find and recruit to your ranks, this adds to your adventure and can it make very different from others. Without any more ranting, let's get to the good stuff shall we?!
Story
The story isn't all too different from other RPGs out there, with a few exceptions. You find yourself in a town where you are the son to one of the greatest Generals serving the Emperor in your kingdom. Shortly after you find this out, he leaves for battle and you have a few friends/babysitters to take care of you until his return. After some events you come to find out that your Father is really serving on the evil and wrong side of things. So what is there left to do? Avenge him and take on the side to counter his. Eventually you meet some people that introduce you to the Liberation Army, a small group of people who are prepared to give their lives,which might just happen to some, for the fall of the current Emperor. You are entrusted on going about the world and recruiting members anyway you can to help your cause in taking down the evil rulers. Not long after you find yourself a Castle, and start recruiting.
Game play
The game play is very classic RPG style. First of the battles, of which we have three different types. The first is a normal random encounter of which you can choose to Fight, Flee, Bribe, or Free Will. I don't think I ever used the last two so we will stick with the first two. Fighting involves you choosing actions of up to Six players you control. This can be a downfall as you may need a heal in the middle of the round and not get it, leaving a recruit dead until you can heal him after battle. Not a major thing, just the way the battles are played out, so you must plan ahead. In battle, you can use some Magic based on your Ruins and Crystals you have attached. You can also use an attack called Unite which using certain recruits together to unleash powerful attacks. Flee only works usually if you have fought enemies like it before and you can run away with no problem. The second type of battle is called a Major Battle in the game. The major battle involves your army vs another. You choose if you want to Charge, Defend, or Magic Attack and based on which the other chooses, you can be very successful or wiped out. Once you get Ninjas you can spy and know easily what to use. A fun addition to the basic RPG game and adds a little to game other then just random battles and boss fights. The final type of battles are a One-on-One duel sort of thing where you fight one other person. Based on what the other says, you can find out via an online strategy guide if you wish, or learn the hard way like I did, and easily counter what he is going to do. Most of the time you can win these but you may need a second try or two on some of these. Again another little idea that adds good content to the game. At first you can only walk around the map and it takes a long time going from place to place, but later on you can teleport other places if you recruit the right person, and you also get a boat to. Fun little things to get you around. Eventually, once you recruit people, your castle turns itself into a little town where you can heal, upgrade weapons, shop, shake dice which can get you an insane amount of money very easily, and other things as well. One thing I must gripe about is the fact you can carry very few items. A little fuss but still not a fan of it.
Sound and Graphics
The graphics are very plain and simple nothing outstanding but still good enough not to gripe about. Suikoden looks very similar to other games released at the same time. The soundtrack is really fantastic and keeps you into the game and storyline of whats going on. Although if you do stay in one spot to long it can get a little on the distracting and almost annoying side of things.
Overall
Suikoden offers a great game and experience for all players from the seasoned veteran to the newest member to the RPG family. It is a shorter RPG out there and can be finished without to much trouble in around 25 hours compared to twice or three times that for other RPGs. The recruiting of the stars makes it to recruit and change up your party to see what you can create for a great team. I think every person that likes RPGs should play this at sometime or another as it lays the tracks for one of the best series' out there. Overall I give Suikoden an 8.0.