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Originally Posted by Nanoblech
Does anybody have anything to say about these? Once again I have yet to play it BUT I snagged a copy of Suikoden IV after trading a few older games in. I never really played the first 2 but a friend of mine was really into them back when they were first out but I do have Suikoden III, which of course I haveven't played yet.
I think I have some kind of disease. I'm the biggest RPG fan who doesn't play RPGs. I'm working on it though. I'm working my way through a few right now, maintaining some kind of focus. I'll be getting to these Suikoden games eventually.
I just like hearing what other folks have to say about games I'm interested in. Tracking down 108 characters in each sounds a bit daunting but it also sounds like it could be quite a bit of fun. I hear that the newest one isn't without it's flaws but is still worthy of an RPG fan's time and when part III came out I remember hearing nothing but good stuff about it and its Trinity Sight System where you get to see the story from 3 different perspective before all come together on the way to the end. Too bad they didn't keep that approach for part IV.
Any comments?
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Nano, I've been an avid RPG player (both computer and console) for two decades. I played through the first two Suikodens and am a little more than halfway through the third and loving it. So far, I've found that most of the apathy hatred towards Suikoden II is mostly undeserved. THe only valid criticism that I agree with is the combat system (you can only attack in pairs) - and I hear that's been overhauled on Suikoeden IV.
I think that the Original STAR WARS Triliogy is a good analogy:
Suikoden I = SW - cool orignal twist on several established genres.
Suikoden II = Empire Strikes Back - even more twists, deeper characterizations, better effects, heavier plot.
Suikoden III = Return of the Jedi - even better effects, cool story undermined by trying to cram too much in, takes longer to get moving then the previous entries, but still better than people give it credit for.
The Trinity Sight System is something that's never been done before in a console RPG. When I read about it I thought it was just a gimmick. But the reality is that you get a richer story experience. Granted, this probably has to do with the fact that I've jumped around from character to character before finishing all 3 Chapters of any single one but, damn, this story has me intrigued.
I personally like the Suikoden games a lot more than the Final Fantasy (VII - X) games. The stories were always deeper and there are several endings to each game, depending on what you do. Everybody makes a big deal about Aeris dying in FF VII but the Suikoden games are full of touching moments like that. They're also deeper politically. The thing to realize is that Suikoden III starts out slower than any of the others and than most RPG's. But stick with it and you'll be rewarded. Again, I'm only a little more than 1/2 way through but things are getting better/deeper by the hour.
One of the more interesting things about the series is the fact that you could take a save from the previous Suikoden game, upload into your current one, and it would effect the story. The only one that doesn't do this is Suikoden IV which takes place 100 years before the first Suikoden.
Speaking of which, if you can track down or borrow either of the first two (especially Suikoden II), it's well worth the effort. They're currently going on Amazon from $70 to $250 but you may be able to find them cheaper on Ebay. Like the first 2, Suikoden III is now out of print, so I'd hold onto it - it'll probably become a collector's item.
And, yes, tracking down the 108 Stars is fun. I got to 90 on Suikoden I and about 92 on Suikoden II. I don't know how many I have on III because my castle is still being built.
Check out Amazon for informing reviews of Suikoden I and II.
Hope this helps and feel free to ask more questions. Also, let me know what you think of IV as I've yet to pick it up.
