Suikoden Series

The first in the Genso Suikoden series. The son of an Imperial General has come of age and is asked to perform his first duties as part of the Empire's Military Arm. He and his bodyguards are sent around the country on a variety of missions which really opens their eyes as to what kind of country they live in.

The son, Tir McDohl, notices the corruption and cruelty of Emperor Barbarosa and the High Court and decides that the injustice cannot go on any longer. They join the resistance and with the power of the Soul Eater Rune, an epic struggle commences between the Scarlet Moon Empire and the Liberation Army.


The Playstation release received positive reviews upon release. Rather simple and easy, it was a welcome addition to the Playstation which didn't have a solid RPG at the time. It helped pave the way for greater RPGs. Although it is quite a rare commodity these days to obtain. Usually selling for more than £70+ on most buyer websites.


The main battle system relies on a party of six, usually the main character and five 'bodyguards' and travellers. Like most RPGs you have the option to use physical attacks, magic or flee.

Other battle systems include: Battles which is like a mini skirmish game where you face off your armies forces against one of the Imperial Generals. One on One battles is a rock-paper-scissor combat where you alone face one foe.

The music is said to be one of its greatest aspects. Memorable and tranquil provides a great juxtaposition with the war and harsh times that Tir and his cohorts must face.

Setting
The Toran Region - Northern Continent, Southern Quarter. Situated around the Toran Lake and below 'The Badlands'. Greyish Blue on Map.

True Rune of the Story
The Souleater Rune (The Rune of Life and Death) - The rune feeds on the souls of your fallen comrades, usually the closest people to your heart. With their soul, the rune becomes more powerful, opening up further and more devastating magic attacks.

Memorable Stars of Destiny
Clive of the Howling Voice Guild
Pesmerga
Kage
Sydonia
Rubi

Main Villain
Emperor Barbarosa & Lady Windy
The Scarlet Moon Empire

The last of the Playstation Suikodens takes place three years after the first game...but in a neighbouring region. Although mentioned in the first game, the City State of Jowston has more to offer than just being a distraction for the Liberation Army. The Capital of Muse, Greenhill Academy City, South Window, Tinto City, Two River and the Knightdom of Matilda hold a steady truce where they deal with trade and political matters in a senate-like affair. However, the Kingdom of Highland which is more powerful than each individual country decides its time they acquired some more breathing room.


Riou, Son of Genkaku and his best friend Jowy Atreides are members of the Highland Youth Brigade, which are unfortunately used by Highland itself to evoke the people into launching a full scale war against the City States of Jowston. The massacre commencies. The boys escape and are rescued by some mercenaries (who will be familiar to the series fans!) which sets the boys on a path that will change their lives, their friendship and their countries forever.


The game proceeded its former receiving high ratings from game review websites; IGN: 9/10. The graphics improved somewhat to provide a more cartoony but welcome look to the franchise. The vibrant colours and sometimes comical mannerisms give the game a lighthearted overlook. The game can be quite dramatic in moments of high tension where surges of emotions manage to take hold of you. You are sometimes forced to make hard decisions which sits on your mind hours after playing.

The series manages to bring forward the most anarchal and memorable villain of the series in Luca Blight. Prince of Highland and a Prince of Insanity. He becomes a worthy foe and gives the series a notable villain reminiscent of Sephiroth.



A nice mini-game addition was the Chef Cook Offs! In the previous game, the Chef characters were aesthetic only. But Hai Yo the Chef provides a cook-off competition where you must use recipes that you find over your journey to impresss a panel of your peers. It even sheds light on Hai Yo's backstory which was a nice little touch.



The battle dynamics didn't change much but you can now equip multiple runes which was a Godsend.

Many recurring characters appear in this game and so you get a nostalgic feel to it. If you have Suikoden 1 save data on your memory card you can start this game with that and the returning characters get special bonus' and equipment. Also, you get a secret character who literally eats you alive. ;)

Setting
The Dunan Region - Northern Continent, Middle Quarter. Situated around Lake Dunan. Surrounded by mountains & heavy forest and above 'The Badlands'. Brownish Purple on Map.

True Rune of the Story
The Bright Shield Rune and the Black Sword Rune (The Rune of Beginning) - Legend says that these two runes were the precursors to the 27 True Runes. They split after a inner conflict representing Sword and Shield.

Memorable Stars of Destiny
Clive of the Howling Voice Guild
Pesmerga
Georg Prime
Shiro
LC Chan

Main Villain
Luca Blight
The Highland Kingdom

The first Playstation 2 Suikoden. A rather unique but very much appreciated part of the franchise. This story focuses on the various view points; this is known as the Trinity System. The player chooses which chapter they play and therefore which character they are in control of. Each character has 3 distinct chapters before they all become part of a single story which leads to the spectacular end.


Geddoe, Chris and Hugo lead very different lives.

I haven't played this game personally but I know that it splinters from the main Suikoden set-up but doesn't claim to be part of the main series. As opposed to being a Console-RPG, this game is set up as a tactical turned based RPG; like FF Tactics or Legend of Kartia. In Japan, it is known as Rhapsodia.




Kyril is a young lad whose adventure begins before and is follow-up to Suikoden IV. It tries to rectify some of the continuity errors that SKIV managed to put into place by existing. Kyril is searching out the mysterious Rune Cannons aswell as finding out aspects of his own life and family. Some cameos from SKIV characters but nothing to write home about.



Due to it only being a spin-off and not a core game, it recieved lesser criticism than SKIV.

Setting
The Kooluk Region - Northern Continent, most Southern Part. South of the Toran Republic. Uncoloured on Map.

True Rune of the Story
The Rune of Punishment

Memorable Stars of Destiny
No Stars of Destiny

Main Villain
The Kooluk Empire

Coming soon...