Suikoden

by Konami

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00002STPG
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: July 20, 1999
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,012 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

It's difficult to get worked up over the average RPG. Invariably and inevitably, the game in question gets compared to the likes of a Final Fantasy. And if the same sort of innovation and excitement isn't there.... Let me put it this way: Though Suikoden may not be groundbreaking, it's definitely good.

Basically, this is a solid RPG, both in terms of play and story. You are cast as the son of Teo McDohl, the land's greatest general. When the general must head north to deal with a rebellious uprising, you are left in charge of the McDohl household, but you join up with the Imperial Guard. Soon after, you realize just how corrupt the Emperor is; consequently you join forces with the Liberation Army to overthrow the Emperor, thus setting up a climactic, and classic, confrontation with your own father.

The play in Suikoden is similar to Beyond the Beyond, Final Fantasy VII, and well, just about every other RPG out there. You spend most of your time walking around towns and dungeons, occasionally running into monsters to disposed of - using either weapons or magic, of course. When constructing a party of adventurers, you're offered 108 characters to choose from, though a maximum of six characters can be in your party at one time. Certain characters can combine their attacks by using the "unite" command, which usually results in big-hurt damage against multiple foes. As the storyline advances, you are given a few choices during the way. Unfortunately, even with these choices, you are led down a certain path of actions. For example, if you answer "no" when asked if you want to drink some tea, and you'll find you're asked again...and again until you finally drink the tea - and get poisoned.

Most of the graphics in Suikoden are average, but the fight scenes look good. When you encounter a monster, the playfield rolls out of view to reveal the fight from a diagonal perspective that zooms in and out to punctuate the action. There are also one-on-one fights, in which the you must try to outguess the opponent and counter his attacks. Major battles are also sprinkled throughout the game - massive armies clash and thousands die. These battles are usually reserved for major plot points in the game. The music in Suikoden is varied, but it can get very annoying, especially if you are stuck on the same part for any length of time.

All in all, Suikoden is a fine, albeit short, RPG. Experienced role-players should be able to whip through it in no time. Even novices shouldn't encounter too much trouble. It's got an appealing storyline, and tons of characters to experiment with. Even so, consider it a warm-up for Wild Arms and Final Fantasy VII. --Jeff Gerstmann
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Manufacturer Description

Critically praised and popular throughout the world this Role Playing adventure features three types of action: one-to-one party vs. party and army against army. A blend of exceptional 3D and 2D graphics presents the conflict at every level. The amazing soundtrack actually adapts to what's happening in the game so it constantly builds and reinforced the mood.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MY FAVORITE GAME, March 15, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Suikoden (Video Game)

Suikoden is my favorite game for Playstation. It's easy to play, but is a very in-depth RPG. You get to meet tons of characters, and put them in different fighting "groups" depending how well they get along and how tough they are. You get to build your own castle! You fight big scale wars and small scale, traditional battles. The story moves really fast, and is really engaging. You will be heart-broken whenever one of your "friends" dies. The story gets you THAT involved.

And all of the drudgery of some RPGs has been taken out. Random encounters are made faster and less tedious, shopping for items is simpler and more straight forward. I tell you, they thought of everything when they made this game! The characters even walk really quickly so you don't have to run everywhere you go.

I've now played Suikoden II, and I really love that one as well. But there's something about this first one - I don't know. If you're one of those people who always has to get the latest version, I think you should change your ways in this case. The second one's great, but there's nothing else quite like this first one. In fact, I'm sort of jealous of people who have never played it, because they get to start from the beginning without knowing what's going to happen!

And one more thing. The ending is great. It's not one of these, "let's just roll the credits" kind of endings. They make up a little story about what happened to every single person you met. The ending takes a long time, and is really rewarding. As soon as you're done, you'll want to start all over again by buying part two!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great - cheap - RPG, May 23, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Suikoden (Video Game)

Okay, the graphics are pretty old school. Not much better than SNES quality, you might think. But forget about them. Play the game...

I won't spoil the story (and you've got that big review up top to read if you want to know) as one of the major parts of any RPG is the plot. And while the translation isn't great - typos abound - the story works well. It stays interesting towards the end and I did start to care about some of the characters.

There are three types of battle - group, major and solo - which offers some welcome variety. Group is your standard party vs monsters battle. If you've played any Final Fantasy games you'll be right at home. Solo and major battles aren't far off being rock-paper-scissors, but they're still fun.

People have complained that Suikoden is too short. Personally, I thought it was just right. Took me about sixteen hours to get through - and I didn't find all of of the 108 characters by any means. I can't spend hours and hours playing a game each day, so Suikoden lasted me a couple of weeks. Long enough not to feel cheated, but not so long that I lost interest.

All in all, this is a very decent RPG and you can't go wrong at a budget price. If this were a more expensive game, it'd get four stars. But at half that price then it's a real five star game.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong story carries this title to 4 stars., November 10, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Suikoden (Video Game)

If you don't like old-school then this probably is not the game for you. The graphics in this game are not awful, I mind you, but they are certainly not what makes this title so great. So if your looking for hi-tech FMV that will make you drool, then stop reading this review and check out one of the newer titles. Now for you true RPG fans who stuck around after that warning, I commend you. This is a story based game. The story is powerful and it hits hard. Basically you lead an rebel army against the evil king. Now I know what your thinkin' "that's been done, how does that cliche story become powerful?". I understand but you've gotta trust me, this story is no cliche. Your gonna remember it when you finish, I guarantee it. Also featured in this game is an unique recruiting feature. As you progress in the game the need to build your army becomes greater, therefore you meet people along the way and are opted to recruit them. As they are recruited, they all add to your castle. It ain't easy though because they all want something. I still haven't gotten everybody. The only problem with this game is its length. Even an unexperianced RPer (who stuck around after the warning) should finish it in under 30 hours. That is of course, if you decide not to recruit everybody (which is an entirely optional quest). If you don't mind a game that looks like your playing Super Nintendo,but are lookin for a great story,then my friend, your game library is not complete without Suikoden.