Customer Reviews

Suikoden

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...but apparently, only one person has ever written a review for this game. It deserves better.

"Suikoden" was the game that started the franchise, with 5 releases over two systems. Is the first the best? Not by a long shot - "Suikoden II" holds that honor easily, and "Suikoden V" gives this one a run for its money. But it is ridiculously fun, even though the experience is rather short.

The game starts in the city of Gregminster, where the young son of a famous general begins service for the emperor of his homeland, Barbossa. Originally accompanied only by his loyal friends, Cleo, Pahn, Gremio and Ted (who has his own secret), he becomes a central figure in a huge civil war.

Although well-known by now, the idea of recruiting the 108 stars of Destiny was very novel at the time. Overall, the game is incredibly easy, but no one can deny that it was fun at later stages to watch a level 1 character go up 40 levels after one single battle (the outcome of which was decided from he beginning, due to the awesome power of the rune possessed by our hero). One of the more interesting points of this game is the creation of a world that has been enriched numerous times through sequels, and the idea of the 27 True Runes, a few of which are introduced in each new game. It is an excellent intro if you've played the later games, and it has aged surprisingly well (I still play it every now and again). The quest is very linear, however, and there are no sidequests to speak of (although the castle/town building is still enjoyable).

All in all, I would say that if you can find it at a decent price, then pick it up. This one still floats around used game stores ever so often (as opposed to its direct sequel, "Suikoden II", which is impossible to find). I wouldn't pay $150 for it, however...

Suikoden has always held a special place for me since the days of my youth. I still remember spending lazy afternoons adventuring through the land of The Scarlet Moon Empire. For one reason or another I never managed to secure my own copy but always thought back the great times I had playing the game. Realizing though that some things are better left to nostalgia I was weary of trying to relive those moments. Only recently, after 10 years apart did I finally cave in to my desires and purchase my own copy.

What I found was actually quite surprising. Time had actually been kind to Suikoden. Yes the graphics are primitive comparatively speaking with console graphics of modern day, however, the core of the game remains intact: an excellent storyline.

Not wanting to give too much away I'll keep the details on the story light. You play as the character Tir McDohl, son of one of the "Five Great Imperial Generals". Through a series of events Tir will find himself fighting against the Scarlet Moon Empire and his own father.

Along the way Tir will enlist the help of friends and enemies alike in a struggle against an Emperor who has lost his way. One of Suikoden's most unique features is that the player is given the ability to recruit up to 108 playable characters. While anyone versed in RPG mechanics might be daunted by the prospect of having to level such a large cast of characters, Suikoden actually makes the task easy and rewarding. Raising low-leveled characters to a status near the main party of characters literally takes minutes to accomplish.

Along the path to toppling the Empire the player will also be given the ability to centralize his "Liberation Army" at an abandoned castle. This introduces one of the more original ideas to Suikoden. As you recruit new characters and add them to your ranks your castle will be given various upgrades. Everything from new floors to murals, a spa and even an elevator. At the time of it's release Suikoden was one of a kind in offering such a level of customization on home consoles.

Combat mechanics consist of six party members battling up to six opponents at one time. Generally speaking combat in Suikoden is turn based although the game features other types of battles including one versus one duels and army versus army battles. None of these mechanics are ever a chore.

I recommend anyone who is a fan of the series to invest in game that launched sequels like Suikoden II and III. The original in many ways is superior to the sequels.

When I first saw Suikoden lingering on a Blockbuster shelf, I passed it up. This was roughly 11 years ago. I regret not BUYING the game back then. Nowadays, the price of entry on the actual PSone game can vary into a mostly high range; however, there is the rather convenient and affordable option of buying Suikoden on the PSN under the PSone Classics category.

With this RPG, do not expect anything but a truly great and fun traditional RPG. It's all there: touching plot, numerous enjoyable characters, mini-games, and a solid battle system. One feature later that definitely is not traditional are the military battles. Excellent addition to the game, and makes sense to the plot. It plays out in a kind of Rock, Paper, Scissors fashion and is ultimately the best mini-game in the well, game.

You start out as the son of General McDohl, who in turn is leaving on a military expedition at the beginning of the game. Leaving your hometown with childhood friend Ted, Cleo, Pahn, and mentor Gremio, you set out on an action-packed adventure with many twists and turns in the plot. At one point, you will be recruiting for your own army, and as another reviewer pointed out- there is a perfect ending for recruiting everyone, so be sure to do that!

Overall, it is a game that I think any JRPG fan needs to play. Check it out on the PSN or buy used for the PSone! Worth every penny!

first off, the time it came out, this was by far the best RPG ever. The main character (unofficially "Tir" Mcdhol) ends up on the side of a rebellion that leads him against his own father and the emporer. This game was refreshing as there was no "save the world" to it just a good war story. No more no less. My only gripe with this game would be that it doesn't have the improvements to it that later games in the series had, multiple rune slots, jeane's breasts, jeane and viki as playables, jeane wearing too many clothes, etc. The main character in this game however is by far the best main character of the seriese to date. I bought this game when it came out and am surprised to see what it is going for now. Some of the prices are easily above $100. WELL WORTH THE PRICE! Actually, it is a bargain at that price.

Very entertaining game just wish that it was longer. I would recommend it and other games in the series to any RPG fan.

Well for starters, I have to smack upside the head the reviewer who said there 'aren't any memorable music tracks'.

There are many laudable elements in Suikoden, from the gorgeous watercolour style character art (that was reduced to a more cartoony look in subsequent series entries), to the 6 party battles using runic magic, to the dual plotlines of overthrowing the Scarlet Moon Empire while evading the maleficent sorceress Windy bent on revenge. However, the one thing that makes this game shine even today, is the shockingly gorgeous soundtrack.

A plethora of ethnic sounding instruments (pan pipes, classical guitar/sitar, various traditional Asian instruments) along with a full synth orchestra and vocals, combine to give Suikoden a soundtrack that is comprehensively excellent in ways few games have ever matched. The mood and appropriateness of each track is unparalleled, from the melancholic strains of the Kaku/Kouan/Seika coastal fishing villages, to the Scottish highlands sounding land of the Warriors' village, to Neclord's organ fugue, the imperious Knights of the Dragon's Den theme, the energetic bustle of Antei (which has a 4 minute long astonishing vocal track unique to itself) to perhaps the pinnacle of the whole BGM, the hauntingly beautiful Village of the Hidden Rune.

The ONLY criticism I have of the soundtrack is that an independent track was not composed for the final boss battle, which uses the regular boss battle theme.

This game can be completed thoroughly in anywhere from 16-25 hours, making it on the short side for an RPG, but the beloved characters, the superb story and one of the top 5 videogame soundtracks ever composed make Suikoden well worth buying. Popular opinion seems to be that Suikoden II is the best in the series (certainly III made horrendous transition to 3D) but I will vouch for the original Suikoden as one of the finest games Konami has ever made.

A classic game to a classic series. Suikoden opens the series, so it's not perfect, having more than a few features that needed to be tweaked and perfected, but it's still a great game in it's own right.

Story: 8/10
The story isn't entirely original (tiny little resistance fights against giant, corrupt empire, seen it a million times), but the characters more than make up for it. Most of people in this story, be they main characters, allies, villains, or even simple background characters, are charming, lovable characters, a hallmark of the Suikoden series.

Graphics: 4/10
Obviously, being an early-era Playstation game and a simple 2D one at that, the graphics leave a lot to be desired. Granted, 2D games have their own charm, but the visuals haven't aged very well.

Sound: 7/10
The music and sound effects are great, but there aren't a whole lot of memorable tracks.

Gameplay: 7/10
The battle system is a simple turn-based affair, made more interesting by having 6-person teams, allowing for a larger character party than most games have. The main draw, however, is the 108 Stars of Destiny. The large cast of characters (as mentioned earlier) all have a little personality to them, and collecting all 108 (which admittedly isn't easily done without a gameplay guide) will allow for a better ending, starting a tradition followed by every game in the series. The battles get sort of stale after a while, but there's a few quirks to keep it somewhat interesting. Mystical Runes that allow for magic and special attacks (along with other effects), combination attacks with specific characters, and two other types of battles (army battles and duels) try to keep the game fresh, but whether or not they do is really up to the player.

Overall: 6/10
A classic game, as I've said repeatedly, but one you won't regret playing.

I think this game is amazing. I have loved it since the first time I played it 12 years ago. There are a ton of characters that you can recriut to your rebel army and your castle will become more amazing with each one. I only wish the game were longer, but it's still hours of total entertainment!

I spent hours and hours, weekend after weekend playing this game.

Lots of fun was had, and I want to play it again -- you should, too!

Suikoden is awesome and it's a classic.I love all the suikodens but this one is the one that got me hooked.Knowing that it's a classic...the graphics are going to be for when it was first released,other than that,the game is challenging,exciting and to me everything an rpg should be.If you like classic games this will be enjoyable!