The First Two Suikoden Games Are JRPG Masterclasses

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Major Spoilers for the Suikoden games ahead

Are you aware of how enthusiasts from the original PlayStation era frequently discuss the first two Suikoden games, claiming they’re among the greatest Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) ever produced? These gamers are so passionate about these games that they’ve been urging JRPG fans to acquire the upcoming remastered collection with its rather complex title.

They’re right, so shut up and buy them already.

A frequent criticism levied against JRPGs is that they often adhere to the conventional narrative structure found in shonen anime. Regardless of how a game initially unfolds, it commonly concludes with the main character vanquishing a deity through the power of camaraderie and individual choice. While games like Persona 5 and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth employ these tropes, such criticisms hold some merit.

The Suikoden series neither sugarcoats nor glamorizes war; instead, it addresses the grim reality head-on. Although mystical runes grant extraordinary abilities, they do not distract from the underlying theme – war is a nightmare. Unlike Call of Duty games that present war as cool and exciting, these Konami RPGs tackle such serious subjects with maturity.

In the second game, it’s profoundly depicted that war is a weighty and distressing ordeal. At a certain point, players are tasked with rescuing a child whose village has been destroyed, only to witness her parents’ deaths shortly after. This event leaves a lasting impact on the character, causing her to fall silent for some time before eventually regaining her cheerful demeanor again.

In the original Suikoden game, there were many significant characters, some of whom seemed invincible, but unfortunately, they did meet their end. The loss of Odessa Silverburg, who was deeply loved by fans for her relationship with popular character Flik, is still mourned. Odessa had a bright future ahead of her, and her death left a lasting impact. In this game, Flik and Viktor were more serious and mature characters, so losing someone dear to them made the impact even stronger.

For those who prefer an unspoiled gaming experience, let’s discuss an engrossing aspect of these two games: amassing a team of 108 characters to join your cause. As the story unfolds, players will meet numerous characters that can potentially join their ranks. Although identifying these characters is straightforward, since they often have portraits in their text boxes, recruiting them can prove challenging.

Discovering the requirements for acquiring these characters remains enjoyable since it often leads to a sub-plot or an ally joining forces with you. Not every character will be part of your team, but they each play crucial roles and gamers should aim to enlist them all as their presence significantly impacts both games’ optimal conclusions.

In our discussion about the Suikoden games, let’s explore the topic of battles and the teams involved. It was quite a surprise when these two games enabled six team members, as many Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPGs) typically restrict this number to three or four. Having six party members offers a lot of room for experimentation, given that specific pairings can result in joint attacks.

Yes, these classic Suikoden games have team-up attacks. How’s that for something special?

To ensure that additional versions of these beloved games become available again, enthusiasts might want to treat themselves by purchasing the Suikoden HD collection which drops this week. Given Activision’s recent release of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 collection, there’s a chance we may see the PS2 games soon. We can only hope that they incorporate Suikoden Tactics and Suikoden Tierkreis from the DS into their plans as well.

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2025-03-05 17:18