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Boring boring game!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 10
Date: June 10, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I could not get into this game. With the exception of one track (the mountain theme) the music was horrible, and the fact that there were SO MANY characters, was just annoying because once you have more than a certain number, they can't be developed as full, 3-dimensional characters. This game was so worthless.

Too easy!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 11
Date: April 16, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Don't bother with Suikoden! The fights were always easy to win. I never died once in battle even the first time around. Zelda I was much tougher than this game! If you need an ego boost, get this game. Otherwise, save your money!

Mediocre at best.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 20
Date: September 16, 2000
Author: Amazon User

And that's being generous. I've never played a more lifeless, dull RPG. The dialogue comes off as if it was written by an emotionless elementary schooler. I understand the sequel is supposed to be much better, but... I'm afraid I've been scared off for good.

Pretty Cool RPG

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: June 28, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This game is very average. The graphics are average, the story line is a little above average, and the game play is about average. This game was one of the best RPGs on Playstation when it came out about 4 or 5 years ago, but with games like Final Fantasy and Xenogears this game seems not as great as it once was. The cool thing about this game is the sheer amount of characters, which number more than 100, which is cool because it gives you many options. If you need a new RPG to play and already have played some of the better ones, you should probably give Suikodan a shot.

I'm not really sure what happened...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: January 13, 2007
Author: Amazon User

...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...

Good game!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: June 16, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The story and the characters are both very good, there are some things in this game that can be quite annoying (you have to befriend a murderer to complete 108 Stars - WTF??), but overall this game is enjoyable.

Its been a long time

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 01, 2007
Author: Amazon User

It has been many years since I played this game. I remember waiting in line at Sears to buy this new for 10 bucks back in 02. I must have played it about 30 times. Seriously. Anyway, what I remember about this game is its wonderful music, its unique and memorable characters, and it epic story about a civil war. Both Suikoden 1 and 2 have vast, epic stories. The graphics are outdated now, even back in 96 they were outdated. When playing the fifth one, it is hard to justify going back to the original. If I were to spend hours playing a game, I would rather play the fifth. I think that this game should be remade with a more modern feel. They could do it for Wild Arms, why not Suikoden? Its ten times better than Wild Arms.... The original was just too short and many characters were not explored enough. Likewise, the world (with its towns) is really small. I thought Sol-Falena was small, but Gregminster is just a small collection of mud huts. This is one game definitely worth of a remake! Since they have a tough time making good Suikoden games (3,4 and Tactics just plain sucked) maybe they should go back and remake the first two. Lets face it, they wasted years and money on the above 3 games and gave nothing but negatives to the series by doing so.

Strong story carries this title to 4 stars.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: November 11, 1999
Author: Amazon User

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.

Characters...so many characters!...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: December 09, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Suikoden's chief appeal comes from its behemoth cast of 108 playable characters, some of whom join you for no reason whatsoever, some of whom you need to mollify with special items, or impress by other means, and most of whom have no semblance of any personality. There, I said it. By combining different character in special formations, you can also stumble upon combination attacks, but there are so many possible formations that this task is well beyond daunting.

Combat is a standard six-character front-and-back row affair, completely turn-based. Most magic spells and abilities are rune-based, while most runes can be bought en masse and assigned to virtually any character. This simple, functional arrangment makes for interesting strategies and fun boss battles, but during the frequent random encounters the routine of selecting "Attack" six times in a row can drive the player up a wall.

The graphics, music, and plot bridge the gap between the elegant simplicity of the 16-bit era RPGs and the complicated, flashy RPGs for the current-generation consoles. The music is very memorable. Although the graphics can become pixelated in combat, they allow the game to move at a fairly quick pace. The plot is nicely done, with your army of 108 characters staging a revolution to depose the tyrannical government. Luckily, the all-too-cliche supervillain doesn't become overly obvious until the last few parts of the plot.

Suikoden is a fine example of early Playstation RPGs, perhaps even one of the best. If you don't care too much for constant change and innovation, Suikoden just might fit your bill.

A fun, linear, and engaging RPG. Highly recommended.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: May 18, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Suikoden is an RPG similar in style to older RPGs like Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger, and Wild Arms. There are no fancy cinematics, no complex subplots, and rarely as challenging as the newer, full-scale RPGs. But this does not deplete the value of the game, considering it was made in 1996, before FFVII and Chrono Cross ever crossed the PSX radar.

You are the son of a famous general who, on a quest for the empire, stumbles onto a renegade army of outlaws, called the Liberation Army, a group of people who seek to overthrow the empire. You, inevitably, get caught up in their cause. Where Suikoden differs from other RPGs is the diverse selection of fighters you can choose from, 108 intotal. Each character has various abilities and attributes, and can help in different ways. Finding all 108 characters helps give Suikoden some decent replay value. Unlike Final Fantasy VII, which spans 3 CDs, Suikoden only spans one, so don't expect the 100+ hours of game time.

Graphically, this is nothin to get too excited about. The typical top-scrolling view you expect from old-school RPGs is here. As said before, there are no cinematics, so anyone expecting FFX material are lout of luck. Being someone who loves old-school RPGs, this is a pro rather than a con. The music is nice and atmospheric, and blends in nicely with the game.

Overall, this is a fine, albeit short, little RPG. All the elements that make RPGs great are here. The only complain I have is that there are times when the game seems too easy. Otherwise, I am happy with Suikoden and would recommend it to any RPG lover.

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