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MY FAVORITE GAME

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 19
Date: March 16, 2000
Author: Amazon User

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!

A great - cheap - RPG

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 13
Date: May 23, 2000
Author: Amazon User

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.

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.

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...

Possilbly the first RPG with unlimited replayability!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: December 15, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Suikoden is a game that's easy to underrate. The game can be completed in less than 20 hours. The graphics and FMV's are good, but not groundbreaking. The story is noble, but not extremely original. Most of it's 108 characters are pretty forgettable. And it's `large battle' scenarios are little more than a thinly disguised rock-paper-scissors game. Yet despite all that, Suikoden is an RPG that really needs to be played to be appreciated.
First of all, there are a total of 108 characters that you recruit. You can choose a party of 6 from all those who've you recruited. These characters and their fighting abilities are the backbone of the Suikoden game. Some of the characters seem pretty useless in battle, with weak attacks and defense. However, some characters' abilities can combine with others to create a more powerful attack. Finding the 108 characters is part of the fun...it's NOT easy! Another fun aspect is trying to figure out who can combine with whom, and how powerful their combined attack is - something that you may feel compelled to do each time you recruit someone new. And, oh yes, don't forget that you're in a war and must defeat the enemy...the whole point of the game!!!!
Additionally, some quests have hidden benefits if you have certain party members with you. For instance, if you travel to an Elfan village, it's a good idea to have the elf in your party because you may be able to get more items or information than humans alone would. In this vein, you have to think who be really beneficial at any given part of the game. While it may seem like a waste to keep a character that throws a frying pan as their weapon, he could be of particular use at some point. So it's not always best to keep only your strongest characters in your party.
Normal battles are pretty standard turn-based battles. There is an added bit of strategy here in how you set up your party for battle. Characters with long-range weapons can be placed anywhere, but characters with close range weapons (swords, daggers, etc.) must be placed in the front. Keeping track of how to place 108 characters like this sounds like quite a task, but it's really not so daunting once you figure out who's who.
"War" battles are the one facet of the game that I'm not fond of. You choose one of three tactics to fight: Archers, melee, or magic. The computer chooses one, too. Then the battle ensues with a rock-paper-scissors type of resolution. (Melee beats archers, archers beat magic, magic beats melee). These battles add little to the storyline, are not exciting to watch, and ruin the tempo of the game. Luckily, they happen fairly infrequently.
Even less frequent is the one-on-one battle. These are basically tests of strength (both attack and defense strength) of a character. If he can survive against his opponent, he is worthy to carry on. Otherwise, he must go back and train (fight more monsters with the group until he levels up). These battles are like checkpoints, and sometimes will advance the storyline when your foe is defeated. They are not as much of a distraction as the war battles, but it is merciful that they are infrequent.
The ending that I saw was pretty decent and worth the 20 hours of play. Supposedly, a more elaborate ending awaits if you find and recruit all 108 characters (I had only 80+ characters). Just knowing that would make me want to play through the game again more diligently (We had borrowed the game last time, so I kind of rushed through the second half). I think that the whole game took me 16-18 hours, so it was pretty short. Because of the sheer number of characters and combinations, this game could be replayed several times and not get old.
Because of the high demand and low supply of this game, it is usually pretty expensive (IF you can find a copy of it). It is definitely NOT worth the high prices that it is selling for at the time of this writing (ranging from $80 to over $200). But if you're lucky enough to find one for a more reasonable price, you won't be disappointed.

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.

Like great stories?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: November 18, 1999
Author: Amazon User

This game is the best. Have you ever sat down to read a really good book? You can't tear yourself away? That is exactly what this is like! It doesn't matter that the game has super nintendo graphics. SOme of the best RPGS ever were on super nintendo. This RPG has one of the best story lines. After playing this game you will see what I mean. Then, when you finish the game and want more, try playing the second!

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.

Best game ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: February 27, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This is hands down my favorite game ever made... Sure it's kinda old by now and therefore not as fancy technology-wise, but the story is enough to keep me involved, and the fact that there are 108 distinct characters to recruit, PLUS all the NPCs that you don't recruit. Lots of personality. I can't even tell you how many times I've played through this... the second one is pretty good, too, but the first is definitely the best. A must-have for any true RPG fan.

Still my favorite of all time...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: February 01, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I remember getting this game when it came out. I didn't hear anything about it but my mom was willing to buy me anything. I'm glad she bought it for me.

This game is truly epic. The music is awesome. It's no par with FF7's music. It truly is some of the best. The battles are great. There are normal ones which are fun. You get to use 6 characters. Your party is up to you. Over the game you get 108 different characters, of which 2/3rds are playable in battle. There are also duels. Duels are fun. Wars are awesome in this game. There is alot going on. The graphics are well done. For a 2d game. There are tons of different good looking sprites. The story is also magnificent. My favorite story ever. You come to love the characters. The game also ends perfectly. It is a tear-jerker. Right after the final battle I may have teared a little. The game is fun though. If you see it buy it. The game is well worth it because it is my favorite game of all time. It beat out MGS on my list, so it's good.

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