Actually, I've nothing against newer games. Or the concept thereof. There is however a distinct lack of appreciation for different forms of media these days. And that is what I have issues with.

I simply prefer the appropriate as opposed to the unnecessary.

And speaking of unnecessary, the load times are 10 seconds per random battle. From the moment your character ceases movement, till the combat menu appears. 10 seconds, time it yourself.

I didn't need a reminder of what the videogame demographic has become.

Ah, wow, I simply cannot hold back anymore.

Hmm, Suikoden.

Well, disregarding the expected pre and post-release rabid fanboism, I believe really what it comes down to specifically is what you're a fan of. Different strokes for different folks, as always.

Allow me to be blunt. Before I'm a fan of final fantasy, or a fan of tales of (etc...) or a fan of suikoden for that matter (where console games are concerned), I'm a fan of 2D on a console game first and foremost. And jrpgs being limited to the amount of freedom as they usually are (something I might add has never been problematic for me) allows me to trace down other aspects of a games qualities that I might consider appealing, especially towards the factor of replayability.

In my opinion, it's not possible for a newer suikoden game to be better then suikoden 1 or 2, or for a suikoden game (as noted above) to 'play' like a suikoden game unless it were to fully resemble it's playstation 1 counterparts.

For me, suikoden is as seen on playstation 1, and will always be. The flowing crimson sky as war erupts, caped squirrels springing forth through the thick of trees, and combination/rune demonstrations which defy logic in combat, tailored to detail a fine 2D environment.

But, I suppose for any who are suikoden fans, 5 will be a blissful basket of puppies to wrap your grubby hands around if your tastes include ps2 jrpgs. I am personally, slowly tolerating 5. I just cannot, adjust to the 3D models. I feel strained after an hours worth of playing at most. And I should note, 5 has a 9-12 hour prologue which is necessary to the story. And random encounters have about a 10 second loading time between initation to battle start, then a short loading time afterwards. The loading times for random encounters can get a little annoying if you don't want to fight all the time. Just a warning.

And as with most suikoden games. A strategy guide is usually a requirement if you want the whole 108 stars of destiny. As it's not my idea of fun to go exploring every nook and cranny again and again after each and every event, and as such, I'd prefer having my own reasons for wanting to replay a game just as how I prefer to have my own reasons for playing a game in the first place.

I realize in times of quality deprivation it's easy to succumb to even the most mediocre of games. But please, for the sake of sainty, ease up on the guerilla marketing guys will you?