Suikoden V

[Lilim]

I figured since Suikoden V was close to being released in North America that a thread should be started for like-minded individuals who wanted to discuss its arrival and various gameplay impressions.

Actually, I got blindsided by the release of March 21st. I thought it was the 28th, but most of the game retailers seem to be in unison on this one. The official NA Suikoden V webpage still says Spring 2006, so I can't be 100% sure.

The only con I can see to its possible release on the 21st is that Suikoden V is arriving the same time as Oblivion. Honestly, I didn't want to have to choose in between them, but Suikoden V wins the vote when it comes to which one will be played first. Otherwise, I'm really excited that it's so close.

[daschrier]

I heard it was moved up to give it some padding from KH2.

[Ryos]

Oblivion's a different market.  KH 2 is a killer though, it's like trying to release (x) RPG the same week a new Final Fantasy comes out.  Suikoden V would be lost in the shuffle.

[TSG]

This game had better have the main character, his rival, and 106 Vikis. No less will be acceptable.

[Bogatyr]

That soon? This game looks amazing - even though I know few about it. Suikoden Tactics was also released in NA suddenly. It seems it is a Suikoden thing, or Konami's.

[Lilim]

I didn't think they would actually move it up a week from KH2. I'm glad that it will get to stand on its own instead it being overshadowed by a Square-related game.

[Hidoshi]

This game had better have the main character, his rival, and 106 Vikis. No less will be acceptable.

You DO realise how lost you'd be right? ^^;

Just imagine: 106 Vikis all sneezing at once during teleport.

[Gorelab]

This game had better have the main character, his rival, and 106 Vikis. No less will be acceptable.

You DO realise how lost you'd be right? ^^;

Just imagine: 106 Vikis all sneezing at once during teleport.

For some reason that just makes me think of Chrono Trigger meets Suikoden, but a million times more random.

Anyways, looking at the media for this I have pretty high hopes, but I'm still waiting for reviews. After Suikoden IV I'm a bit wary.

[Lucid]

The suikoden games kind of lost their way for me after 2. Not that they were bad, but it's like they decided to only keep in some of the more superficial elements from game to game. Like the 108 stars theme and maybe connecting a few characters. I miss how they used to connect to the previous game(s) with more than just a returning character or 2. I hope 5 is good.

[Sketch]

I can't really say I'm particularly excited for this one, but I'll pick it up nonetheless. I haven't really heard anything at all about this game...

[Marona]

The suikoden games kind of lost their way for me after 2. Not that they were bad, but it's like they decided to only keep in some of the more superficial elements from game to game. Like the 108 stars theme and maybe connecting a few characters. I miss how they used to connect to the previous game(s) with more than just a returning character or 2. I hope 5 is good.

I think they did a very good job of connecting 1 and 2 to 3 without recycling to many characters yet having a fair deal of the same faces appear such as:

Code:

Yuber, Luc, sasarai, lucia, star dragon sword, futch, tuta, wan-fu, landis and a few others.

It was also nice to see how the children and next generations of characters from 1 and 2 also joined you in 3 such as:

Code:

Sanae Y, Lilly, Sharon, Emily (ooulan's daughter most likly), Hugo etc.

I really cant say anything in 4 and Rhapsodia's defense, since they are just kind of out there and broke the harmony chain, but its great that 5 is going to rebuild the great thing they had going.

Edit: While the story element from 1 + 2 to 3 wasnt as riveting and as paramount as its predecessors, I felt that it accomplished what it was going for, such as a steady rise to power, the effect that the true runes have upon the world, the penultimate and mysterious powers that exist in harmonia and lament. The extra option to look at the story through anothers eyes after you beat it was also a very unique option, although I couldnt help but feel it was a somewhat lackluster apology for not really explaining true intent and emotion of the other side throughout the main campaign, unlike the relationships that were steady throughout the first 2

[Lucid]

yeah, though I enjoyed the story in 3 there was parts of it that didn't quite capture the whole geo political thing going on in the previous 2 quite so well. There was so much more they could have done with zexen, the grasslands and harmonia in regards to their relationship with each other and their histories.

[TurnBasedDude]

I am personally very excited about Suikoden V especially at how obsessed I became witht he seires these days. Even IV was good, but really weak in comparison. It seems its going to its more traditional roots which I am lad about. Perhaps im hyping myself too much and it will kill me, but I intend to get this asap than I judge.

[Kano]

As soon as Friday hits next week I'm going to pick this one up, it looks sweet, and I hear it lives up to the true glory days of Suikoden 1 and 2.

[Dyne]

I...Can't....WAIT!!!  Its going to be awsome, truly awsome.  I already got mine preordered, and am just waiting for the 21st to roll around.  I am glad it went down in price, too.  $40 instead of $50