Suikoden II

 

Picking up some years after the original, Suikoden II brings players to a whole other corner of the world, to the kingdom of Highland. Players assume the role of Riou, controlling him and his best friend Jowy and sister Nanami as they escape from a murder plot and then become embroiled in the plans of rebel forces.

The game features turn-based party combat with six standard characters drawn from a pool of 108 total recruits. There is also a revamped version of Army battles, with tactical troop movement managed on a grid. Duels also return at key points in the game, allowing Riou to fight rival generals and other major antagonists in a rock-paper-scissors setup of attack, strong attack, and defense. The player’s home base expands as characters are recruited and the plot progresses, with shops and services opening up, as well as new troop options, weapons upgrades, and other utilities.

Like the original, Suikoden II follows the themes of the work which inspired it, Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn (水滸傳) or The Water Margin, including rebelling against imperial conflict, forging ties of friendship with allies, and bringing all 108 stars together under Riou’s leadership.

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Game Reviews

Review Author Platform Score
Suikoden II Cameron Hamm Sony PlayStation
85
Suikoden II Esque Sony PlayStation
80
Suikoden II Ken Chu Sony PlayStation
84

Music Reviews

Review Author Released
From Another Shore: Aveyond & Beyond Neal Chandran May 25, 2008
Genso Suikoden Arrange Collection Vol.1 ~Vocal & Piano~ Damian Thomas December 18, 2009
Genso Suikoden Arrange Collection Vol.2 ~Celtic & Asian~ Damian Thomas March 19, 2010
Genso Suikoden Asian Collection Steve Snyder November 27, 2003
Genso Suikoden Celtic Collection Damian Thomas March 5, 2003
Genso Suikoden Celtic Collection 2 Damian Thomas August 20, 2003
Genso Suikoden Celtic Collection III Damian Thomas April 14, 2004
Genso Suikoden II Music Collection ~Orrizonte~ Patrick Gann May 10, 2000
Genso Suikoden II Original Game Soundtrack Complete Patrick Gann December 23, 1998
Genso Suikoden Music Collection Produced by Hiroyuki Nanba / Played by Yajuh-Ohkoku Damian Thomas December 29, 2001
Genso Suikoden Music Collection Produced by Kentarou Haneda Damian Thomas April 24, 2002
Genso Suikoden Orgel Collection Damian Thomas March 31, 2003
Genso Suikoden Piano Collection ~Avertunerio Antes Lance Mao~ Damian Thomas December 18, 2002
Genso Suikoden Piano Collection 2 Damian Thomas January 21, 2004
Genso Suikoden Vocal Collection ~Faraway Star Echoes of Love~ Damian Thomas January 22, 2003
Genso Suikoden Vocal Collection ~La Passione Commuove la Storia~ Damian Thomas July 3, 2002
Symphonic Tale: The Rune of Beginning (Music from Suikoden II) Zack Hubbard May 27, 2019
The Music of Suikoden Jesse Jones April 11, 2005

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