Suikoden

 

Loosely derived from the 14th century novel Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn (水滸傳), also known as The Water Margin or Bandits of the MarshSuikoden follows the adventures of a young man, son of his kingdom’s foremost general, as he becomes wrapped in a plot of imperial intrigue. He has to break away and recruit the 108 Stars of Destiny in order to lead a rebellion against the dark powers now controlling his former home.

The game features three different battle systems. Regular combat is turn-based with six party members and features unique functions like Autobattle and Unite attacks, which combine the skills of several characters for a more powerful assault. Army battles pit large forces against each other in a rock-paper-scissors setup of troop types, with generals chosen from your 108 main recruits. Finally, duels can occur at key points in the story between the main hero and enemy generals, also using a rock-paper-scissors mechanic for regular attacks, strong attacks, and defending.

The game was one of the first successful RPGs on the original Sony PlayStation and spawned four sequels, plus two spinoffs and a wealth of multimedia.

Related Articles

Article Author Date Category
Rhythm Encounter 118 – RPG Town Themes II: Urban Expansion Mike Salbato Highlight, Podcast, Rhythm Encounter
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster Pushed Back to Unknown Date Gio Castillo News
Suikoden Soundtrack Gets Vinyl Treatment; Pre-Orders Available Ahead of Q3 Release Trent Argirov News
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster Coming 2023 to PS4, Xbox, Switch and PC Gio Castillo News
Retro Encounter Final Thoughts: Suikoden Zach Wilkerson
Retro Encounter 333 – Suikoden I Part II Michael Sollosi Podcast, Retro Encounter
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Retro Encounter 331 – Suikoden Fantasy Draft Michael Sollosi Podcast, Retro Encounter
FemPower Up: 48 Amazing Women in RPGs (Part 3) Zach Wilkerson Feature Sub-Page
So you want to get into The Suikoden Series… Wes Iliff
Get ’em While They Last! PlayStation Store RPGs for PS One, PS2, PS3, PSP, and PS Vita Zach Wilkerson
Suikoden 25th Anniversary Symphonic Concert To Be An Online Performance Emony Tjan News
The Best Games of the PlayStation Store: PSOne and PS2 Mike Salbato
Defending Champions: The Best RPGs of Every Year Since Dragon Quest (1987–1999) Zach Wilkerson
Flashback Friday 5: PlayStation Emony Tjan
A Piece of RPG History: Suikoden Prototype Footage Emony Tjan News
Retro Encounter 219 – Top Ten PSone RPGs Michael Sollosi Podcast, Retro Encounter
Further Exploration: RPGFan’s Dream Sequels, Prequels & Reboots (Page 2) Mike Salbato Feature Sub-Page

Game Reviews

Review Author Platform Score
Suikoden Cory Cauthon Sony PlayStation
88
Suikoden Josh Gregory Sony PlayStation
82
Suikoden Ken Chu Sony PlayStation
88

Music Reviews

Review Author Released
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 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 Original Game Soundtrack Patrick Gann April 5, 1996
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
Melody of Legend ~Chapter of Love~ Patrick Gann January 10, 2001
Prescription for Sleep: Game Music Lullabies Stephen Meyerink May 19, 2014
PRESS START The 5th Anniversary Patrick Gann September 11, 2010
The Music of Suikoden Jesse Jones April 11, 2005

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