Suikoden IV + art book: 1/11/05! Anyone else excited?

[maxlords]

Ok, I'm jazzed about Suikoden IV! I just played the Konami demo and then immediately went and preordered the game. Preorder price is $39.99 at EB's website, and it comes with a free art book. Very cool!

In addition, if you preorder the strategy guide, there's currently a deal for 20% off strategy guides on EB's website, and another deal for free 3 day air shipping on all preorders!

Suikoden IV + Art Book (guaranteeing it still if you order thru the site) + strategy guide: $52.00 shipped

Joy at having a new Suikoden game AND getting it cheap: Priceless

By the way, for you naysayers, they've fixed the battle system! Yay!

For those that are interested, here's the
LINK (http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/243642.asp) for the game on EB's site, as well as the LINK (http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/246647.asp) for the guide and the LINK (http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/default-assets/daily_deal/promoDetails.asp) for the promo deal for free shipping and 20% off the guide. The shipping deal expires Jan. 2/05.

Oh yeah, and anyone who wants to talk about the game too....love to talk Suikoden! :D I have more than a few things to say about the demo.

[SoulBlazer]

I have'nt played the demo -- I tried to get the Konami disc but the only one I got I ended up sending to my secret santa -- but I pre-ordered the game in person at my local EB store. Hopefully I'll get the artbook also. Been a big Suikoden game since the first and enjoyed all three. I really like the mix of RPG and strategy elements.

[Muscelli]

doesnt suikoden 2 come with this, also or something like that?

[maxlords]

Nope. It doesn't come with Suikoden 2, though I'd bet a lot of poor fanboys wish it did :) Pipe dream man, sorry. All you get is an artbook if you preorder at EB or Gamestop (Gamestop has it listed on their site too).

As for the demo, it's basically two small bosses and one scene. You're maxed out with a bunch of magic to try too. Still, you get a good feel for the battle system. The encounter rate is astronomical though! Step, step, fight! Step, step, fight! I suspect that's to bulk up the demo tho. The battle system is a lot like Suikoden 2 and not at all like that horrible dual action Suikoden 3 interface! So far, I really dig it! Can't wait to delve into the game itself.

[maxlords]

Just thought I'd mention this again since it slipped away last night from the massive thread profusion that this offer is good until tomorrow still. It's a killer deal if you're a Suikoden fan!

[youruglyclone]

I'll probably get it cause I'm a sap for art books

[Griking]

This game just got a lousy review in the latest Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine. I'll probably hold off and pick it up used.

BTW, has there been any more about the rumor that Sukioden 1 & 2 may be included in/with this release?

[maxlords]

This game just got a lousy review in the latest Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine. I'll probably hold off and pick it up used.

BTW, has there been any more about the rumor that Sukioden 1 & 2 may be included in/with this release?

IGN gave the late-build beta a decent review. I haven't seen one of the final build yet. And as far as I know, there's no inclusion of the original games. Haven't heard even a rumor about that yet, other than people mentioning it in this thread.

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Hey, just look at it like your buying both the book and game separately for 20 dollers a peice. Plus you can always trade or sell it and keep the artbook in the end.

[le geek]

Man I am excited about this! The Suikoden games are probably my favorite RPG series. Suikoden II is my favorite, followed by Suikoden, then Suikoden III. I would love it if the new one had music as good as the first one (Yellow book CD audio). Here's hoping for more mini games, and more castle/HQ custimization!

BTW here's a good Suikoden fan site...
http://www.suikosource.com/

Cheers,
Ben

[Kid Fenris]

I tried the demo, and my impressions were mixed. The battles were frequent and repetitive (just choose "attack" over and over), but they moved with the characteristic Suikoden speed. The visuals and voice acting were decent, though I'm not sure about the revisions to the combat system. Now that they've cut the party from six to four characters, it feels almost as limited as Suikoden III.

As Griking mentioned, early reviews suggest that the game is Not Really All That Great. Play gave it two-and-a-half out of four stars, and Play's known for overrating games, if anything.

All the same, I like Suikoden, I like free artbooks, and I like director Junko Kawano's Shadow of Destiny, so I'll remain cautiously optimistic. Perhaps I'll pick up Suikoden IV when I finish Shadow Hearts Covenant.

[slip81]

I preoerdered it Thursday at Gamestop, and then took the morning off work to make sure I could get to the store at noon on the 12th and snag the artbook, I may get the strategy guide too, not sure yet.

I haven't played anything but the first one, but I loved it, and I've been wanting to play a new Suikoden lately so I'm excited about this one. I'm also paying no attention to the lackluster review EGM gave it. I'm excited anyway, and am now rushing to complete San Andreas so I can go right into this one the day of release.

[maxlords]

Now that they've cut the party from six to four characters, it feels almost as limited as Suikoden III.

I hadn't realized that. When I played the demo, I assumed that there'd be more characters in the final build. I didn't think you'd be limited to four with no rear line. However, I am excited about the Shining Force/Pirates style strategic sea battles, cannons and all. That sounds really cool. I suspect that the speed with which battles can be resolved will make up for the lack of a second line and the lack of the other two battle participants. Plus, they're starting to get a rep for changing the battle system every game :D

[EnemyZero]

time to make a trip to EB @_@

[jdc]

Yep, I'm always up for a new Suikoden anytime.

Don't bother with reviews. They get more off-base every year. Check out OPM's huge slam of LOTR The Third Age in this months issue as an example of how to unfairly rape a good game so that it never sells another copy to anyone. It's THE most unfair review that I've ever read.

[hezeuschrist]

Man, I really should take advantage of this, but I can't afford to buy any games new... but with guide and art book shipped for $52 is a hell of a deal...

Dammit! I shouldn't, but I'm gonna :(

[Crush Crawfish]

I can't wait!! Suikoden is easily one of my favorite RPG series ever, and It's the only game series I can think of that I've completed all the games in. Even if the reveiws are bad, I'm sure I'll love it. I loved suikoden 3 as well.