Suikoden 5

[The Great Dane]

Is anyone here excited about the newest installment of the Suikoden series? I know I am for sure. I skipped on preordering Suikoden 4, as it just wasn't as good as it could have been, so I waited until it went to $20. But, with this new one, I preordered it just yesterday, and in return I got a free art book and music cd :D

So, anyone else excited for the game to come out this coming wednesday?

[Johnny_Rock]

Im not but only because im angry at Suikoden 4. Im not sure why i just seem to have a vendetta against it.

[The Great Dane]

From what I have read 5 is MUCH better than 4 is. Also, I have read that the story is better and deeper than 2's story. So, I say give it a chance, you never know, it might be way better than you expected.

Also, to me personally, 4 is actually a lot better than people give it credit for. I'm in the process of playing it through right now, and aside from some annoying sailing gameplay, bad randon encounter rates, and somewhat boring 108 Stars, I actually like it quite a lot. It just isn't near as good as the previous 3.

[le geek]

Just preordered it. The swag was too good to pass up. Then again I am a Suikoden fanboy :embarrassed:

Cheers,

Ben

[The Great Dane]

Just preordered it. The swag was too good to pass up. Then again I am a Suikoden fanboy :embarrassed:

Cheers,

Ben

Hey, don't be shy to admit that you are a Suikoden fanboy. I am too :D And I will be forever, I'm sure. It's actually the only rpg series I like (and my favorite game series ever). All others just aren't for me.

[incubus421]

Yep...fanboy here. Saving up my 1000 meseta so I can get the Suikoden II image from the shop. :D
As for Suikoden 5, I have high hopes for it. I hope it is a big step up from 4 and even 3. The Suikoden series in my eyes has declined since the 2nd. I have only seen and heard good things so far so I hope I am not dissapointed.
Needless to say I have Suikoden 5 reserved right next to Kingdom Hearts 2. Although, I didn't get an art book and music CD.....kind of upset about that. :angry: heh

[maxlords]

Sadly they never give all the promo crap in Canada so I haven't bothered to preorder. I'd rather buy the promo stuff separately from someone who doesn't want it and I'll get the game when I can afford to :D

[Crush Crawfish]

First off, I'd like to speak to the Konami exec who decided that releasing this right between Shadow Hearts: From the New World and Kingdom Hearts 2 was a good idea. My wallet can only take so much.

With that being said, I'm definitely looking forward to it. 4 was definitely a misstep, but 5 looks set to get the series back on track. However, does anyone know if the game uses the data from Suikoden Tactics for anything? I haven't quite gotten around to finishing that one, and I'd rather not miss any extras...

[Beavertown]

However, does anyone know if the game uses the data from Suikoden Tactics for anything?

Don't think so. But it does use the data from IV for something.

[The Great Dane]

First off, I'd like to speak to the Konami exec who decided that releasing this right between Shadow Hearts: From the New World and Kingdom Hearts 2 was a good idea. My wallet can only take so much.

With that being said, I'm definitely looking forward to it. 4 was definitely a misstep, but 5 looks set to get the series back on track. However, does anyone know if the game uses the data from Suikoden Tactics for anything? I haven't quite gotten around to finishing that one, and I'd rather not miss any extras...

I have read that it doesn't load up anything what so ever. I'm getting close to finishing 4 just in case, though.

[ahamilton0953]

i still haven't played 3 and tactics, but, i'll be using gamefly to try it (5) out and see how much i like it =) I personally enjoyed alot of 4, although I got really annoyed with the ship travelling at first. I just missed renting 3 by 1 day on gamefly ( my disc got there 1 day AFTER the game was taken ) so i was bumming.

[Eternal Tune]

I look at it like this:

One of Suikoden II's main appeals was being able to recruit about half of the previous Stars of Destiny from the original. Then Suikoden III came along. I was a bit disappointed at first that only a few of the "original" stars returned: Jeane, Viki, Futch, Luc, Apple, ect. Seeing that the game's time frame was 13 years after the events in II, and the fact I developed an over-all liking for quite a few characters, my opinion of III changed. Since that time and putting numberous, numberous hours on that game, its become my favorite in the series.

Then IV came. With an exception of both Jeane and Viki (who now seem to be the only regulars in the series due to the fact that Viki can time travel and well Jeane supposely is in possession of a true rune) and Ted with Soul Eater from the original, no other Stars were present. The game's time frame was a hundred and some odd years before the events in I, so. One thing bugged me about IV, I lacked any attachment to the characters. I mean I had a few favorites like Hervey, Sigurd, Snowe, and Ted, but I lacked the overwhelming character enjoyment I had in the other three games. I had such a difficult time deciding which six characters would make up my main cast in the first three games, but zero trouble in IV.

I had such high hopes for V. I saw Killey, Georg Prime and Lorelai were all returning Stars, which meant the game would be more in the time frame of I and II. Sadly after buying the guide and browsing through the character list, I'm disappointed.

My feelings are torn on V. I like the game because it is a Suikoden game, but I also dislike it for this fact. I wanted to see some of my favorite characters returning from the first two games. This disappoints me, but I'm about six hours into it and trying to give it a chance. I like it more then IV, but not as much as the others.

And don't get me started on Tactics. Eep.

Also, I'm royally pissed about the lack of Futch. Dear Konami, please make a Suikoden VI and don't forget to include Futch. Futch is the greatest Suikoden character ever.

Edited: V doesn't load any previous saved data. Sorry guys.

[Beavertown]

I mean I had a few favorites like Hervey, Sigurd, Snowe, and Ted

How could Snowe be one of your favorites? I hated that whiny bitch and I killed him the first chance I got.



My feelings are torn on V. I like the game because it is a Suikoden game, but I also dislike it for this fact. I wanted to see some of my favorite characters returning from the first two games. This disappoints me, but I'm about six hours into it and trying to give it a chance. I like it more then IV, but not as much as the others.

How's the new battle system? Are the formations useful?



And don't get me started on Tactics. Eep.

I just got Tactics. It seems pretty good so far.


Also, I'm royally pissed about the lack of Futch. Dear Konami, please make a Suikoden VI and don't forget to include Futch. Futch is the greatest Suikoden character ever.

LOL Very true.

[ahamilton0953]

How could Snowe be one of your favorites? I hated that whiny bitch and I killed him the first chance I got.



The only reason he didn't die in my game was because he needed to live to get all the stars.....when I played the game I was talking out loud about how I'd kill em if I didn't need his whiny ass. My wife said I should just kill him anyways.



anyone have a copy of Suik 3 they don't need ? LOL. I'd even be willing to trade it back after i'm done lol. I just don't want to pay for it somewhere online when I'll probably only play it one or two times.

[Beavertown]

The only reason he didn't die in my game was because he needed to live to get all the stars.....when I played the game I was talking out loud about how I'd kill em if I didn't need his whiny ass. My wife said I should just kill him anyways.

Yeah, I knew I needed him too, but I decided that it wasn't worth it.



anyone have a copy of Suik 3 they don't need ? LOL. I'd even be willing to trade it back after i'm done lol. I just don't want to pay for it somewhere online when I'll probably only play it one or two times.


I'll let you know if I find another one. And I'll pass Tactics on to you after I'm finished with it, if you want it.

[Eternal Tune]

To set the record straight, Snowe is a bastard. Hell when I refer to my liking of Snowe, I always say "Snowe was one of my favorite characters in IV, even though he was a bastard."

And yes he needed to live in order to get the 108 Stars bonus = special ending.

To answer the question about formations. They are actually a nice addition to the battle system. Most have status boosts and you can choose the formation option every turn. However, the characters will automatically attack on their own, so you can't do combos or use Runes in that turn. Its nice for random battles or dungeon crawling.

Also, there is no Silverburg in V. How can you have a Suikoden game without a Silverburg tactian?

Oh and in case anyone is curious or wants to give me a piece of advice, the reason I hate Tactics so much is Rita. Trying to recruit Rita fairly early in the game made me want to throw the controller across the room. Refreshing people's memories here but, you have to change the magic status of squares in the battle. Rita has two elements and you have two elementials of fire wandering about. You can only control yourself, and those stupid things move at random. She always wins cause she claims the most tiles, so it annoys the piss outta me. The AI cheats.

[ahamilton0953]

tactics i'll probably get from gamefly, but thanks. keep me in the loop on 3 though.

[ahamilton0953]

I am looking forward to trying out 5 though. HOpefully I'll have a copy this coming week. if not, then the following. and I'm surprised there is no silverburg. odd

[le geek]

I liked what I played so far.

Here's my ranking of games so far

II > I > IV > III

I'll be curious to see where I put V :) As for wanting to play as all your favorite characters from I & II. I say let it go.

Now a cooking minigame on the other hand... :)

Cheers,
Ben

[ahamilton0953]

I agree on your ranking, especailly with 1 over 2. I myself didn't like 2 as much for some reason. I don't know why, I just didn't. Ironically I played 2 first, then 1, which makes it even funnier. go figure!

[maxlords]

Here's my ranking of games so far

II > I > IV > III


I disagree :) Personally I'd rate em:

II > III > I > IV

Now, I'm actually starting to like IV, but I haven't finished it so I might change my mind. I didn't put Tactics in there cause I haven't played it yet. Have it tho!

[slip81]

I plan on picking this one up eventually (after I finish a few games that I'm in the middle of now). I'm excited to play it. I played the first and fourth installments and loved both. I own two, but haven't played it yet, and I still need to get three.

[MarkMan]

A friend of mine got a review copy a few weeks ago and told me he really, really liked it. In comparison to III and IV, it was way better he said. The story was much better along the lines of I and II. With better localization this time around lol.

[Needle]

Ive been playing a bit of Suikoden V now and it's definitely a lot better than IV was. I am a bit confused though, since most of the gripes regarding the Suikoden series in this thread seemed to be based upon returning characters. Seems a bit shallow to me.

Only flaw with V right now is that the game is VERY slow to start. Anyone who plays a Suikoden game knows that there eventually comes an event that sets forth the main character on his path of destiny. It took me nearly seven and a half hours to get to that event in Suikoden V. That's a really long time!

Granted, the story is very intriguing, and the characters are likeable.

I recommend heartily!

[ahamilton0953]

Holy shit.....that long????? WOW....does anyone know the expected gametime for this one?

[Beavertown]

Holy shit.....that long????? WOW....does anyone know the expected gametime for this one?


The main quest takes about 70 hours, if you rush it, and closer to 100 if you take your time.

There are 11 different endings and a replay mode that allows you to play through again while keeping your current skills, levels, and equipment.

Definitely a lot of content.

[ahamilton0953]

OMG.....my wife is going to hate me quite a bit for that.... i'm working on Dragon Quest VIII now, and then to go to that....YIKES =)

[maxlords]

11 different endings? Good lord. That's just silly!

[Needle]

Just as an update to my previous post... I got my fortress (a trademark Suikoden moment) at the 20 hour mark, which definitely felt like a long time. Now, it would appear I've hit somewhat of a wall. Armor prices are ridiculously high but I need to extra defense, and it looks like I'm in line for some grinding.

The story is great though, especially if you're into political intrigue.

[SEGA-SAMMY]

I ended up buying this game today (Ironically from the same Toys R Us I bought the first game from eight years ago :/ ) I hope it's better than what I thought was disapointing III and IV.

As for 11 endings? Oh dear.

[ahamilton0953]

well, I'm playing it now via Gamefly, and might end up keeping it. needless to say I'm having fun, although some of the cutscenes are a tad long. I really haven't spent too much time leveling up, but, so far i'm having a blast. I think the one thing I haven't really enjoyed is i think the towns are a bit too cluttered. but, a small price to pay. I'm also working on the training thing a bit, and odds are i'll end up playing this again just because I am learning more as I go lol.

[SEGA-SAMMY]

I am like five hours into this game and i'm really enjoying it. I like so much more than part 3 and 4 already! :D

[ahamilton0953]

I love the fact I'm not doing all that stupid sailing as I was in 4 =)

[Beavertown]

Anyone still playing this, or finished it yet? I'm still on the fence about picking it up.

[ahamilton0953]

I am. finally got my headquarters =)

[le geek]

I'm about midway through the game. For Suikoden fans there's a lot to like here. It's strength and it's weakness is it's similarities to Suikoden and Suikoden II. The characters look great, the music is great and the new formations in battle are pretty cool. Some of it feels a little dated and the story may be a little TOO long...

[ahamilton0953]

I'm on my 2nd go through on it. I love it, and I wish I would have used the epic's and stuff more in the beginning. I'm having a ton of fun with the 2nd go around since I have 1.2 mil available to spend =)

[SEGA-SAMMY]

I finished it 3 weeks ago and it was much better than what I expected. I would give it an 8/10 and it has got me interested in RPGs again. :D :D