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Where should i start with the Suikoden series?
- Thread starter BigEmil
- Start date
The Hamburglar
Banned
yes play all of them in order.
I liked LOD when it came out, but replaying it last year... jesus it was a terrible game.
I liked LOD when it came out, but replaying it last year... jesus it was a terrible game.
WhoaIsThatMars
Member
LoD is a shit game. Some people love it for some reason, but it's fucking awful
BigEmil
Junior Member
Don't think il be able to play all 5. Maybe few of the worthy ones
I see thanks!
Interesting, maybe il check out LoD for abit and see where people don't like it and if i should continue
Chronologically it goes Suikoden 4 > 1 > 2 > 3 > 5, iirc. But I'd say start with 1 so you can better appreciate the advancing graphics and mechanics. They're all connected somehow, mostly by cameos such as returning characters though. [4 is the worst in the series]
Legend of Dragoon was the best FF7 clone ever made, seriously. If you're feeling nostalgic for some FF7 but don't really want to play the game again for the 7th time, Legend of Dragoon is the best option.
Legend of Dragoon was the best FF7 clone ever made, seriously. If you're feeling nostalgic for some FF7 but don't really want to play the game again for the 7th time, Legend of Dragoon is the best option.
http://kotaku.com/tips-for-playing-suikoden-and-suikoden-ii-1670446047
I read this article before playing Suikoden II, and it convinced me to play the original first. I'm glad I did because while not necessary, the games do tie together in a way that makes II more rewarding if you play and 100% the first game. You should also know that IV and V aren't easily available on PSN. You'd have to pay a pretty penny for PS2 copies of the games, and apparently (I've only played I and II), IV probably isn't worth that.
I read this article before playing Suikoden II, and it convinced me to play the original first. I'm glad I did because while not necessary, the games do tie together in a way that makes II more rewarding if you play and 100% the first game. You should also know that IV and V aren't easily available on PSN. You'd have to pay a pretty penny for PS2 copies of the games, and apparently (I've only played I and II), IV probably isn't worth that.
OniBarubary
Banned
This man speaks the gods' honest truths.
AbortedWalrusFetus
Member
Agreed. I would say that 3 is skippable if you don't want to commit to more than three games. 1,2, and 5 are must play though.
brokentrain
Junior Member
Yeah I agree play at least the first 2 if not 3 in order, but 2 is definitely better if you play 1 first.
Also I loved LoD at the time, I remember being impressed with some water in a river in the beginning of the game ( I think it was prerendered or something) but even back then I didnt think it was a great game. It was more generic than anything, and theres probably other rpg's worth your time before this one
Also I loved LoD at the time, I remember being impressed with some water in a river in the beginning of the game ( I think it was prerendered or something) but even back then I didnt think it was a great game. It was more generic than anything, and theres probably other rpg's worth your time before this one
I just started my Suikoden journey today. Logged ~5 hours in my first sitting. What a well-made, well-balanced game! I can see why some think this series is the benchmark for RPGs.
As for LoD, it was my first RPG so it has a very special place in my memory. However, I played it when I was 14-15 and relied heavily on walkthroughs at points. It made me feel less-than-smart, but perhaps it was the game and not me who had issues.
I made it far in LoD (3rd or 4th disc) but never completed it. I hope to one day, but now having played Suikoden...I guess we will see.
As for LoD, it was my first RPG so it has a very special place in my memory. However, I played it when I was 14-15 and relied heavily on walkthroughs at points. It made me feel less-than-smart, but perhaps it was the game and not me who had issues.
I made it far in LoD (3rd or 4th disc) but never completed it. I hope to one day, but now having played Suikoden...I guess we will see.
Hours Left
Member
Play them in release order. Don't skip any.
I > II > III > IV > Tactics > V
I > II > III > IV > Tactics > V
dreamlongdead
Member
Suikoden III is the only game in the series that I've played, and I enjoyed it a lot.
However, I read that the game has some connections to the previous Suikoden titles. As a result, I didn't fully understand some plot details and additional content. Apparently the whole series is like this, despite the games taking place in very different settings.
You should play the first two at least.
EDIT: Don't bother with Legend of Dragoon. It's not terrible, but there are much better options.
However, I read that the game has some connections to the previous Suikoden titles. As a result, I didn't fully understand some plot details and additional content. Apparently the whole series is like this, despite the games taking place in very different settings.
You should play the first two at least.
EDIT: Don't bother with Legend of Dragoon. It's not terrible, but there are much better options.
toddhunter
Member
You can skip straight to 5 and not be confused at all. In fact I recommend doing so since they are all pretty much the same and you will burn out.
One game, played to 100%, is more than enough.
That said, the load times on 5 are brutal unless you are playing it off a HD.
Basileus777
Member
Play them in order and skip 4.
Definitely don't skip straight to 5.
Definitely don't skip straight to 5.
Blackleg-sanji1
Banned
4 was an insult to the series listen to these people skip it lol. Everything else is damn good tho
Leithkorias
Member
You can not NOT play 1,2 and 5. If you have time, also play 3. If you only have time for two, play the first and second.
Count of Monte Sawed-Off
un33dab@dpu$$y
Nah you can pretty safely skip 4, it's pretty far removed from the rest of the games in the series with only tiny connections.
Basileus777
Member
3 is good, the only game in the series that does anything interesting with its combat. The PS1 games are the peak of the series though.
Blackleg-sanji1
Banned
Meh I'd say 2,5,3 in that order are the best. Would love a nice collection..damn konami
ScientificPizza
Banned
At number 1 dawg
Basileus777
Member
The first 3 games are connected like that with the last 2 being a lot more isolated. The first Suikoden is a good game and not something one should skip for its own merits anyway.
Greatest Ever
Member
Playing through the first, it's honestly a bad game. I'm trying to go through the dull shit based on the characters and story, but even they're not even passable.
And that battle system. Jesus.
And that battle system. Jesus.
Start with Suikoden 1+2 they are linked and follow on directly with save imports though the stories are separate and standalone enough as well.
You can skip Suikoden 4, it is the least enjoyable and generally considered the exception to an otherwise near flawless series.
Legend of Dragoon is... Ok. It was fun to play back in the day but the plot, the characters and the combat were not nearly as enjoyable by modern standards.
You can skip Suikoden 4, it is the least enjoyable and generally considered the exception to an otherwise near flawless series.
Legend of Dragoon is... Ok. It was fun to play back in the day but the plot, the characters and the combat were not nearly as enjoyable by modern standards.
Z..
Member
Only played 1-3 but I don't understand why anyone except ridiculously big jrpg fans would call 1 or 3 unskippable. I mean, they're pretty decent, but so are a ton of other jrpgs from around their same respective eras. They were custom made for the word skippable.
2 is definitely a must play, though. Sadly, fuck 4 and 5, no game is worth those price.
2 is definitely a must play, though. Sadly, fuck 4 and 5, no game is worth those price.
Dark_castle
Junior Member
If you're a fan of JRPG, definitely play Legend of Dragoon.
Count of Monte Sawed-Off
un33dab@dpu$$y
gustave154
Member
Play them in order because Suikoden 1 until 3 is godly. Damn you Konami for abandoning this legendary JRPG series.
Palom
Member
This. The chronological order is IV > Tactics > V > I > II > III, but it's better appreciated in release order, in my opinion.
I spent the summer playing through the whole series. IV isn't bad, it's just rather short (comparatively). However, Tactics (a great SRPG in its own right) is a direct sequel to IV and gave me more appreciation for it.
The only games I would suggest skipping are the PS1 Suikogaiden visual novels (available with an English fan translation) and the GBA card game. The Suikogaiden games do offer a little connection between 2 and 3, but they're so long-winded that I found them a bit boring. There is a PSP game, but no English version is available, and it's unrelated to the world of the other games.
Tierkreis is actually a really good game, but it's missing some key elements that would make it feel more like a "real" Suikoden game. (Different magic system, no army or duel battles, protagonist isn't silent, unrelated world lore)
V is an amazing game to end with, and one of my all-time favorite games. Great story, great localization, likable cast of characters, and many references to the previous games.
Play 1, 2, 3, and 5 in order of release. Suikoden 1 is a rough game, but it is also short. The main perk of playing it first is that you can carry over data from 1 to 2 that lets you get some extra stuff. Many characters and plot threads from the first game also play a major role in the second, so the background is really helpful. Suikoden 2 is an amazing game, so you don't want to miss that. Once you beat Suikoden 2, you can then import its data (and thus the data from 1 contained within) into Suikoden 3. Suikoden 3 has some flaws, but it is still an awesome game.
Skip 4.
You can't import data into Suikoden 5, but otherwise it is a really fun game. It lives up to the legacy of the original trilogy really well.
Skip 4.
You can't import data into Suikoden 5, but otherwise it is a really fun game. It lives up to the legacy of the original trilogy really well.
All you guys are making me wanna play these again. I only played the first 2 and I think maybe started 3 but didn't get far in it. They're one of my fav JRPG series for sure though.
As for LoD, I'm extremely surprised to see how many ppl dislike it. It's still to this day, one of my fav JRPG combat mechanics. I loved the game, but don't think I beat it. I sure do miss all the JRPG goodness of the PS1 days though. SO many amazing games back then...
As for LoD, I'm extremely surprised to see how many ppl dislike it. It's still to this day, one of my fav JRPG combat mechanics. I loved the game, but don't think I beat it. I sure do miss all the JRPG goodness of the PS1 days though. SO many amazing games back then...
Vincent Alexander
Member
I'm sad the only Suikoden I ever played was III, and it sucked. It's kept me away from playing any others.
I think the proper chronological order is:
Tactics > IV > Tactics > V > I > II > III
V takes place ten years before the events of I.
Teleport me using the blinking mirror if I'm wrong.
And as of now,
Tactics > IV > Tactics > V > I > II > III
V takes place ten years before the events of I.
Teleport me using the blinking mirror if I'm wrong.
And as of now,
we still don't have closure on Harmonia, Hikusaak, Pesmerga and Yuber, Crowle and Mazus, the Sindar people, and the remaining True Runes. :,(
I don't see how 2 is any less simplistic or dated than the first game aside from marginally better graphics.
Anyway to address OP's question play them in order.
Kagoshima_Luke
Gold Member
Hell yeah it does. One of the greatest game soundtracks of all time IMO.
2 has a far more complex castle, along with greater variety for runes by allowing for 3 instead of just 1 and army battle system.
Basileus777
Member
2 is a lot more mechanically refined than 1. The two games aren't worlds apart though.
The army battle system was awful since almost all the battles were scripted, maybe all of them. It just wasted your time. That's one of the biggest reasons 1 > 2.
Having more variety of runes didn't amount to much either since the game was so easy. Even easier than 1.
YankeeDonB
Member
I would start with 2,3, or 5.
1 is good, but the story and world just aren't as well drawn. It would be easy to get turned off the series starting here depending on your tolerance for old school by-the-numbers jRPG aesthetics. Also, it just doesn't have the surfeit of heart that makes the series truly shine.
I think 2, 3, and 5 are all GOAT tier. 5 has the best writing, 3 the best OST and most vibrant world, and 2 has the most pure charm. Can't go wrong with any of them. Then go back to 1 and possibly 4 if you really love the series.
1 is good, but the story and world just aren't as well drawn. It would be easy to get turned off the series starting here depending on your tolerance for old school by-the-numbers jRPG aesthetics. Also, it just doesn't have the surfeit of heart that makes the series truly shine.
I think 2, 3, and 5 are all GOAT tier. 5 has the best writing, 3 the best OST and most vibrant world, and 2 has the most pure charm. Can't go wrong with any of them. Then go back to 1 and possibly 4 if you really love the series.