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Suikoden V Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter bakedpony
- Start date
I just finished it a few months ago and really liked it BUT I wasn't too fond of the fact that recruiting without a guide is nearly impossible. If the game was like 15 hours, sure I might play it over and over again to get all the guys..but in a 50+ hour game? Since my most enjoyment comes form recruiting that was a huge letdown.
But besides that it was absolutely brilliant, really loved the isometric perspectiv the story (as suspected) was superb and the cast entertaining and very likeable. And the Haud theme might be amongst my favorite game tracks oot.
Yep, read a lot of complaints beforehand but personally had absolutely no problem with that.
But besides that it was absolutely brilliant, really loved the isometric perspectiv the story (as suspected) was superb and the cast entertaining and very likeable. And the Haud theme might be amongst my favorite game tracks oot.
Yep, read a lot of complaints beforehand but personally had absolutely no problem with that.
AntiFacebook
Member
This game is great and the best JRPG on ps2 as far as I'm concerned.
I really need to track down copies of 3-5, never got a chance to play them. 2 was amazing, and while I still haven't beaten 1 (the interface for the game is REALLY annoying), it's still pretty good in its own right.
I know 4 is like the red-headed stepchild, but I'd still like to give it a go.
I know 4 is like the red-headed stepchild, but I'd still like to give it a go.
4 is a lot if fun. It's clearly the worst Suikoden game, the story is (compared to other entries) pretty uninteresting, the MC one of the worst in any RPG, the dungeons (especially the first one) laughable but it's still a very entertaining piece of software.
I loved the fact that it allows you to play in FP and that it's very short (for a JRPG).
III might be my second favorite Suikoden after II, loved the way the story is told.
Echoing what many have said, V is my favorite after II.
I actually put it aside for a while when I first got it, since the slow pace and extreme load times were annoying me.
However, a couple months later I gave it another go and oh boy, am I glad I did it.
If this ever gets on PSN, it's an insta-buy for me (well, I'd even buy IV, for that matter).
BTW, was that "Suikoden II coming to the PSN" thing just a rumour after all?
I actually put it aside for a while when I first got it, since the slow pace and extreme load times were annoying me.
However, a couple months later I gave it another go and oh boy, am I glad I did it.
If this ever gets on PSN, it's an insta-buy for me (well, I'd even buy IV, for that matter).
BTW, was that "Suikoden II coming to the PSN" thing just a rumour after all?
Yes one big army loss and pot twist where you were forced back would have made it more interesting.
It does feel a lot like fanservice. They took a lot from Suikoden 1+2 and the most appreciated stuff from 3 and just went "ok so you didn't like 4, here is what you want".It worked out great IMO but it might have been a bit much.
I do like they went with the silent hero. But it is a bit weird sometimes when it looks like he tries to speak but he really is mute. I think I would have like it even more if he did speak. Not much, but a little it.
I'm pretty sure all of the characters were ones you could track down near the end of the game, you never lost permanent access to any of them like you did with Suikoden 1 and 2. I believe 3 had a handful you could miss, but the majority you could get at any time near the end game.
Am I crazy? That's just what I remembered, but I believe 5 didn't have any permanently miss-able characters.
TheBryanJZX90
Member
Love this game, probably the very last JRPG I enjoyed. But you're crazy if you think the intro music is better than 3.
Edit: aww man was almost reply #108
Edit: aww man was almost reply #108
ChiefofCitadelSecurity
Member
Deep down it's my favorite from that generation. Loved everything about it except the battle system. Far too slow and got tedious in the latter half. Characters were outstanding, just personality around the board. My girl Lucretia had a monster of a mind. Prince and crew wasn't doing jack shit without her. The woman was as valuable as any true rune in the world.
A lot of the things I like about JRPG's in general are in this game. Intrigue, characters, world, and adventure. The game had all of those and culminated in an amazing experience.
A lot of the things I like about JRPG's in general are in this game. Intrigue, characters, world, and adventure. The game had all of those and culminated in an amazing experience.
Hours Left
Member
ChiefofCitadelSecurity
Member
It might've been that. It's been so long since I played it. I just remember it being slow and getting really repetitive.
Basileus777
Member
This is true of every Suikoden except three. You can play through the entire series just using multi-target unite attacks/auto battle against random enemies and spamming your most powerful rune attacks against bosses. And the duel and army battles were always more interesting conceptually than in practice. It's one of the reason's I'm fond of Suikoden 3 despite its flaws, the pairing and skill systems mixed things up pretty well and at least made the combat less mindless.
ProphessorX
Neo Member
Like pokemon with people. Awesome art design and background stories. One of my favorite ps2 memories aside from front mission 5.
Uchigatana
Member
That's the best part. I'm glad that the character designs in Suikoden are diverse. These days, it's a fucking miracle to see ONE masculine guy in a JRPG. When I play a Suikoden game, I would see at least a handful of those types. But, I wish there's a Viktor type in Suikoden V; unless you count Boz, which he is only playable on the army battle.
Anyway, did anyone have limited edition cel art for Suikoden V? It looked pretty cool.
Hard Mode in all games would have been great. I killed Neclord in Suikoden 2 in one round once. Also killed final boss in Suikoden 2 with just Riou and Viktor. I think someone at Suikosource beat him with just Riou.
Grandia battle system in Suikoden if I could choose.
Another thing the whole series did great. Playable with one hand.
L1 = Action
L2 = Back
Select = Menu
Laughing Banana
Weeping Pickle
No, there are a number of permanently missable characters in Suikoden V, however it is indeed much easier to recruit a larger number of people in V compared to its predecessors.
Dark Octave
Banned
I rented Suikoden back when the PS1 was still new, got to capture my own castle and had to return the game shortly after that. That's as far as my Sui experiance goes. I have no idea what I was thinking because what I did play, I liked, the visuals, the huge party and the music was fantastic.
Good thing is, I have all five games in the series to look forward to playing someday.
Good thing is, I have all five games in the series to look forward to playing someday.
Hours Left
Member
Six games actually. (Tactics)
And if you can read Japanese or don't mind using a guide, there's eight. (The two Suikogaidens)
Lumpy Onion
Member
Both Suikogaidens have complete fan translations.
http://www.romhacking.net/translations/2033/
http://www.romhacking.net/translations/1810/
Nose Master
Member
Felt lifeless. Not as bad as 4, but it's just kind of there.
Everytime I try to replay it, it's torture getting through those first... 20(?) hours before it picks up the pace.
Everytime I try to replay it, it's torture getting through those first... 20(?) hours before it picks up the pace.
Dark Octave
Banned
Yeah that's true, I forgot about Tactics (never heard of the other two). Someone told me it wasn't worth the time of day though, maybe that's partially why I forgot about it. If it falls in line with the RPG story, where exactly does it squeeze in and is it worth playing?
Uchigatana
Member
It's worth playing and it compliments with Suikoden IV. In terms of the story, it's servicable; most of the Suikoden IV characters have bit more backstory and interactions. The protagonists in tactics are okay, as long you can tolerate their cheesiness. As a strategy RPG, it's Fire Emblem lite. They have multiple objectives, and permadeath is prevalent. However, it only occurs on minor characters. Overall, it's different take on the Suikoden formula, it's a fun game.
Dark Octave
Banned
Alright then. Thanks, I'll look for it and play it after IV.
Hours Left
Member
Yeah, Tactics is a good game. Definitely don't skip it.
Never finished it. Not sure why because I liked it. And then I took a break from it and never got back to it. After I am done playing all the regular games again I am gonna give it another go. Someday I will finish Tierkreis as well...
Like the hat?
Banned
It's such a great game. I really want to play the whole series again.
I still am crazy and liked four more. I'd rank the series as 2,4,5,1,3
I still am crazy and liked four more. I'd rank the series as 2,4,5,1,3
AuthenticM
Member
I am proud to have bought this game on release day. 
Fourth Storm
Member
I gotta play through this one all the way yet. Actually, I never beat III. Dumbfounding, since the first two were some of my personal GOAT. Those were dark days...
Yes you're being crazy. A guide is almost necessary to not miss any stars.
First Suikoden game I played, loved every minute. Then dove right into 1 and 2, have yet to try 3 or 4. I wish they series wasn't dead. Console version may be impossible but it could totally work on handhelds.
I also don't understand why there aren't any real copy cats of the series. Everything about it was just awesome. Tons of party members, 3 style of combat that rocked, big sweeping stories.
I also don't understand why there aren't any real copy cats of the series. Everything about it was just awesome. Tons of party members, 3 style of combat that rocked, big sweeping stories.
Just take it with you.
Member
Agreed. SV was an excellent return to form after the disappointment of SIV.
Villain incompetence combined with Lucretia being downright Mary Sueish at times. Basically the bad guys had no chance.
Lymsleia starts out annoying, but she gets much better later on. I would've loved a follow up game where you visit Falena and see a cameo with her all grown up doing queenly things.
The battle system of Tactics was probably the most fun Suikoden battles have been.
The limited use of runes and S/M/L ranged combat converted elegantly into SRPG sensibilities and the large cast of characters (not 108) had more utility identity when partitioned off into strict SRPG classes.
Too bad the villain was hooky and the plot was an tacky way of quietly removing a weapon introduced into SIV from the lore. But thanks to some short optional conversations in battle and at the fire place, returning cast from SIV seem to have more life to them, which felt more rewarding then digging through library books or comment box dialogue. And the SIV protagonist seems more likable when you give him dialogue. And remove his goofy run and permanent scowl.
Suikoden V, I also liked the long intro. The atmosphere and surrounding customs of the Sun kingdom set a comforting atmosphere while foreshadowing the inevitable conflict of shady factions.
I liked it a lot less as it started to strongly mimic the "collect all the towns" feel of Suikoden II though. The incompetence of the Godwins (and super-competence of Lucretcia) just continued to grow in disappointingly new ways with each Falena army victory.
Sadly it was much easier for me to break Suikoden V's battle system than any other RPG I can remember. Runes that boosted physical attacks were disgustingly powerful, mainly because there were several types, so you could have 6 physical attack characters with 2-3 phys attack boosting runes each. This led to killing every single boss in less than a round of auto-attack (usually 2-3 characters got to attack before the boss died), and I think the final boss took 2-3 rounds at most.
But it says something about the game that I really enjoyed despite not really being able to play it the entire time, army battles aside.
robotzombie
Member
if you are not using Goesch you are playing wrong
Not that I play Suikoden for the challenge but it is boring when it is too easy to break it. Like farming Fury Runes in Suikoden 3. Fury Rune + Strike Rune and upgrade Swing. Yeah. Lots a monsters gonna die.
My 2nd favorite Suikoden game in the series! Absolutely loved the story. The story kinda seems like it was planned (since Georg's suikoden 2 info hints at it).
I really want more story about Harmonia and the Circle Rune vs the Sindar and the Rune of Change. So much...stories left untold..i'm sad now.
I really want more story about Harmonia and the Circle Rune vs the Sindar and the Rune of Change. So much...stories left untold..i'm sad now.
jeremy1456
Junior Member
Suikoden V was my second favorite in the series.
By far my fav JRPG of the generation unless we count Skies of Arcadia.
By far my fav JRPG of the generation unless we count Skies of Arcadia.
Mentallyerect
Neo Member
Last one you say? hmmm, looks like a job for Nintendo. They kept Bayonetta alive and Devil's Third.
Lets all start a petition to get Nintendo to fund Suikoden 6 as a Wii U exclusive!!!!! then after that they can get onto funding Skies of Arcadia 2
One of my favorite games on the PS2, decent battle system, great music, good plot, overall it felt really polished to me. Had all the typical "JRPG" elements to me of the Suikoden series.
I remember I rode my bike to the mall at 10:30am to get it at gamestop the day it came out. I was pretty young and so excited to play it. If anyone hasn't played it, I highly recommend trying it. Great game.
I remember I rode my bike to the mall at 10:30am to get it at gamestop the day it came out. I was pretty young and so excited to play it. If anyone hasn't played it, I highly recommend trying it. Great game.
Hours Left
Member
Enjoy.
keisuke999
Member
This game looks actually really good on emulator. first 5 hours are slow as hell, though.
SolVanderlyn
Thanos acquires the fully powered Infinity Gauntlet in The Avengers: Infinity War, but loses when all the superheroes team up together to stop him.
I've been replaying this lately. I was going to make a RTTP thread when I was done, but there's no need when we have this already.
This game was so enjoyable. It's not just a return to form from Suiko IV, but a great RPG and a great Suikoden in its own right. I think it has the best OST in the series, and the characters have much more depth to them than those in Suikoden I, and match the great cast from II and III. Belcoot, for example, has a great design, is a very likable character, and his contribution to the story is heavier than what you would see from more relevant characters in Suiko I, like Alen or Grenseal. I feel like this game is the natural evolution of the series if it had never deviated from the formulas laid out in Suikoden I and II, as the storytelling, setting, and characters all feel more refined and fleshed out than in previous games. Best battle system in the series, too, by far - I love fooling around with different formations.
The game does tend to inch a bit towards the easy side, and the battle load times can get grating. I also agree with the assertions that Lucretia is a Mary Sue and the enemies come off as incompetent most of the time. Leknaat should have taken Zerase's place, and I feel like Zerase was a largely unnecessary character. But I really do love this game, even with all of its flaws.
I got particularly attached to the royal family in the beginning, and with the way they send you everywhere and have people react to your princehood, it really makes you feel like royalty. You hear things like "Oh, Prince! I'm so glad to see you!" everywhere you go, and you really get the sense that you're someone special and that people respect you. When people don't, they always apologize and pay for it. Ferid, Lym, and Arshtat are set up to be such lovable, respectable people. When
, I really felt like I had a reason to be fighting my way back to Sol-Falena. The pathos aspect of the plot is set up very well.
This game was so enjoyable. It's not just a return to form from Suiko IV, but a great RPG and a great Suikoden in its own right. I think it has the best OST in the series, and the characters have much more depth to them than those in Suikoden I, and match the great cast from II and III. Belcoot, for example, has a great design, is a very likable character, and his contribution to the story is heavier than what you would see from more relevant characters in Suiko I, like Alen or Grenseal. I feel like this game is the natural evolution of the series if it had never deviated from the formulas laid out in Suikoden I and II, as the storytelling, setting, and characters all feel more refined and fleshed out than in previous games. Best battle system in the series, too, by far - I love fooling around with different formations.
The game does tend to inch a bit towards the easy side, and the battle load times can get grating. I also agree with the assertions that Lucretia is a Mary Sue and the enemies come off as incompetent most of the time. Leknaat should have taken Zerase's place, and I feel like Zerase was a largely unnecessary character. But I really do love this game, even with all of its flaws.
I got particularly attached to the royal family in the beginning, and with the way they send you everywhere and have people react to your princehood, it really makes you feel like royalty. You hear things like "Oh, Prince! I'm so glad to see you!" everywhere you go, and you really get the sense that you're someone special and that people respect you. When people don't, they always apologize and pay for it. Ferid, Lym, and Arshtat are set up to be such lovable, respectable people. When
the coup d'etat happens and Ferid and Arshtat are killed
Look! The Pie!
Member
I literally yelled "Yes!" when I saw this thread.
I didn't find Suikoden IV to be a complete shitfest the way most people did, but it was definitely a disappointment in many ways. And then Suikoden V came along and reminded me exactly why I fell in love with the series in the first place.
Holy shit, this game gets so much RIGHT. Like how it introduced so many of the minor Stars of Destiny through the main plot (however briefly), giving them an actual reason to join up with you later on instead of having dozens of people just decide to up sticks and join your army on a whim.
I also loved how they allowed the story to build slowly and naturally instead of rushing it towards the dramatic plot twists. People complain about the slow beginning, but the
wouldn't have had half as much impact if we hadn't spent 7-8 hours getting to know the Royal Family beforehand.
Also, it had Sialeeds. Probably one of the most believable characters in the series. The more I think about it, the more I come around to the idea that I *might* actually prefer it to 2.
I didn't find Suikoden IV to be a complete shitfest the way most people did, but it was definitely a disappointment in many ways. And then Suikoden V came along and reminded me exactly why I fell in love with the series in the first place.
Holy shit, this game gets so much RIGHT. Like how it introduced so many of the minor Stars of Destiny through the main plot (however briefly), giving them an actual reason to join up with you later on instead of having dozens of people just decide to up sticks and join your army on a whim.
I also loved how they allowed the story to build slowly and naturally instead of rushing it towards the dramatic plot twists. People complain about the slow beginning, but the
fall of the Sun Palace
Also, it had Sialeeds. Probably one of the most believable characters in the series. The more I think about it, the more I come around to the idea that I *might* actually prefer it to 2.
LiquidMetal14
hide your water-based mammals
I still have Suikoden V somewhere in a box and it is easily the best Suikoden game I have played.
Cornbread78
Member
Definately my favorite of the series; the characters, setting, and story all meshed well and made it a very enjoyable experience.