Rating: - Impressive PS2 Debut!
For all of those Suikoden fans out there that are wondering how the series would fare in it's first installation for PS2... rest assured!
There are vast differences between Suikoden's 1 and 2 compared to 3... Much revamped graphics, comparable soundtrack, tweaked battle system, and the very innovative Trinity Sight system!
You can look forward to many hours of pure enjoyment and I'm sure you shouldn't be disappointed in the least!
I'd say it's a 95/100 ^^
Rating: - Different Viewpoints, Same Story, Beautiful
The greatest aspect of this game had to have been its usage of the system which allowed the user to see the same scene from different points of view. While you start off completely disliking one character for their portrayal in the eyes of another you quickly understand their point of view as you begin to control them later on.
It just adds a new twist to the way RPGs are played and helps to make what would seem like an interesting story into a classic. The story itself is interesting but nothing too dramatic or world view changing. General evil power out to destroy so you must counter by becoming stronger and facing off with it plot. It is interesting, however, in the way the characters interact and the different factions at work in the story. What the stock lacks it definitely makes up for through this.
As mentioned in other areas the six man teams is a bit awkward although the usage of ridden animals makes me glad they did use it. It does allow you to customize a rather large party and keep people leveled up easily but probably isn't worth its benefits just because of the added complexity.
Side quests are really fun in this game though. One thing you'll notice is that as you collect more of the stars more of your home base is unveiled. So once you collect a farmer, for example, now you can farm food yourself at your home base and so on. It's an interestingly fun way to open up mini games which keep you coming back for more.
Another great aspect of the game is the war mode. You assign your characters to squadrons and battle off against incoming troops so you really have to be strategical how you layout your team.
Suikoden seems like a solid story. This particular one had an interesting plot and while it wasn't ground breaking was delivered in a unique way which adds to the user's enjoyment. I suggest playing it although it is kind of dated at this point.
Rating: - Just doesn't work as a Game
Although the story to this game is awesome, I had to push through the annoying aspect of no real main charater for the first half of the game. A very tedious combat system. And finally the never ending annoyiance of running to and from CONSTANTLY. It took me forever to beat the game cause I had to force my self to play a horrible game in order to enjoy a good story. I loved suikoden 1 and 2 I thought this made for a poor excuse for a suikoden game.
Rating: - Amazing
I've seen a lot of reviews here about all of the grievances people have with Suikoden III, comparing it to other games and saying that the story is not up to par. Honestly the only problem I had with it would be the lack of direction when going to recruit characters. However in the case of the story I see no flaws. The story's seen mostly in 3 perspectives (I don't really count Thomas, he's not that big of a character interesting). The biggest charm I'd feel about this story is the mystery of it all. There's a lot of twists in the plot and I feel the characters are very likable, much more so than a traumatized hero who has one big crisis and twist that will be revealed at or towards the end of the story. The characters are more understandable and realistic than most RPGs. The other big draw of this game and another mysterious element is Holy Harmonia and Hikusaak; two things that konami has been teasing about since Suikoden II, and the area that hopefully Konami will end the series in. I can't say much about the plot without giving it away except that it's very much based around discovering what the truth really is, kind of like Myst or games of that sort.
As for gameplay many feel this game lacks, however I only saw it as an extra challenge, sure it makes it tough having 6 characters only able to work in pairs, but that adds on the strategy of who goes with whom and how to work around it. Honestly the suikodens were never really that challenging, and this only makes it a bit more challenging. Also, there are many battles, but after a few of them you can just start letting the enemies go like in every suikoden.
As for the music, it is a change, a change that I think bred a lot of amazing songs, and some not so good ones. Michiru Yamane (I'm pretty sure she was the main composer) has a very European style of composing (Just like Miki Higashino of the first two had a very Celtic style), a very festive european style. This is a large contrast from the typical japanese based sountracks of most composers. The feeling that most songs give kind of make you think of the Basque, or maybe that's just me. This has amazing songs and is honestly a gem.
With all of these factors in mind, it's not hard to see that Suikoden III is a black sheep but it's one that does things very well and has one of the most gripping stories. Perhaps others played through it too quickly and didn't take the time to actually think and wonder what happened. However I will say that if you do get it you should look up a guide without spoilers to try and see what the best order to play through is.
Rating: - Best rpg ever up there with final fantasy
this is a great game if you like the suikoden and it have all new game plays and there are charaters from part one and part two
- Impressive PS2 Debut!
- Just doesn't work as a Game
