The SUIKODEN Thread

[Tommy]

Well, I can tell you for a fact you and kaemmerite are the only people who have more negative feelings towards this game than Suikoden IV I have ever seen on any internet message board.

Sorry everdred12a, I respect your opinion, but since Gamespot chose this as the "best Suikoden game" I'll probably get this one.

[everdred12a]

That's fine. My opinion may not be a common one. I think part of the reason that Suikoden 3 is so popular is, in fact, because it's so different from the rest of the series. If you think about it, current-gen RPG's don't tend to be too traditional anymore. Most of them have something about them that sets them apart from other RPG's. Suikoden 4 didn't; it held true to the Suikoden style of gameplay, and therefore sank (sunk?) into the background. I do honestly hope you enjoy S3, and if you don't, remember that there's a manga for it, too. So you won't miss out on the story at all. Another benefit of the manga is that it seems to develop the characters more than the game did (although I haven't found a Suikoden yet that has developed all of its characters well).

As far as the reasoning for the manga; my opinion has always been this: The game (namely the storytelling, since it tends to jump around A LOT) was so bad that they had to release it in another medium so people could enjoy it.

[MasterDias]

(although I haven't found a Suikoden yet that has developed all of its characters well).

Hence the difficulty in having 108 characters.

[quote]As far as the reasoning for the manga]
Eh, I wouldn't necessarily say that. Suikoden I, II, and IV all have novelizations, so releasing the story in another medium is not unique to Suikoden III.

[everdred12a]

I never heard about them. I would love to read them.

[Tommy]

I'm assuming that III was the only one that hit the US, right?

[everdred12a]

Yeah. 3 is released on Tokyopop (I think). I have 1-5 (though it's up to 9 or so), and I don't know if it's finished or not.

[Tommy]

Anyways, can you give me a review in the sense of not comparing it to the other Suikoden games?

For example, while there may be no VAs, does the main character ever talk.
What makes the battles not fun? ect ect

Just treat it like it's a standalone.

[MasterDias]

I never heard about them. I would love to read them.

That's where people have gotten names for the main characters: Tir, Riou, and Lazlo.

For example, while there may be no VAs, does the main character ever talk.

I'll answer this one. Yes, in Suikoden III, the main characters talk. In addition, there are technically three main characters: the Karayan boy Hugo, the Zexen knight Chris, and the Harmonian mercenary Geddoe.

[kaji]

Man, I hate when threads Im subscribed to dont tell me when they are updated... >_<

Anyway. I hope you were able to get Suikoden III Tom. Its worth it. While some of the game play mechanics are different, that is not what makes a Suikoden for me. TONS of RPGs have the 'line-up-and-attack' battle system, I thought it nice to see a Suikoden try a more 3D route where you have to be carefull what attacks you are unleashing if you other party members are to close to the impact site (as is the case with most Fire spells).

Yes, yes, there is no voice acting and there are even some awkword silences here and there, but ALL the characters have a personality even the Heros. Which, for me, is a releaf. I get tired of the silent protagonist you find in so many other places. FF figured it out and its about time Suikoden did to (though this is its only occurance...). Its so much better when the characters you are controlling have emotions that warrent speech.

This is the last Suikoden with all the fun extras, like the theater, Titles, and mounts. Not to even mention the fact that you can get 3 True Runes. Some of the animations of which are just cool (I like the True Lightning).

If you do good enough in this game, you even get to replay the story through the villans prospective. Yep, that means commanding the True Wind Rune and even Yuber.

I guess I am also a bit partial to this one since it is the last Suikoden where the character art was done by Ishikawa Fumi.

I dont know why everdred doesnt like Chris. I thought her part was very compelling. O_o

[Dyne]

Ah, Suikoden...totally AWSOME series. I recently finished Suikoden V with all 108 SoDs. My all time favorite of the series would be II, followed by I, followed by V, then III, then IV. Of course, they are all great in their own right.

I can't wait for S VI. Hopefully it won't be another prequel.

[everdred12a]

I dont know why everdred doesnt like Chris. I thought her part was very compelling. O_o

No particular reason. I just dont' like Chris. That's all. Same reason why people don't like other characters >.>

[Tommy]

I got Suikoden III.

Sor far, I'm likin' it and how the plot is much more detailed and it seems more like I'm playing Wild ARMS that a Old school RPG with good graphics (Suikoden IV, felt like it was like an NES RPG would be but just had good graphics and VAs).

It's different, which is good, and I have to say it's a tad more enjoyable than 4 but the battle system is a little stupid with the whole two to an attack thing.

I just started so I'll update later. -Sorry for typos, in hurry-

[kaji]

The battle system does take a bit to get used to. Remember that every character has their own battler personality. Characters will respond differently depending on which position in the pair they are, and if they were given the dirrect command or not.

For instance. Most 'mage-like' characters when placed in a rear position of a pair and not given the dirrect command, (or the pair is given the command to attack) they will simply do nothing (unless they have a ranged attack).

While other characters will do the same attack patern reguardless of them receiving the dirrect command or not.

A simply tip is to always put your Mele attackers up front because they will almost always default to 'attack' when not given the dirrect command. Then you are free to use the rune commands of the other member of the pair.

For instance. I always put Ayame in the back row, paired with an attacker, because I use her shrike rune every turn possible and dont want to have to choose between using that or the other character in the pairs rune. I do the same thing with Geddoe, even though he is a good attacker, I keep him paired with another attacker so I can use his powerful rune spells (Though its better to keep him upfront in the beginning of the game when you cant really choose your party).

As soon as you can, save up and get Watari from the Village with the windmills (you have to hire him for some obserd ammount of money) and then head to the North Cave where you will meet Ayame (at the end of the dungeon). Beat her in a dual and she is yours. Her and her Shrike rune are a lot cooler then those lame Ninjas in S4 (watari is pretty cool too).

Also, like I said earlier. Once you get Watari, he comes with a Yellow Scarf. Put the scarf on Juan and it will nul his Waking rune and you are free to build up the most powerful fighter in the game (Juan, that is).

Oh! Also, if you havent passed the very first map battle as Zexen, you can get some crazy levels from it if you have some patience. I brought my party up to level 50 in this part of the game and maxed out all their skills.

[Tommy]

I am playing through as Hugo first. I just started Chapter 2 and I agreed to join some girl to find the Flame Champion.

[kaji]

That would be Lilly Pendragon... What a pain she is... >_<

I think you can snag Watari with Chris fairly early on.

If you have not played Chris's arc yet, then I can tell you how to get to level 99 in the beginnning of the game. The value of this has far reaching effects as the leve of each star that you recruit is always in referance to the heros level who recruits them. In other words, if your heros level is 50, some one might join at +3 levels of the her or -2 levels of the hero. Each character is different, but if your level was already very high, you can avoid countless battles later on when trying to level up all your characters.

The trick is simple.

In the first map battle you play as Zexen, you must flee the field (this is a battle requirement, your goal is to escape). Before the battle, save in Chris's room (there are a few cut-scenes after you decide to sleep for the night, and then the battle takes place the next day).

Anyway, once you flee the map, you will be in an open plain with a save sphere. Dont leave the plain, and dont save. Participate in as many battles as you can to try and get your level up high enough to win in the battle you just fled from... I cant remember the 'golden level number' to go for here.

Once you think you have leveled up enough, unequip all of your characters armor and just die in any battle...

You will be brought to the continue screen. When you continue, you will be renewed to your last save point with all the levels and skill points you aquired before you died. Now go cash in those skill points and up grade your armor (if you need to) and continue with the story so that you once again fight the battle you once fled from.

This time, however, dont flee. Teach those enemies whos boss and win the battle. You will be rewarded with an instant 2 level gain (no experiance, just two straight levels for all surviving characters). You also get a funny quote from Dupa. ^_^

Next, you will find your self back in the plain with the save sphere. Do not leave the area and resist the tempation to save. Instead, unequip all your armor and just let your characters die in the next battle...

Resume from the save point in the castle and do it all over again. Each time you clear the map battle you will gain +2 levels. Reguardless. Eventually you will be cutting through those enemy units like butter. Chris her self will eventually be able to fight the entire battle for you.

At this point, the only hard part becomes dieing once you clear the battle... Even with their armor off, your knights will trash most monsters in this area. You will have to confound thier commands to get them to stand still long enough to be killed. Fortunately many of the monsters in this area use magic or magic like abilities that will not allow your knights to counter-attack, perry, or dodge.

It takes some time, but is a legitimate way to get to level 99. Like I said though, I only did it to about level 50. Which is only a little less then the level you need to beat the game.

This 'continue cheat' also works well with those stones you get that increase one of your stats. Save up all the stones and then use them all on one character, then kill your party off without saving and you will get your stones back, while the character retains their bonuses. ^_^

I hope your having fun with this one!

[everdred12a]

That would be Lilly Pendragon... What a pain she is... >_<

Aww... I liked Lilly ^^ She was funneh, especially since she looked like some kind of pirate >.>

[MasterDias]

You know, all throughout that game I thought Lilly looked 14-16. So I was rather surprised when I find out that she is like 22-24.

[everdred12a]

Yeah, she's early to mid-20's. She was about 10 or so in Suikoden 2, and S3 is supposed to be 15 years later.

[kaji]

Aww... I liked Lilly ^^ She was funneh, especially since she looked like some kind of pirate >.>

Yeh, she was kinda amusing, but the whole 'bratty rich kid' can only be carried so far.

I never thought of the pirate thing. Thats kinda funny. I guess I always thought of her as a Muskateer or somthing.

I really wished that Suikoden 3 had been made into and anime. It has my favorite opening sequence thus far of any Suikoden.

[everdred12a]

I suppose, but look at the S4 pirates - Kika, Hervey, and Sigurd didnt' look much like pirates...

[Tommy]

What does a pirate look like?
Don't go by stereotypes, just in case you were.

[everdred12a]

Maybe I was being a little stereotypical, but I would expect a pirate to look a little rough-and-tumble, so to speak. Kika, Hervey, and Sigurd didn't look like that. They looked fairly normal.

[Tommy]

Kika passed, Hervey was okay, but I would have to say Sigurd looked like a rich noble.

[everdred12a]

Sigurd is cool ^^ I thought he sucked compared to some other characters, but I thought he was a cool guy nonetheless.

[Tommy]

UPDATE: I beat Suikoden IV. The ending was decent but i feel like I missed alot since I was short 20 characters. I liked the credits, but it went at to short of a pace and the scene at the end was extremely unnesscary.

Well, as I play through Suikoden III, I think to myself, this game would probably be 10x better if I had played Suikoden I and II prior, huh?

[everdred12a]

Not necessarily. 1 and 2 had a port feature in it, as does 3. The difference is this - You only need to have beaten 2 for the port. The bonus you get for porting is that they mention the name of your army from S2 once.

Let me ask though, why would you think that you would need to play 1 and 2? Given there are a few cameo-ish characters; Luc, Yuber, Belle (in a way), Viki, Jeane (I have no idea if Jeane is in it, but she probably is), and Lilly of course ^^; but you don't really need to know anything about them to play the game.

[Tommy]

My favorite thing about RPG sequels that take place in the same world is seeing characters from the past game, older with updated graphics.

That's one of my peeves with Chrono Cross.

[Tommy]

UPDATE:

I have beat the following characters:

Hugo
Chris

I am now on Geddoe and I have one important question:
DID I MISS VIKI?!

Which character do you have to be to get Viki? In this game I need Viki.

Also, why are there six spaces in the Trinity screen when there are only 4 people you can play as (Thomas included).

I find it funny that I'm usually the one that ens up naming the main character "Thomas" and then we already have a Thomas.

So heepy, is thee.

While weaker in some ways, this game owns Suikoden IV. I cannot understand why everdred12a did not like it.

[MasterDias]

Which character do you have to be to get Viki? In this game I need Viki.

You get her in Chapter 4, if you enter the mountain path from Karaya, I think.

Also, why are there six spaces in the Trinity screen when there are only 4 people you can play as (Thomas included).

One of those spaces is that dog that you can recruit(Koroku, I think). You can walk around as him if you talk to him in your castle.
The other is the viewpoint of the villains. It becomes unlocked if you beat the game with all of the other SoDs.

[Tommy]

Okay, thanks MasterDias.

I am inevitably stuck. I am playing as Geddoe and I have to go past the Mountain Pass from Caleria. However, I cannot go anywhere until a certain Stone Golem is defeated blocking the path in which I cannot defeat.

Anyone know how much HP it has?