Suikoden V

"Finally, A Game Worthy of the Suikoden Title"

I am a huge Suikoden fan. I own and have beaten numerous times every Suikoden game to date. While Suikoden IV was a bit of a let down, Suikoden V redeems the series and brings it make to its long time glory. This is my review for Suikoden V.

First off, the battle system. Suikoden V's battle system reverts back to the good old, six person formation of the old Suikoden games, with the various runes to enhance your abilities or use magic. There is an interesting twist to the old six person battle system. In Suikoden V, you can find various other “tactics” that you can use to change your formations. While most still use six people, they make it so your characters are in different spots making different shapes. For example, the cross tactic has your people in the shape of a cross (duh). The neat thing is that each tactic adds points (or sometimes subtracts) from certain stats. While one tactic may add 10 to all characters attack stat, another might add 10 to all characters magic stat. This new addition makes for endless combinations of characters and really adds a lot to the game since you can customize your group into any way you want it. Runes also return to the battle system, and there seem to be more than ever. While it is fun fooling around with the rune combinations you can use, some of the runes are way too overpowered and make the game unbelievably easy. Finally, cooperative attacks also play a strong role during battles, as there are many different combinations you can make with a variety of characters.

Long time Suikoden players know that every game features three different battle types, the world map/dungeon battle, the duel, and the strategy battle. The duel is at its best in Suikoden V, and had me begging for more by the end of the game. Duels feature a rock, paper, scissors type of mechanics. You can chose to guard, attack, or use a special attack, with each choice winning or losing against another. During a duel you listen to what your enemy is saying and choose which option you think will best beat your opponents. Pretty simple stuff. The cool thing about duels however, is the cool new action sequences you see when you make the right, or wrong, choice. This, plus the new 5 second time limit which gives the duels a new sense of urgency, makes Suikoden V's duel system very good. The third type of battle, the strategy battle, also makes a strong presence in Suik V. Once again, there is the rock, paper, scissors mechanics to strategy battles as there are three basic units; an archer unit, an infantry unit, and a cavalry unit, with each being strong and weak against one another. This type of strategy may seem familiar from the original Suikoden, but it is vastly different. First off there is not only land battles, but sea battles too, which also follow rocks, paper, scissors mechanics. Secondly, your units are not stationary, as they can move around the map to get into the best strategic position. And lastly, each unit has different abilities depending on which three characters you chose to lead the unit. For Suikoden veterans, think of it as a synthesis of the original Suikoden and Suikoden II's strategy battles.

Suikoden V's graphics are merely decent. They aren't bad but they aren't good either. Character models look nice as to action sequences, but the camera angle is too far out and, although the ability to zoom in is available, it often restricts the camera so the player can't see what is going on around them. Character portraits are also done well. Overall, the graphics won't make your eyes bleed but aren't on par with many games released this late for the PS2.

Suikoden V continues the trend of great music found in almost every Suikoden game. The world map's music is great, dungeon music and town music is great, and battle music is great. Basically all music is great in Suikoden V, except for Haud Village…urghhhhhhhhhhh Haud Village. Thankfully you don't spend much time there and the music is meant to be bad.

Suikoden V's storyline is surprisingly well done. While the Suikoden series typically boasts a somewhat shallow, although engaging story, Suikoden V breaks this mold with a deep storyline filled with surprises, twists, and turns. Suikoden V's storyline follows the Prince of the thriving Queendom of Falena and takes place a little before the original Suikoden. However, not all is well in Falena as the kingdom is split between two families of nobles, the Godwins and the Barrows. This is the beginning of the story and while it does take sometime to really take off, it will nonetheless grip you throughout the entire game.

One thing that really stands out to me about the Suikoden series is how likeable almost every character is. About 20 hours into the game I began to really like many of the 108 recruitable characters and enjoy each ones unique personality. Many of the characters are funny, and some are just down right cool. Georg is probably one of the coolest characters ever, not only at his neat personality but also how he destroys everyone he faces. The Prince is also likeable, even though he is adorned in one of the worst costumes ever.

Suikoden V is a great game worthy of the title Suikoden. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys great RPG's, or just plain old great games. Suikoden V is definitely a game no gamer should be without.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/30/06