Suikoden III

"Suikoden Strikes Back"

Suikoden III is the long awaited follow up to the first two excellent games, this series isn't known for its super graphics, it is known for one of the best plots, and some of the most memorable characters of all time, these games are truly epic in scale and by the time you are done you feel as tired as the characters must feel, when a chacter dies you feel it, well im sure you all have played the first two game so onto the review:

Graphics 8/10

Like I said above the games aren't known for their graphics, and the sprite based graphics from the origional worked great the transition into 3D did have a few set backs. The first is clipping, a few times int he game a characters weapon or are part of the scenery is poking righ through them, its not noticable but i think that after years of 3D graphics that would have been solved by now, the other some characters are more detaild then others, its one thing for townspeople to be less ''pretty'' but some of the main characters seem less inspired, some town also look better then others, the running animation is also terrible for all characters. They all looked hunced over, other than that the graphics are fine and there are some real pretty parts of the game, of course nothing tops the opening movie.

Sound 6/10

The one area where this game almost uderly fails is the sound. The first two had great music, especially during key parts, but this games music is almost subpar and at times there is no music at all, and since there is no voice acting in the game this tends to subtract from the overall experiance. There are a few memorable songs but most of it is forgettable.

Story 10/10

As usual this is Suikodens strong point, and they have managed to make the story even better then before. Its not quite as epic as the last one, the main reason is the first half of the game is told from 3 differnet perspectives, so basically you are playing the same part again from a different view, however each view id different enough to make you want to do it again, and surpsingly each view is rarely repetive. There are plenty of plots twists and turns and when this game comes to an end you will feel disapointed for the sole reason that its over, you dont want the game to ever end, the story is that compelling.The story centers around Zexen and the 6 clans of the Grassland, in contsant war for control the grassland just want to be on their own, lots of politcal intrigues follows and you will find yourself totally imerssed into the game to the point that when you stop playing you will be surprised to see how long you have been playing the game for.

Control 8/10

Konami had made a change with battles this time around. You still have the 6 people in your party and they still have their runes, attacks and unite attacks but instead of having 6 people do whatever you want you only have 3. The 6 characters are grouped into 3 groups of 2. the problem with this is that if two people have runes you want to use and they are in the same group it isn't possible to that, only one charcter can use and item and they can only use it on the 2 people in the group, the other new addition is casting time for magic, magic can be cancelled by attacking. I'm not crazy about this because it is far easier for you to get cancelled then it is to cancell a monsters magic. Sometimes you have to run around a ladder a few times just to climb up it, but otherwise the control is ok.

Replay 8/10

The story is so great you would like to play through again and again. Another great addition to the game is skillpoints, after battle you get some and they can be used to teach and upgrade techniques for fighting and magic this allos alot of customizing and you coudl play thorugh just to teach them differnet skills, have a group of all magic users ot jack-of all-trades, also do to the fact that there are so many characters you party could conist of many differnt people. Also at one point in the game you unlock a theater where you can put on plays, and the results can be hilarous, of course you could also go thorugh find something oyu might have missed the first time and things like that while not as mutch to do as Suikoden II there is alot to keep you busy for some time.

Overall 8/10

Suikoden III does live up to its name, there are a few faults that in all honesty could have been improved to make this game a bit better but it never gets to the point of making the game less enjoyable, in the beginning you will be constanlty frustrated by the new battle controls but after a while you will get used to it. So wheter your new to the series are you are a veteran player buy this game you wont be disapointed.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/04/02, Updated 11/04/02