Earlier this week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream dedicated entirely to the beloved Suikoden franchise. It's been over a decade since the last entry, a Japanese and PSP-only side story, so anticipation for what was to come was high and varied. The announcements brought a mix of emotions: excitement for a new Suikoden anime, and a cautious optimism for a brand new Suikoden video game, albeit for mobile with gacha mechanics.
The anime, titled "Suikoden: The Anime," is based on the events of Suikoden 2 and marks the first production from Konami Animation. While we didn't get a detailed look at the visuals or information on its international availability, a brief scenery clip was shared:
This is thrilling news for Suikoden enthusiasts and could serve as an excellent introduction for newcomers, provided the anime becomes widely accessible.
The second major announcement, however, has left fans with mixed feelings. A new game, "Suikoden Star Leap," was unveiled, showcasing stunning visuals with 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds reminiscent of Octopath Traveler. Set a few years before Suikoden 1 and after Suikoden 5, it retains the series' signature 108 characters.
However, the game is slated for release on mobile platforms only, which might not deter die-hard fans but raises concerns due to the inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization. This is a departure from the franchise's history of premium releases on consoles and PCs. Fans will need to see how these monetization strategies impact gameplay and the ability to collect all 108 characters.
In the meantime, Suikoden fans can look forward to the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and 2 in the "Suikoden I&II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars" collection. A new trailer for this eagerly awaited remaster was showcased during the live event, and it's set to launch tomorrow, March 6.
