The beloved Suikoden series is venturing into mobile gaming with Suikoden STAR LEAP, promising a console-quality experience in the palm of your hand. Discover how the developers are blending classic Suikoden elements with modern mobile accessibility.
Suikoden STAR LEAP: The Franchise's First Mobile RPG
Reaching a Wider Audience
Suikoden STAR LEAP aims to deliver a console-like experience on mobile. In a March 4, 2025, interview with Famitsu, the development team shed light on their approach. Producer Shinya Fujimatsu explained Konami's decision to choose mobile: "We wanted as many people as possible to experience Suikoden, so we chose mobile as the most accessible platform. And if we're going to do it, we want it to truly capture the essence of Suikoden, so we're taking on the challenge of creating a numbered entry." The team's goal is to seamlessly blend the visual fidelity, immersive sound, and compelling storytelling of console games with the convenience of mobile.
Capturing the Essence of Suikoden in STAR LEAP
Fujimatsu highlighted Suikoden's unique blend of war themes and heartwarming friendships: "In Suikoden STAR LEAP, depicting the story of the new 108 Stars is crucial to the Suikoden spirit."
Director Yoshiki Meng Shan further elaborated on the series' defining characteristics: the upbeat atmosphere surrounding friendships contrasted with serious narrative moments, and the dynamic, collaborative battles involving numerous characters. He emphasized, "The scale of battles, with many characters working together, is uniquely Suikoden."
A Sequel and Prequel in One
STAR LEAP cleverly acts as both a sequel and prequel, traversing different eras within the Suikoden timeline. This new installment will become official canon, beginning two years before the events of Suikoden I but also exploring later periods, weaving a narrative that connects with the entire series' history.
Fujimatsu encouraged fans to anticipate a high-quality experience, stating, "Even if you've never played the series, we've made it accessible on mobile, with an easy-to-grasp story and gameplay, so we hope you'll experience this as your first Suikoden."
Meng Shan echoed this sentiment: "Suikoden is a leading RPG series in Japan. We've meticulously crafted every aspect—story, graphics, battle system, sound, and training system—to live up to its legacy. We hope you'll enjoy it upon release."
Suikoden STAR LEAP was announced during the Suikoden Live broadcast on March 4, 2025, alongside other upcoming projects. The game is in development for iOS and Android, with no official release date yet announced.
