Earlier this week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream dedicated to the beloved Suikoden franchise. After over a decade without a new main entry, since the release of a Japanese-exclusive PSP side story, anticipation was high and mixed with a variety of expectations. The announcements brought an unusual blend of excitement and apprehension: a new Suikoden anime (thrilling!) and a brand new Suikoden video game finally announced...but for mobile (interesting!) with gacha mechanics (disappointing!).
The anime, aptly titled "Suikoden: The Anime," will draw its story from the events of Suikoden 2, marking the first production venture for Konami Animation. While specifics on its visual style and international availability remain under wraps, a brief scenery clip was shared, hinting at what's to come:
This news is a thrilling prospect for dedicated Suikoden fans and could serve as an exciting introduction for newcomers, provided the anime becomes accessible worldwide.
The second announcement, however, elicited a more mixed reaction. "Suikoden Star Leap," a brand new game, was unveiled, showcasing stunning visuals reminiscent of Octopath Traveler's 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds. Set in the timeline between Suikoden 1 and Suikoden 5, the game will retain the series' hallmark of featuring 108 characters.
However, the game is set to launch exclusively on mobile platforms, which might not be a deal-breaker for die-hard fans. Yet, the inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization has sparked concerns. Traditionally, Suikoden games have been premium releases on consoles and PCs, making this a disappointing shift for many. The impact of these monetization strategies on gameplay and character collection remains to be seen.
In the meantime, fans can look forward to the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and 2 through "Suikoden I&II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars." A new trailer for this collection was showcased during the live event, and it's set to release officially on March 6.
