Suikoden 3: Impressions

[Crono]

I bought Suikoden 3 last night, and here is what I have to say about the game. I'll also expalin some game elements, which could be slight spoilers.

One word: Amazing.

I'll start with the opening video. It is truly amazing. All of the cutscences in Suikoden 3 are in anime, and it's really nice, but the opening video to this game is beautiful, and really inspiring. And the music in it is pretty good, too.

Now here's about the game itself...

When you begin, you have the choice between 3 main characters to choose from. Suikoden 3's story is played through different points of view (trinity sight system), which will eventually tie everything together. I chose Geddoe, a guy with a patch over one of his eyes, he is a Captain of the 12th unit in some army called Harmonia or somethin...But there is also Hugo, a young guy with blonde hair, and Chris, a female knight. There are 6 chapters and a total of 4 main characters (the 4th one is the overall main character). Each of the 3 beginning characters have their own "small game", which is a 3 chapter sequence that lasts about 15 hours, or so I've heard.

Runes
Runes play a major part in the game's story. In this game, Runes is what gives you magic. You can equip these runes onto your characters, although certain runes can sometimes only be equipped by certain characters.

Weapons/Abilities/Skills
Instead of buying new weapons all the time, you just get them upgraded by the blacksmith. Weapons have levels, and the blacksmiths increase their levels to become stronger.

As for skills, after each battle your characters gain skill points, which can be converted into upgrading your character's abilities.

Battle System
The battle system is really cool. 2 characters may team up using the buddy system (actually the game forces 2 people to always be together, but you can swap characters for other characters). This allows for certain attack combos, etc. Other than that, it mainly just a basic "attack, magic, item" battle system. And your characters move around, although you can't control where they go.



You can also rebuild your own castle town. By getting other people to go to your town, it will grow and become bigger, and more stores will be set up, etc. I haven't done that much n it so far but it's pretty cool from what I've seen.

So, to conclude, if you have the money and like RPGs, this is a definite purchase in my opinion. It is the best PS2 game I have ever played. The game is awesome, although casual gamers and people who don't like rpgs much probably won't like it much. But anyway, the game is fun, and like I said, if you like RPGs then this is an awesome purchase.

[CrOnO_LiNk]

Awesome! Thanks for the info Crono. Also, I got a question. Suppose you pick Hugo first, what happens to the other characters? Do they join you later in the game? And what's this 4th "real" main character. This is the only thing that's making me not buy the game. I would rather it be only one main character. So can you explain the main character system once more with details. Thanks a lot.

[Crono]

Originally posted by CrOnO_LiNk
Awesome! Thanks for the info Crono. Also, I got a question. Suppose you pick Hugo first, what happens to the other characters? Do they join you later in the game? And what's this 4th "real" main character. This is the only thing that's making me not buy the game. I would rather it be only one main character. So can you explain the main character system once more with details. Thanks a lot.

You do end up meeting the other 2 characters. I picked Geddoe, and I fought Chris, and I will probbaly end up seeing Hugo somewhere a long the way. The 3 heros that you choose at the beginning are all from opposing forces.

As for the 4th main character. I said he was the "real" main character because he was also the main character from Suikoden 2 and 1. He is the Frie Bringer, and much of the story revolves around him.

And according to what I've heard, all of the characters come together in the final 2 chapters.

The reason for the mutiple main characters is because the story must be told from different points of views. If you are still unsure baout this, you should probably rent it or something, but, like say when you pick Hugo, the things you do are different than the other 2 characters, so each chapter is like a small game, but with a story that comes together from the other chapters.

And basically, whenever you play through one of the character's chapters, he/she is the main character of that parto f the story.

I love how Konami set up the Trinity Sight System, believe me, it's awesome.

But like I said, if you're unsure, rent it, although I am almost certain that you will like it.

[DarkMaster]

i bought it last night. Its awesome, i started with Hugo, hes cool. I've met Chris but havent seen Geddoe. This game is astounding, very very fun. Hugo is also paired up with one of the coolest and funniest RPG characters ever, Sergeant Joe the 5 foot talking duck (he reminds me of Frog from Chrono Trigger). So far i have been traveling through tons of lush forests and grasslands, very pretty. I've only battled a few times, so i cant really comment on the battle system, but so far its great.

Basically, wut Crono said is true.

[CrOnO_LiNk]

Ok, thanks Dark and Crono. I will see if I can get it but if I can't, then sucks for me. Also, if I ever do start on it, I'll probably end up picking Hugo.

[Sigma]

I just got the game and that is one of my favorite intros. Its cause of the music too. The style was awesome and the quality was astonishing.

[CrOnO_LiNk]

Where can I download the intro from?

[Crono]

Originally posted by CrOnO_LiNk
Where can I download the intro from?

IGN has it, but it's divided into seperate parts. But other than that, I dunno...

[bobcat]

One question.

I've never played Suikoden 1 or 2.

Does that matter if I wanna play 3?

[Crono]

not at all, although the story is slightly connect to S2/S1, it won't matter.

[DarkMaster]

Originally posted by CrOnO_LiNk
Where can I download the intro from?

kazaa might have it

[Rndm_Perfection]

Originally posted by Crono
You do end up meeting the other 2 characters. I picked Geddoe, and I fought Chris, and I will probbaly end up seeing Hugo somewhere a long the way. The 3 heros that you choose at the beginning are all from opposing forces.

As for the 4th main character. I said he was the "real" main character because he was also the main character from Suikoden 2 and 1. He is the Frie Bringer, and much of the story revolves around him.

And according to what I've heard, all of the characters come together in the final 2 chapters.

The reason for the mutiple main characters is because the story must be told from different points of views. If you are still unsure baout this, you should probably rent it or something, but, like say when you pick Hugo, the things you do are different than the other 2 characters, so each chapter is like a small game, but with a story that comes together from the other chapters.

And basically, whenever you play through one of the character's chapters, he/she is the main character of that parto f the story.

I love how Konami set up the Trinity Sight System, believe me, it's awesome.

But like I said, if you're unsure, rent it, although I am almost certain that you will like it.

Heheh, sorry... but I've gotta do a bit of editting, being that I'm obsessed with Suikoden.

1) You're going to have to, at one point or another, play with all of the three main characters. You may choose one guy to start with and play his first three chapters out (like Geddoe, for example)... but, you'll be forced to play with the other two before you can progress into chapter four.

2) The Trinity Sight System is the "selection zone" to "posess" whichever character you want. There are three large flames representing the three main characters... and, as you progress, you'll notice that the halfway pedestals between the large flames will hold smaller flames (triggering side, yet main characters). Now, this isn't much of a spoiler, but Thomas (head of the castle you'll be commanding) is the first of the small flames.

3) As for the "Fourth Main Character" that you have implied... I suppose you mean the Flame Champion. *ahem* The Fire Bringer is actually plural. When I first played this game, I thought the Fire Bringer was a massive beast that the Flame Champion had conjured up, but it's actually the army that he had lead. *scratches his head* I noticed that you tried to say that the Flame Champion was from the previous RPGs. Well, that's quite false. The hero of the first RPG was the son of Teo McDohl (not McDonald) and the second hero was the son of Genkaku. Both are quite separate, being that you can control both of them at the same time in Suikoden II (if the conditions are right). I assure you, the Flame Champion has absolutely no connection to either of the two.

4) It is not necessary to have played either Suikoden I or II. *thinks* It'd actually be like how some of the characters in Suikoden II would see it. None of the "familiar faces" from Suikoden I or II would seem familair at all. However, Suikoden I and II are necessary if you want to FULLY understand the significance of certain character's appearances. I don't want to give any direct examples... but I'll just say that it shows certain people are relatives, which would be a MASSIVE shock to people that have played Suikoden I and II.

5) Is it just me, or are there really no Animé cutscenes? I've beaten the game (though, without doing EVERYTHING) and I haven't seen a single in-game Animé cutscene. That kinda dissapointed me.

6) There are three battle systems.

- Group battle: Crono summed it up with his paired explanation

- 1 on 1 Duel: There are three commands... attack, deathblow, and defend. What's cool is the new addition of an advantage meter. It can determine who attacks first, and who does more damage. As well, it's not at all random. If you want an advantage in battle, you have to choose the right actions.

For Example, if someone tries a deathblow on you, but you defend (which allows you to dodge), then you gain an advantage. Then, if they try to attack, but you do a deathblow, you'll be allowed to attack first... stopping their attack AND doing massive damage. If you listen to what the opponent says before each turn, you'll be able to pick up hints and play it out to your advantage. In other words, I got level 7 Thomas to beat some level 20 or so punk without a scratch. Why? Because I got the advantage right away and new every one of his moves. Advantage is everything!

- Strategy Battle: You command squads on a field with circle tiles for you to move around on. When you are attacked... or attack, you go into something that looks like a Group Battle. However, you only have three options (Attack, Defend, Retreat). You win a small skirmish if you defeat the commander of the other small squad. There are only three turns in a skirmish... but that's really ok if you get lucky and your characters gang up on the opponent's commander. But, it's all luck when you press the attack mode. If you choose to attack, your characters run around like mad and hack away until they die or the turn ends. But, it's a nice time to relax or cross your fingers and watch the mayhem.


Aaah... this is really getting too long. I'll make a review of the game in another thread.

[DarkMaster]

you write too much

[Rndm_Perfection]

Heh, but it's helpful if you actually READ it.

[DarkMaster]

i did read it, it was helpful, thank you