Suikoden
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"Suikoden" (its full name in Japan is Genso Suikoden 幻想水滸伝), is a Japanese RPG series created by Konami:
- Genso Suikoden (PlayStation: December 15th, 1995, Japan; 1996, North America; April, 1997, Europe)
- Genso Suikoden (Saturn): 17th of September, 1998, Japan)
- Genso Suikoden II (PlayStation: December 17, 1998, Japan; August 31, 1999, North America; July 28, 2000. Europe)
- Genso Suikoden III (PlayStation 2: July 11, 2002, Japan; October 24, 2002, North America)
- Genso Suikoden IV (PlayStation 2: 2004 August 19, 2004, Japan; January 11, 2005, North America; February 21, 2005 , Europe)
- Genso Suikogaiden Vol. 1 - Swordsman of Harmonia (PlayStation: September 21, 2000, Japan)
- Genso Suikogaiden Vol. 2 - Duel At Crystal Valley (PlayStation: March 22, 2001, Japan)
- Genso Suikoden Card Stories (Game Boy Advance: September 13, 2001, Japan)
The games are based loosely on a classical Chinese novel, Shui Hu Zhuan (Outlaws of the Marsh), by Shi Nai'an. They take the idea of the "108 Stars of Destiny" from this novel, and the first game's story and characters are also very loosely based on the novel. The storylines of the first two games are based around revolution, politics, intrigue, and the capacity of an extraordinary, good-hearted hero to overcome any struggle with the right amount of allies and willpower.
The games are unique within the RPG genre, as they allow dozens of playable characters - most of the 108 Stars of Destiny in each game can be in the playable party. It does use features standard to most RPGs, such as random overworld & dungeon battles, saving the game at inns, a turn-based combat system in which you input the commands via command menu, but also introduces several unusual features such as turn-based strategic pitched battles as well as one-on-one battles, a headquarters that grows as the story progresses (and only develops fully if obscure characters are recruited) and several sub-games and side quests.
The Suikoden series was created, written, produced, and overseen by Yoshitaka Murayama, who left Konami near the end of Suikoden III's development. Noritada Matsukawa took over as Senior Director of Suikoden III following Murayama's departure. Suikoden IV was directed by Matsukawa as well, but was produced by Junko Kawano, who was the chief designer in Suikoden 1.
Suikoden and Suikoden II have novel adaptations, which were only released in Japan, while Suikoden III was adapted into a manga which was released on a small scale in English markets by Tokyopop.
External links
- Konami's Official Genso Suikoden Site (http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/genso/)
- Saturn Version Official Site (http://www.konamistudio.co.jp/lineup/gensou/gensou.htm)
- Gensui Kouryaku Shinsho: Japanese Fansite (http://www.geocities.co.jp/Bookend/2172/)
- Harmonia-Online: Suikoden Fan Community (http://www.harmonia-online.net)
- Read the interview with producers Noritada Matsukawa and Junko Kawano at FileFront.com (http://articles.filefront.com/Suikoden_IV_Interview/;333;;;/article.html)
- SARS:Suikoden Assumptions and Rumors Shelter (http://www.suikox.com)
- SARS:Suikoden Assumptions and Rumors Shelter Forums and Suikoden Online War Game (http://www.suikox.com/forum)
- Suikoden Info and Fan community (한국어) (http://www.lenankamp.wo.to)
- Suikoden Network: Visial Walkthrough and community (http://www.suikoden-network.com)
- SuikOnline: Information and fan community (http://www.suikonline.org/)
- Suikosource: Your Source for Suikoden (http://www.suikosource.com)