Page 1: Genso Suikoden
Suikoden V / Genso Suikoden V - Playstation 2 (2006)
American Cover
Suikoden V
Suikoden V
Characters:
Recognizing that the third and fourth installments didn't go over well with the fanbase, Suikoden V is meant to be a return to form. Although the game is still entirely in 3D, the camera has returned to an overhead perspective, making it look and feel a bit more like the older games. The six man battle party has returned, along with the familiar isometric perspective of old. Suikoden V also introduces formations, which give various stat boosts and effects based on character positions. You can even unleash formation Unites. Also, this game also reintroduces weaponry range. Unlike Suikoden I and II, you're allowed to put your short-ranged character in the back, although their accuracy will be greatly reduced. To ensure that you can bring your favorite person in your party, this game also has reserve slots. You can fill up the reserve slots with other characters and switch them at will in battle. The skill system doesn't follow Suikoden III or Tactics, as you can only equip two skills, most of which are stat enhancing.
The Duels have once again evolved further in Suikoden V. Following Suikoden IV's cinematic cutscenes, all duels are now timed. The minute the person makes a statement, you only have three seconds to react. If you fail to react, then the opposing side can punish you with their attack until the next bout. Also, you no longer pick commands on the screen, as they are all mapped to buttons. The Army battles in Suikoden V are also quite distinct, and are more like real-time strategy games. But it's not like the other RTSes where you build and micromanage your units, seeing as you've already established an army, so the focus is purely on offense and defense. Once again, the system is based on an affinity triangle - infantry beats archers, archers beat cavalry and so on. There are other army units as well, but they have their own set of affinity triangles. Like the Duel battles, the RTS style gameplay requires some form of multi-tasking. Fortunately, whenever you give orders, the battle stops for a moment until you choose your command.
Although the story and the gameplay shapes up quite nicely, there are still a number of issues with Suikoden V. First off, this game suffers a lot from interface problems. The only thing you can do with the camera is zoom in and out, and you cannot rotate the camera at all. As a result, there are a lot of objects that can block your viewpoint, making dungeons especially confusing. Furthermore, most of the dungeons consist of large drawn out labyrinths, and with the lack of a map, it's quite frustrating to figure out where to go. The encounter rate is abnormally high and the load times are excruciating, an unfortunate contrast to the speediness of the earlier PSOne games. The story is also quite long - much longer than any previous Suikoden game - and is paced very, very slowly.
Suikoden V is surprising. The gamers who were turned off by Suikoden IV should be happy to know that this installment is substantially better. The storytelling isn't quite up to the level of Suikoden II, but it's still quite decent, and it's really only the technical issues that truly hold the game back. This also assures that the Suikoden series has still not lost its charm despite the fact that the original creator is long gone.
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Battle Start
Suikoden V
Suikoden V
Suikoden V
Suikoden V
Suikoden V
Suikoden V
Suikoden V
Suikoden V
Suikoden V
Suikoden V
Page 2: Genso Suikoden II
Page 3: Genso Suikoden III
Page 4: Genso Suikoden IV
Page 5: Suikoden Tactics
Page 6: Genso Suikoden V
Page 7: Suikoden Tierkreis
Page 8: Suikogaiden Volume 1, Volume 2 and Card Stories
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Suikoden V, also released for the Playstation 2, jumps around the timeline again and takes place five years before the events of Suikoden I in the Queendom of Falena. The political conditions of Falena have become unstable, and factions from other parts of the region are battling for political power. The many attempts to overtake the throne are beginning to take its toll. As Freyjador, the crown prince, and his family are caught between the crossfire of political strife, the Sun Rune has also made the situation more complex. The effects of the Sun Rune have made drastic effect on certain parts of Falena as well as the mental health of the Queen. As the political foundation of the region has gradually fallen apart, Freyjador must step in and alleviate the civil war that's breaking out in his homeland.
Freyjador Falenas
He's the prince of Falena. He's very proficient on using the tri-nunchaku. His other canon names include Ardil (from the manga) and Faroush (from a promotional memory card save.)
Lyon
She's Freyjador's personal body guard. She'll do what it takes to protect the prince.
Georg Prime
He's one of the high ranking officers of the Queen's Knight. He's known as "Deathblow Georg" due to the fact that he can strike down his opponent with a single blow. He is also a supporting character in Suikoden II.
Sialeeds
She's the sister of Arshtat Falenas. She accompanies her nephew though she has a different perspective towards the unstable country.
Arshtat Falenas
She's the queen of Falena. Due to the political tensions she's forced to wield the Sun Rune, which has a negative effect to her sanity.
Ferid
She's Arshtat's husband. He's the first foreigner to ever win the Sacred games, thus granting a high status in the Queendom.
Lymsleia Falenas
She's Freyjador's younger sister. Due to the matriarchal customs in Falena, she's the next person in line for the throne.
Marscal Godwin
He's one of the major factions who emphasize having a strong militaristic army.
Gizel Godwin
The son of Marscal Godwin. He takes advantage of the political instability by manipulating as many people as possible.
Lucretia
She's an exceptional strategist who is currently imprisoned in Falena. She's known to expect the outcome even before it happened. Just think of Light from Death Note.
Clash!
Crossing the Mountain River
