Earlier this week, Konami delighted classic RPG enthusiasts with a dedicated live stream focused solely on the beloved Suikoden franchise. Given that the series has not seen a new main entry since a Japan-exclusive PSP side story over a decade ago, anticipation for the announcements was palpable and varied. The news included a Suikoden anime, which thrilled fans (yay!), and a brand new Suikoden video game for mobile, which was met with mixed feelings (okay, sure!), especially due to the inclusion of gacha mechanics (oh no!).
The anime, titled "Suikoden: The Anime," will adapt the story of Suikoden 2, marking Konami's first foray into animation. While details on its visual style and international availability remain sparse, a brief scenic clip was shared, sparking excitement among fans and offering a potential gateway for new audiences if it becomes widely accessible.
The second major announcement, the game "Suikoden Star Leap," elicited more mixed reactions. The game boasts stunning visuals reminiscent of "Octopath Traveler," blending 2D sprites with 3D backgrounds. Set a few years before Suikoden 1 and after Suikoden 5, it retains the series' hallmark of featuring 108 characters. However, its mobile-only release and the inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization have raised concerns among fans accustomed to the series' premium console and PC releases. Whether these monetization strategies will impact the game's enjoyment or the ability to collect all 108 characters remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Suikoden fans have something to look forward to with the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and 2 in the "Suikoden I&II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars." A new trailer for this collection was unveiled during the live event, and it's set to launch tomorrow, March 6.
