Console Dependant #2: What Konami Could Teach Square
November 4, 2002
From: Will

Last week Suikoden III came out for the PlayStation 2 and if you know anything about this series you know its incredibly immersive. I got into Suikoden this summer while I was bored at summer school. I had gotten Suikoden II back in early 2000 for $20 just for the heck of it but I never really go into it. Well, meeting Beau this summer changed it and I sat down and tried it again. After about 6 hours I was hooked. The combat system, the interesting story style, and the fact your could pick up 108 unique party members was an instant draw. I beat Suikoden II just in time to find out about Suikoden III's close arrival.

So why the ominous title? I really think Suikoden is one of the few saviors of console RPGs. Of course we have Final Fantasy and to some extent (extent: you being Japanese) Dragon Quest but they are becoming cookie cutter. I can only take so many Tifa/Rinoa/Garnet clones. Suikoden is different, though. Its extensive, its grand scale, and it is realistic. If you got ride of the magic you could say the stuff in the games could happen. They are also massive, epic war games. Now epic RPGs are not for everyone. I have had many a fight with some friends over Xenogears. But they serve a purpose if done in a superb manner. And the Suikoden series does that. Every story, every major conflict, and every duel fight is HUMAN. They are driven by human emotions and desires. This makes the game that much better. I can have sympathy for most of the characters, even Luca Blight.

But besides the characters, the fighting engine is SEX ON A PLATE. If its not a boss fight you are usually done in 10 seconds, 20 if you take your time. This is great when you play RPGs specifically for their storylines. Bugs? Wolves? Giant Wasps of Mutated Craziness? Out of my way, I got to go fight a real foe...a talking dog named GenGen (ok, you never fight GenGen but I am making a point). Konami realizes that fighting a bunny with a mallet is not going to make their game so they make it as painless as possible. And they did a good job translating this over to Suikoden III. Fights are a little longer but you can still use the old gang-up tactics and finish a fight under a minute. Its great. Also, Konami apparently went back to the late 80s and rediscovered the art of making hard bosses. Those who complained that Final Fantasy was too easy should really play Thomas' missions. The bunnies with mallets can kill you! There was a point where I had to level up for 3 hours to have any hope of beating a SIDE BOSS in Geddoe's second chapter. It was amazing. I hadn't had a challenge like that since Final Fantasy 6.

So should you get Suikoden III? Yes and no. It depends on what kind of RPG fan you are. If you are deadset flying an airship around, fighting some ridiculously powerful otherworld being, then no, stay away from Suikoden, its simplicity will be detrimental. BUT, the simplicity is what is great about the game. Nothing to flashy, nothing spellbounding, just a good, solid, and heart felt RPG. And maybe that's what Square needs to learn. Its nice that Tidus can ride ropes and Yuna can summon a Bahamut for Aztec times. But when you actually feel the "death" of Nanami in Suikoden II, you know you are playing one of the best RPGs ever made.