Genso Suikogaiden Vol.1

Genso Suikogaiden Volume 1 (幻想水滸外伝Vol.1, Gensō Suikogaiden Vol.1), subtitled Swordsman of Harmonia (ハルモニアの剣士, Harumonia no Kenshi), is the fourth instalment of the Suikoden video game series as well as the first side-game of the franchise. The title was designed and released for the Sony PlayStation

This first volume tells the story of Nash Rathke, an officer of the Harmonian Southern Frontier Defense Force assigned to investigate reports of a True Rune appearance in the City-States of Jowston in the early stages of the Dunan Unification War. The game weaves Nash's story in and out of that of Suikoden II.

Gameplay
Unlike its predecessors, Genso Suikogaiden Volume 1 is a visual novel game in which static images and text boxes portray the events to the player. Often the player will be given dialogue choices which will have an effect on the players Luck Points (LP), depending on the response chosen. Depending on the amount of LP the player holds, new dialogue options and story paths will become available. The game takes place across four chapters.

Plot Overview
Nash Rathke travels through the Highland Kingdom on his way to Jowston, along with Sierra Mikain. Stopping at a mansion, they're forced to battle Rein Penenberg. Afterwards, an exhausted Nash is dropped off at Muse City by Sierra. There he encounters many of the characters from Suikoden II before sneaking into a Highland camp. Following this, he makes his way through the forests, fights a duel against Culgan and Seed and spends some time with Elza, who he knew from his time in Howling Voice Guild. He eventually makes his way to Greenhill where he attempts to help the defence of the town from the Highland Army under the command of Jowy Atreides. The city eventually falls, but not before Nash meets the man who wants him dead, Zaj Quiroz.