Suikoden series

Suikoden (幻想水滸伝, Gensō Suikoden) is a series of role-playing games published by Konami. The series dates back to the Sony PlayStation. Several games in the series were released exclusively in Japan or received curtailed international releases. Each game in the series includes numerous playable characters, each with their own backstories and personalities.

Sony PlayStation
The Suikoden series first began with the release of Suikoden for the Sony PlayStation on December 15, 1995. It was developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo. Release early in the PlayStation's life cycle, it sold well due in part of a lack of competing RPGs on the new system.

The second game in the series, Suikoden II was released on December 17, 1998. The game met with great acclaim in Japan and overseas and spawned no less than three spin-off titles: Gensosuikoden Card Stories, based on the series-based trading card game,Genso Suikogaiden Volume 1 and Genso Suikogaiden Volume 2.

Sony PlayStation 2
2002 saw the release of Suikoden III, the first 3D entry of the series. Although it sold and reviewed well, series producer Murayama Yoshitaka would leave the team at the end of development. Kawano Junko would replace him as lead for 2004's Suikoden IV as well as its 2005 spin-off, Suikoden Tactics.

Suikoden V was released in 2006 but despite positive reviews, failed to match previous sales numbers hit by Suikoden III and IV.

Nintendo DS and Sony PSP
The series first portable title came in 2005, with the release of Gensosuikoden I&II, a compilation of the first two games, being released for the PSP. In 2008, Suikoden Tierkreis was released for the Nintendo DS, abandoning the continuity built up by the previous games in favour of a new, independent setting. 2012 saw the release of Gensosuikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki, set in a third separate continuity, on the Sony PSP, which produced average reviews and disappointing sales.