Suikoden II: Difference between revisions

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==Reception and legacy==

Suikoden II would earn a 30/40 score from ''Weekly Famitsu'' on its release, giving the game a Silver Hall of Fame status as a result. ''Dengeki PlayStation'' were even more approving of the game, giving it an 80, 90, 90, and 95 for an average score of 88.75. Overseas, reactions were also generally positive. ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' would give the game a 7.0 out of 10, ''Gamespot'' a 7.6, and both ''Game Informer'' and ''IGN'' would score the game at 9/10.

Suikoden II would earn a 30/40 score from ''Weekly Famitsu'' on its release, giving the game a Silver Hall of Fame status as a result. ''Dengeki PlayStation'' were even more approving of the game, giving it an 80, 90, 90, and 95 for an average score of 88.75.

Positive comments centered around the size of the game's cast, the increase in graphical fidelity, as well as the reduction in loading times from [[Suikoden|its predecessor]]. The variety of gameplay and optional mini-games were also praised highly, as well as the quality of the game's plot and story. Criticism was usually directed at the game's sprite-based graphics, the perceived blandness of its environments, and a sloppy translation. Suikoden II's similarity in all respects to its predecessor was both cited as a positive and a negative from various review outlets.

Overseas, coverage began in early 1999. Compared to [[Suikoden|its predecessor]], coverage was more muted, as a glut of RPGs were now available for the Sony PlayStation, with more in development, including Final Fantasy VIII. The upcoming release of the Sega Dreamcast as well as the announcement of the PlayStation 2 also dominated gaming headlines in the runup to Suikoden II's international release.

As development continued, outlets noted that it appeared to be "more of the same" in terms of story, gameplay, and graphics while also praising the incremental updates in detail and spell effects, as well as the possible implementation of save transfers from the original title. By late 1999, the game was being drawn as an "old-school RPG" in comparison to other contemporaries, such as Grandia II and Wild Arms II.

Reviews would begin to drop in October 1999 and were generally positive, if more cautious than those for the original game. ''GameFan'' would give the game scores of 60, 82, and 70, noting that fans of the first game would very much enjoy the title while remarking that the story and characters fell flat.

''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' would give the game a 7.0 out of 10 in November of 1999, noting that the main character could not move diagonally. ''GamePro'' would deliver Suikoden II a 2.5 out of 5, noting its "dated look" and suggesting that even fans of the original would be hard pressed to enjoy this sequel.

The ''Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine'' would be more effusive, scoring the game 4/5, saying that while aspects of the game did come across as dated, it mostly succeeded at blending its classic style with innovative changes. Online reviews also trended more positively; ''Gamespot'' gave the title a 7.6, and both ''Game Informer'' and ''IGN'' would score the game at 9/10.

Positive comments centered around the size of the game's cast, the increase in graphical fidelity, as well as the reduction in loading times from [[Suikoden|its predecessor]]. The variety of gameplay and optional mini-games were also praised highly, as well as the quality of the game's plot and story. Criticism was usually directed at the game's sprite-based graphics, the perceived blandness of its environments, and a sloppy translation. Suikoden II's similarity in all respects to its predecessor was both cited as a positive and a negative from various review outlets but overall, it was felt that gaming had moved on from the style of RPG Suikoden and Suikoden II represented.

Lauded by many fans as the best game in the series, Suikoden II spawned no less than three spin-off games before its next direct sequel, [[Suikoden III]], was released in 2002. It was also around this time than Suikoden publications began to be printed in earnest, including a quarterly magazine devoted to the series. Merchandise began to be produced and a collectible card game was released. The four years between Suikoden II and its successor saw the greatest concentration of merchandise and publications produced in the series' history.

{{Suikoden II}} {{Suikoden Series}} [[de:{{PAGENAME}}]] [[Category: Suikoden II]]

@@ Line 82: / Line 82: @@
 ==Reception and legacy==
-Suikoden II would earn a 30/40 score from ''Weekly Famitsu'' on its release, giving the game a Silver Hall of Fame status as a result. ''Dengeki PlayStation'' were even more approving of the game, giving it an 80, 90, 90, and 95 for an average score of 88.75. Overseas, reactions were also generally positive. ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' would give the game a 7.0 out of 10, ''Gamespot'' a 7.6, and both ''Game Informer'' and ''IGN'' would score the game at 9/10.
+Suikoden II would earn a 30/40 score from ''Weekly Famitsu'' on its release, giving the game a Silver Hall of Fame status as a result. ''Dengeki PlayStation'' were even more approving of the game, giving it an 80, 90, 90, and 95 for an average score of 88.75.
-Positive comments centered around the size of the game's cast, the increase in graphical fidelity, as well as the reduction in loading times from [[Suikoden|its predecessor]]. The variety of gameplay and optional mini-games were also praised highly, as well as the quality of the game's plot and story. Criticism was usually directed at the game's sprite-based graphics, the perceived blandness of its environments, and a sloppy translation. Suikoden II's similarity in all respects to its predecessor was both cited as a positive and a negative from various review outlets.
+Overseas, coverage began in early 1999. Compared to [[Suikoden|its predecessor]], coverage was more muted, as a glut of RPGs were now available for the Sony PlayStation, with more in development, including Final Fantasy VIII. The upcoming release of the Sega Dreamcast as well as the announcement of the PlayStation 2 also dominated gaming headlines in the runup to Suikoden II's international release.
+As development continued, outlets noted that it appeared to be "more of the same" in terms of story, gameplay, and graphics while also praising the incremental updates in detail and spell effects, as well as the possible implementation of save transfers from the original title. By late 1999, the game was being drawn as an "old-school RPG" in comparison to other contemporaries, such as Grandia II and Wild Arms II.
+Reviews would begin to drop in October 1999 and were generally positive, if more cautious than those for the original game. ''GameFan'' would give the game scores of 60, 82, and 70, noting that fans of the first game would very much enjoy the title while remarking that the story and characters fell flat.
+''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' would give the game a 7.0 out of 10 in November of 1999, noting that the main character could not move diagonally. ''GamePro'' would deliver Suikoden II a 2.5 out of 5, noting its "dated look" and suggesting that even fans of the original would be hard pressed to enjoy this sequel.
+The ''Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine'' would be more effusive, scoring the game 4/5, saying that while aspects of the game did come across as dated, it mostly succeeded at blending its classic style with innovative changes. Online reviews also trended more positively; ''Gamespot'' gave the title a 7.6, and both ''Game Informer'' and ''IGN'' would score the game at 9/10.
+Positive comments centered around the size of the game's cast, the increase in graphical fidelity, as well as the reduction in loading times from [[Suikoden|its predecessor]]. The variety of gameplay and optional mini-games were also praised highly, as well as the quality of the game's plot and story. Criticism was usually directed at the game's sprite-based graphics, the perceived blandness of its environments, and a sloppy translation. Suikoden II's similarity in all respects to its predecessor was both cited as a positive and a negative from various review outlets but overall, it was felt that gaming had moved on from the style of RPG Suikoden and Suikoden II represented.
 Lauded by many fans as the best game in the series, Suikoden II spawned no less than three spin-off games before its next direct sequel, [[Suikoden III]], was released in 2002. It was also around this time than Suikoden publications began to be printed in earnest, including a quarterly magazine devoted to the series. Merchandise began to be produced and a collectible card game was released. The four years between Suikoden II and its successor saw the greatest concentration of merchandise and publications produced in the series' history.
 {{Suikoden II}} {{Suikoden Series}} [[de:{{PAGENAME}}]] [[Category: Suikoden II]]