Toggle menu
Toggle preferences menu
Toggle personal menu
Not logged in
Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits.

Suikoden series: Difference between revisions

From Gensopedia
m Admin moved page Suikoden (series) to Suikoden series without leaving a redirect
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
'''''Suikoden''''' (幻想水滸伝, ''Gensōsuikoden'') 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.
'''''Suikoden''''' (幻想水滸伝, ''Gensōsuikoden'') 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.
==Overview==
The Suikoden series is a video game franchise published by [[Konami]]. It is a Japanese role-playing game series with varying gameplay, settings and stories between each installment, with a lineage of shared continuity running through many of the games.
Though the core series is a role-playing game franchise, it has branched into other genres, such as tactical role-playing games, visual novels, and card games. The series has been distributed on many platforms, beginning with the Sony PlayStation, and including consoles, computers, and mobile phones. The Suikoden series has also branched into other forms of media, particularly novels, manga, and audio dramas.
==Gameplay==
The Suikoden series usually puts the player in control of multiple characters in a party of between 4 and 6 characters depending on the game, though there are exceptions. The player will build the party's strength by gradually acquiring new abilities and equipment to handle more powerful opponents.
As a Japanese role-playing game, these games involve the use of in-game menus to select items, skills and upgrades.
==Synopsis==
Ten of the thirteen individual titles released in the Suikoden series take place in the same, unnamed, world. This world is a setting with two main forces at play.
One are [[runes]], which are magical crests that characters may have equipped to give them magical powers or enhanced abilities. Greater than these even are the [[27 True Runes]], which are, according to series legend, said to have a key part in the creation of the world.
The other main influencing force is that of the [[108 Stars]]. A much more nebulous and esoteric influence than even runes, the 108 Stars are frequently described as guardians, guides, or signposts for individual characters. Each "main" title in the Suikoden series involves a convergence of the 108 Stars.
Games in the Suikoden series tend to intertwine these two forces, as well as the temporal politics of the games events in order to examine notions of destiny, order, chaos, and the meaning of will.
Games since 2008 have taken place in different worlds of what is called the [[Infinity]], a multiverse concept previously alluded to in other titles. These titles do not involve runes, but do include the 108 Stars and have their own, individual lore aspects.


==History==
==History==
Line 5: Line 26:
The Suikoden series first began with the release of [[Suikoden (game)|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 Suikoden series first began with the release of [[Suikoden (game)|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,[[Gensosuikogaiden Volume 1]] and [[Gensosuikogaiden Volume 2]].
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 newly released trading card game, and visual novels [[Gensosuikogaiden Volume 1]] and [[Gensosuikogaiden Volume 2]].


===Sony PlayStation 2===
===Sony PlayStation 2===
Line 12: Line 33:
[[Suikoden V]] was released in 2006 but despite positive reviews, failed to match previous sales numbers hit by Suikoden III and IV.
[[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===
===Mobile, 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.
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.
 
==Games==
{| width="100%" class="fetable" style="background:#D2D2D2;{{round}}" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="{{roundtl}};background:#E1E1E1;" | Boxart
! style="width:18%;background:#E1E1E1;" | English language title
! style="width:18%;background:#E1E1E1;" | Original titles
! style="width:20%;background:#E1E1E1;" | Release date(s)
! style="{{roundtr}};background:#E1E1E1;" | Notes
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Suikoden cover art.png|100px|center|link= Suikoden (game)]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Suikoden (game)|Suikoden]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''幻想水滸伝<br>Gensōsuikoden''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Sony PlayStation'''<br>{{JP}} December 15, 1995<br>{{US}} December 28, 1996<br>{{EU}} March, 1997<br>{{AU}} 1997<br>'''Sega Saturn'''<br>{{JP}} September 17, 1997<br>'''Windows 95'''<br>{{JP}} March 26, 1998<br>'''PlayStation Network'''<br>{{US}} December 23, 2008<br>{{EU}} February 4, 2015
| style="background:#FFF" |The first game of the series, set in the [[Scarlet Moon Empire]].
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Suikoden II cover art.png|100px|center|link= Suikoden II]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Suikoden II]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''幻想水滸伝 II<br>Gensōsuikoden II''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Sony PlayStation'''<br>{{JP}} December 17, 1998<br>{{US}} September 29, 1999<br>{{EU}} July 28, 2000<br>{{AU}} 2000<br>'''Windows 95'''<br>{{CN}} 2003<br>'''PlayStation Network'''<br>{{US}} December 9, 2014<br>{{EU}} February 4, 2015
| style="background:#FFF" |The second game of the series, set in the [[City-State of Jowston]].
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Gensosuikogaiden Volume 1 cover art.png|100px|center|link= Gensosuikogaiden Volume 1]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Gensosuikogaiden Volume 1]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''幻想水滸外伝Vol.1<br>Gensōsuikogaiden Vol.1''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Sony PlayStation'''<br>{{JP}} September 21, 2000
| style="background:#FFF" |The first side game of the series, following [[Nash Latkje]] during the events of [[Suikoden II]].
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Gensosuikogaiden Volume 2 cover art.png|100px|center|link= Gensosuikogaiden Volume 2]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Gensosuikogaiden Volume 2]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''幻想水滸外伝Vol.2<br>Gensōsuikogaiden Vol.2''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Sony PlayStation'''<br>{{JP}} March 22, 2001
| style="background:#FFF" |The second side game of the series, continuing the story of [[Nash Latkje]] as he returns to [[Holy Kingdom of Harmonia|Harmonia]].
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Gensosuikoden Card Stories cover art.png|100px|center|link= Gensosuikoden Card Stories]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Gensosuikoden Card Stories]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''幻想水滸伝カードストーリーズ<br>Gensōsuikoden Kādosutōrīzu''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Nintendo Game Boy Advance'''<br>{{JP}} September 13, 2001
| style="background:#FFF" |The third side game of the series, featuring the events of [[Suikoden II]] retold in card battle form.
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Suikoden III cover art.png|100px|center|link= Suikoden III]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Suikoden III]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''幻想水滸伝 III<br>Gensōsuikoden III''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Sony PlayStation 2'''<br>{{JP}} July 11, 2002<br>{{US}} October 22, 2002
| style="background:#FFF" |The third main game of the series, set in the [[Grassland]] and [[Zexen Federation]].
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Suikoden IV cover art.png|100px|center|link= Suikoden IV]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Suikoden IV]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''幻想水滸伝 IV<br>Gensōsuikoden IV''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Sony PlayStation 2'''<br>{{JP}} August 19, 2004<br>{{US}} January 11, 2005<br>{{EU}} February 25, 2005<br>{{AU}} February 25, 2005
| style="background:#FFF" |The fourth main game of the series. First "prequel" title, set before the [[Suikoden (game)|first Suikoden]]. Set in the [[Island Nations]].
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Suikoden Tactics cover art.png|100px|center|link= Suikoden Tactics]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Suikoden Tactics]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''ラプソディア<br>Rapusodeia''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Sony PlayStation 2'''<br>{{JP}} September 22, 2005<br>{{US}} November 8, 2005<br>{{EU}} February 24, 2006<br>{{AU}} 2006
| style="background:#FFF" |The fourth side game of the series, serving as both prequel and sequel companion game to [[Suikoden IV]].
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Suikoden V cover art.png|100px|center|link= Suikoden V]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Suikoden V]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''幻想水滸伝 V<br>Gensōsuikoden V''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Sony PlayStation 2'''<br>{{JP}} February 23, 2006<br>{{US}} March 21, 2006<br>{{EU}} September 22, 2006<br>{{AU}} October 10, 2006
| style="background:#FFF" |The fifth main game of the series. Second "prequel" title, set before the [[Suikoden (game)|first Suikoden]]. Last title set in the "main" Suikoden continuity. Set in the [[Queendom of Falena]].
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Gensosuikoden I&II cover art.png|100px|center|link= Gensosuikoden I&II]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Gensosuikoden I&II]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''幻想水滸伝I&II<br>Gensōsuikoden I&II''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Sony PSP'''<br>{{JP}} February 23, 2006
| style="background:#FFF" |First compliation game in the series. Features remastered versions of [[Suikoden (game)|Suikoden]] and [[Suikoden II]].
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Suikoden Tierkreis cover art.png|100px|center|link= Suikoden Tierkreis]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Suikoden Tierkreis]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''幻想水滸伝 ティアクライス<br>Gensōsuikoden Teiakuraisu''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Nintendo DS'''<br>{{JP}} December 18, 2008<br>{{EU}} March 13, 2009<br>{{US}} March 17, 2009<br>{{AU}} March 26, 2009<br>{{KO}} July 16, 2009
| style="background:#FFF" |Eleventh game in the series. First game in the series unattached to the "main" continuity.
|-
| style="background:#FFF" |[[File:Gensosuikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki cover art.png|100px|center|link= Gensosuikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki]]
| style="background:#FFF" |''[[Gensosuikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki]]''
| style="background:#FFF" |''幻想水滸伝 紡がれし百年の時<br>Gensōsuikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki''
| style="background:#FFF" |'''Sony PSP'''<br>{{JP}} February 9, 2012
| style="background:#FFF" |Twelfth game in the series. Second game in the series unattached to the "main" continuity or the continuity of [[Suikoden Tierkreis|Tierkreis]].
|}


{{Top icons
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. Prior to its release, [[Gensosuikoden Tierkreis Hoshikuzu no Shiro]], a mobile phone visual novel intended as a prequel to the new title, was also released.
|Suikoden= yes
|Suikoden II= yes
|Suikoden III= yes
|Suikoden IV= yes
|Suikoden V= yes
|Tierkreis= yes
|Suikogaiden 1= yes
|Suikogaiden 2= yes
|Tactics= yes
|Card Stories= yes
|Century= yes
}}


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.


{{Suikoden Series}}
{{Suikoden Series}}
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Games]]

Revision as of 13:45, 5 November 2019

Suikoden (幻想水滸伝, Gensōsuikoden) 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.

Overview

The Suikoden series is a video game franchise published by Konami. It is a Japanese role-playing game series with varying gameplay, settings and stories between each installment, with a lineage of shared continuity running through many of the games.

Though the core series is a role-playing game franchise, it has branched into other genres, such as tactical role-playing games, visual novels, and card games. The series has been distributed on many platforms, beginning with the Sony PlayStation, and including consoles, computers, and mobile phones. The Suikoden series has also branched into other forms of media, particularly novels, manga, and audio dramas.

Gameplay

The Suikoden series usually puts the player in control of multiple characters in a party of between 4 and 6 characters depending on the game, though there are exceptions. The player will build the party's strength by gradually acquiring new abilities and equipment to handle more powerful opponents.

As a Japanese role-playing game, these games involve the use of in-game menus to select items, skills and upgrades.

Synopsis

Ten of the thirteen individual titles released in the Suikoden series take place in the same, unnamed, world. This world is a setting with two main forces at play.

One are runes, which are magical crests that characters may have equipped to give them magical powers or enhanced abilities. Greater than these even are the 27 True Runes, which are, according to series legend, said to have a key part in the creation of the world.

The other main influencing force is that of the 108 Stars. A much more nebulous and esoteric influence than even runes, the 108 Stars are frequently described as guardians, guides, or signposts for individual characters. Each "main" title in the Suikoden series involves a convergence of the 108 Stars.

Games in the Suikoden series tend to intertwine these two forces, as well as the temporal politics of the games events in order to examine notions of destiny, order, chaos, and the meaning of will.

Games since 2008 have taken place in different worlds of what is called the Infinity, a multiverse concept previously alluded to in other titles. These titles do not involve runes, but do include the 108 Stars and have their own, individual lore aspects.

History

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 newly released trading card game, and visual novels Gensosuikogaiden Volume 1 and Gensosuikogaiden 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.

Mobile, 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. Prior to its release, Gensosuikoden Tierkreis Hoshikuzu no Shiro, a mobile phone visual novel intended as a prequel to the new title, was also released.

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.

Template:Suikoden Series