Genso Suikogaiden Vol.2

4th game in the Suikoden series
Genso Suikogaiden Vol.2
Crystal Valley no Kettō

幻想水滸外伝Vol.2 クリスタルバレーの決闘, Gensōsuikogaiden Vol.2 Kurisutaru Barē no Kettō

PlayStation Japanese cover art
Developer KCE Tokyo
Released Sony PlayStation
March 22, 2001
November 22, 2002 (KONAMI the Best)
June 5, 2003 (PS one Books)
Platforms Sony PlayStation
Sales Sony PlayStation
41,366
Predecessor Genso Suikogaiden Vol.1
Successor Genso Suikoden Card Stories

Genso Suikogaiden Vol.2 (幻想水滸外伝Vol.2, Gensōsuikogaiden Vol.2), subtitled Duel at Crystal Valley (クリスタルバレーの決闘, Kurisutaru Barē no Kettō), is the fourth instalment of the Suikoden series as well as the second side-game of the franchise. The title was designed and released for the Sony PlayStation.

This second volume continues the story of Nash Latkje who has now abandoned his mission in the City-State of Jowston, following an encounter with Zaj Quiroz, the man who destroyed his family. This volume deals with Nash's return to his home in Harmonia and takes place shortly after the end of the events of Suikoden II.

Gameplay

Gameplay wise, Genso Suikogaiden Vol.2 is identical to its predecessor. It 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, although there are two chapter 3s. Which one the player undertakes depends on his actions in the previous two chapters.

Plot Overview

Nash Latkje begins his journey back to his base to report on his mission from the previous game. In the Grassland village of Milit, he helps defeat a fake Flame Champion and his thugs who style themselves as the Fire Bringer. Eventually he returns to Caleria, the base of operations for the Harmonian Southern Frontier Defense Force where he is imprisoned as part of a plot of Zaj Quiroz. He escapes with the aid of his aunt, Lena Suphina, and depending on the actions of the player, either encounters Meg, Millie and Viki, being dragged into their misadventures or he ends up helping Futch, Humphrey, Oulan and Sheena defend a small village from a rogue dragon.

Eventually, Nash returns to Crystal Valley, capital of Harmonia where he encounters Zaj and the truth of how the Latkje family was torn apart is revealed to his estranged sister Julie. Nash defeats Zaj in a heated battle but declines to stay with his sister and aunt afterwards, continuing his journey as a vagabond.

Reception and legacy

Genso Suikogaiden Vol.2 would earn a 25/40 score from Weekly Famitsu on its release, marking it as the lowest rated game in the Suikoden series, tied with the Sega Saturn version of the original Suikoden, as well as Genso Suikoden Card Stories.

Genso Suikogaiden Vol.2 Crystal Valley no Kettō
Characters
Key characters Nash LatkjeCamusDominguezEilieFutchJowy AtreidesJulie LatkjeLena SuphinaMegMiklotovMillieRinaVikiZaj Quiroz
Other characters Hero IHero IIAbizboahAishaAnitaAppleBargeBolganBrightButzChucharaCladClantEsmeraldaGadgetGijimuGilbertHikusaakHumphrey MintzJonahJowy AtreidesKasumiKilleyKoyuLo WenLorelaiMakiMilich OppenheimerNanamiOulanRulodiaSasaraiSheenaSimone VerdricciStellaTedTonyValeriaVandamViki (child)Vincent de BouleWangYuzu
Locations
GrasslandHoly Kingdom of Harmonia
Locations Caleria (Caleria Fortress) • Crystal Valley (Klotzeo ChurchOne Temple) • Marid VillageMilit Village
Lore
Events Dunan Unification WarFeast of Hooves and Reed Pipes
Races HumanElfKobold
True Runes Black Sword RuneBright Shield RuneRune of BeginningRune of Life and Death
Terms Howling Voice GuildKronia PowderSanadiaSouthern Frontier Defense ForceTal GrundTwin Snake Sword Großer FlussZodiac Tower
The Suikoden series
Games
Main series SuikodenSuikoden IISuikoden IIISuikoden IVSuikoden V
Side stories Genso Suikogaiden Vol.1Genso Suikogaiden Vol.2Suikoden Tactics
The Infinity Genso Suikoden Tierkreis Hoshikuzu no ShiroSuikoden TierkreisGenso Suikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki
Spin-offs and compilations Genso Suikoden Card StoriesGenso Suikoden I&IIPachislot Genso SuikodenSuikoden I&II HD Remaster
Setting
Suikoden series timeline
Locations City-State of JowstonGrasslandHighland KingdomHoly Kingdom of HarmoniaIsland Nations FederationKooluk EmpireQueendom of FalenaScarlet Moon EmpireZexen Federation
Races Cave dwarfDragonDuckDwarfElfGriffinHumanKoboldNay-KoboldLizardMermaidVampireWinged Horde
Lore
Events Dunan Unification WarGate Rune WarIsland Liberation WarSun Rune WarWar of the Champions
True Runes Beast RuneCircle RuneDragon RuneEight Section RuneGate RuneMoon RuneNight RuneRune of Life and DeathRune of BeginningRune of ChangeRune of PunishmentSovereign RuneSun RuneTrue Earth RuneTrue Fire RuneTrue Lightning RuneTrue Water RuneTrue Wind Rune
Terms 27 True Runes108 StarsAlchemyBlinking MirrorChinchirorinCreation MythElevatorHowling Voice GuildInfinityPotchRuneSindarSolar calendarTeleportWorld of Wings and Scales