Suikoden III

• Release Date: October 23, 2002
• Genre: Role-Playing
• Style: Third-Person 3D RPG
• Similar Games: Final Fantasy X (PlayStation 2), Grandia II (PlayStation 2), Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (PlayStation 2)

Game Description

The Suikoden series debuted in the early days of the original PlayStation. Six years after the first game and three years since the second, Konami brings the series back with Suikoden III for the PlayStation 2. The series, known for its impressive storytelling and memorable characters, has been translated entirely into 3D.

Taking place 15 years after the conclusion of Suikoden II, players follow the stories of Hugo, son of the Leader of the Karaya Clan, Chris, a virtuous Knight of Zexen, and Geddoe, a mysterious unit commander. Utilizing the new "Trinity Sight System," players can view the storyline from the three characters' perspectives.

Seeking to reunite the kingdom and quell unrest, Hugo, Chris, and Geddoe can recruit over 100 unique characters and build fortresses to house them. Popular in previous games of the series, the fortress system now accommodates many more configurations.The battle system in Suikoden III has also been overhauled, with new features such as the Battle Pairing System that allows characters to combine special attacks for devastating effects.

Roots & Influences

Suikoden III is connected to Suikoden II in that the events take place 15 years after it's conclusion, and also features some of the same characters; there's even a few from the first Suikoden. While the story is somewhat traditional, the game features three main characters that experience the same events throughout the game, but through their own eyes; each character's take on a situation is different. As is the case with other games in the series, there are 108 usable characters scattered throughout the adventure. Suikoden III takes the series into the realm of 3D, and features new customizable character options, a revamped battle system, and voice acting.

Review: Overall

Featuring a massive cast, a dizzying array of combat options and configurations, and an unusual, if not always effective, storytelling method, Suikoden III lives up to the promise of its two previous incarnations. In its transition to the PlayStation 2, however, it still falls somewhat short of the gold standard of RPGs set by Square's Final Fantasy X.

Those familiar with the series will find plenty to be pleased with in Suikoden III. The story twines together three disparate people -- Chris, a knight who serves her country despite her personal misgivings; Hugo, a young boy whose village is destroyed by those same knights; and Geddoe, a mercenary with a mysterious past. Players control each character throughout the story, viewing events from that character's perception in a sort of "RPG-Rashomon." Deeper into the game, however, the stories converge and you must select one to be the overall leader of your eventual army.

And what an army it is! Throughout the game, your character will pick up an assortment of allies, most with useful skills -- 108 of them, to be exact. Each recruit has his/her/its own history, personality, and abilities. In the series' trademark, players eventually obtain the keys to a fortress that is then populated with this odd assortment of characters. Most of the appeal of the game originates from the stronghold segments, and from the game's robust combat system.

Combat in Suikoden III falls into the pattern that is common to most RPGs -- turn based, with characters attacking based on initiative. What sets Suikoden III apart is the sheer number of different variables to manage. Aside from the array of characters to choose from, characters gain weapon-based skills, magic and other useful traits, which makes most boss battles exercises in careful party management and optimization.

These battles, while among the game's strongest features, can quickly grow tiresome. Boss battles are the most egregious offender in this regard. Some of the more spectacular spell-effects can take 30 to 40 seconds to view, a drawback when both sides use those spells on a regular basis (and they can't be turned off). And because your character travels slowly, both on the world map and in your stronghold, it can become a bore.

While these flaws slightly dim the luster of Suikoden III, they should not deter fans of the series, or serious-RPG gamers, from giving this title a try.

Review: Enjoyment

The strongest part of the game is in its beginnings. After you acquire 30-plus characters, things bog down a bit.

Review: Graphics

Translates the series into 3D without diminishing any of the charm of the first two games.

Review: Sound

Felt sparse and lacking in some places. Although there is some voice acting, it is not fully voiced like, say, Final Fantasy X.

Review: Replay Value

Multiple endings are possible depending on how many characters you collected.

Review: Documentation

Functional and to the point, without any extras.

Production Credits

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