I wonder how many RPGs are actually on the DS now. I'd count, but I really cannot be bothered. Either way, Konami has no qualms about adding another, with the latest in the venerable Suikoden series making its way to Nintendo's plucky handheld.
Here are eighteen new shots of the game, which boasts a cast of 108 characters and a whole bunch of customization options. Sounds pretty meaty to me.
As the RPG genre seems to be ailing on consoles, it's at least good that they've found a place to flourish on the DS. That said, with so many on the market now, it takes some real effort for any of them to stand out. There's no way a sane man would be able to play every single one that comes out, but this one is definitely on my list of must-play titles.
Konami brings classic RPG series to Nintendo handheld for first time
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced an all-new Suikoden adventure for Nintendo DS. Entitled Suikoden Tierkreis, the sprawling role-playing epic will be released in March 2009.
Suikoden Tierkreis casts the player as a member of a tightly knit security force in a remote setting called ‘Citro Village’. During an ongoing task to get rid of the land's fearsome creatures, players uncover a mysterious phenomenon... a light emits something inexplicable at the top of the tower in the old ruins. From then on, the player and their comrades' destiny begins to change...
The Nintendo DS title boasts a cast of 108 fully interactive characters. Each will work independently of the others, but can be recruited to make a four-person party, ideally suited to the tasks ahead. Each character enjoys a detailed history which is unfurled as the game progresses, with voice-overs and animated sequences fleshing out their many stories. From these, players than assemble their team to utilise the various skills on offer, while weapons such as swords and bows can be equipped and customised. Together, they are then pitted in turn-based battles against the many hostile creatures that lurk within Suikoden Tierkreis.
In addition to running battles, players and their parties will also be given specific quests during the course of the adventure. Suikoden Tierkreis is set in a series of parallel worlds, wherein users play in their own bespoke locale, while other players inhabit their own. This system will introduce the user to even more characters and the opportunity to make friends, while the Wi-Fi or Wireless communication capabilities of the Nintendo DS also allow users to send characters to these other worlds to receive missions from other players. Extra items such as money and items are offered as rewards, and ensure that the game is capable of constantly surprising the player.
LAUNCH GALLERY (18 IMAGES)
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Contest:
11:42 AM on 12.04.2008
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God I've never seen a genre so deliberately self-destruct, it reminds one of how when Japan encountered gunpowder and ocean-going navies in the 1600s they closed their country to all foreigners and innovation for the next 200 years rather than adapt.
Also what is up with them totally abandoning the story continuity of the first 3 games, I liked having the familiarity of the characters returning and seeing how they mature. Sad to see that element of Suikoden go.
THESE COMBO MEALS NEVER GIVE YOU ENOUGH SLAW.
Anyway, still excited. People complaining that this isn't going to have some random elements from the past games can STFU, the thing that made Suikoden great wasn't the particular elements that costructed them, but rather the care with which they were made. As long as this game has that, it will be a great Suikoden game.
Also, to anyone complaining that it isn't on a console: Really? Can you possibly whine about something more innane? Who cares what system it's on, it's not like the Suikoden games were even known for being graphical powerhouses anyway.
Random elements? All the suikoden games take place in the same world and generally feature delicate, layered plots with the fates of kingdoms and nations in the balance. The only thing I've seen so far (note: so far) is that we've got a 108 mooks struggling against the megalomaniacal One King who wants to rule the world. Grrreaat.
If it's made properly and with enough care as you say, anything can turn out great, but sure as hell they've decided not to take any care with the original setting.
Why is it inane to want to see one fo your favorite titles go next-gen and evolve? AS it is a lot of jRPG studios are bypassing the question of how to evolve their games by making them for the DS almost exclusively, thats rightfully disappointing to a lot of fans.
unangbangkay: How about we leave complaints about the story until after we play the game. It's not like we had any idea the other games would have great stories until we played them either.
With the series pedigree as it is, the fact that the story will be great can almost be taken for granted. All I care about is the new features, which is exactly what they are telling us about.
And I'll agree that them changing the setting is a pretty big loss for long-time fans, but I have yet to see anything that points out that the game will be actively BAD because they changed it. That was always a neat part of the games, but as Suikoden 5 proved, you don't need that aspect in any great amount to make a good Suikoden game. Throw in Jeane and Viki and fans will be ahppy for the most part.
And I srsly doubt that they won't have them in, at the very least.
Are you really saying that with a straight face? You're just plain wrong, the enhanced processing power as well as storage capability that consoles have over the DS offer considerably more potential for innovation and evolution than just in the area of graphics. AI? Quest Size? Full 3D? Soundtrack? Those are jsut a few examples. And while we're on the subject, I agree that graphics do not a good game make, but they are not un-important either. Video Games are after all a visual medium and graphics do a lot of story telling.
This Suikoden DS title might very well be great in and of itself, but Suikoden moving to the DS and not going forward on the consoles is proof that the jRPG genre is spinning its wheels. Thats the point I'm trying to make.
By the way, the real reason Japanese developers are making all their games for portables now, is because the console market is DEAD in Japan. Sales for every new console have been relatively abysmal there, whereas every person in the country owns a DS, and half own a PSP. It's just common sense that most games will come to where the market is.
I can't believe that you are seriously trying to argue that console hardware offers no gameplay benefits over the DS other than graphics. Seriously man, stop taking the drugs, they're not working.. Enhanced processor power gives the ability to improve AI,thats like saying the sun rises in the morning. More storage means quests can be larger and more numerous, also self-evident. More memory and processing power also means the gameworld can be physically larger. Full 3D is not just visual but also the construction of the gameworld, but don't tax your brain overmuch trying to understand that concept. More storage and better sound processors also means bigger, more fully instrumented soundtracks and voice acting. Also obvious to all but the mentally retarded. Sorry that was unfair to the mentally retarded, they can understand better hardware=greater potential for evolving games, really it just you anime fanboys the seem to be impervious to the obvious.
And remember not to feel too bad about the score, around here, that means above average =D.