Earlier this week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream dedicated entirely to the beloved Suikoden franchise. It's been over a decade since the last entry, a Japanese and PSP-exclusive side story, so anticipation for new announcements was high and varied. Fans experienced a whirlwind of emotions as Konami revealed a new Suikoden anime (yay!) and a brand new Suikoden video game for mobile (okay, sure!) that includes gacha mechanics (oh no!).
Starting with the anime, titled "Suikoden: The Anime," it's based on the events of Suikoden 2 and marks the first production from Konami Animation. While we didn't get a detailed look or confirmation on its international availability yet, a brief scenery clip was shared, hinting at what's to come:
This is thrilling news for Suikoden enthusiasts and could serve as an excellent introduction for newcomers if the anime becomes widely accessible.
The second major announcement, however, has left fans with mixed feelings. A new game, "Suikoden Star Leap," was unveiled, showcasing stunning visuals reminiscent of Octopath Traveler's 2D sprites on 3D backgrounds. Set a few years before Suikoden 1 and after Suikoden 5, it maintains the series' tradition of featuring 108 characters.
Yet, the game is slated for release on mobile platforms only, which might not be a deal-breaker for dedicated fans. The inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization, however, has raised concerns. Historically, Suikoden has been a premium series on consoles and PCs, making this a disappointing shift. It remains to be seen whether these monetization strategies will impact the game's enjoyment and the ability to collect all 108 characters.
In the meantime, Suikoden fans can look forward to the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and 2 in the "Suikoden I&II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars." A new trailer for this collection was showcased during the live event, and it's set to launch tomorrow, March 6.
