This week, Konami surprised and delighted classic RPG fans with a Suikoden-centric livestream. The franchise, dormant since a Japan-only PSP release over a decade ago, had fans buzzing with anticipation. The announcements? A Suikoden anime and a brand-new mobile game.
First, the anime: simply titled Suikoden: The Anime, it’s based on Suikoden II and marks Konami's first animation production. While details remain scarce, including international availability, a brief scene was shown:
This is exciting news for longtime fans and potentially a great introduction for newcomers, assuming widespread release.
The second announcement, however, is more divisive. Suikoden: Star Leap, a new game boasting beautiful Octopath Traveler-esque visuals, is set a few years before Suikoden I and after Suikoden V, featuring the series' signature 108 characters.
The catch? It's a mobile game with gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization. This departure from the series' history of premium console and PC releases is disappointing to some, raising concerns about potential pay-to-win elements and the impact on character collection. Further details are needed to assess the monetization's impact on gameplay.
Meanwhile, fans can enjoy the recently released Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars. A new trailer debuted during the livestream, and the remaster launched March 6th.
