This is another example that Square rules with its Final Fantasy series. What's that? This game isn't made by Square? But this game is good, so it has to be made by Square. Konami? What's a Konami?

Seriously, this game is really good, but like every RPG before it, it doesn't get the recognition it deserves if it isn't made by Square. But the story is just as complex and unforgettable.

You play as a nameless boy, which you get to name. He has an adoptive father, Genkaku, and a foster sister, Nanami. He also had a best friend named Jowy and they shared everything together. They were even in the army together. War has torn the land apart, but it finally seemed that the war was over, and that they finally get to go home. But the treaty is broken and a new war is about to begin. A war to end tyranny and bring peace to the land. You're just along for the ride.

Now that you're involved this war, how exactly are you gonna fight the evil forces? Well, there are 108 characters in all, and some from the original Suikoden are here too. Some of these allies are in plain view, while others you will have to do some favors and complete side quests. And while you get more and more characters, your castle also expands. Having new characters will help you greatly as they have new abilities to make your fight more easier, like a wizard who can teleport you to any town you already visited, or a scientist who builds an elevator in your castle. You don't have to get every character, but it makes the game much easier and you can also get the best ending.

Like in every RPG, some characters are better as physical fighters while others are good with magic. While you battle millions of enemies and gain levels, your status goes up (obviously). Equipment can also enhance your status, increasing your defense and such. But to increase your attack, you can't buy weapons. Instead, you can only upgrade the one you started out with. Each time you sharpen a weapon, your weapon gains a level until it can't be upgraded anymore.

Magic also plays a huge part in this game. If you played Final Fantasy VII (and who hasn't?), you would know what this is about. The Rune are exactly like Materia. If you remove it, you don't have that spell anymore. But having it greatly increases your chances of winning with the different spells you can cast. Like Materia, it can go on your weapon and changes the status of it. You can also put Runes on yourself, protecting you from all kinds of enemy magic. If you ever get "Fire Seal", hold on to it and never let go. It doesn't let any fire-type attacks hurt you at all!

Now, there are three different types of fighting. There is the standard "party versus enemies". Nothing new here, except you can have six characters in your party! And that you can rarely attack twice or do critical damage. Your characters all wait to take a shot, or if you assigned them to attack different enemies, they can all attack at the same time. If this still wasn't enough, you can unite together with a friend and do a "team attack", causing massive damage, if those characters have some kind of relationship.

The second type of fighting is dueling (one on one combat). This is basically a "rock, scissors, paper" kind of battle. In this battle, you have three options: Attack, Defend, and Wild Attack. Attack beats Defend, Defend beats Wild Attack, and Wild Attack beats Attack. But there are some factors that can help or hinder you. If you both attack each other at the same time, that doesn't mean you do the same damage. If your opponent is stronger in terms of status and weapon, obviously, he will do more damage. But you can predict what your opponent will do if you listen carefully to what he says.

The last type of fighting will bring back memories for those of you who played Warsong on the Sega Genesis. Basically, this is a strategy type of fighting. You have a map, with your units and the opponent's. Your objective is different in each mission. With each unit, they are made up of your party members, and each contributes to the entire unit. So if one character adds 2 points of defense to a unit, the unit could take more damage. To win, you have to beat opponents with lower stats than you. Rune also helps and can quickly turn the tide of the battle. Just don't get ambushed and you should be fine.

If you played the original Suikoden, you basically know what this game is about. But that doesn't mean it's a carbon copy. In fact, you can use your old saved data to make your characters stronger. Characters in this game that were also in the original Suikoden will have higher stats.

Unlike Final Fantasy, you aren't limited to where to go. In fact, you have so much freedom, you can travel (almost) anywhere. You should also travel back to towns you already visited since new characters just keep appearing and important events take place.

You also have more freedom in making choices. There are so many things to choose from what to say. Usually, you even skip over choices because you read too fast. Some choices will even lead you to different places, making the game respectively easier or harder.

Many people missed the first Suikoden because of its graphics (like me). They were just horrible! But now you have no reason to miss the second installment because the graphics are MUCH better! That hasn't been the only improvement, though. The loading time is so much faster too.

It may not meet Final Fantasy standards, but the sound and music are just excellent. The music goes along with the plot just fine and the sound effects are perfectly coordinated with the actions.

Suikoden II is definitely one of the best games of all time. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll be playing this game for weeks until you finally rid the world of evil. But one thing still bugs me- what does Suikoden mean?



Recommended: Yes