Earlier this week, Konami delighted classic RPG fans with a special live stream dedicated to the beloved Suikoden franchise. It's been over a decade since the last entry—a Japanese and PSP-only side story—and anticipation was high for what might be announced. Fans were met with a mix of excitement and apprehension as Konami revealed a new Suikoden anime and a brand new mobile game, complete with gacha mechanics.
First up, the anime titled Suikoden: The Anime, which is set to retell the story of Suikoden 2. This marks Konami's first venture into animation with the series. While details about the visual style and international availability remain scarce, a brief scenery clip was shared:
This news is thrilling for dedicated Suikoden fans and could serve as an excellent introduction for newcomers, provided the anime becomes widely accessible.
The second announcement, a brand new game called Suikoden Star Leap, stirred more mixed feelings among the fanbase. The game boasts stunning visuals reminiscent of Octopath Traveler, with 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds. Set between the events of Suikoden 1 and Suikoden 5, it retains the traditional 108 characters that fans love. However, the game is slated for release exclusively on mobile platforms and will include gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization. This move away from the series' traditional premium console and PC releases has left some fans disappointed. Whether these monetization strategies will impact the gameplay experience and the ability to collect all 108 characters remains to be seen.
While fans await more details on Suikoden Star Leap, they can enjoy the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and Suikoden 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.
