Series Timeline
1996 – Suikoden (PS1)
1999 – Suikoden II (PS1)
2000 – Genso Suikogaiden Vol. 1 – Swordsman of Harmonia (PS1)
2001 – Genso Suikogaiden Vol. 2 – Duel at Crystal Valley (PS1)
2001 – Suikoden Card Stories (GBA)
2002 – Suikoden III (PS2)
2005 – Suikoden IV (PS2)
2005 – Suikoden Tactics (PS2)
2006 – Genso Suikoden I & II (PSP)
2006 – Suikoden V (PS2)
2009 – Suikoden Tierkreis (DS)
Genso Suikogaiden Vol. 1 and 2 were visual novels released on in Japan. The events of these games intersect with those of Suikoden II and help lead into Suikoden III. Suikoden Card Stories also released on in Japan and was set three years after the events in the original Suikoden. It heavily features characters from the first and second games. Genso Suikoden I&II is a re-release of Suikoden 1 and 2 for the PSP with its release also restricted to Japan. Suikoden Tierkreis is more of a spin off for the DS that explores the myriad of worlds in the Suikoden metaverse.
Overall Suikoden has been going now for 10+ years and is one of the best RPG series to date for any series. The games weave deep stories between multiple characters and presents the player with a lot of customization and replayability. The combat is fluid in all of the games and though some of the games have shallow characters, for the most part the character variation is very good and well thought out. If you are a fan of RPG’s, this is a series that you must play. We can only hope that the series continues, possibly on the PS3. Please check us out next time when we take another series and break it down.
