This week, Konami surprised classic RPG fans with a Suikoden-focused livestream, a welcome event given the franchise’s long hiatus since a Japan-only PSP side story over a decade ago. The announcements were a mixed bag: a Suikoden anime (exciting!) and a new mobile game with gacha mechanics (less so).
Let's start with the good news: Suikoden: The Anime. Based on Suikoden II, this will be Konami's first animation production. Details remain scarce, including international availability, but a brief scenery clip was shown:
This is thrilling for longtime fans and potentially a great introduction for newcomers, assuming widespread release.
The second announcement is more divisive: Suikoden: Star Leap. This new game boasts beautiful Octopath Traveler-esque visuals, a setting between Suikoden I and V, and the series' signature 108 characters.
However, its mobile-only release and inclusion of gacha mechanics are concerning. This monetization strategy contrasts sharply with the series’ history of premium console and PC releases. The impact on gameplay and character collection remains to be seen. Meanwhile, fans can enjoy the *Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars*, showcased with a new trailer during the livestream and releasing March 6th.
