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39-526: The events of the game intersect with those of Suikoden II , but are more of a side story, hence the name gaiden . Nash Latkje , the protagonist controlled by the player and an agent of Holy Harmonia's Southern Border Defence Force, has been assigned to obtain information to either verify or disprove a rumour concerning the appearance of one of the 27 True Runes in the Jowston City States. During his travels, he encounters Sierra Mikain ,

78-416: A shoot 'em up , citing his preference for arcade action titles such as Taito 's Metal Black . Committed from the start to make a franchise to rival series such as Enix 's Dragon Quest and Square 's Final Fantasy , Murayama wrote the scenario of the first Suikoden. With the success of the first game a sequel gained a green-light. After reading fan letters Murayama decided that the selling point of

117-401: A silent protagonist , advancing the plot by completing tasks and talking with other characters. The player can also recruit over 100 new characters to his cause, often involving a short sidequest to do so. In towns, the player can gather information, sharpen characters' weaponry, and buy equipment and runes; wilderness areas generally feature random encounters with monsters. Like other games of

156-574: A female vampire, who decides to accompany him on his journey. As a result, he soon becomes entangled in the larger conflict involving the events of Suikoden II . After the completion of the Dunan Unification Wars (the events of Suikoden II ), Nash intends to return to the capital of Holy Harmonia, the Crystal Valley. However, his travels involve more adventure than he anticipates. His journey involves traveling through

195-436: A reprinting of the game. Despite this, the game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic . Francesca Reyes of Next Generation called it "One of the best RPGs to hit PlayStation this year." Since the 2010s, reanalysis of the game is often met with critical praise, and many video game critics and players alike consider it to be one of the best Konami games as well as one of

234-479: A ruined castle on the lake shore from the vampire Neclord, the group uses the castle as a new base to build their forces against Highland. Leknaat, the magician and True Rune bearer from the original Suikoden who oversees fate, appears and tells Riou that he has been chosen to gather the 108 Stars of Destiny to alter the fate the True Runes impose on the world. Riou and the recruited Stars of Destiny work to rally

273-485: A single use per battle. Updates from the original Suikoden include a grid and unit based tactical battle system, the addition of a three rune slot system which allows for three different runes to be equipped at once, a party inventory system, a "dash" button that allowed the player to move around the screen quicker, and vast graphical improvement. Also notable is the inclusion of a variety of mini-games including one quite reminiscent of Iron Chef . A transfer of data from

312-509: Is detained as an enemy soldier of Highland. Jowy is rescued by keepers of a mysterious shrine in a nearby town and is nursed back to health. Learning of Riou's imprisonment, Jowy rescues Riou and they escape back to their hometown in Highland. After reuniting with Nanami, the two are captured, accused of espionage, and sentenced to death by the Highland army to cover up the truth of the youth brigade massacre. They are saved by Viktor and Flik, and

351-428: Is waiting for him. The two duel one final time, with Jowy, Nanami, and Riou's ultimate fate depending on the player's choices and whether the player had recruited all 108 Stars of Destiny. In the winter of 1993/1994, Konami newcomers Yoshitaka Murayama and Junko Kawano were tasked with creating an RPG for an internally developed video games console. This game was scrapped in the early stages of development and despite

390-686: The PlayStation video game console and the second installment of the Suikoden video game series. It was released on December 17, 1998, in Japan; on September 29, 1999, in North America; and on July 28, 2000, in Europe. The game features a vast array of characters, with over 100 recruitable characters, of which over 40 are usable in combat. Suikoden II takes place 3 years after the events of

429-504: The Suikoden setting, and become caught up in the intrigues of the invasion and the dark fate of those who bear the halves of that Rune. As with other Suikoden titles, the game also centers on the recruitment of the 108 Stars of Destiny , who together have the power to alter fate. The game was initially released to lackluster sales and somewhat tepid critical reception, with some criticism (and lack of widespread appeal) being directed at

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468-479: The Suikogaiden team merged and began work on both Suikoden IV and Suikoden V . In August and September 2013, fan translations of both games were released to the public by a group of Suikoden fans led by RinUzuki. Suikoden II Suikoden II ( Japanese : 幻想水滸伝II , Hepburn : Gensō Suikoden Tsū , (listen) ) is a role-playing video game developed and published by Konami for

507-722: The Beginning. Entering the shrine, they each receive half of the Rune—the Bright Shield Rune and the Black Sword Rune—and continue to flee to the capital city of Jowston, Muse. After arriving in Muse, Riou and Jowy are asked to participate in a spy mission to the Highland army camp, and while returning Jowy is captured by the enemy. Jowy is able to escape back to Muse but begins to act strangely after returning. Meanwhile, while trying to rally into battle against Highland,

546-707: The Grasslands, where one village happens to be celebrating the legend of the Flame Champion and the Fire Bringers who stopped the Harmonians from invading some sixty years ago; an unfortunate stop over in Caleria, the base of operations for mercenaries of Southern Harmonian Border Defence Force; helping stop a wild dragon from terrorizing a village before finally reaching his destination. As Volume 2

585-546: The King of Highland. However, Jowy reveals to some trusted lieutenants within the Highland army that his support for Luca is a ruse, that he believes Luca's insanity and cruelty are a threat to both Highland and Jowston, and he intends to betray Luca after building his own base of support. After becoming King of Highland, Luca launches an attack against the New State Army. Jowy uses the pending attack to betray Luca by warning

624-407: The New State Army and giving Riou information on Luca's whereabouts. Riou and the New State Army ambush Luca, killing him after a lengthy struggle. Jowy then becomes king of Highland through his marriage to Jillia. However, after the fall of Luca Blight, Jowy is still not willing to make peace with Jowston, as he is convinced that a new nation controlling both Highland and Jowston is needed to prevent

663-554: The best console RPGs from outside of the Square-Enix canon, and the best of all Suikoden games. Suikoden I %26 II Suikoden I & II ( Japanese : 幻想水滸伝I&II ) is a compilation video game containing the first two games in the Suikoden series, Suikoden (1995) and Suikoden II (1998) for the PlayStation Portable . Konami announced the game in the fourth quarter of 2005, and

702-519: The compilation under the title Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is scheduled for a worldwide release in March 6, 2025 for Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Windows , Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S . Suikoden II is a role-playing video game with strategic elements, with multiple gameplay formats ranging from one-on-one combat to large scale confrontations between two armies. The player controls

741-397: The compilation was released on 23 February 2006. Both games are combined in one Universal Media Disc (UMD), in which the player can choose which Suikoden game they want to play, as well as a third choice which is "Gallery" ( ギャラリー ) . A high definition English localization version of the compilation, under the title Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars

780-463: The destinies of Riou and Jowy so they must fight each other until one is defeated and the two halves are reunited. Their fated conflict causes much pain for Nanami, who wishes for the three friends to run away and live a quiet and happy life together. The main conflict of the story centers on a war between the nations of Highland and the City-States of Jowston. The antagonist for the majority of

819-552: The first game was its story, and thus it became the main focus of the second title. The story for Suikoden 2 was conceived after Suikoden 1 and was mostly written by Murayama himself. Suikoden II was made available for download on the PlayStation Network on December 9, 2014. Suikoden II was commercially successful in Japan. In the West, the game saw a limited print run, and the lackluster initial response prevented

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858-423: The game is Luca Blight, heir to the throne of Highland. Luca is a brutal and bloodthirsty madman who developed a strong hatred for Jowston at a young age after witnessing his mother's rape by City-State soldiers during an earlier war. As with all Suikoden games, the principal cast of the game is the 108 Stars of Destiny, who play important or minor roles in the plot of the game. Some prominent Stars of Destiny from

897-489: The game's simpler and more retro 16-bit sprite visuals at a time when 3D graphics were heavily emphasized across the industry. Since, the game has become a cult classic , in retrospect being cited as a classic of the role-playing genre and one of the greatest video games of all time . A compilation of the first two Suikoden games, Suikoden I & II , was released for PlayStation Portable in Japan on February 23, 2006. A high-definition English localization version of

936-432: The horror of war. He urges Riou to surrender, but Riou also can't betray the trust of his followers, and the two are destined to continue fighting. After successfully freeing the occupied City-States from Highland control, the New State Army defeats the Highland army and invades the capital city, causing Jowy to flee. After entering the Highland royal castle, Riou learns that Jowy had been using his Black Sword Rune to suppress

975-407: The individual leaders of the City-States collapse into petty bickering and infighting. As the Highland army approaches to attack Muse, however, Jowy murders the leader of Muse, Anabelle, and opens the city gates to let the Highland army in. Riou and Nanami, distraught over Jowy's betrayal, flee with the surviving members of Viktor's mercenary group south across Lake Dunan to regroup. After liberating

1014-506: The original Suikoden and centers on an invasion of the City-States of Jowston by the Kingdom of Highland. The player controls a silent protagonist who is the adopted son of Genkaku, a hero who saved the City-States of Jowston in a war against Highland years ago. The protagonist and his best friend, Jowy Atreides, each gain one half of the Rune of the Beginning, one of the 27 True Runes of

1053-459: The original Suikoden appear in Suikoden II and play key roles in the game, including Viktor and Flik. If the player loads save data from the original Suikoden at the beginning of the game, the protagonist of the previous game can be recruited. The game begins with Riou and Jowy as members of the youth brigade of the Highland army. The bloodthirsty, maniacal Prince Luca Blight orchestrates

1092-419: The player), his childhood best friend Jowy Atreides, and his adopted sister Nanami. The story revolves around Riou and Jowy each acquiring one half of the Rune of the Beginning, one of the 27 True Runes that each govern an aspect of the Suikoden universe and are the source of all magical powers. The Rune, whose name references the creation myth of the Suikoden universe, governs conflict and war, and steers

1131-429: The popular belief was not the basis for the script of Suikoden. Murayama, Kawano and ten other employees were instead assigned with developing Konami's first games for Sony 's upcoming console, the PlayStation . With the pick of making a baseball game, a racing game or an RPG, Murayama and Kawano decided to reopen their RPG project, although Murayama has stated that given the opportunity, he would have preferred to make

1170-468: The power of the Beast Rune, another of the 27 True Runes kept in the castle that governs animalistic rage, passion, and blood sacrifice. Luca's bloodthirsty ruthlessness was thought to be aided by the Rune, and Luca had been sacrificing the lives of citizens of Jowston to awaken the Rune's power. After defeating the activated Beast Rune, Riou returns to the cliff from the beginning of the game, where Jowy

1209-407: The prior game in the series enables returning characters to enter the fray with higher levels and improved weapons. References to the original Suikoden are also adapted accordingly for a greater feel in continuity . Following the original Suikoden , Suikoden II contains three different types of combat: The story of Suikoden II centers around the protagonist , Riou (any name can be chosen by

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1248-449: The remaining City-States under the banner of the New State Army. During this time, it is learned that Jowy had made a deal with Luca Blight while captured to be allowed to assist Highland in defeating the City-States, in exchange for helping Luca achieve his personal ambitions. Jowy rises through the ranks of the Highland army after capturing Greenhill without even a battle, marries Luca's sister Princess Jillia, and plots with Luca to murder

1287-433: The series, Suikoden II employs a unique character leveling system from most RPGs. There is a fixed amount of experience points needed to gain each level, and experience gained after battles is determined by the difference in levels between the party members and enemies. This allows for low-level characters to catch up to the levels of enemies at later points in the game quickly, reducing the need for level grinding . Runes,

1326-426: The slaughter of the youth brigade under the false flag of the neighboring City-States of Jowston, giving the prince an excuse to justify an invasion. After promising to return to that spot if they are separated, Riou and Jowy escape the slaughter by jumping from a cliff into a river. Riou is rescued from the river by a group of mercenaries working for Jowston, led by Viktor and Flik from the first Suikoden game, but

1365-406: The source of all magic in the world of Suikoden II , are handled the same as the original Suikoden . Characters have a certain number of spell usages per "spell level"; for instance, a character with four level 1 spell slots and a Fire Rune could cast "Flaming Arrows" (the level 1 Fire Rune spell) four times. Some specialized runes or skill-based runes have different rules, such as unlimited use or

1404-399: The three return to Jowston to fight against the invading Highland army. No match for Blight and the Highland army, they are forced to flee, and the Highland army razes the towns and villages in the region. Fleeing from the advancing Highland army, Riou and Jowy return to the now-destroyed town where Jowy was rescued, and are drawn to the mysterious shrine that is the resting place of the Rune of

1443-402: Was announced on 16 September 2022. It includes graphical improvements such as enhanced backgrounds and redrawn portraits, new and enhanced sound effects, new world map system, and quality of life features such as a fast-forward toggle for battles. It was originally scheduled for a worldwide release in 2023 for Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , Windows and Xbox One but on 30 August 2023, it

1482-642: Was announced that the remaster has been delayed. On 27 August 2024, it was announced that the remaster has been rescheduled for a 6 March 2025 release date and will also have versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S . Several changes from the original versions were made for this compilation. The player is now able to move their character diagonally inside places and over the world map. Graphics have been slightly enhanced and redone to fit widescreen. This includes an extension of some places which were designed for PAL and NTSC televisions. Suikoden I & II sold 21,707 copies in Japan, considered low based on

1521-540: Was released roughly a year before Suikoden III , it presumably helped set up and introduce the Grasslands, which were the main focus of Suikoden III . Nash also returns in Suikoden III ; outside Japan, Suikoden III is Nash's first appearance in the series. The Suikogaiden games were made by a separate development group at Konami. After Duel at Crystal Valley was completed, the Suikoden III team and

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