Suikoden V

So I picked up Suikoden V for $20 at Record Exchange new a few weeks ago, and just now busted it out yesterday. I remember someone else saying it was a really good game, if you could just get past the beginning. Why? Because you'll get in about 5 fights within the first 2 hours of the game as you kind of learn the setting. Well, I haven't actually gotten out of that part yet, so it could be another hour or so.

HOWEVER, The character design is infinitely better than IV, I actually like the way the characters look. And I also am genuinely interested in the characters, as in, I like them all and even though I spent 2 hours just talking to NPCs and looking around shit, I was still entertained. But still, this is a long fucking time just to be talking to NPCs.

I don't know how many people gave this a shot after how terrible IV was, but I always thought III was still a great game, probably about as good as I (I still haven't played through 2 yet G_G). If this game is at least as good as those two then I'll be very very content with this.

So did anyone else give this game a fair shot?

I finished it, it's pretty good. This is what I wrote about it in the Best Games You Played in 2007 From Any Year thread:

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Originally Posted by StriderKyo

6. Suikoden V (Playstation 2) - this is probably the second best game in the Suikoden series after II, and redeemed the franchise after III & IV (I liked III, but nobody else seemed to). An epic plot that feels like it could've taken place over a trilogy, likable characters, the series' trademark fast, fun fights, infinite party combinations and a world you really get to know kept me playing for 80+ hours. And I love the fact that all the games in this series take place in a continuous world so you get to see what happens to the characters over multiple games. The graphics suck though - the characters are detailed and colourful, but the environments often look like a high res PS1 game. And too bad they did this annoying thing where you can only get certain characters in obscure places at certain times in the game, and if you miss just one you get the bad ending. On the other hand, that ending ticked me off enough to go through it again on new game+, so who knows, this might show up on my list again next year.

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I remember playing and really enjoying the game, right up until the point when I realized how fucking impossible it is to go through the game without a FAQ, because I missed some super awesome character and I couldn't get him back, ever. At that point, I quit and never looked back.

Yeah that's my one problem with the Suikoden series. I LOVE having such massive casts it's really something I take great enjoyment out of, but if you mess up :(. I generally grab a FAQ just for the characters. But you'll get some minor things generally spoiled :/

I could probably stand to go back and play through III again, there really isn't much wrong with that game.

Except duck people.

Yeah, sadly a character FAQ is necessary unless you're one of those people who visits every location after every event. It's only a couple that you can miss, and if you get the detective guy he'll tell you where and how to get everyone. Unfortunately, he's one of the missable characters.

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Originally Posted by g0zen

Except duck people.

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I'll give you the duck people, but considering you only had what one on your team you could eventually just sub him out like the asshole he is.

I really liked Hugo and Chris.

I thought I'd hate the duck guy but I kinda liked him. He was a decent chap for a pike-wielding duck. But Geddoe & his guys were the coolest part of III, I thought.

V wins for bringing back badass Georg from II, finally kind of explaining Lorelai's story from the first two games and making her a major character, and continuing the story of the Maximilian Knights from the very first game.

They need to bring back Clive though; V has a character from the same group/country as him, but they never get into the thing where Clive wants to kill Yuber.

Are you saying I should probably finish 2 for maximum enjoyment out of this one -.-

V was prolly my second favorite Suikoden.

I'd love for them to make a PS3 one.

Also, if anyone has Suikoden II still laying around taking up space...I just sold mine on eBay for $150. So if you gots it, and needs $$$, sell sell sell.