Product Description

Ever since its original launch in Japan back in 1995, Suikoden has had a loyal and passionate fanbase thanks to the series' innovative take on the RPG genre, its unique battle system and storylines that delivered multiple endings and dramatic plot twists. This first adventure on the DS will retain all of these much loved elements and keep the innovation high thanks to the new possibilities the DS brings.

The 108 Stars of Destiny feature in all Suikoden games, but this is the first one where players begin with the last three remaining members of this mystical group and their task is simple - resurrect the other Stars of Destiny to restore order in the universe and dethrone the current evil leader, One King.

The whole game has been streamlined to work effortlessly on the DS. Players can quickly switch to new locations with a tap of the stylus and rather than building an entire 3D map lists the key locations that players can visit instantly, that are then lavishly recreated in the 2D/3D style that has become synonymous with the series. There are a wealth of characters to recruit along the way and also customize with new items, weapons and clothing to enhance their attributes as players see fit.

Using the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, Suikoden: Tierkreis pushes the boundaries of DS gaming further. Players will be able to send their characters on quests that other members of the community will complete for them, eventually returning the player to their party with new abilities and treasures.

• First Suikoden game on Nintendo DS
• Unique Wi-Fi capabilities where friends finish quests for you!
• Classic turn-based battle sequences
• Mini quests add depth and longevity to the gamepla
• Stunning graphics

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3605 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Konami
• Released on: 2009-03-13
• Platform: Nintendo DS
• Format: Unknown format

Manufacturer's Description
Ever since its original launch in Japan back in 1995, Suikoden has had a loyal and passionate fanbase thanks to the series’ innovative take on the RPG genre, its unique battle system and storylines that delivered multiple endings and dramatic plot twists. This first adventure on the DS will retain all of these much loved elements and keep the innovation high thanks to the new possibilities the DS brings.

The 108 Stars of Destiny feature in all Suikoden games, but this is the first one where players begin with the last three remaining members of this mystical group and their task is simple – resurrect the other Stars of Destiny to restore order in the universe and dethrone the current evil leader, One King.

The whole game has been streamlined to work effortlessly on the DS. Players can quickly switch to new locations with a tap of the stylus and rather than building an entire 3D map lists the key locations that players can visit instantly, that are then lavishly recreated in the 2D/3D style that has become synonymous with the series. There are a wealth of characters to recruit along the way and also customize with new items, weapons and clothing to enhance their attributes as players see fit.

Using the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, Suikoden: Tierkreis pushes the boundaries of DS gaming further. Players will be able to send their characters on quests that other members of the community will complete for them, eventually returning the player to their party with new abilities and treasures.

Customer Reviews

Decent if unimaginative rpg
Suikoden Tierkreis is the latest in the popular rpg series from Konami. Although it shares a name and several gameplay elements with the previous games, that's where the similarities end as this game is set in a whole new world and abandons many of the gameplay staples fans have come to know.

Whilst the central idea of gathering 108 characters remains, gone is the rune based magic and skills system in favour of a much simpler one where you assign each character four different skills from a rather limited set.

Also gone is the weapon sharpening and now you can equip your characters with weapons and armour as you please. Whilst this theoretically adds a level of customisation never seen before, you'll find yourself always plumping for the strongest thing available every time and this tends to make all your characters a bit samey, losing the individuality they had in previous Suikoden games.

Battles parties consist of four main members and a support member who gives special abilities like extra experience or healing at the end of each turn. You still get unite attacks but as I said before, the new magic system uses MP rather than the limited uses of older games.

The game looks amazing, with 3d characters on pre-rendered backdrops. I'd go so far as to say it looks as nice as Final Fantasy VII did. The music is great too with a few reworkings of old Suikoden tunes and some new stuff. The voice acting is pretty terrible (Although still better than Suikoden Tactics') with a lot of the characters sounding sped up, probably to same space on the cartridge. You don't have to listen to any of it though and if you're a fast reader you can skip through most conversations very quickly.

The plot is interesting enough to keep you wanting to know what happens next. You get a steady flow of characters to keep things fresh (Although they aren't different enough to necessarily use many of them) and the optional recruits are suitably tough to find although none of them overly so. The game is a little easy it has to be said with the return of the series very easy battles but this is not really a game you're likely to be buying for the combat system.

Also, I have to say this is one of the funniest rpgs I've played in a long time. The main character is very funny, for once not being the cliched angsty teen you see in so many jrpgs and I've laughed out luod more than once while playing this game.

If you're a fan of the series you'll enjoy this, it's certainly better than Suikoden 4 and Tactics although not as good as 1, 2 or 5. If you're new to the series, this is a fairly traditional Japanese rpg but as good as anything else on the system currently.

It's probably worth getting this sooner rather than later as I don't think it'll be on sale long. Amazon didn't have any in stock until a couple of weeks after it was released and GAME have never heard of it.

Worth a look if you're into this kind of thing.

A sentimental flashback to the playstation game for me
I was determined to love this game before I had even bought it, I had played the original Suikoden game on the playstation many years ago and it was my favourite game of all time, so I was expecting a great deal from this game on the Nintendo DS.

I am happy to say the game on DS does not disappoint, right from the start you are pulled into the storyline, and the gameplay is superb, even better than I thought it could be on this tiny machine.

If you love RPG's then get this game asap, you wont be disappointed, there is so much to do and so many side quests that it will keep you entertained for many hours.

Loved it, and will definately play it again in the future, its one game I wont be trading in for another!

Black Sheep of the Suikoden Family
I am very biased having been a Suikoden fan for many years and this really doesn't do the series justice. It pales when held up against it's predecessors and is lacking many of the essential elements that make Suikoden the epic RPG series it is.

No runes
No characters (that I've met) from the series
No mini-games
No blacksmithery to sharpen your weapons

...are the main minus points. You do get the option to send your party off on side quests to source items, find a person etc but you rarely get to go yourself, rather you pick a team according to their talents and they trot off for a few days coming back to report their success or failure when the time's up.

However, if you rate this as a stand alone RPG, it's not that bad. It looks great, the voice acting is good, if a little fast, and it's very easy to get straight into and play. The story is very involved and takes may twists and turns along the way.
The DS has been put to good use as you can link with friends and visit "other worlds" on side quests.

To sum up, you will be disappointed if you wanted this to be like previous Suikoden games; it simply isn't. If you just want to kill a few hours with a decent RPG, then it give it a go.