Okay, this is me being bored enough to get this going.

I'm basically going to think of old RPG series that I've played, put down my thoughts of the games in general, and throw out possible ideas for conversation that I think of whilst I'm typing to see if I can get some debatin' going.

Like most theories, this will probably differ in practice...

Oh, and if anyone wants to think of an RPG gaming series or a single RPG game that they'd wish to do this about, feel free to.

***SUIKODEN 1 and 2 SPOILERS***

Suikoden.

One of the first RPGs released for the Playstation, the game itself didn't feature the advanced graphics that the Final Fantasy series and some other RPGs experienced. There was however a depth of gameplay and lifespan within the game, and a compelling storyline.

One of the best features to the lifespan of the game is the 108 stars of destiny. To get a complete finish to the game, you need to find all 108 stars before a certain point in the game. This is a lot of hunting and a lot of finding, and most players won't be able to do so in the first playthrough.

The mixture of a party of six fighting in a normal battle, the big armies fighting on the larger scale fights, and the one on one duels also grabs your interest. It's a nice change of pace from most Role Playing Games.

There is a lot of human emotion conveyed in the game. The death of the main character's father at his own hands, the loss of Ted, the conveyance of the losses of war are well done. The Odessa scene also springs to mind.

The only nagging thing is in the control system, and that there's no dash button. But the ability to select "Auto" so your characters just auto attack each round is great when you're randomly battling stuff. Because it saves a lot of time.

Suikoden 2.

The biggest plus to this game, is the ability of loading in your save from the first game before you begin. If you got all 108 stars beforehand, then you're in for a real treat.

The graphics are a step forward, and are cutesy and more colourful. The storyline, again, grabs at the heart with war and loss. Luca Blight is possibly one of the most evil people created in video gaming history.

Once again, there are 108 stars to collect. If you collect them all, and then head back to a certain point in a village, you can pick up the hero from the first game. A very worthwhile addition to your party. The big army battles are different this time round, in that you can move your troops and select where to fight yourself. Often the result is pre-determined, and perchance adding in the option of losing certain battles to make a second ending possible would enhance the series?

Once again, a lot of the storyline is based on loss. Pilika's village being burnt to the ground, the loss of Jowy to the other side, so to speak. Nanami being struck and lost. General Kiba (I think that's his name) losing his life. Viktor having to return to the town that Neclord destroyed. (That's a cool sub plot actually, involving Neclord. It was one of my favourite moments, when Viktor, Kahn, that Vampire lady (sorry, I forget her name) and your main character unite to take him out one last time.)

Suikoden 3.

Alas, Europe is crap and hasn't released this game yet. But I hear good things. And I wanna break my PS2 so it can play an American import version or something.

So, opinions on the gaming series as a whole? Problems with certain areas? Then feel free to post.

If you're going to do this regularly, maybe post a number rating system for the games?

Suikoden is hands down the best RPG series ever. Beautiful graphics that demolish half the 3D games out there, a wonderful plot, and a simple, yest fun battle system; this game has it all.

It took me a while to get into Suikoden III though. The disjointed storylines sucked at first. :/

Greetings.

The Suikoden series... Ahh, the fond memories I have of the first two games. Unfortunately for those of us who live in PAL territories, it doesn't look to hopeful that Konami will release the third installment of this series in this format. Some talk about it being too hard to convert over or some such. Personally, I think it is a load of crock, but that's just me.

The first game, was brilliant, and I was hooked on it for ages (Still am.). I remember it took me about 13 hours max, to finish it, with all 108 Stars of Destiny (Even with Gremio back from the dead.). The battle system was simple and excellent. It worked well. I did get a little annoyed with the big army battles, but it was pretty easy to beat. The final boss, was a nuisance, but that was it.

The second, the graphics were superb. I'm not one to play a game just because it has great graphics, but for Suikoden II, the graphics suited it. The bad guy, for the first half of the game, Luca Blight was on the same insane bad guy level, as Kefka.

But what I liked the most about the series, is the good storyline. If you haven't played any of these games, go to your local game store and get a copy, NOW! If they don't have one, go to eBay or something, Go to swapmeets and such, and get them! These two games are classics, and any self respecting RPG gamer should at least plaed both of them, or have them in their collection.

I've just thought of something else to add here.

With most of the other RPG series I've played, there's been a heavy emphasis on some "out of this world" power and evil. With the Final Fantasy series, it's always been the whole world in danger, or the Universe itself, and a character trying to bring down the world or become a God or destroy creation itself.

With Suikoden, the storyline is much more real-seeming. It's about war, and humans have seen war. Building up an army to fight for what you believe in, to fight for what is right. The enemy isn't a big super nasty bad guy with millions of magical powers or with ambitions to be God, it's just another country, led by perhaps a mad general or someone who has just lost touch with the people and is making them suffer. That reality locks me into the game more than some of the gameplay in other RPGs.

When I first played a Suikoden game (II), I was hooked at the story line and how people progress through war and hardships. Sacrifice and victories. Rivals and Friends. It's a great game... but one thing that I noticed is McDohl... I didn't have Suikoden 1. I was so mad that I couldn't find it...

THEN, I found it at a Toys R Us for only 12 Dollars! :D

I completed Suikoden 2 4 times
I completed Suikoden 1 3 times. :O

I haven't played Suikoden 3 yet, no money. ;_;