Publisher: Developer: ESRB Rating: Console: Genre: Konami KCET Teen Playstation 2 RPG - Overall: 8.0 Graphics: 7.0 Sound: 4.0 Gameplay: 8.0 Durability: 8.0

The third title in the Suikoden series, anticipated to be great when it first came out. However I had my doubts, even though being a lover of the Suikoden series...it just didn't add up to what the other two were. The series kept the same battle system throughout (A aspect about the game I like.) Swords and Magic, the usual except Suikoden has always had these things called 'Runes' that bestow upon the user magical powers. Thickening the plot there are also 27 true runes, and from the shards of those the other runes were created. I wont go into the story, I'd rather let you play it, and enjoy it...rather than giving away the plot. Now let me get down to the core of this review. The game is good, but like all has it's flaws...your about to hear them so sit back, relax and pick up a coke. (Or whatever else you may happen to be drinking at the moment.)


Graphics: It's largely different from it's predecessor, which had 2D graphics entirely, and when switching to 3D was excellent to say the least. The graphics are good, but not great. They are what's to be expected for the common RPG game at this time. Refer to Final Fantasy X if you want an example.

Sound: Here's my views on sound... The horses galloping, yes that was somewhat real, the walking sound of the metal hitting the ground. All those were great, they really were. The thing doesn't seem to appeal to me in anyway is the battle music. I was hoping for a more mellow battle music, but that's just hopes coming out onto the scene.

Gameplay: Let me explain the battle system. You have 6 party members, each in the previous versions of Suikoden able to do their own thing so to speak. Players are placed according to their range. Short, Medium, and Long range. Short belongs in the front due to the fact that they cant be behind someone else and attack. Medium can be in the back of the front, due to the reach of their weapon, so you could just as easily place all of your mediums in back, and place all of your short range people in back. Long Range however is really not much different from long range, people with long range in this game tend to have exceptional magic skills, making them useful because their missile weapon is virtually useless in a physical assault. The magic aspect of the game is controlled by runes, small crystals originated from the 27 true runes, each rune does something different, it's the magic system of the game. Now one of the aspects about the game that I didn't like, the previous Suikoden has had a battle system to where you could choose each players actions, one at a time. Suikoden 3 is a little different when it comes to battle, it places two characters on one team. In reality you only get to control three characters per turn. Because the other character simply does a physical attack on the enemy, giving you enough freedom to win the battle, but probably not as much freedom as you'd like.

Now onto to stuff that doesn't belong in the above category of battle gameplay. I didn't like the whole field walking thing, I would have preferred them to be shorter. Greatly appreciated, they brought a relic into the game to make this part easier. It is called the Blinking Mirror, and was in the two previous Suikoden games. Let me break it down for you: It's an item that teleports you back to your castle, to go along with this you get the teleport magic with the character Vikki, which will be very useful in getting around in the later stages of the game. Adding onto the list that doesn't belong in the battle is the 'Trinity Site' function built in Suikoden 3, it's a little selection between 3 characters (You unlock more as the story progresses.) It let's you choose between 3 characters in the beginning, Hugo, Chris, or Geddoe. Each with a different scenario eventually leading up to each other. I wont go into major detail because I don't want this to be a spoiling type of review.

Presentation: The overall performance of the game was excellent, it had a few flaws, such as the 'Trinity Site', this got aggravating after so long. Switching between the three main characters just made me not want to play it, because at some points I couldn't play the character that I wanted too. I don't know if that'll get to you, but however it did bother me.

Environment: It's based in a time when swords clashing was common, and Grasslanders fought Zexen Soldiers (Ironheads according to Hugo.) Many castles in this game gives it that medieval setting to get you into the mood of battle. I believe it has a nice environment for all of the players who like the PS2 Console, and RPG genre.

In the other two games, the ordeal was you had to recruit 108 characters, and save the kingdom. It's basically the same thing in this one. With the option of getting all of the 108 characters, or just some you can still complete the game. Here's the deal you get to recruit a player once, and he or she joins your castle, and you can select them, but the catch is you have to go to the castle inn to get a hold of them. (The whole character selection like other games, you've been through it if you've played a lot of RPG's.) It's a friendly environment really, it'd be nice if the characters conversed freely, but sadly it wont happen. This has to do with the environment due to the fact that the characters are scattered everywhere, and play a big part in the story more often than not.

Fun Factor: If you've played the first two your sure to enjoy this game, and even if you haven't I hope maybe my review interested you a little to spend that fifty or sixty dollars on Suikoden 3.

Value: The first time around is great, it's unique with the Trinity Site .It's well worth the money in my opinion, but as I cant help but to say...Every game has it's flaws.

Replay Value: It was fun the first time, and the second time was a blast, because I missed characters the first time around. The second or third time you play you can rack up players that you didn't get before, and get a little kick out of the ones you missed. (Most every player has a storyline, be it funny, or be it serious, it should keep you happy for hours on end.) Well people this is the end of my review, and I want you to enjoy it if your a first time player! So have fun, be happy, and kick butt in the game!

My Opinion Section: It was a great game, and I still play it every once in a while when I get bored. It stands out for me because it's part of the Suikoden series, a legendary series in my eyes. The only game I know of where you can recruit 108 different people, and build your own castle...not bad, not bad at all. The battles are short, depending on how much magic you like to cast. I beat it a couple of different times with different parties experimenting with what I could do, to be straight with you... The random battles in the large field got a bit annoying, but I toughed it out, and beat the game a few times. Bottom line is buy it, I loved it, and I hope you will too.

Developed by Konami, Suikoden 3 was a hit in my eyes as soon as it hit the stores. I mean so what if it isn't perfect, it's still a good game. The storyline is the draw in for me. I've played Suikoden 1 & 2, and while it doesn't compare to it's predecessors it's a great game by all means. You get to choose between 1 of 3 characters to begin with : Geddoe - Captain of the frontier forces of the Holy Kingdom of Harmonia, Hugo - Chief Lucia of the Karaya tribe's son., and last but not least Chris - Head of the six famous knights of Zexen, also known as the silver maiden. Character sound good enough right? Now onto the story.

You have the choice of three characters, as I stated in the above paragraph. Each has a certain role to play in the game, and you get to select what actions he/she makes in the game. It switches scenarios on occasion without your permission, but not long after you get to choose by using the 'Trinity Site' feature added into the game. It let's you switch between characters to see what's happening between each character at the time. The battles are turn-based, it goes you attack, they attack, and they have included duels within the game. You can acquire characters along the way to make your castle larger (Yes you get a castle.) In the game you end up having your own little town, where you can get your 108 characters in your party and all. (However many you have that is.)

The perks of the game are that it has a good storyline. War in the grasslands is going to be the main challenge for you to overcome as the player in the game. To complete the game you have to play through all the scenarios, so don't count on just playing one scenario the whole time, and when finished claiming you beat the game. It took me about 40 hours to complete the entire game, but it was time well spent.

The bad parts of the game, really aren't that bad to be honest. The worst part I could come up with was the sound, and that was pretty good. That's all the bad things I have to say about Suikoden 3.

Ending statement, I liked the game, but no game is perfect. Thank you for your time.

Review by Aeshylus.