Suikoden 2 Anime Announced Alongside New Mobile Gacha Game

Earlier this week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream focused entirely on the beloved Suikoden series. Given the absence of a new mainline entry since a Japanese-exclusive PSP side story over a decade ago, anticipation for what might be revealed was high and varied. The announcements sparked a range of emotions among the fanbase, with the unveiling of a Suikoden anime (thrilling!) and a new Suikoden game for mobile (intriguing, yet met with mixed feelings) featuring gacha mechanics (a point of concern).

Let's dive into the anime first, titled Suikoden: The Anime. This project is based on the events of Suikoden 2 and marks Konami's first venture into animation. While we didn't get a detailed look at the visuals or confirmation on its global availability, a brief scenery clip was shared, stirring excitement among fans. This anime could serve as an exciting entry point for newcomers to the Suikoden universe, provided it reaches a wider audience outside Japan.

The second announcement introduced Suikoden Star Leap, a new game that has stirred mixed feelings among fans. Visually, it promises beauty with its Octopath Traveler-inspired 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds. Set a few years before Suikoden 1 and after Suikoden 5, it maintains the series' tradition of featuring 108 characters. However, its mobile-only release and the inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization have caused some disappointment. Historically, the Suikoden series has been known for its premium console and PC releases, making this shift to mobile with monetization elements a point of contention. Fans will need to see how these monetization decisions impact the game's enjoyment and the ability to collect all characters.

In the meantime, Suikoden enthusiasts have something immediate to look forward to with the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and 2 in the Suikoden I&II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars. A new trailer for this collection was showcased during the live event, and it's set to launch tomorrow, March 6.