User Reviews (1 - 11 of 97)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

...?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 20 / 20
Date: October 23, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I own the japanese version of this game, and it is quite impressive. Fans may or may not be disappointed by the 3D graphics from the 2D sprites. I will admit, though I love this game and the series to death, the graphics themselves don't compare to some of the earlier RPGS (Final Fantasy X comes to mind). However, facial expressions are done extremely well and accurately. The music is very nicely and correctly put together and it's not overly annoying (though I will say you might get irritated with the battle music after hearing 100+ times in the first 2 hours or so). The anime intro really gives the game a unique feel that can separate it from most other RPGs on the console. The most compelling of the game, however, is the story and the character development. Both of these dig much deeper than any of the previous Suikodens. Everything isn't as it seems and you'll be very surprised where this game leads you. After all, in war, who is really right?

This game is for the people looking for intelligent, fun rpg that keeps you guessing and intrigued by the storyline. You'll get very attached to the characters. However, graphics wise or to a casual gamer, this may not be a good choice to choose. Square is much better for just picking up a game and trying it.

One thing I cannot speak for is how people will like the Trinity System (I thought it was an interesting way to approach the story and very powerful). Also, I cannot say how well the translation is on the english version, since I only played the japanese version. From what I've seen, aside from some irritating name alternations from the translations of japanese to english, everything seems to have been quite nicely.

Suikoden 3 proves it can play with the big boys.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 21 / 22
Date: November 20, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This third installment in the Suikoden series proves to be as good as its predecessors if not better. This game signals the series first time in 3D and first game on the PS2.

GRAPHICS

This game is completely in 3D and it couldn't look better. It's the second best looking RPG on the PS2(Final Fantasy X is the only game that looks better), and the characters and locations look great. Though some may shun the switch from 2D to 3D the change was really necessary and improves the experience. Afterall there were those who didn't like Final Fantasy going into 3D and Final Fantasy 7 is one of the series best.

GAMEPLAY

One of the keys to sustaining an enjoyable RPG is a battle system that doesn't get tired after hours of play, and Suikoden 3 succeeds. Once again you have six characters in your party, but this time you have to control them in pairs adding a new level of strategy and helping the battles go faster.

STORY

By far this games strongest quality is it's story. This is probably the best story for an RPG on the PS2 so far. It's compelling and thanks to the Trinity Sight System(A system that allows you to switch between 3 characters at the end of every chapter) the game has alot of varitie. There is also a big plot twist for those who played the first two games, though you don't have to be familiar with the first 2 installments to enjoy this game.

OVERALL

A must own for anyone who likes RPG's or even just enjoys the occasional Final Fantasy. This game is long, I clocked in about 70-75 hours playing it and it never once gets boring. There's also plenty of side-quests to enjoy and extra stuff to do. So go buy this game!

The Best RPG of the year.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 20 / 21
Date: November 13, 2002
Author: Amazon User

The Suikoden RPG series has always been about people who get caught up in events far beyond their control, and how they rise up to that challenge. Hallmarks of the Suikoden games are the necessity of gathering 108 allies (based on an old Chinese legend) and building a castle headquarters where your main base (and source of mini-games) will be.
Suikoden 3 is different from past games since it gives you the option of choosing from one of 3 initial heroes to play as. These include a female knight, a tribal youth and a mercenary, each of whom represents a different side of a dangerous, escalating war.
To actually finish the game, you WILL have to play all the 3 chapters of each character; this is no problem however since each character's story is compelling and always intriguing. The great thing about this system, or Trinity Sight, is that you see the story from various viewpoints, so the depth and secrets that are revealed are really rewarding as you play through the game.
And that is what Suikoden 3 is all about. Do not look for flashy CG and cinematics, since there are none (except for a magnificent anime movie 'trailer' of the game at the start screen), but that really shouldn't matter. It's the game's story and the characters you will grow attached to that will captivate you.
Graphics are mixed; the art style is wonderful Japanese anime fantasy style, though the 3D in-game models are slightly cartoony in proportion but not too cutesy- the best part is that they express emotion better than any other game out there; this makes for entertaining cut scenes. The environments are detailed and wonderful.
As for gameplay, this is still a turn-based combat system, with the requisite 'army' and one-on-one duels present. Overall though, the gameplay is easy, control is excellent and loading times are only a few seconds in length. No detraction from the fun.
Finally, as for replay, there are hidden characters to play as, multiple endings, 108 allies to recruit, a castle with tons of fun stuff to do and the option to load save games from past Suikodens to unlock more secrets.
In terms of story, replay, depth and compelling characters, Suikoden 3 is unquestionably the best RPG out there now. Fans of Suikoden MUST get this game, but I heartily recommend it to everyone who loves RPGs or at least a deep, involving story.
What are you waiting for? Get this game NOW!

Chasing the Nefarious Blade Bunny

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 20 / 23
Date: March 19, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I am going to have to confess right off that this was my first game on the PlayStation2. I am an old hand at PC based adventures and RPG's, so I am not an amateur so much as an ingénue. If this is representative of the level of quality available to the game console world than I have been missing out on a lot of fun.

On a quick scan this is a standard fantasy RPG, where various peoples, human and otherwise, are locked in a constant series of skirmishes with each other, there is a pile of magic and monsters, innumerable quests, and treasure galore. What I did not expect was an extremely vast and beautiful world full of every kind of character with a plot complex enough to put some novelists to shame.

On the each of signing a peace treaty, someone interferes and triggers a new round of hostilities. Out of the swirl of events rise three heroes, Hugo of the Grassland Clans, Geddoe, the mercenary commander of an investigationary force, and Chris, the beautiful leader of the Knights of Zexen. The independent journeys of these three characters occupy most of the story. You will play each in the order you chose until the long trail to the solution of the mysteries.

There are few aspects is the game that are not delightful. Although, leveling up can get a bit tedious when you have a lot of characters to prepare for the final spectacle. There will be times that you will be ready to scream if another spider hops out of the woods. And getting successfully through to the end requires considerable genius. The game is richly complex, and many of the twists and turns will affect your success. Save often, especially at decision points, because there are many variations that you will want to try out. This means a huge number of play hours, which makes Suikoden III great, challenging entertainment.

A great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 21
Date: November 19, 2002
Author: Amazon User

There are several instances in the RPG world where sequels are often disappointing and lack the charm in the original. However, Suikoden 3 is one exception. With a solid storyline and great characters, Suikoden 3 aims to please gamers just as much, if not more, as its predecessors.

While its graphics are not up to par with Final Fantasy X and various other games, Suikoden 3 makes up for this with the Trinity Sight System, an innovative idea that puts the gamer in the different characters' shoes. The characters are done very well, particularly the main characters, and within a few hours, gamers can find themselves growing increasingly attached to the characters. Some scenes are touching, others are filled with powerful storyline twists that will shock both old fans and newcomers to the series.

The music is nice, and fits the overall mood of the game. The tension can be felt as a war is played out; the peaceful setting of a castle can be experienced through the smooth music rolling out. The plays that the man Nadir hosts are interesting and fun to play around with. With about 100 characters to use in the place of plays such as Romeo and Juliet, William Tell and The Boy Who Cried Wolf, gamers can be kept laughing in their seats. The way some characters act also adds a certain depth to them.

Battles require a certain degree of strategy. The levelling-up system ensures that a challenge is present throughout the various major battles in the game. The challenge factor of Suikoden 3 is definitely better than average, since the battle system mostly disallows gamers from building their characters up to ridiculous levels and pummelling the enemies into pulp. Wars have to be played out correctly, or it may result in one or more of the 108 Stars of Destiny's deaths, which is very undesirable. Duels require correct guessing of the opponent's intentions, so that they may counter. Mess up, and the gamer might find himself in a precarious situation.

And there is, of course, the 108 characters to obtain. While some of them are gotten automatically, others have to found, and this adds to even more fun and hours of gameplay in Suikoden 3.

A minus factor of the game, however, is the removing of the freedom to traverse the world map. This restricts gamers' movements to merely within towns and dungeons, which can get very mundane after a while. Also, the world map in Suikoden 3 is tiny compared to Suikoden 1 and 2. There aren't many places to go, and there are no side quests to perform, unless defeating 'treasure bosses' are counted in. Navigation is removed here as well, since just about every location in the game has a map, which allows for easy navigation, thus removing the challenge in trying to find your way in a complicated dungeon. Camera angles are fixed, and more often than not gamers may find themselves growing frustrated that they are always going back and forth between two screens because of the sudden switch in camera angles. Hold the analog or directional button in a fixed direction, and the gamer might very well find himself getting out of a room, only to find himself running back in because of the directional switch.

However, on the overall, Suikoden 3 is still a very enjoyable game, easily providing 40+ hours of gameplay with its storyline and characters. Buy this game. You won't be disappointed.

Great, but I had it with RPG's

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: September 14, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game was very good, It was very interesting. If you like RPG's you should play this one. I liked the graphics. It was enjoyable, but I became desperate to know how the story ended and 82 hours for me are like forever, it took me like seven months real time. So that's why I had it with RPG's. But the game is very good. The story is extremely good and keeps you interested throughout the game. I like the fact you play the game from three diferent point of views, one per main character. I was anxious to know the truth about the Flame Champion. Anyone can like this game because of gameplay, story, graphics, cutscenes, but this game is perfect if you like long games, and have time to spare. The only thing I would have liked different is that the characters actually talked, instead of making sounds and their dialogues being written.

Potentially on of the most interesting RPGs I've ever played. 1story: 4 different veiwpoints.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: July 27, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Parents: If your child likes RPGs or "story telling" games. This is perfect for kids...or adults for that matter. This is one is still on my all time favorite games list. (:

Anyway...

This game was monsterously entertaining to me. The story was a masterpeice with an army of potentially 108 to recruit for your use. Granted not ALL of the will be able to be used on your combat team of six, but most of them will be and you can custimize all of them to a point.

Keeping a story interesting with a potential number of 108 personalities, over three veiwpoints and four main characters would be a challenge for most book writers. Stuffing so much content in one story can sometimes cause it's down fall. "To many cooks in a kitchen ruins the soup" and all that. Somehow Suikoden III, made a masterpiece with it all instead of hindering themselves. I was truly impressed.

During the course of the story you can alternate between four different veiwpoints: a "barbarian" kid, a lady knight, and a mysterious mercinary, and the unlucky new ower of a run down castle that is looking for residents to stay afloat. Each of the first three member resprisents a veiwpoint into each side of an upcoming war with a unseen evil pulling the strings. Through most of the game each group of friends find themself getting sucked into the mystery without even really meeting each other untill the end of the game. During each veiwpoint or "Chapter" each characters can come by and potentially recruit 108 hidden charcaters, not all of them able to be pick up by a single main character or all at once. Some of them are hidden, some are given to you ether way they all end up hanging at Thomas' run down castle while they are not being used because this old castle happens to be the boarder of each waring party making it a neutral and protected area from all sides. The way the story makes this all seem very logical and conicidental is ingenious.

The gameplay is also nothing short of amazing. Like any RPG it takes charcter building to survive, but because the characters always switch and you have only a certain amount of money you cannot become "godlike" in the very begining and make the game effortless for yourself. The "mini-games" are also challengeing because are large scale battle moments that resemble risk and one on one time duels. Not to mention puzzles galore. Unlocking characters can also be considered a minigame.

Not to spoil much, but the replay value is also high for if you find all 108 characters the first time around you can unlock the mini storyline of the main villan.

So if you like RPGs than this one is a MUST. I can't stress that enough. Get Suikoden III. Do NOT, however, mistake Suikoden III for Suikoden 4. Suikoden 4 was terrible.

Just a phantom compared to the others? No, I don't think so.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: December 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Though I consider myself a fan of the Suikoden games, they honestly never managed to completely snag my interest. It took me upwards of a year to beat Suikoden II because there were spots where the story lagged and made me want to rip my hair out in frustration. I figured that I'd rent Suikoden III first just to try it out, and then shell out the money for the game later when the price went down.

I beat it on the rental.

Storyline - 10/10

We're treated with a story that starts out like the previous two did, with tension between two countries and the flames of war threatening to consume the land. Enter your three main characters: Chris, the Silver Maiden of the Zexen Knights; Hugo, son of the Karaya clan chief and a child thrown in over his head; and Geddoe, a mystery-shrouded mercenary working for Harmonia in the Southern Frontier Defense Force. Each character has three chapters of their very own, from their point of view and influenced by their own opinions.

The Trinity Sight system was done remarkably well, and though you watch the same events, you're watching them through different eyes. You may think a certain thing about one character, only to have your opinion drastically changed because of a chapter of another character. Because of the Trinity Sight system, more characters get time in the spotlight compared to the previous two games, allowing for more characterization. That, and you now have to use more characters in battle, so you can't just stick with the same party through the whole game.

Graphics - 8/10

The graphics are nice, but they're nothing compared to games like Final Fantasy X, Metal Gear Solid 2, Shadow of Destiny, or really any game where the characters look REAL. The sprites kinda remind me of Grandia II (and that isn't a bad thing, because I rather liked Grandia II), but their facial expressions are always drastic; the eyebrows are never only slightly raised in surprise, they're either in neutral position or trying to climb up into the character's scalp. While it's nice to know that they actually put facial expressions into consideration, I honestly think they could've done a better job with it.

Sound - 7/10

If there was one thing I LOVED about the Suikoden series, it was the music. Suikoden III, however, has lost that edge. Most of the music is done by synth, doing away with actual people playing the music. Doing away with that was a really stupid thing for them to do, in my opinion, because hearing music played by musicians puts a sort of emotion into the music that you just can't hear from a computer. That's not to say the music is HORRIBLE...in fact, I liked the soundtrack more than I like most RPGs' soundtracks. But for a Suikoden game, the music was below par.

Sound effects are your average bag of RPG fare. Wind magic sounds like wind, water magic sounds like water, lightning magic sounds like lightning, and fire magic sounds like someone let off enough antipersonnel explosives to reduce the Grasslands to a paste-filled crater, etc. Nothing ground-shaking, just average.

Gameplay - 10/10

If you've played the previous two games, the first thing you'll notice is the change in the battle system. Instead of inputting six commands for six characters every turn, you'll be inputting three commands for six characters every turn. That means you can only use three rune attacks or three items a turn. Rune spells now have a chanting time, which depends on your support character (as some characters, like Jeane, can reduce chanting time) and your character's compatibility with that specific rune. Characters who are chanting can also get interrupted by attacks, so there's a possibility that you'll have to start all over again.

The major battles, while back again, are severely disappointing. They're more like glorified regular battles, except you do less damage, you can't heal, and your characters are controlled by a [unintellegent]AI. If the leader of the group dies, the entire unit is killed, even if the rest of the unit was in perfect health. This adds a level of frustration, since the opposing unit generally heads for your leader first (if only the AI controlling YOUR characters was so smart!).

Character customization is back and perhaps better than ever with the introduction of a skill system. Your characters gain skill points for every battle they fight, and they can spend those skill points on fighting skills at a Training Center or magic skills from a Tutor. Abilities like "Swing," which allows your character to attack twice, completely do away with the need for Double-Beat runes.

One thing that needs to be noted about customization is the severe lack of runes compared to the previous two games. You'll notice that Darkness, Spark, Gale, and a multitude of other runes have bowed out of the picture for now, only to be replaced by a plethora of command runes. In fact, most characters start with at least one command rune attached, and 99.9% of the command runes that characters come with are completely non-removable. As far as magic runes go, the Jongleur rune (which is godly in the hands of characters compatible with it) and the Shield runes are really the only two "new" additions. And you get to play around with quite a few True Runes by the end of the game, so that makes up for it.

Overall - 9.5/10

Honestly, I don't think I could've asked for more in a Suikoden game. If you're a sucker for interesting characters and a good plot, then I highly recommend buying it. However, if you're hellbent on keeping things the way they were, I think a rental would be more appropriate. Though I adored this game, I know that it doesn't suit everyone's tastes. But despite what you want in an RPG, Suikoden III most definitely warrants a rental at the very least.

Best Role Playing Game on any console since Final Fantasy 6

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 11
Date: August 17, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Since I was 8 years old I've been a fan of console RPGs like Final Fantasy. Now I loved a number of the Playstation 1 & 2 RPGs, but after getting a recomendation to play the Suikoden series, and playing this game, well, there are only a few that stand up to this game now.

If you're looking for a game like Final Fantasy or Xenogears/Saga, then this is not that game. If you want the high end graphics and music that accompany these games, then you'll be dissapointed. But if you're looking for something that has the depth and character development of the Super Nintendo-age Final Fantasy's then this game will come as a breath of fresh air.

I never realized how bad the RPG genre had gotten on the console until I played this game, but that's not this game's fault. Simply by comparing this game to all the others available (FF7 through FFX-2, Xenogears/Saga, previous Suikodens, etc) I was at once blown away by the greatness that was this game, and depressed by the mediocrity of it's competitors. And don't worry I'll tell you why I think this way.

This game has something that in my opinion all others from this series should adopt; the Trinity Sight System. One story is told from 3 points of view.

A war is being fought between two countries, the Kingdom of Zexen, and the Glassland barbarian clans, but the war is being perpetuated by a third kingdom, the supposedly 'holy' Harmonia.

You can choose one major character to act as a figurehead for the furthering of the story. You can choose from the points of view of the Captian of the Zexon Knights, the captian of a Mercenary group employed by 'holy' Harmonia, and the son of a clan chief of the Grasslands.

The Zexon POV: Chris Lightfellow was just named captian of the Zexon knights, after a battle saw the demise of the previous captian and vice-captian. She is given a parade to celebrate her heroism. But she's not having any of it. She doesn't feel like a hero and doesn't want the burdon placed on her. She is already something of a living legend being one of the elite 6 mighty Zexon Knights, and her fame continues to grow with every task she fulfils. She is a person bound to doing what she believes is right, and what is best for her kingdom. Until she finds out that the council is being bought by Harmonians.

Grassland POV: Hugo is the teen-aged son of Chief Lucia of the Karaya clan. Hugo is a bright-eyed, serious, and strong-willed boy who is sent by his mother to deliver a message to the Zexon Council in regards to a peace treaty. He is accompanied by a member of the Duck clan, Sargeant Jordi, and a childhood friend Lulu. They find that the council doesn't intend to read the message, and only want to detain the son of the clan chief as a hostage. Hugo and his friends escape to find his village in the midst of being razed and his best friend, Lulu is slain by the newly appointed Zexon captian.

Mecenary POV: Geddo is a mysterious man who has friends in high places, and no one knows why. Geddo and his mercenary group play witness to the assassination of the Lizard clan chief, and the razing of the Karayan clan. But Geddo also has ties to one of the mighty 6 Zexon knights, and while he can't deny what he's seen, he also knows that the Zexon Knights are not the type to ruin peace treaty negotiations nor assassinate a clan chief.

As time goes on this game gets so in depth with its cast of characters, that going about the task of recruiting many of the 108 characters that is among the hallmarks of this series, is a matter of simply learning more about the Fire Bringer, the Flame Champion and why the attacks on the grasslands were blamed on the innocent Zexon Knights.

To aid in this effort a new, lesser POV is opened up to the player which deals with the newly appointed master of a run-down castle on the border of Zexon and Grassland. It is his job to bring its habitants out of poverty and to revitilize the castle to its past splendor. Thomas comes up with the idea of leasing castle land for free trade between all lands, as he goes about his task of recruiting many (if not most) of the 108 stars, he is faced with the tasks of finalizing the paperwork on his ownership, fixing many of the dilapidated facilities on the castle grounds, and decorating the castle itself to act as a museum of culture featuring rare artifacts, paintings and sculptures as well as stocking an extensive library.

I very much enjoyed his two chapters because Thomas was no warior. Starting out at level 20 with the knights and mercenaries kind of shields you from the leveling aspect so that you can focus on the more important aspect that is the story. But when you start at level 1 and find creatures that the others found to be little more than nuisences a real threat it puts an emphasis on the dangers of travel around the world that most RPG's tend to overlook.

If you can successfully recruit all 108 stars then when you beat the game a 5 major POV opens up to you. This final point of view is from that of the antagonist of the story. There is very little in the way of gameplay (the game's already been beaten anyways) but it directly addresses all the questions that were raised during the playing of the 3 chapters from the 3 major characters earlier in the game.

This was a reward that as far as I'm concerned is unparalelled in video games. It truly makes the somewhat overwhelming task of finding and recruiting 108 characters well worth your time, as all discrepencies in the story, and questions raised are answered in a concrete way that won't disapoint. It has none of the end of the world 500 years later aspects that you see in other so-called great console RPGs .

Among the nicest things about this story is that the children, and there are a number of them, aren't the sort that are out to show their parents are ignorant fools, but rather they take on quests such as finding out what happened to one boys (Melville's) father. The characters in this game are adults, and they act like adults. Though the members of the duck clan are a bit hard to take seriously, you'll find no remote controled stuffed dolls thrown in as little more than an afterthought to satisfy the younger players.

All in all, I went in with little in the way of expectations, and left with such a high opinion of the game that I can only hope that Suikoden 5 goes back to the Trinity Sight System, as it was truly the great innovation and feature of this game.

If Only This Were a Book.......

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 9 / 11
Date: November 02, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Suikoden III is the type of game where one can not help but think it was created in the wrong medium. If this were a book, it would be perfect. Easily an epic novel that belongs on any fantasy fan's shelf. As a videogame, its interactive parts fail to rise to the level of its engaging storyline.
The story is actually told from three perspective with two others you can unlock. The merchant kingdom of Zexen is at war with the Grasslanders, a tribal people who live a more primative life out on the plains. Watching these events is a powerful empire to the East. Just as a peace deal is about to be negociated, Chris, the leader of the Zexen Knights, seemingly assasinates the leader of one of Grassland tribes. The only problem is that she, as one of the playable characters, didn't do it. The war begins anew. In the heat of battle, a young Grasslander named Hugo vows to find the Firebringer, the legendary hero that saved the Grasslanders from certain defeat many years ago. Watching all from the sidelines is Gaddeo, a cynical mercenary who would rather not become involved in any of it. It is a very good story, with many twists. However, to really tie everything together you must collect all 108 playable characters to unlock the villian's perspective as a bonus after the game.
The game really falters when you actually have to play it. The battle system is Suikoden is terrible. Magic takes forever to use, and only a few characters can use it with any reliability. Six characters are allowed on a the field at once, but every character is paired with another and they function as a team. That means if you pick one character to use a command other than attack, you have absolutely no control over the other character. Also characters can only move forward so much per turn and have to be close to the enemy before attacking. With so many characters on the field is easy for one team to block the other teams from getting to the enemies. Everything is just so chaotic and out of the control, that it bearly felt like I had any control at all.
The actual world map is really small. Instead of being global in scale, the story is confined to one small region. The story requires that you run back and forth between only a few places. As you cross the plains and mountains, as you go from city to city, you'll begin to really hate all the random battles.
Suikoden III is game I can only wish was better than it was. The story was excellent, but the gameplay was terrible. Such a shame. Such a shame.

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next 

Actions