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Suikoden​ (幻想水滸伝 Gensō Suikoden?) is a role-playing game series originally created by Yoshitaka Murayama. The game series is loosely based on the classical Chinese novel, Shui Hu Zhuan by Shi Naian and Luo Guanzhong. Shui Hu Zhuan is rendered as 水滸伝 in Japanese, and read as Suikoden. Each individual game in the series center around relative themes of politics, corruption, revolution, mystical crystals known as True Runes and the "108 Stars of Destiny" — the 108 protagonists who are loosely interpreted from the source material.

Though the Suikoden games follow an irregular chronological sequence of events, the entire series takes place within the same world among continuing and overlapping histories. In some cases, several characters appear in multiple installations.

Games

The Suikoden franchise has the following titles which includes the prequels, sequels and spin-offs from the main series (parts of the main series are in bold). They are arranged chronologically with their release dates:

Main series

Although the games of the "main" series are numbered, each individual game takes place either before or after a consequent installation. The second and third Suikoden games were direct sequels from the respective previous installment but with Suikoden IV, the series has begun to delve into prequels whose events take place before the games released earlier. The sequence is as follows according to in-universe chronology:

Suikoden IV (143 years before Suikoden V and 150 years before Suikoden) → Suikoden V (7 years before Suikoden) → Suikoden (3 years before Suikoden II) → Suikoden II (15 years before Suikoden III) → Suikoden III

Prequels and sequels
The games Suikogaiden Volumes 1 and 2, although not in-line with the main series, takes place before, during and after Suikoden II as well as Suikoden Tactics which takes place before and after Suikoden IV.

Compilation
A compilation of Suikoden I and Suikoden II was released for the PSP console. However, the game was Japan-exclusive.

Spin-offs

In August 2001, a Suikoden spin-off was released for the Game Boy Advance in the form of a strategy card game titled, Suikoden Card Stories.

By December 2008, the game Suikoden Tierkreis was released for the Nintendo DS in Japan and by March 2009 in the U.S. and Europe territories. The game however was considered a spin-off since connecting plot elements with the main series are completely absent.

Elements

As a standard to most role-playing games, the series also have the following features:

  • Random worldmap and dungeon encounters
  • Inn-based game saves and save points that provides healing
  • Turn-based and menu-operated combat system
  • Mini-games and side quests

Uncommon to most RPGs, Suikoden features save data transfer such that saved game data can be transferred from Suikoden to Suikoden II, and Suikoden II to Suikoden III (Suikogaiden Vol.1 can also receive data from Suikoden II, and is transferable to Suikogaiden Vol.2, but only in Japan), and also from Suikoden IV to Suikoden Tactics.

The series implements many unique features as each title allows players, in varying degrees to:

  • Conduct strategically pitched war campaigns
  • Participate in turn based, one-on-one duels
  • Recruit a colorful cast of 108 pre-determined characters, each specializing in various aspects of combat or support
  • Building an immensely large headquarters that grows as the story progresses (which fully develops when all the characters are recruited)

Development

The Suikoden series was created, written, produced, and overseen by Yoshitaka Murayama, who left Konami near the end of Suikoden III's development. Noritada Matsukawa took over as Senior Director of Suikoden III following Murayama's departure. Suikoden IV was directed by Matsukawa as well but was produced by Junko Kawano, who was the chief designer in Suikoden I. Suikoden V was directed by Takahiro Sakiyama, a relative newcomer to RPGs. Though nothing has been confirmed yet, it is suggested that he will return to the director's seat for Suikoden VI.

World, setting, and concepts

Essentially, each game follows the plot formula of a coup d'état by corrupt power holder(s) and the main protagonist is an exile from his/her home. The plot also follows the disastrous misuse of the "True Runes" while the hero struggles, despite overwhelming odds, to bring peace to the land alongside his/her friends, and the climactic showdown with the corrupted True Rune incantation.

The 27 True Runes

The 27 True Runes are powerful sources of all magic and primal forces in the world of Suikoden. Wholly sentient and possessing their own will, the True Runes holds immeasurable power, and are the equivalents of gods in the Suikoden world. Many wars have been fought over them in the past, some instigated by the will of the runes themselves. True Runes are often sought by the powerful and influential due to their shared property of granting immortality to those who will bear them. All bearers of True Runes stop aging and become immune to disease and all other natural causes of death, though they can still die from physical trauma such as accidents or murder.

The True Runes often attach themselves to living beings. Doing so gives the True Rune holder great power over the force the rune represents as well as immortality so long as they wield the rune. Wielding the runes can also have negative consequences, as in the case of one wielder being transformed into a vampire[1]. A True Rune has also taken the shape of a sword, as is the case with the Star Dragon Sword[2]. They can also manifest themselves unattached from a host, as the Beast Rune did during the Highland-Jowston conflict, self-activating and then feeding of its own will.[3]

Known True Runes

  • Sovereign Rune (Suikoden, held by Emeperor Bararossa)
  • Eightfold Rune (never featured in a game, held by Yuber)
  • Circle Rune (never featured in a game, held by Harmonia's leader, Hikusaak)
  • Rune of Change (never featured in a game, held by the Sindar's leader)
  • Moon Rune (Suikoden, II, known as Blue Moon Rune, held by Neclord, and then Sierra Mikain)
  • Night Rune (Suikoden, II, and III; its child, the Star Rune, is present in V) as the Star Dragon Sword
  • Beast Rune (Suikoden II, formerly sealed in L'Renouille Palace, location: unknown)
  • Rune of Beginning (split into the Bright Shield Rune and Black Sword Rune, Suikoden II, held by the second Hero and Jowy)
  • Rune of Life and Death (Suikoden I, II, and IV, held by Ted, and the first Hero), also known as Soul Eater
  • Rune of Punishment (Suikoden IV, held by the Queen of Obel, Graham Cray and his son, Rakgi's father, Steele, Brandeau, Glen Cott, and the fourth Hero)
  • Dragon Rune (Suikoden I, held by Joshua Levenheit, and later Milia)
  • True Fire Rune (Suikoden III, held by the Flame Champion, and either Hugo, Chris, or Geddoe)
  • True Water Rune (Suikoden III, held by Wyatt Lightfellow, and later, Chris Lightfellow)
  • True Earth Rune (Suikoden III; present in Suikoden II, held by Sasarai)
  • True Wind Rune (Suikoden III; present in Suikoden I and II, formerly held by Luc, location: unknown)
  • True Lightning Rune (Suikoden III, held by Geddoe)
  • Sun Rune (Suikoden V; its children, the Twilight Rune and Dawn Rune, are also prevalent; Sun Rune formerly held by Queen Arshtat Falenas, Dawn Rune held by the Prince, Twilight Rune held by Alenia, Sialeeds, and Lyon)
  • Gate Rune (split into the Front Gate Rune and Back Gate Rune; Suikoden I, II, III, IV, V, Front Gate Rune formerly held by Windy, Back Gate Rune held by Leknaat)
  • Gale Rune (never featured in a game )

Geography

The Suikoden series is set in a world with many countries. The political geography has changed over the series chronology; while the most recent game in the setting is Suikoden V, chronologically, Suikoden IV is the earliest game while Suikoden III occurs latest within the time span of the series.

Suikoden, Suikoden II and Suikoden III are set on the Northern Continent, a land mass composed of several regions. Suikoden takes place in the Scarlet Moon Empire, which is located on southeastern coast of the Northern Continent, and is composed primarily of the Toran region, with Lake Toran at its centre. Notable locations in this area include Gregminister, the empire's capital situated in Arlus, the Warrior's Village in the Lorimar region, and the Great Forest. At the end of Suikoden, the empire is replaced by the Toran Republic.

Suikoden II is set in the Dunan region, directly north of the Toran Republic, and initially comprises the Highland Kingdom in the east and the Jowston City-States, a confederation of politically autonomous states, in the west. Significant locations in Jowston include the cities-states of South Window, Greenhill, Muse, and Two River, and the Knightdom of Matilda. Following the Dunan Unification War, the Highland Kingdom falls and it, along with the Jowston City-States unite to form the Dunan Republic. The Tinto region lying in the west, separated from Dunan by mountains, chooses to remain politically independent and becomes the Tinto Republic.

Sharing Dunan's western border and north of Tinto are the Grasslands, which stretch from the centre of the Northern Continent to a small portion of the continent's west coast. The area is composed of the six clans: the Lizard, Duck, Karaya, Chisha, Safir, and the Alma Kinan. Directly west of the Grasslands and bordered in the east by Tinto is the Zexen Confederacy, located on the west coast of the Northern Continent and historically an offshoot of the Grasslands. Important locations include the Zexen capital Vinay del Zexay and Budehuc Castle, which lies close to the Grasslands border in northwest Zexen. The primary conflict of Suikoden III occurs in these areas. The northwestern portion of the continent, due north of the Grasslands and Zexen, is the Knightdom of Camaro and the surrounding Nameless Lands.

The largest country in the north is the Holy Kingdom of Harmonia, located in the northeastern portion of the continent. Since its establishment, it has assimilated various neighbouring countries, such as Sanadia, as well as a portion of the Grasslands - the Kanaa clan of the Grasslands became Le Buque under Harmonian rule after the First Fire Bringer War. Notably, the Scarlet Moon Empire originally formed after obtaining political autonomy from Harmonia and taking Harmonia's old capital as its own, renaming it Gregminister, resulting in Harmonia establishing a new capital at the Crystal Valley. Harmonia is also home to the Tower, a location reserved for training and housing members of the Howling Voice Guild.

Other major areas on the Northern Continent include the Kooluk region and Kanakan. The Kooluk region was originally the Kooluk Empire during the course of Suikoden IV and eventually dissolved in Suikoden Tactics to be left as a group of independent settlements. It takes up most of the southern edge of the Northern continent and directly borders the Toran Republic in the east and the Dunan Republic in the north. Off the eastern coast of Toran is the island of Kanakan.

Lying directly south of the Northern Continent is the ocean and several islands, including Obel, Middleport, and Razril. At the end of Suikoden IV, most of these islands are unified to become the Island Nations Federation. The largest island in the area, the Dukedom of Gaien, remains independent. West of Gaien is the island nation of the Kingdom of Zelant.

Due south of the Island Nations is the Southern Continent, a landmass composed primarily of three countries: the Queendom of Falena, and its neighbours, the theocracy of Nagarea in the southwest and the New Armes Kingdom in the southeast. As the setting for Suikoden V, Falena has a large network of rivers and lakes throughout the country and the Ashtwal Mountains in its northern region. Key locations include the cities of Stormfist and Doraat in the west; Rainwall, Estrise, and Sable, located on the Armes border, in the east; Lelcar, Lordlake, and Sauronix in the south; and the Falenan capital, Sol-Falena, and the holy land of Lunas, governed by the Oracle, in the north. Falena has been protected from Nagarea since the mountain pass between the nations was destroyed, though Armes continues to remain a threat throughout Suikoden V.

Northeast of Falena also appears portion of a landmass of considerable size. West of the Northern and Southern Continents and the Island Nations is a landmass referred to as the Western Continent, of which few details are known. Scattered across the world are mysterious ruins attributed to the lost Sindar race, which is a recurring theme throughout the Suikoden series.

Music collections

The Suikoden games have generally been considered to have soundtracks of some quality, though they have only been released in Japan as of 2007.

A series of arranged soundtracks were released from late 2001-2004. Despite the first being released slightly before Suikoden III and the last at around the same time as Suikoden IV, the music was always taken from music in Suikoden, Suikoden II, Suikoden III, and (rarely) the Suikogaiden side-stories.

Publications, adaptations, and other material

Many publications, such as the Suikoden World Guide and Suikoden Encyclopedia, exist for the Suikoden series, though the majority are only in Japanese. Suikoden and Suikoden II have light novel adaptations written by Shinjiro Hori released only in Japan. Suikoden III was adapted into a manga by Aki Shimizu, which was released in English markets by Tokyopop.

The 108 Stars of Destiny

A concept borrowed from the Chinese novel Shui Hu Zhuan, each Suikoden game has featured 108 characters who band together to ward off a threat.


Suikoden Lovers

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