Suikoden 2 Anime and New Mobile Gacha Game Announced

Earlier this week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream focused entirely on the beloved Suikoden franchise. The series has been without a new mainline entry since a Japanese and PSP-only side story more than a decade ago, leaving fans eager yet uncertain about what to expect. The announcements ranged from thrilling to bittersweet, starting with the reveal of a new Suikoden anime, aptly titled Suikoden: The Anime, which is based on the events of Suikoden 2. This marks the first production from Konami Animation, and while details on its visual style and international availability remain scarce, a brief scenery clip was shared, sparking excitement among Suikoden enthusiasts and offering a potential gateway for newcomers if the anime becomes widely accessible.

The second announcement, however, has left fans with mixed feelings. A brand new game, Suikoden Star Leap, was unveiled, showcasing stunning visuals reminiscent of Octopath Traveler's 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds. Set a few years before Suikoden 1 and after Suikoden 5, the game promises to include the series' traditional 108 characters. Yet, the excitement is tempered by the fact that Star Leap will be released exclusively on mobile platforms, with the added inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization. This departure from the franchise's history of premium console and PC releases has raised concerns among fans about the impact of these monetization strategies on gameplay and character collection.

In the meantime, fans can look forward to the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and 2 in the form of 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, on March 6.