This Old Neon Forum

Almost 3 weeks later, I've finished Suikoden 1 and just recruited my 108th member in Suikoden 2, so I think I have about 3 hours left at the most.

Suikoden 1 is an interesting game to go back to, since it has an inventory system that was kind of archaic even at the time (Earthbound is the only SNES game I recall that had one like it, with only character inventories). It's a kind of rough game and feels SNES-ish in other ways - but its ambition and setting make it stand out from other RPGs of the time. While other RPGs had done dozens of characters, recruitment was usually through battle mechanics (Like Pokemon or Destiny of an Emperor). Here each optional character has a place in the world, and you have to find them and figure out what they want (sometimes with very little in the way of clues). A particularly dedicated player might find some of the trickier ones - Pesmerga and I think Kage are mentioned explicitly in one of the old books - but it would be tricky to get all of them (Leon, for example, is notoriously tricky to get as you have to interact with him and then Mathiu at specific times). Later games ease up a bit on the worst of these requirements and provide more clues in-game, but Suikoden 1 in particular feels designed for you to not find everyone the first go around.

Suikoden 1 also doesn't seem designed to let you use most of the characters you find, even though it makes many oddball recruits usable in fights. Your party is frequently filled with two or three plot-related characters for story events, and the row/range system often means you can only find room for one short-ranged character. This combined with the expense of bringing equipment and weapons up to speed makes it trickier to use many of the characters, even where using them makes sense.

Overall though the remaster is a great version of an already good game. The narrative in Suikoden is a particular standout, it blends tragedy and hope in so many good ways, and you see the human cost of war even as you try to make the world a better place.

I’m playing a handful of things. I did finish Grandia but missed some stuff. I’ll replay it after beating Suikoden, which I’m playing on hard mode but am still really early in it.

Started over Resident Evil 2 because it’d been a couple years since my last save. I’ll get through it this time (hopefully). Also on the horror from I started that Silent Hill 2 remake. I love that game and the remake is gorgeous in a gruesome sort of way. Finally, I’m playing AssCreed Shadows, which is phenomenal. I’m early in that as well.

Back burner games include Dig Dug, Days Gone, Dragon Warrior III (the kindle version) for my master run, and Tales of Graces wtf,

I picked up a used copy of Um Jammer Lammy at my local game store the other day and really enjoyed it. Been having a lot of fun revisiting the PS1, and I grabbed a couple Polyphony games, Gran Turismo and Omega Boost off eBay. Love any excuse to spend some time with old hardware at my dedicated CRT setup.

Haven't started Omega Boost, but it looks like a nice, single-sitting clear if I set aside a little time for it. GT is more involved, but I've enjoyed my first hour or so with it. The only other entry I've played is GT7, and it's interesting to see how much of the DNA was already there all the way back in 1997. Fun game.

I've also been playing Split Fiction with my partner, and it's a blast. This is my first experience with a Hazelight game, and I think I can see why their previous works were so well received. They are constantly introducing new ideas into what is a pretty mechanically simple and approachable game. The writing and dialog can be a bit corny and annoying at times, but that does little to diminish the enjoyment of playing a fun and truly co-operative game. We're a little over halfway through, I think, and unless things take a serious nosedive, I think this is one I'll hold in high regard.

...and I'll get back to that Suikoden remaster eventually!

My main ambient games are still Final Fantasy XIV: Online and Langrisser Mobile, although I am weaning off both of them. Not as much going on in either right now.

My main active social game is Monster Hunter Wilds, which I'm still playing nightly with friendos despite having the platinum trophy already. There's a major free title update coming this week, so there will be even more to do then!

On the PSP/couch gaming side, I'm working my way through Suikoden II. By the time that is done, my Lunar remasters should be here, so I'll move on to those. I still have to go back and (re)replay Final Fantasy VI for the platinum trophy as well, so I'll be well taken care of with RPGs for the foreseeable future.