Suikoden III
Main Game
RELEASED
8.0
Jul 11, 2002
PlayStation 2PlayStation 3byKonami Computer Entertainment Tokyo•Konami
Overview:|
This 2002 Role-playing Game (RPG) features three intertwined storylines following protagonists Hugo, Chris, and Geddoe as they seek the 108 Stars of Destiny in a 3D world. Gameplay blends RPG and strategy elements, utilizing three distinct battle systems. A core mechanic involves customizing character skills and pairing them for devastating combo attacks. The community reception generally praises its narrative structure and tactical depth.
This is a main entry in a celebrated role-playing series, originally released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2, and later made available on the PlayStation 3 platform. Set fifteen years after the events of its predecessor, the narrative weaves together the destinies of three distinct protagonists: Hugo, the son of a village chief; Chris, a virtuous Knight of Zexen; and Geddoe, a commander known for his rebellious nature. Players guide these characters as they progress toward the central goal of gathering the 108 Stars of Destiny, a recurring element central to the game's lore. The atmosphere blends traditional high-fantasy elements with political intrigue across a fully realized 3D world.
Core Gameplay Mechanics and Structure
The gameplay experience is multifaceted, incorporating elements of traditional Role-Playing Games (RPG), strategy, and turn-based strategy (TBS). A notable feature is the integration of three distinct battle systems and three corresponding styles of combat, ensuring variety in encounters. The game utilizes a 3D world environment for its presentation.
How does combat function in this RPG?
Combat is heavily focused on customization and tactical pairing. Players can customize the unique skills of their party members. A core mechanic involves pairing characters together, which allows for the execution of powerful, devastating combo attacks based on those specific pairings. This system encourages experimentation with party composition to maximize tactical advantage in battles.
Narrative Structure and Perspective
The game utilizes an innovative narrative structure where the player experiences the unfolding events through the perspectives of the three main heroes—Hugo, Chris, and Geddoe. These separate storylines eventually converge, offering a broad view of the conflict and the world's political landscape as the quest for the Stars of Destiny progresses. The atmosphere balances personal journeys with large-scale strategic conflicts inherent to the strategy components of the gameplay.
What defines the scope of additional content?
As a main entry in the series, this title does not feature any downloadable content (DLCs) or expansions. There are currently no announced remakes or remasters available for this specific version of the game. The experience is self-contained as released on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 platforms.
Game Details
Primary Name: Suikoden III
Alternative Names:
Suikoden 3 (Japanese title - romanization)
Suikoden 3 (Other Alias)
Type: Main Game
Series: Suikoden
Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Publisher: Konami
Release Information
Release Date: Jul 11, 2002
Genres & Themes
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
Themes: Fantasy
Platforms
PlayStation 2PlayStation 3
Game Modes
Perspective: Third person
Player Modes: Single-player
Age Ratings
ESRB:T (Teen)
ACB:PG (Parental Guidance)
Mild themes, violence, simulated gambling and coarse language
Soren