There are times when fantasy elements line
up so successfully that the resulting game is an absolute joy to play.
And then there are moments when what should have worked doesn’t quite,
and the game becomes a labor through the potential of what might have been.
Suikoden III, a PlayStation2 release from
Konami, is a game that has a great premise, wonderful graphics, compelling
characters and yet stumbles along the way in presentation. The writing
weighs down the gameplay, too many cutscenes slow the course through it,
and a linear path will drive some gameplayers right up a wall.
But get past all that and you will be treated
to a game that does have some wonderful ideas. Suikoden is based on a 14th-century
Chinese book about 108 Stars of Destiny who battled a corrupt kingdom.
In Suikoden III, the battle continues, and does a unique job of integrating
the viewpoints of three major characters into the one game vision.
As the story goes, an unknown force is
searching for the True Runes with plans to destroy the world. In the way
stand three diverse characters, all on opposing sides of the Grassland
War. Hugo is the son of the Karaya Clan leader from the Grassland; Chris
(a female) is the leader of the Knights of Zexen; and Geddoe is Commander
of the 12th unit from Harmonia. These three must find the True Runes, discover
the secrets of the Flame Champion and fulfill their destiny to save the
world.
Along the way, the team combat system will
help defeat foes, and unique characters not only add some wonderful elements
to the game, but can help in combat. Take Sergeant Joe, for example. For
a duck, the sergeant is reasonably level-headed, indignant when the need
arises, and he wields a wicked halberd. Fubars (one of the worst names
in the game) is a griffin that not only looks very good, but also can fight
well.
The game employs the Trinity Sight System,
which lets players experience events from the perspective of each of the
three heroes. These storylines do overlap in interesting places. Hugo may
run into Chris while the latter is on a mission. Few words are exchanged
at this time.
You begin the game by selecting a character
and then tracing their route. Hugo is tasked with acting as an emissary
to the Zexen council, taking a letter from his mother, the Clan chief.
The road leads east and Hugo, with Sgt. Joe, Fubars and Lulu (the young
son of a Karaya knight) set out. The game alternates between a side-scroll
to a three-dimensional journey. Each map point is filled with land that
must be traversed, often with pockets of combat awaiting the party.
The combat is set up much like some of
the GameBoy RPG combats. You select a team, then target which of the attackers
you want to battle. Once all is selected, you press commence and the combat
is engaged. Some of the creatures encountered have interesting attacks,
and will actually minimize, swallow damage and regurgitate your heroes.
Once Hugo and party make their way to Zexen
capitol, they are given a runaround at the door of the high council. They
will have to wait three days for a meeting. You can spend the time exploring
the city (who knows when a quest may pop up) or just go to the nearest
hotel and spend three days in your room (a click passes the time quicker).
When the appointed time comes, the trio (Fubars has had to wait outside
the city) are met by a “representative” of the council who takes Hugo’s
letter.
Every instinct will tell the gameplayer
that the letter will never reach the council if you give it to the representative,
and therein lies part of the fault with the game. No matter what path you
take in the conversational choices, Hugo eventually hands over the letter.
Well, it’s back to the hotel to spend one more night before the journey
home. Ah, but that night is interrupted by Zexen soldiers who storm the
hotel, looking for the Karayan troupe. Hugo, Sgt. Joe and Lulu have made
their escape, and know they must get to the city gates in order to escape
the city. There are two paths to the gates, but guess what, if you try
to take one of them, you are treated to the same cutscene over and over
with Sgt. Joe telling you that you can’t go back that way. The only way
out leads through Zexen knights, who outclass Hugo and company in terms
of weapons and armor.
The game’s control elements are simple
and easy to use, and the game interface is well designed. The sound elements
are below average. There is no need for the typed interface so show that
Fubars says “Kuiee,” while hearing a sound that doesn’t come close to that.
Graphically, though, this game is rich
and lush. The Japanese animé is extremely well done and the environments
are a visual treat. The animation can be a little clunky at times.
Suikoden III will also allow players to
import characters from the game’s previous PS2 incarnation.
This is a game has some very good elements
as well as some aspects where it clearly could have been better. The linear
nature is somewhat discouraging. But the game does bring some very interesting
ideas and game structure into the genre.
This game is rated Teen for mild violence
and suggestive themes.
Gameplay: 7
Too many cutscenes slow down the game,
and the linear structure does not allow for creative game play.
Graphics: 8.8
The animé graphical elements are
superb, and the environments are richly textured. The animation can be
a little clunky at times, and at times the game steers away
from three-dimensional play with a side-scroll.
Sound: 6.5
The game relies mostly on sound effects
and music, both of which are repetitive. The typed conversations are repeated
and overly dramatic which may have been intentional. Some of the
attempts at humor in the dialogue falls flat.
Difficulty: Medium
The game is well designed with a simple
control system and easy-to-use interface. Skill customization and team
combat help give the game depth and bring challenge into play.
Concept: 8.4
The Trinity Sight System is a wonderful
concept that really gives this game depth. This is a game that will challenge
and has solid AI.
Overall: 7.8
The linear nature of the route through
the game is discouraging, and while the story itself is overwritten, the
plot is solid. Graphically this game is very good. The sound elements could
have been much better and the cutscenes could have been trimmed to allow
for more fluid gameplay.
