Suikoden Fans Rejoice With the Announcement of a Suikoden 2 Anime...and a Brand New Mobile Gacha Game

Earlier this week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream entirely dedicated to the beloved Suikoden series. It's been over a decade since the last entry, which was a Japanese-exclusive side story for the PSP, so anticipation was high and varied. The announcements left fans with mixed emotions: a Suikoden anime (exciting!), a new Suikoden game for mobile (interesting, but...), and the inclusion of gacha mechanics (disappointing).

Starting with the anime, titled Suikoden: The Anime, it will be based on the events of Suikoden 2 and marks Konami's first venture into animation. Although details on its visuals and international availability are scarce, a brief scenery clip was shared:

This is thrilling news for long-time Suikoden fans and could serve as an excellent introduction for newcomers, provided it becomes widely accessible.

The second big reveal, however, has stirred mixed feelings among the fanbase. A new game, Suikoden Star Leap, was announced, featuring stunning visuals reminiscent of the Octopath Traveler style, with 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds. Set a few years before Suikoden 1 and after Suikoden 5, it will maintain the series' tradition of including 108 characters.

However, the game is slated for release exclusively on mobile platforms, which might not discourage the most dedicated fans. The inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization strategies has raised concerns, especially since the Suikoden series has traditionally been known for its premium, console-based releases. The community will have to wait and see if these monetization choices hinder the gameplay experience or the ability to collect all 108 characters.

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