Suikoden 2 Anime Announced Alongside New Mobile Gacha Game

Earlier this week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream dedicated entirely to the beloved Suikoden series. With no new mainline entry since a Japanese-exclusive PSP side story over a decade ago, the anticipation for what was to come was palpable and varied. The announcements sparked a mix of emotions: the excitement for a new Suikoden anime (yay!) and the cautious optimism for a brand new Suikoden video game, albeit for mobile (okay, sure!), tempered by the inclusion of gacha mechanics (oh no!).

Let's delve into the anime first, aptly titled "Suikoden: The Anime." This series will explore the events of Suikoden 2, marking the inaugural production of Konami Animation. While we didn't get a comprehensive look at the visuals or learn about its international availability, a brief scenery clip was shown:

This is thrilling news for dedicated Suikoden fans and could serve as an engaging entry point for newcomers if the anime gains global distribution.

The second major reveal, however, left fans with mixed feelings. A new game titled "Suikoden Star Leap" was announced, boasting stunning visuals reminiscent of Octopath Traveler's 2D sprites on 3D backgrounds. Set a few years before Suikoden 1 and after Suikoden 5, it maintains the series' signature 108 characters.

However, the decision to release it exclusively on mobile has stirred some controversy. While this might not discourage the most ardent fans, the inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization has raised concerns. Historically, Suikoden has been a premium series available on consoles and PCs, making this shift towards mobile and monetized gameplay a point of contention. Only time will tell whether these monetization strategies will impact players' ability to fully enjoy the game or collect all 108 characters.

In the meantime, Suikoden enthusiasts 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" collection. A new trailer for this eagerly anticipated collection was showcased during the live event, and it's set to launch tomorrow, March 6.