Suikoden 2 Anime Announced Alongside New Mobile Gacha Game

Earlier this week, Konami delighted classic RPG enthusiasts with a live stream dedicated entirely to the beloved Suikoden series. Fans have been eagerly awaiting a new entry since the last side story, which was released exclusively for the PSP in Japan over a decade ago. The anticipation was palpable, and the announcements that followed stirred a mix of emotions. First, there was excitement about the new Suikoden anime, simply titled Suikoden: The Anime, which is based on the events of Suikoden 2. This marks the inaugural production of Konami Animation. Although details on its visual style and global availability are still under wraps, a brief scenery clip was shared:

This is thrilling news for Suikoden aficionados and potentially a great entry point for newcomers, provided the anime becomes accessible worldwide.

The second announcement, however, elicited mixed feelings among the fanbase. A brand new game, Suikoden Star Leap, was unveiled, boasting stunning visuals reminiscent of the Octopath Traveler style, with 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds. The game is set to take place between the timelines of Suikoden 1 and Suikoden 5, and like its predecessors, it will feature the iconic 108 characters. However, the excitement was tempered by the news that Star Leap will be released exclusively on mobile platforms and will incorporate gacha mechanics along with some form of ongoing monetization. This is a significant departure from the series' tradition of premium console and PC releases, raising concerns about whether these monetization strategies might hinder players' enjoyment or ability to collect all characters.

While fans grapple with these developments, they can look forward to the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and 2 in the form of 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.