Suikoden 2 Anime and New Mobile Gacha Game Announced

Earlier this week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream dedicated entirely to the beloved Suikoden series. It's been over a decade since the last entry, a Japanese and PSP-only side story, so anticipation for new announcements was high. Fans experienced a mix of emotions as Konami unveiled two major projects: an exciting Suikoden anime and a brand new Suikoden video game—albeit for mobile with gacha mechanics.

Let's dive into the anime first, aptly named Suikoden: The Anime. This series will explore the events of Suikoden 2 and marks the inaugural production from Konami Animation. While we didn't get a detailed glimpse of the visuals or any information on international availability, a brief scenery clip was showcased:

This announcement is thrilling for dedicated Suikoden fans and could serve as an excellent introduction for newcomers, provided it becomes widely accessible.

The second announcement, however, has stirred mixed feelings among the fanbase. The new game, Suikoden Star Leap, boasts stunning visuals reminiscent of Octopath Traveler, featuring 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds. The story is set a few years before Suikoden 1 and after Suikoden 5, and maintains the series' hallmark of including 108 characters.

However, the game is slated for a mobile-only release, which might not deter hardcore fans, but the inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization has sparked concern. This approach diverges from the series' tradition of premium console and PC releases. Fans will need to see if these monetization strategies will impact the game's enjoyment or the ability to collect all 108 characters.

In the interim, Suikoden enthusiasts can look forward to the re-release 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 also shown during the live event, and it's set to launch tomorrow, March 6.