Suikoden 2 Anime Announced Alongside New Mobile Gacha Game

Earlier this week, Konami thrilled fans of classic RPGs with a live stream dedicated 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. The announcements brought a mix of excitement and apprehension: a new Suikoden anime, titled Suikoden: The Anime, and a brand new game for mobile, Suikoden Star Leap, which unfortunately includes gacha mechanics.

Suikoden: The Anime is set to adapt the story of Suikoden 2 and marks Konami's first venture into anime production. Although we only got a glimpse of some scenery, the news is a delight for long-time fans and potentially an engaging introduction for newcomers, provided it becomes accessible outside of Japan.

The announcement of Suikoden Star Leap stirred mixed feelings among fans. The game boasts stunning visuals reminiscent of Octopath Traveler, featuring 2D sprites on 3D backgrounds. Set in the timeline between Suikoden 1 and Suikoden 5, it retains the series' signature element of 108 characters. However, the decision to release it exclusively on mobile platforms and incorporate gacha mechanics has left many fans disappointed. Historically, Suikoden games have been premium titles on consoles and PCs, making the shift to a monetized mobile format a significant departure.

While fans await further details on how the monetization will impact gameplay and character collection, they can look forward to the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and Suikoden 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 on March 6.