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[Demigod Mac]

Does the bonus music CD come inside the game package?

 

[Tarazet]

Does the bonus music CD come inside the game package?

Yes. It's a standard PS2 two-disc case, just like Star Ocean, Growlanser Generations or the special-edition Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne.

 

[Demigod Mac]

Sold!

Also, is death handled Fire Emblem style, meaning they die instantly? Or is it like FFT where you have a few turns to revive them before they're gone forever?

What pissed me off about Fire Emblem was in later levels, you fought these uber damage enemies that could one-shot any character not wearing heavy plate armor. So medium armored melee were basically screwed, they couldn't even do hit and run attacks because the counterattack would kill them instantly.

 

[Tarazet]

Sold!

Also, is death handled Fire Emblem style, meaning they die instantly? Or is it like FFT where you have a few turns to revive them before they're gone forever?

What pissed me off about Fire Emblem was in later levels, you fought these uber damage enemies that could one-shot any character not wearing heavy plate armor. So medium armored melee were basically screwed, they couldn't even do hit and run attacks because the counterattack would kill them instantly.

Deaths are instant, and if it's a playable character you'll get a "_____ withdrew from battle" message. But the game really isn't that hard - for the most part, you just have to be able to exploit elementals hard-core, and the on-screen icons (combined with a quick elemental guide accessible with the Start button) make it very easy to keep track.

Himuro, there are places in the game to power-level (four, if the reviews are accurate). You just haven't got to them yet...

 

[Drinky Crow]

Haha, I LOVE permadeath -- it really makes you pay attention.

So far, this a good tactical RPG.

 

[Pellham]

What's the point of recruiting characters if they die forever in battle? That's the STUPIDEST thing I've ever seen grace an srpg.

If you seriously think this is the stupidest thing to grace SRPGs, then you must not have played many of them...
I'll give you a hint on how to handle permanent character death..
here it comes...

...restart the friggin game when someone dies! And next time around, change your strategy so that you don't let anyone die (even people who "withdraw"). The whole point of permanent character death is so that you don't get all retarded and resort to sacrifice tactics (where you throw a bunch of characters up against a really strong enemy without caring since the units will be back in the next battle).

 

[lyre]

Characters die permanently? SOLD!

Really, Suikoden should just have this type of battle system from now on. What with each game having around 108 recruitable party members, this should have been a no brainer.

This will be first Suikoden I might enjoy since II.

 

[Pellham]

he didn't say playable, he said recruitable, which is true.

 

[Tabris]

he didn't say playable, he said recruitable, which is true.

Actually there's usually only around 40-60 recruitable characters. The rest join during story.

 

[Bebpo]

Perma-death isn't so bad here. I'm like 27 hours into the game and I've only had to reset twice I think and I have like 50+ characters (no deaths).

I actually tend to get lucky as I've had non-story character withdraw several times instead of dying. It's basically just random whether they die or withdraw so you might get lucky and not have to redo a map.

...and there are several places to power level, they aren't that too far into the game so just keep playing.

 

[Pellham]

It's basically just random whether they die or withdraw

Cool, so it's just like previous Suikoden sim battles.
I am still early on in it as well, haven't even gotten Rita yet.

 

[Scott]

Why have 70 playable characters in an srpg? That's just stupid. Too much to handle.

That's exactly how many Suikoden Tactics has...

Komuta: Well, that is a bit different. In Suikoden Tactics you will not have 108 stars. There will be 70 characters altogether: 20 new characters, and 50 characters from Suikoden IV. One major feature is that these characters can all be in battle at one time.

Source: http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/genso-suikoden-tactics/652062p1.html

 

[lyre]

Also, 108 characters for an srpg is too much. In Suikoden games, about 70 of your characters are playable. Why have 70 playable characters in an srpg? That's just stupid. Too much to handle.

The same reason why many SRPGS allow you to create your own character: options. If you don't like a character for whatever reason, you can use another. The more characters you can choose from to use, the more variety you can get from it (as long as the game is properly/near properly balanced). Afterall, you don't have to maintain all 70 characters (unless you like that game THAT MUCH). I mean, come on!! You get 108 troopers but yet you can't use no more than 6 in your typical battle; weak.

And I would assume you never played a Pokemon game before where the very first one had 151 usuable characters ...

Still. Making Suikoden an srpg for the rest of it's games? Hell no. wtf.

Well, if the battle system of this side story winds up being not just a bit better but a LOT better than Suikoden 5's system, well then, I'm sure it won't be THAT bad of an idea to have the battle guys of Rhapsodia do the series' battle system from now on. Afterall, more than half of the game is the battles right?


Side note: I have noticed we disagree a lot. Carry on.

 

[Error]

Okay this is a good game and everything, it's fun and all, it adds to IV's plot line considerably..but wtf. The experience system BLOWS. Also, whenever a character you recruited dies in battle...they're gone. FOR GOOD. This is ruining the game for me. Holy crap it makes me want to throw my controller out the window because I recruited Rita, I take her into the next battle and she's friggin level 1. Unlike FFT or Disgaea, it's going to take FOREVER to get up to spades with Kyril and Andarc(which level 7 currently). She got killed. Every. Friggin. Time. Everytime I tried that map, I died. I decided to say,"Fukk it. She can die and burn in hell for all I care." What's the point of recruiting characters if they die forever in battle? That's the STUPIDEST thing I've ever seen grace an srpg. Seriously. Next up on the list of complaints is that whenever story characters lose all hp, they withdraw from battle. WITHDRAW. The hell? Why make the act of resurrecting characters so difficult ?

This is all rooted to the biggest problem this game has: You can't revisit maps. If you have no cash and you need more potch, you're going to have to go to the next map. Need more skill points and you're way underprepared? Next map.

This is ruining the game for me. A lot. I'm now in some cavern past the fireplace in Warlock's room in Middleport and there's now like...20 enemies I have to fight and I only have 3 characters. I decided to shut my ps2 after that.

pfft... don't even think about touching Fire Emblem cuz you'll be throwing your DS/GBA around the room then.

Perma-death adds a shitload of difficulty to a SRPG, after playing FE I seriously hope it is implemented in all future SRPGs, FFT had a Permadeath going but was very stupid and it was almost impossible to let a character perma-die. I haven't played Suikoden Tactics but at least in Fire Emblem if you let a character die it was your own fucking fault because the game gave every tool available(you can check the enemy attack range and the enemy equipment) so that you don't let that happen.

 

[Bebpo]

I restarted my game and I just got past the part where I was having trouble last night.

I S'd it. Elementals go a LONG way in this. It's even better if you stock your characters up with 4 of their element, and 4 of their weakness to compensate with the lack of party members.

Uhhh....yeah, you elementals are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

Either put a rune that lets you cast lvl.1 ground elemental spells of the character's element, or load them with 3-4 items that do the same thing.

ALWAYS BE ON POSITIVE ELEMENTAL GROUND. If your party is lvl.19 and the boss is lvl.26, as long as you're on ground in your favor and he/she's on ground disadvantagous to them, he/she won't be able to kill you in 1 hit and you'll be able to take them down quickly.

You basically want to put groups of characters with the same element together and have them travel in packs standing on one giant elemental ground in their favor. Then let the enemies come and try to attack you in it while you have defense++ there.

At least that's how I play

 

[Pellham]

elementals are freakin' awesome. I love the dynamic they add to the gameplay.

 

[Zeo]

GameSpot: 7.6

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/strategy/rapsodia/review.html

The Good: Lots of different characters to recruit; unique, fun, and simple battle system; large, well-designed maps; good music.
The Bad: Weak story and characters; bland presentation; some spotty voice acting.

Suikoden Tactics doesn't do much in the way of story, but the simple-yet-unique mechanics make it a satisfying strategy role-playing game. You can beat the game in fewer than 25 hours if you don't replay too many battles or complete any of the several side quests. If you have the inclination, though, you can easily spend a lot of time collecting all the characters and trying different party combinations. If you like strategy role-playing games, but don't give a rip about Suikoden, you should still check this game out. If you happen to be a Suikoden fan, that's all the better.

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Compared to Fire Emblem: PoR, how good is it?

 

[Zeo]

The story is far from weak if you have played SIV. It adds so much to that game that it's ridiculous.

On a scale of good to Dragon Quest VIII, how is the voice acting?

 

[Suikoguy]

I found the voice acting more then tolerable, the same actors from Suikoden 4 return. I've heard far worse then this game.
And yes, the story is far better if you had played Suikoden 4, or at least know the backstory from it.

 

[Diablos]

This game plays like FFT?

Interesting...

 

[MoxManiac]

I want this