Suikoden 4 review at IGN
- Thread starter ChristKiller
- Start date
7.0 Presentation
The new artistic direction of the game doesn't suit it very well, but the storyline is above average and Snowe Vingerhut rocks. Too bad a lot of the emotion from the other games is gone.
7.5 Graphics
Suikoden IV's water effects are great and the magical bits are just as solid. Character animations are incredibly stiff, though, and the facial expressions and environments are underwhelming.
8.5 Sound
Having a better soundtrack than the previous game is always a plus, and the voice acting is surprisingly good. Way to go Konami.
8.0 Gameplay
A barebones interpretation of the old-school Suikoden gameplay mode, it's faster-paced and more flexible than the last game. Sadly, it's easier too. We love the naval battled and mini-games.
7.0 Lasting Appeal
The option to play through again with your items is a nice touch, but Suikoden IV is almost half as long as Suikoden III and the loss of the Trinity Sight System means little variety.
7.9 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
"I'll come right out and admit that I'm a Suikoden fanboy. I'm still disappointed that the Suiko Gaiden titles never made it over here from Japan, still try to track down the Saturn version of the original just for the sake of having it, and still think about how great Suikoden II was every time I play a brand new RPG. Ashamedly, that part of me wants to slap a nine at the end of this sucker and call it a day. After all, this is Suikoden!
But then the practical thinking takes over and I realize that I just can't do it. Yes, the game is fun, yes it has some cool fortress building additions and mini-games, and yes, Snowe Vingerhut is one of the most interesting characters I've seen in a in a very long time. But even with all that combined, there's still one thing that Suikoden IV doesn't have: Heart. And for better or for worse the Suikoden series has always been about that: the emotions, the feelings, and the power of family. But with Snowe and a few other exceptions aside, Suikoden IV just doesn't seem to have it. Nor does it have the awesome Trinity Sight System which could have been a great step forward for the franchise as a whole.
And yet despite all this, Suikoden fans such as myself will want to own it. Hell, I've played through the game and have obvious problems with it, and I still want to pick it up just so I can play through it again (yes, there's a New Game Plus and yes I have an obvious problem). But that's what it ultimately boils down to: If you're a Suikoden nut and loved the other three titles, then chances are you'll enjoy yourself with this one too. But if you're an RPG fan in search of something new, then keep in mind that Suikoden has definitely seen better days."
The new artistic direction of the game doesn't suit it very well, but the storyline is above average and Snowe Vingerhut rocks. Too bad a lot of the emotion from the other games is gone.
7.5 Graphics
Suikoden IV's water effects are great and the magical bits are just as solid. Character animations are incredibly stiff, though, and the facial expressions and environments are underwhelming.
8.5 Sound
Having a better soundtrack than the previous game is always a plus, and the voice acting is surprisingly good. Way to go Konami.
8.0 Gameplay
A barebones interpretation of the old-school Suikoden gameplay mode, it's faster-paced and more flexible than the last game. Sadly, it's easier too. We love the naval battled and mini-games.
7.0 Lasting Appeal
The option to play through again with your items is a nice touch, but Suikoden IV is almost half as long as Suikoden III and the loss of the Trinity Sight System means little variety.
7.9 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
"I'll come right out and admit that I'm a Suikoden fanboy. I'm still disappointed that the Suiko Gaiden titles never made it over here from Japan, still try to track down the Saturn version of the original just for the sake of having it, and still think about how great Suikoden II was every time I play a brand new RPG. Ashamedly, that part of me wants to slap a nine at the end of this sucker and call it a day. After all, this is Suikoden!
But then the practical thinking takes over and I realize that I just can't do it. Yes, the game is fun, yes it has some cool fortress building additions and mini-games, and yes, Snowe Vingerhut is one of the most interesting characters I've seen in a in a very long time. But even with all that combined, there's still one thing that Suikoden IV doesn't have: Heart. And for better or for worse the Suikoden series has always been about that: the emotions, the feelings, and the power of family. But with Snowe and a few other exceptions aside, Suikoden IV just doesn't seem to have it. Nor does it have the awesome Trinity Sight System which could have been a great step forward for the franchise as a whole.
And yet despite all this, Suikoden fans such as myself will want to own it. Hell, I've played through the game and have obvious problems with it, and I still want to pick it up just so I can play through it again (yes, there's a New Game Plus and yes I have an obvious problem). But that's what it ultimately boils down to: If you're a Suikoden nut and loved the other three titles, then chances are you'll enjoy yourself with this one too. But if you're an RPG fan in search of something new, then keep in mind that Suikoden has definitely seen better days."
Catchpenny
Member
I know that 7.9 isn't a horrible score, etc. However, when you consider what a Suikoden fan Jeremy is, and how liberal the praise for JRPGs is at IGN PS2, it's disappointing. The same reviewer gave Suikoden III a 9.4, after all.
With my current RPG backlog, I'll wait for a pricedrop.
With my current RPG backlog, I'll wait for a pricedrop.
GermanOfficer
Member
Well I consider myself a Suikoden fanboy so I might at least enjoy this game.
dark10x said:
I'm at the part where you
have to beat the shit out of Crosell so he'll carry the cannon for you or something dumb like that.
meeting Maria and watching Fayt kill some shit with angel powers
Diomedeskun
Member
belgurdo said:
The AI is actually pretty decent once you understand how to use it. Just make sure to spend more skill points on attack than defend for your fighters, as that affects their AI. Cliff with Hammer of Might is brutal and Nel is extremely versatile. Maria's powerup abilities will also help immensely. As for Fayt, use his Ice Blade in the volcano section against all enemies for fairly easy kills.
Just keep your magic full while your party gives crosell a beatdown. He can easily MP kill your team if you are not careful.
ELicoor is one of my favorite RPG worlds due to the actual medieval European feel of parts and the level of amazing detail both in the graphics and the history. It is fantastically well realized for a fantasy world.
If you don't like Elicoor, there is plenty more of the game left that is Sci-Fi.
And the whole gimmick with the Star Ocean games is that people from a futuristic society come to a medieval society to fix a problem there, and then all the characters from both worlds will defeat the more serious threat to the universe... It's been like this since the first game.
The second one is still the best in the series though.
The second one is still the best in the series though.
Guns N' Poops
Banned
Deepthroat said:I still want Suikoden III. Damn Konami Europe
Yeah, screw Suikoden IV. III was so much more appealing to me.