Suikoden III

Suikoden III (幻想水滸伝III, Gensō Suikoden Surī?) (pronounced: SWEE-ko-den) (help·info) is a console role-playing game developed and published by Konami for the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console, and the third installment in the Suikoden video game series. It was released in 2002, with a manga version published in 2004. Like the other Suikoden games, Suikoden III features an intricate, detailed setting. The game's story is presented through the "Trinity Sight System;" rather than having only one "hero," the plot is explored through three different viewpoints, allowing... (More) Suikoden III (幻想水滸伝III, Gensō Suikoden Surī?) (pronounced: SWEE-ko-den) (help·info) is a console role-playing game developed and published by Konami for the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console, and the third installment in the Suikoden video game series. It was released in 2002, with a manga version published in 2004.

Like the other Suikoden games, Suikoden III features an intricate, detailed setting. The game's story is presented through the "Trinity Sight System;" rather than having only one "hero," the plot is explored through three different viewpoints, allowing events to be seen from multiple sides. There are three struggling factions in Suikoden III, each with their own divisions and politics, and there is no unambiguous "right" side. Hugo of the Karaya Clan is a Grasslander, Chris Lightfellow is a Knight of the merchant nation of Zexen, and Geddoe is a member of the Harmonian Southern Frontier Defense Force, keeping watch for the huge nation of Harmonia on the Grasslands area.

The named "hero" chosen by the player at the beginning of the game is actually the Flame Champion, the Grassland leader who upheld the independence of the Grasslands against a Harmonian incursion decades ago. Unlike other Suikoden games, which generally feature a silent protagonist, the Flame Champion and the other main characters all have personalities and dialog.

Suikoden III shares many elements with other console role-playing games. The player controls the current protagonist and travels with them around the world map, advancing the plot by completing tasks and talking with other characters. In towns, they can gather information, sharpen their weaponry, learn new skills, and buy equipment; wilderness areas generally feature random encounters with monsters. Aside from the main plot, after a certain point in each main character's chapters, they may recruit new characters to go to Budehuc castle. Recruiting a character often requires a short sidequest or other mission. Unlike Suikoden II and Suikoden V, Suikoden III has no "time limits" for character recruitment; assuming certain plot decisions are made "correctly," it is always possible to recruit all 108 Stars of Destiny.

Like other games, characters in Suikoden III possess a variety of statistics that determine in-game combat ability. Characters also can learn skills; for instance, the "Parry" skill allows a character to defend against attacks more often, while other skills may increase damage output or hasten the casting of spells. Different characters have affinities for different skills, and their own maximum limit on the number of skills they can learn. Parties may consist of up to 6 characters who participate in combat and one "support" character who adds a special skill to the party, such as minor healing after battle. If all 6 characters lose all their hit points (and are thus incapacitated), it is game over and the player must restart. Exceptions exist for certain plot battles in which winning is optional; the player can lose and the plot continues on, albeit in a slightly different fashion. (Less) Developer: Konami - Released: 2002, Jul 11 - Genre: RPG - Platform: PlayStation 2,Sega Saturn