Suikoden

Suikoden is a role-playing game from the mid-1990s, originally released for the PlayStation. It brought a fresh perspective to the genre with its focus on political intrigue and large-scale conflict.

The heart of Suikoden involves building your army. You take on the role of the young heir to a prominent general, who finds himself on the wrong side of a corrupt empire. Your main task is to gather allies, eventually amassing a force of 108 distinct characters, known as the Stars of Destiny, each with their own skills and personalities. These characters join your cause in your base, a large castle that grows and evolves as you recruit more people.

Combat in Suikoden unfolds in several ways. Standard encounters feature a party of up to six characters battling enemy groups in a turn-based system. Beyond this, you'll engage in large-scale army battles, which play out like tactical simulations where you choose unit types and formations. There are also intense one-on-one duels that require precise timing and strategic use of a few specific moves. Progressing through Suikoden involves exploring towns, dungeons, and the world map, talking to NPCs, managing your growing roster, and advancing the narrative of the rebellion.