Suikoden 2 Anime Announced Alongside New Mobile Gacha Game

Earlier this week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream dedicated entirely to the beloved Suikoden franchise. With no new mainline entry since a Japanese-exclusive PSP side story over a decade ago, anticipation for what was to come was sky-high. The announcements brought a mix of excitement and apprehension, with news of a new Suikoden anime (yay!) and a brand new Suikoden video game for mobile with gacha mechanics (oh no!).

First off, the anime, aptly named Suikoden: The Anime, will adapt the events of Suikoden 2 and marks Konami's inaugural venture into animation. While details on its visual style and international availability remain scarce, a brief glimpse of scenery was shared:

This is thrilling news for die-hard Suikoden fans and could serve as an excellent introduction for newcomers, provided it becomes widely accessible.

The second announcement, however, stirred mixed feelings among fans. A new game, Suikoden Star Leap, was unveiled, boasting stunning visuals reminiscent of Octopath Traveler's 2D sprites on 3D backgrounds. Set a few years before Suikoden 1 and after Suikoden 5, it retains the series' hallmark of featuring 108 characters.

However, the game is slated for a mobile-only release, which might not be a deal-breaker for dedicated fans. The inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization, though, is a significant departure from the series' tradition of premium console and PC releases. It remains to be seen whether these monetization strategies will impact players' enjoyment or their ability to collect all 108 characters.

In the meantime, Suikoden enthusiasts can look forward to the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and 2 in the form of 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 tomorrow, March 6.