Summary

Suikoden Tierkreis stands out as an epic RPG adventure that enriches the Suikoden saga. With its story of courage, unity, and the fight against chaos, coupled with strategic gameplay and a deep cast of characters, it delivers a memorable experience that continues to captivate fans of the series.

Release Year: 2008
Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Developers: Konami
Publishers: Konami

Introduction

Suikoden Tierkreis continues the storied legacy of the Suikoden series, offering an epic RPG adventure that spans the infinite realms of the Million World universe. With its engaging narrative, strategic gameplay, and the quest to unite the 108 Stars of Destiny, it stands as a testament to the series’ enduring appeal.

Synopsis

“Suikoden Tierkreis” is a role-playing video game developed and published by Konami for the Nintendo DS. Released in December 2008 in Japan, and in March 2009 in Europe and North America, it is a spin-off of the main Suikoden series.

The game is set in a world inhabited by diverse nations, tribes, and a range of creatures including humans, Roar (similar to the Kobolds and Nay-Kobolds of previous games), Porpos-kin (small, penguin/dolphin-like creatures), and Auster (a race of horned giants).

The protagonist is an energetic young man named Sieg from Citro Village. One day, on a regular mission to defeat monsters plaguing the plains near their hometown, Sieg and his friends enter some ruins. After struggling to defeat some enemies there, they discover a book, the Shining Legacy, that grants them mysterious powers, known as Mark of the Stars.

The game’s main theme is “the infinite possibility of the future”. Players must assume the role of Sieg, who gathers the combined forces of 108 heroes to attempt to defeat a powerful entity known as The One King, leader of The Order of the One True Way. The One King seeks to control the world by spreading his doctrine that all fate is predetermined and all people have no control over their lives.

“Suikoden Tierkreis” is a traditional JRPG where the player must navigate through three-dimensional environments and complete story-based objectives to advance the narrative. The game takes advantage of the Nintendo DS’s dual screens, with gameplay, text, and menu options often displayed on the bottom screen.

On the field, the top screen shows a landscape image of the player’s current location, along with the name of that location and season information. During battle, the top screen also displays character information such as hit points, magic points, etc.

Players move their character through the game using either the directional pad or the stylus wand to take advantage of the DS’s touchscreen function. While advancing through the game, the player must interact with non-player characters to move the story forward and allow new scenarios to become available for play, as well as to discover new items and areas.

Battles in “Suikoden Tierkreis” use a turn-based approach where players input commands for all active characters in their party before each combat round, with the corresponding actions taking place in accordance with each character’s “speed” rating. A player’s party may consist of up to four characters at a time, with special combination skills becoming available depending on which specific characters are included.

When a player defeats a group of enemies, they are awarded experience points that go toward increasing their party member’s levels, thereby making them stronger and able to use more special skills in battle. Defeated enemies may also provide trade items that can be sold for money to purchase goods in-game such as restorative items and better equipment that will allow the player to battle even stronger enemies.

By using the DS’s Wi-Fi function, two players each with their own game card can connect to each other to exchange characters and items, as well as gain access to unique battle scenarios.

“Suikoden Tierkreis” offers a rich and immersive gaming experience with its intricate plot, diverse characters, and engaging gameplay mechanics. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Suikoden series and a worthy addition to any RPG enthusiast’s game collection.

Characters

The game features a vast cast of characters, including the protagonist, a young leader with a strong sense of justice, and the 108 Stars of Destiny, each with their unique abilities and roles in the story. The antagonist, the One King, serves as the central figure of evil, against whom the heroes unite.

Gameplay

Gameplay in Suikoden Tierkreis involves exploring various worlds, engaging in strategic battles, and recruiting characters to the player’s cause. The combat system allows for deep tactical decision-making, and the recruitment process adds a layer of depth and strategy to the game.

Conclusion

Suikoden Tierkreis is a noteworthy addition to the Suikoden series, capturing the essence of what makes the franchise beloved by RPG fans. Its ambitious narrative, strategic gameplay, and the quest to gather the 108 Stars of Destiny offer a rich and engaging experience that resonates with the themes of unity and destiny.