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. The series, which hasn't seen a new entry since a Japanese and PSP-only side story over a decade ago, sparked a wide range of expectations among its followers. The announcements that followed stirred a mix of emotions: a Suikoden anime (yay!), and a brand new Suikoden video game for mobile (okay, sure!), but with gacha mechanics (oh no!).

Let's dive into the anime first, aptly titled Suikoden: The Anime. This series will be based on the events of Suikoden 2 and marks the inaugural production of Konami Animation. While we didn't get a detailed look at the visuals or learn about its international availability, a brief scenery clip was shared:

This is thrilling news for dedicated Suikoden fans and could serve as an excellent introduction for newcomers, provided the anime becomes widely accessible.

The second major announcement, however, has left fans with mixed feelings. A new game, Suikoden Star Leap, was unveiled, showcasing stunning visuals reminiscent of Octopath Traveler with 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds. The game is set a few years before Suikoden 1 and a few years after Suikoden 5, and like its predecessors, it will feature the traditional 108 characters.

However, Suikoden Star Leap is slated for release exclusively on mobile platforms, which might not be a deal-breaker for die-hard fans. The inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization, though, has raised concerns. This is a departure from the series' history of premium releases on consoles and PCs. Fans will need to wait and see if these monetization strategies impact their ability to fully enjoy the game and collect all 108 characters.

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