Suikoden Fans Rejoice With the Announcement of a Suikoden 2 Anime...and a Brand New Mobile Gacha Game

Earlier this week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream dedicated entirely to the beloved Suikoden series. The franchise, 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 brought a mix of excitement and apprehension: a Suikoden anime (yay!) and a brand new Suikoden video game for mobile (okay, sure!), but with gacha mechanics (oh no!).

Starting with the anime, titled Suikoden: The Anime, it's based on the events of Suikoden 2 and marks the first production from 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 after Suikoden 5, and like its predecessors, it features 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. Historically, the Suikoden series has been known for its premium console and PC releases, making this shift to mobile with monetization elements a disappointing move for many. We'll need to see how these monetization decisions impact the gameplay and the 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 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.