Suikoden III (Japanese: 幻想水滸伝III, Hepburn: Gensō Suikoden Surī) is a role-playing video game created by Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo and released by Konami for the PlayStation 2 console. It is the third game in the Suikoden series. The game was first available in Japan and North America in 2002, and a comic book version was published in 2004.

The story follows three main characters. It focuses on a struggle between the Grassland tribes, the merchant nation of Zexens, and the aggressive nation of Harmonia. The characters work together to gather the 108 stars of Destiny, a group of powerful individuals, to stop a possible war from starting.

Mechanics

Suikoden III has a complex and well-developed world. The story is told through the "Trinity Sight System," which uses three different characters to show the plot from multiple perspectives instead of focusing on one main hero. The game includes three groups facing challenges, each with its own rules and conflicts. There is no clearly correct side to the story. Hugo is from the Karaya Clan and is a Grasslander. Chris Lightfellow is a Knight from the merchant nation of Zexen. Geddoe is part of the Harmonian Southern Frontier Defense Force, which protects the large nation of Harmonia on the Grasslands.

At the start of the game, the player chooses a character named the Flame Champion. This character is the leader of the Grasslands who fought to keep their land free from a Harmonian attack many years ago. Unlike other Suikoden games, where the main character usually does not speak, the Flame Champion and other important characters in Suikoden III have distinct personalities and speak in the game.

Gameplay

Suikoden III has many similarities to other role-playing video games. The player controls the main character and travels with them across a large world map. The story moves forward by completing tasks and speaking with other characters. In towns, players can collect information, sharpen weapons, learn new skills, and purchase equipment. In wilderness areas, players often face random battles with monsters. After a certain point in each main character's story, players may recruit new characters to join them at Budehuc castle. Recruiting a character usually requires completing a short side mission. Unlike Suikoden II and Suikoden V, Suikoden III does not have time limits for recruiting characters. If certain choices are made correctly, players can recruit all 108 Stars of Destiny.

Characters in Suikoden III have different statistics that affect their combat abilities. They can also learn specific skills. For example, the "Parry" skill helps characters avoid attacks more often, while other skills may increase damage or speed up spell casting. Different characters have preferences for certain skills and limits on how many skills they can learn. Battles involve up to 6 characters who fight directly, and one "support" character who provides special abilities, such as healing after battles. If all 6 fighting characters lose all their health and are unable to fight, the game ends, and the player must restart. Some story battles allow players to lose without ending the game, though the story may change slightly.

Fights in Suikoden III happen on a large open field, unlike the fixed front and back rows in earlier games. At the start of battles, characters are arranged in rows, but each row’s front and back characters act as a team. For example, if a character in the back row casts a spell, the front row character defends them during casting. If a character attacks, the front row character moves forward to strike the enemy.

Runes, the main type of magic in Suikoden, are used similarly to other games. Characters can use spells based on their "spell level." For example, a character with 4 level 1 spell slots and a Water Rune could cast the level 1 Water Rune spell 4 times. Some runes can be used often, while others have limits. Because battles take place on open fields, some rune effects were changed to affect areas instead of only enemies. For example, Fire runes now hit nearby areas, which might harm allies who are too close. When casting spells, characters begin chanting, and enemies can interrupt them. The time needed to chant depends on the character’s abilities and the spell’s strength.

At certain points in the game, large battles happen using a strategy system similar to military turn-based games. These battles take place on a map with connected points called a "graph." Some map locations give advantages, like extra defense in forests or automatic healing at bases. Units in nearby areas can help attacks by providing bonuses. When units fight, the standard Suikoden III battle system is used, but it is much faster and controlled by simple AI. Leaders can use special abilities and rune magic to help their units. Each side needs a strategist; better strategists allow more actions before their turn ends. Strategy battles end when mission goals are met, such as capturing a location or defending a position. They can also end if a main character is defeated.

Suikoden III includes minigames like dice gambling, card games, and horse racing. These games are usually played at Budehuc castle.

Setting

Suikoden III takes place in the year IS 475, about 16 years after the events of Suikoden II. The game is set in the Grasslands region, which is located to the northwest of the Dunan area from Suikoden II. This area was itself to the north of the Toran region from Suikoden. Politically, the Grasslands are mostly controlled by the Six Clans, a group of clans that includes the Karaya, Lizard, Duck, Chisha, Safir, and Alma Kinan. These clans are often viewed as less advanced by other regions, and their towns are smaller compared to cities in other parts of the Suikoden world. On the western coast, the merchant nation of Zexen is located. Zexen was once a small group from the Grasslands clans but has since become a powerful and independent country. Its buildings, government, and people resemble those of Renaissance Western European civilizations. To the east of the Grasslands are large mountains and the nation of Harmonia, which is very large and has many people. Harmonia has outposts along the border, including the town of Le Buque, which was once a Grasslands clan and is now under Harmonia’s control, and the trading city of Caleria.

In the world of Suikoden, all magic comes from Runes. Anyone can have a Rune placed on them, though some people are better at using them, and a few can have more than one Rune (with three being the usual maximum). All power from individual Runes ultimately comes from the 27 True Runes, which, according to Suikoden’s mythology, created the world. People who carry a True Rune gain great power and do not age, making these Runes highly sought after.

About 50 years before the start of Suikoden III, Harmonia tried to take control of the Grasslands and eventually invaded. Resistance was strong, and a leader known as the Flame Champion rose among the clans. This leader was said to carry the True Fire Rune. His followers, who were seen as bandits by Harmonia, attacked Harmonian forces constantly and became known as the Fire Bringer. A major battle eventually took place between the combined forces of the Grasslands and Harmonia. During the battle, the Flame Champion used the full power of the True Fire Rune, causing a massive fire that led to heavy losses on both sides. Although the battle ended in a draw, Harmonia withdrew, unwilling to continue fighting, and a peace agreement was made.

Plot

The Trinity Sight System has three parts in order for each character. Players can change characters and their perspective after each part ends.

Hugo is the son of the leader of the Karaya Clan. He is sent to the Zexen capital to deliver a peace offer for the Clans, which have been fighting Zexen. The visit fails, and Hugo must run back to Karaya, only to find it burning. His friend, Lulu, is killed by Chris Lightfellow. Wanting revenge and to help protect the Clans, Hugo travels through the Grasslands and joins other Karayans in exile at the Lizard Clan’s Great Hollow. He learns about the Flame Champion’s story and later seeks the Flame Champion’s help against the Clans being attacked by Zexen and the Harmonians.

Chris Lightfellow is the Acting Captain of the Zexen Knights. She is respected as a hero and called the "Silver Maiden." She is dedicated to protecting her country but is frustrated with the Zexen Council’s methods. This conflict grows as fighting with the Grassland Clans increases.

Chris leads Zexen forces against the Grassland Clans early in the game. She fights them at the failed truce meeting, the Karaya village (where she kills Lulu), and the Lizard’s Great Hollow. At Iksay Village, she helps stop an attack by the Lizard and Karaya Clans and discovers her missing father, Wyatt, may still be alive. She searches the Grasslands for him and learns more about the people she has fought.

Geddoe is the quiet leader of the Twelfth Harmonian Southern Fringe Defense Force Unit, a group of mercenaries working for Harmonia. He investigates rumors about the return of the Fire Bringer. As a neutral observer, he sees events like the Zexen attack on the Great Hollow, the killing of the Lizard Clan chief, and the burning of Karaya village. Though ordered by Harmonia, Geddoe has his own goals, especially suspecting a new Harmonian bishop who always wears a mask.

Geddoe is later told to find the True Fire Rune, a task he can easily complete. In truth, Geddoe carries the True Lightning Rune and was once a companion of the Flame Champion 50 years ago. He travels to the True Fire Rune to protect the Grasslands again.

Geddoe rarely shares his knowledge, preferring to stay mysterious. His team members also use fake names and have left their pasts behind. Unlike other chapters, Geddoe’s team stays mostly the same after recruiting Aila, a Karayan.

At the end of each character’s third part, they meet at the Flame Champion’s hideout. Hugo believes the Flame Champion is alive and will join them, but the Flame Champion is dead. He gave up his True Rune to live with his wife, Sana. A new Flame Champion is chosen by the player. In the game’s story, Hugo becomes the Flame Champion, though this is not certain. Later, the "Destroyer" forces attack to take the True Fire Rune, and the masked bishop is revealed to be Luc from earlier games. Despite Luc’s True Wind Rune, the old Flame Champion’s protections stop the attack.

At the start of Chapter 4, the Harmonian army attacks. The new Flame Champion must unite the fighting Grassland and Zexen forces to retreat against the larger Harmonian army. After retreating from villages, the united army fights at Brass Castle, a Zexen stronghold, and stops the Harmonian advance. The army moves to Budehuc Castle, suggested by its master, Thomas. Budehuc can be renamed. Later, Luc’s Destroyers and the new Fire Bringer attack the Sindar Ruins, where the True Water Rune is hidden. Jimba, who is actually Wyatt Lightfellow (Chris’s father and Geddoe’s former companion), is killed, and the rune is passed to Chris or Hugo, depending on who is the Flame Champion.

In Chapter 5, Luc’s plan to steal all the True Runes to destroy his own Rune fails. With help from Sarah and traps, Luc takes the True Lightning, Fire, and Water Runes from the protagonists and steals the True Earth Rune from Sasarai, gaining Harmonian support. Sarah summons magical creatures to fight, but the united army repels a second attack on Brass Castle. The creatures are chased to the Ceremonial Site, where Luc tries to destroy his Rune using the other Runes. The Runes are recovered, and Luc defeats Sasarai but is defeated by the True Wind Rune’s spirit.

There are three optional viewpoints in addition to the main ones.

• Thomas is a young noble from the north. He has two parts that become available after other characters visit his castle. After his illegitimate son visits, the Zexen Council member Lowma appoints Thomas as master of the poor Budehuc Castle. To improve the castle, Thomas rents land to store owners and recruits Stars of Destiny. Breaking Zexen rules causes problems. If Thomas’s parts are not completed by the time other characters finish their third parts, they become unavailable, and Thomas joins the Stars of Destiny in Chapter 4.

• Koroku is a dog with a short, humorous part. He can listen to others in the castle and sometimes overhears interesting conversations.

• Luc is the game’s main villain. If all 108 Stars of Destiny are recruited, players can see Luc’s story, showing his plans throughout the game.

It is thought that Sasarai might have had an optional part too, as all True Rune holders would then have a chapter. Sasarai’s part would likely replace Koroku’s short chapter.

Development

Suikoden III was created by the same group that made Suikoden II. In June 2002, one month before the game's release, some members of Suikoden III's team left Konami, including the series creator, Yoshitaka Murayama. After Murayama left, programmer Keiichi Isobe became Senior Director. When Murayama and others were not listed in the end-credits, fans guessed that company actions might have caused his departure. However, Murayama denied this, stating that his relationship with Konami remained friendly. He explained that the missing credits followed a Konami policy of not listing former employees. The opening video for Suikoden III was made by the team that animated the Suikogaiden games. After the second Suikogaiden game was completed, the Suikogaiden team joined the Suikoden III team. Together, they later worked on Suikoden IV and Suikoden V.

Soundtrack

The music for Suikoden III was composed by Michiru Yamane, Keiko Fukami, and Masahiko Kimura. The vocals for the opening track, "Ai wo Koete" (often translated as "Exceeding Love" or "Transcending Love"), were performed by Himekami. The soundtrack was released on two CDs on July 24, 2002, under the title Genso Suikoden III Original Soundtrack. Miki Higashino, who had created the main themes for Suikoden and most of the music in the first two games, did not contribute to this soundtrack. This explains the noticeable difference in style compared to earlier soundtracks. On September 11, 2002, Genso Suikoden III Collection ~Rustling Wind~ was released. It included 10 tracks from the game with new musical arrangements. The arrangements were created by a group named "bosque aroma," which consisted of Shusei Murai, Jiro Okada, and Mantell Nonoda.

Sales

By the end of 2002, 377,729 copies of Suikoden III were sold in Japan. In the United States, 190,000 copies were sold in total.

Konami did not release Suikoden III in PAL territories, which include regions like Europe. A European version was announced but canceled a few months before it was set to release. It is said that problems with the tools used to adapt the game for different regions caused the cancellation. At that time, Konami required all PAL games to be fully translated into the languages of those regions. Releasing the game only in English was not allowed. Requests to change Konami’s decision were not successful. Finally, Suikoden III was released in European territories on June 23, 2015, as a PS2 Classic on PlayStation Network.

Reception

The game received "favorable" reviews on Metacritic, a website that collects reviews. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 31 out of 40.

GameSpot said the game "had the potential to be a classic" and noted that "the plot is more mature than typical RPGs where a bad guy tries to destroy the world." Its only criticism was that "apart from the striking theme in the opening movie, the music is largely unremarkable." IGN's Jeremy Dunham said the game was "very close to perfect" and gave it a "strong recommendation" to all RPG fans.

Criticisms often fell into two groups. Some, like the review in Official PlayStation Magazine, said the game moved too slowly: "With each chapter, I became more discouraged by the lack of action and the large amount of story given to players… Suikoden III forces players to spend so much time switching between different storylines that they barely have time to enjoy combat." Others were from fans of the first two Suikoden games, who felt the third game changed too many aspects they enjoyed.

The game won GameSpot and IGN's RPG of the Year for 2002. It was a runner-up for GameSpot's "Best Story on PlayStation 2" award, which was won by Medal of Honor: Frontline. During the 6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, Suikoden III was nominated for "Console Role-Playing Game of the Year" by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.

In 2007, IGN placed Suikoden III at the 24th spot on their Top 25 PlayStation 2 Games of All Time list. In 2010, it was placed at the 47th spot on IGN's Top 100 PlayStation 2 games list.

Related products

In 2004, Tokyopop released an 11-volume manga series based on Suikoden III by Aki Shimizu in North America. A limited number of products featuring the three main characters were made, including figurines that were sold only in Japan as part of the Suikoden Figurine Collection by Yamato Toys.

Konami hired Brady Games to create the official U.S. strategy guide for the game. The guide was written by Jeremy Dunham of IGN and Laura Parkinson of Brady Games. However, for unknown reasons, the guide was not published.