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Suikoden is an RPG series created by Konami:
- Suikoden (PlayStation; 1996)
- Suikoden II (PlayStation; September 7, 1999)
- Suikoden III (PlayStation 2, United States and Japan only, July 11, 2002)
- Suikoden IV (PlayStation 2; 2004 Japan, 2005 US)
- Suikogaiden Vol. 1 - Swordsman of Harmonia (PlayStation, Japan only; 2000)
- Suikogaiden Vol. 2 - Duel At Crystal Valley (PlayStation, Japan only, 2001)
- Suikoden Card Stories (Game Boy Advance, Japan only, October 13, 2001)
The games are based loosely on a classical Chinese novel, Shui Hu Zhuan (Outlaws of the Marsh), by Shi Nai'an (Shi, 2003). They take the idea of the "108 Stars of Destiny" from this novel. The storylines of the first two games are based around revolution, politics, intrigue, and the capacity of an extraordinary, good-hearted hero to overcome any struggle with the right amount of allies and willpower.
The games are unique within the RPG genre, as they allow dozens of playable characters - most of the 108 Stars of Destiny in each game can be in the playable party. It does use features standard to most RPGs, such as random overworld & dungeon battles, saving the game at inns, a turn-based combat system in which you input the commands via command menu, but also introduces several unusual features such as turn-based strategic pitched battles as well as one-on-one battles, a headquarters that grows as the story progresses (and only develops fully if obscure characters are recruited) and several sub-games and side quests.
The Suikoden series was created, written, produced, and overseen by Yoshitaka Murayama, who left Konami near the end of Suikoden III's development.
Suikoden III has a manga adaptation.
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