Suikoden 2 Anime Announced Alongside New Mobile Gacha Game

Earlier this week, Konami delighted classic RPG fans with a live stream dedicated exclusively to the Suikoden franchise. The series hasn't seen a new entry since a Japan and PSP-exclusive side story more than a decade ago, so anticipation for the announcements was high and varied. Fans experienced a mix of emotions as Konami unveiled a Suikoden anime (yay!), and a brand new Suikoden video game for mobile (okay, sure!), complete with gacha mechanics (oh no!).

Starting with the anime, titled Suikoden: The Anime, it draws its narrative from the events of Suikoden 2 and marks Konami's first venture into animation. Unfortunately, we didn't get a detailed glimpse of the visuals, nor any information on its availability outside Japan. All that was shared was a brief scenery clip:

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

The announcement of the new game, Suikoden Star Leap, has stirred mixed feelings among fans. The game boasts stunning visuals with a 2D sprite style reminiscent of Octopath Traveler set against 3D backgrounds. It is set a few years before Suikoden 1 and after Suikoden 5, maintaining the series' tradition of featuring 108 characters.

However, the decision to release it solely on mobile platforms has left some fans disappointed. The addition of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization is particularly concerning for a franchise that has traditionally been known for its premium releases on consoles and PCs. Fans will need to see how these monetization strategies affect gameplay and the collection of all 108 characters.

In the meantime, Suikoden enthusiasts can look forward to the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and 2 in the form of 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 be released tomorrow, March 6.