<div style='font: 9pt "copperplate gothic light"; text-align: left; '>This one takes place 150 years before the first Suikoden. The setting this time is the Island Nations, which is to the south of Harmonia and what is in this time period still the Scarlet Moon Empire. This entry to the series revolves the True Rune of Punishment. The Rune of Punishment grants vast power to its bearer, but every time it is used, it eats at the persons life. Then after it consumes it's current owner, it selects a new one on its own, unlike the other true runes, which are passed on from bearer to bearer. Also due to the time period there are only 3 repeat characters in this game.
Storyline wise the game has been great, easily a contender for the best in the series. As for battles, the buddy system from III is gone, which is quite a relief. You only get a 4 person party in this one instead of 6, but it still works out really well. Also combo attacks must be learned, they arent just automaticly available, which is kinda neat.
As this is in an Island area all tactical battles are navel encounters. While these have been very fun, I have to say all the ones so far have been fairly easy. The interesting thing is the fact that as a last ditch effort you can board an enemy ship. If you do board, you go into a standard battle with the boarding party you assigned to the ship that you are attacking with. As such, sience the enemy will board you as well, you have to keep a decent chunk of your characters leveled up and equiped moderatly well. Fortunatly it is a lot easier to get money in this game, so it isnt too bad.
The dueling engine has been vastly improved. It still functions as the guess his action and attack, guard, or special accordingly, but it is much better animated. For example if you both guard, they will circle each other warily for a while brandishing their weapons. If both sides attack you see them dash forward and lock blades together and push each other back. Its pretty neat.
On a side note any true Suikoden fans will probally be amused to know that one of the stars is Scholteim Reinbach III ^_^
My only gripe on this game is that one or two of the stars were stupid to try to find. Most notably the 3rd mermaid (Lilin I think) who you had to fish up by draging your fishing net from Na-Nal Island to Nay Island. Other than that gameplay, story, and everything else has been great.</div>
Storyline wise the game has been great, easily a contender for the best in the series. As for battles, the buddy system from III is gone, which is quite a relief. You only get a 4 person party in this one instead of 6, but it still works out really well. Also combo attacks must be learned, they arent just automaticly available, which is kinda neat.
As this is in an Island area all tactical battles are navel encounters. While these have been very fun, I have to say all the ones so far have been fairly easy. The interesting thing is the fact that as a last ditch effort you can board an enemy ship. If you do board, you go into a standard battle with the boarding party you assigned to the ship that you are attacking with. As such, sience the enemy will board you as well, you have to keep a decent chunk of your characters leveled up and equiped moderatly well. Fortunatly it is a lot easier to get money in this game, so it isnt too bad.
The dueling engine has been vastly improved. It still functions as the guess his action and attack, guard, or special accordingly, but it is much better animated. For example if you both guard, they will circle each other warily for a while brandishing their weapons. If both sides attack you see them dash forward and lock blades together and push each other back. Its pretty neat.
On a side note any true Suikoden fans will probally be amused to know that one of the stars is Scholteim Reinbach III ^_^
My only gripe on this game is that one or two of the stars were stupid to try to find. Most notably the 3rd mermaid (Lilin I think) who you had to fish up by draging your fishing net from Na-Nal Island to Nay Island. Other than that gameplay, story, and everything else has been great.</div>
