Suikoden 2 Anime Announced Alongside New Mobile Gacha Game

This week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream focused entirely on the beloved Suikoden series. It's been over a decade since the franchise last saw a new entry, with the last release being a side story exclusive to Japan and the PSP. As a result, fans' expectations for what was to be announced were high and varied. The stream brought a mix of excitement and concern with the announcement of a new Suikoden anime and a brand new mobile game featuring gacha mechanics.

Starting with the anime, titled Suikoden: The Anime, it will be based on the events of Suikoden 2 and marks the first production from Konami Animation. While the live stream didn't showcase much beyond a brief scenery clip, this news is thrilling for long-time fans and potentially an inviting entry point for newcomers, provided the anime becomes accessible internationally.

The announcement of the new game, Suikoden Star Leap, has elicited mixed feelings among fans. The game, which boasts stunning visuals with 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds reminiscent of Octopath Traveler, is set to take place between Suikoden 1 and Suikoden 5 and will feature the series' traditional 108 characters. However, the excitement is tempered by the fact that Star Leap is slated for release exclusively on mobile platforms and will incorporate gacha mechanics along with ongoing monetization. This move away from the series' roots in premium console and PC games has left some fans disappointed, though the full impact of these monetization strategies on gameplay and character collection remains to be seen.

In the meantime, fans can look forward to the re-release of Suikoden 1 and Suikoden 2 with Suikoden I&II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars. A new trailer for this collection was also unveiled during the live event, and it's set to launch tomorrow, March 6.