Suikoden V PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Mar 21, 2006
Suikoden V Image
Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 43 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 43 Ratings

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  • Summary: Suikoden V, like its predecessors, features unparalleled in-depth gameplay, a riveting storyline as well as the series' trademark 108 Stars of Destiny. Thrust into a time of unbalance and unrest, a dynamic drama unfolds revolving around one of the 27 True Runes, the Sun Rune. Players are tasked to explore the lands of Falena, gather allies and become stronger to ultimately bring back peace and prosperity. While on their quest through rich 3D environments, exciting new secrets of the Suikoden world will be revealed. The game features significant enhancements from all the previous installments of the series, including 6-member battle parties, multiple mini-games and the homebase system, where all of your allies gather together along with new features to create a unique gameplay experience like no other. [Konami]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 43
  3. Negative: 1 out of 43
  1. RPG Fan
    95
    The game is sure to be a classic with many Suikoden fans, especially those like myself who felt disappointment with how III and IV turned out.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    84
    With multiple endings, different paths to choose, hundreds of characters and lots of environments to explore, Suikoden V, can take its place at the top shelf among classic PS2 RPGs.
  3. Eurogamer
    70
    While there are giant leaps towards putting things right this is a game that seems to be grasping for what once was rather than setting its paths straight into a bright and engaging future.
  4. Times Online
    40
    The game becomes more strategic as it progresses, I am assured by fans of the ten-year-old series, but by then it is very hard to care.

See all 43 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. AbrahamD.
    10
    Suikoden is once again shown that it is the story telling master of all RPGs.
  2. BrianK.
    10
    And the award for "Making a great RPG by going back to the roots of what made the series so good" goes to Konami for Suikoden V. Hooray for Konami for ressurecting a wonderful franchise that became mired in mediocrity when it hit the PS2... unlike Squaresoft who takes a franchise that produced two of the best RPGs ever Final Fantasy 3(5) and Final Fantasy 7 and them makes garbage games that completely strip what makes an RPG great and disguises it graphical luster and polish, RPGs were never about graphics, but gameplay and story and characters, Suikoden 2 was the best in the series by far, 3 and 4 tried to destroy it bu luckily Konami, bless them unlike aome companies answered the angry and saddened fans cries and brought back the series to the old in Suikoden 5, just playing this game makes me feel at home like I was playing a polished and upgraded version of Suikoden 2, it has all the elements and themes that made 2 so appealing but adds more depth, more improved gameplay and a greater story even, I am 25 hours into it and finally have my castle which I am happy to see is an actual castle that lives and breathes and grows like the previous ones in 1 and 2, I am also very impressed with the new Duel and battle systems which have undergone major upgrades, the real time battles are great and exciting, I wish all companies would go back to the roots of gameplay and story like Konami did, Suikoden 5 and Dragon Quest 8 are the two best RPGs out right now and they both have the gameplay and story that us RPG baby boomers remember form the good old days, If it ain't broke don't fix it. Suikoden 2 was a classic masterpiece and now Suikoden 5 compliments what made it so great but now stands out as another masterpiece ready to stand the test of time!… Expand
  3. vidm
    8
    Solid RPG. Way too easy. Ending boss was the only remotely challenging boss. The only time I had to revert to a previous save is when I lost some people in one of the big battles. No, folks, this is most certainly not the best Suikoden. V's story is interesting for the first half of the game. Towards the end of the game, when a certain someone defects, the story becomes senesless drivel. II's Joei was a sympathetic antagonist. V's Marscal and Gizel's lust for power is one-dimesional and uninteresting. II's Shu offered brilliant, plausible tactics. V's Lucretia just hides the facts from you. It's like cheap mysterty, where the author neglects to mention the details until the case is solved. I decided I like Suikoden I better too because there is undeniably one key component V is missing: heart. The characters and their world are soulless. I felt myself completely unmoved by the deaths of key characters or the plight of the royal family in general. V is still a huge imrovement over III and IV, but it in no way usurps I's throne.… Expand
  4. JordanM.
    3
    If you would call yourself a hardcore anime fan before you'd call yourself a hardcore gamer, then this game is absolutely for you. The cinematics and voice acting are pretty impressive for an RPG of this style, and the characters and plot points will be comfortable to those familiar with japanese cartoons in general. If you want shocking twists and turns in your story, or engaging gameplay, this game is definitely not for you. Combat is laughable; I played for 3-4 hours and never once was in a fight that required anything more than auto-attacking... and this is with no items or visits to the inn! The game's menus hint at further depth, but people that don't find themselves engrossed by the clichéd characters will wish they hadn't wasted so much of their time waiting for the "game" to start. Still not sure? Rent it, and if you like it, buy it and continue on your rental save-game. The extra few bucks for the rental are well worth it.… Collapse

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