• Trinity Sight System, which enables players to experience events from the viewpoints of three different characters.

• recruit from over 100 characters

GRAPHICS

This game is completely in 3D and it couldn't look better. It's the second best looking RPG on the PS2(Final Fantasy X is the only game that looks better), and the characters and locations look great. Though some may shun the switch from 2D to 3D the change was really necessary and improves the experience. Afterall there were those who didn't like Final Fantasy going into 3D and Final Fantasy 7 is one of the series best.

GAMEPLAY

One of the keys to sustaining an enjoyable RPG is a battle system that doesn't get tired after hours of play, and Suikoden 3 succeeds. Once again you have six characters in your party, but this time you have to control them in pairs adding a new level of strategy and helping the battles go faster.

STORY

By far this games strongest quality is it's story. This is probably the best story for an RPG on the PS2 so far. It's compelling and thanks to the Trinity Sight System(A system that allows you to switch between 3 characters at the end of every chapter) the game has alot of varitie. There is also a big plot twist for those who played the first two games, though you don't have to be familiar with the first 2 installments to enjoy this game.

OVERALL

A must own for anyone who likes RPG's or even just enjoys the occasional Final Fantasy. This game is long, I clocked in about 70-75 hours playing it and it never once gets boring. There's also plenty of side-quests to enjoy and extra stuff to do. So go buy this game!

25 of 26 found the following review helpful:


The Best RPG of the year.  Nov 13, 2002 By Marc D.
The Suikoden RPG series has always been about people who get caught up in events far beyond their control, and how they rise up to that challenge. Hallmarks of the Suikoden games are the necessity of gathering 108 allies (based on an old Chinese legend) and building a castle headquarters where your main base (and source of mini-games) will be.
Suikoden 3 is different from past games since it gives you the option of choosing from one of 3 initial heroes to play as. These include a female knight, a tribal youth and a mercenary, each of whom represents a different side of a dangerous, escalating war.
To actually finish the game, you WILL have to play all the 3 chapters of each character; this is no problem however since each character's story is compelling and always intriguing. The great thing about this system, or Trinity Sight, is that you see the story from various viewpoints, so the depth and secrets that are revealed are really rewarding as you play through the game.
And that is what Suikoden 3 is all about. Do not look for flashy CG and cinematics, since there are none (except for a magnificent anime movie 'trailer' of the game at the start screen), but that really shouldn't matter. It's the game's story and the characters you will grow attached to that will captivate you.
Graphics are mixed; the art style is wonderful Japanese anime fantasy style, though the 3D in-game models are slightly cartoony in proportion but not too cutesy- the best part is that they express emotion better than any other game out there; this makes for entertaining cut scenes. The environments are detailed and wonderful.
As for gameplay, this is still a turn-based combat system, with the requisite 'army' and one-on-one duels present. Overall though, the gameplay is easy, control is excellent and loading times are only a few seconds in length. No detraction from the fun.
Finally, as for replay, there are hidden characters to play as, multiple endings, 108 allies to recruit, a castle with tons of fun stuff to do and the option to load save games from past Suikodens to unlock more secrets.
In terms of story, replay, depth and compelling characters, Suikoden 3 is unquestionably the best RPG out there now. Fans of Suikoden MUST get this game, but I heartily recommend it to everyone who loves RPGs or at least a deep, involving story.
What are you waiting for? Get this game NOW!

25 of 26 found the following review helpful:


...?  Oct 22, 2002
I own the japanese version of this game, and it is quite impressive. Fans may or may not be disappointed by the 3D graphics from the 2D sprites. I will admit, though I love this game and the series to death, the graphics themselves don't compare to some of the earlier RPGS (Final Fantasy X comes to mind). However, facial expressions are done extremely well and accurately. The music is very nicely and correctly put together and it's not overly annoying (though I will say you might get irritated with the battle music after hearing 100+ times in the first 2 hours or so). The anime intro really gives the game a unique feel that can separate it from most other RPGs on the console. The most compelling of the game, however, is the story and the character development. Both of these dig much deeper than any of the previous Suikodens. Everything isn't as it seems and you'll be very surprised where this game leads you. After all, in war, who is really right?

This game is for the people looking for intelligent, fun rpg that keeps you guessing and intrigued by the storyline. You'll get very attached to the characters. However, graphics wise or to a casual gamer, this may not be a good choice to choose. Square is much better for just picking up a game and trying it.

One thing I cannot speak for is how people will like the Trinity System (I thought it was an interesting way to approach the story and very powerful). Also, I cannot say how well the translation is on the english version, since I only played the japanese version. From what I've seen, aside from some irritating name alternations from the translations of japanese to english, everything seems to have been quite nicely.

20 of 23 found the following review helpful:


A great game  Nov 19, 2002
There are several instances in the RPG world where sequels are often disappointing and lack the charm in the original. However, Suikoden 3 is one exception. With a solid storyline and great characters, Suikoden 3 aims to please gamers just as much, if not more, as its predecessors.

While its graphics are not up to par with Final Fantasy X and various other games, Suikoden 3 makes up for this with the Trinity Sight System, an innovative idea that puts the gamer in the different characters' shoes. The characters are done very well, particularly the main characters, and within a few hours, gamers can find themselves growing increasingly attached to the characters. Some scenes are touching, others are filled with powerful storyline twists that will shock both old fans and newcomers to the series.

The music is nice, and fits the overall mood of the game. The tension can be felt as a war is played out; the peaceful setting of a castle can be experienced through the smooth music rolling out. The plays that the man Nadir hosts are interesting and fun to play around with. With about 100 characters to use in the place of plays such as Romeo and Juliet, William Tell and The Boy Who Cried Wolf, gamers can be kept laughing in their seats. The way some characters act also adds a certain depth to them.

Battles require a certain degree of strategy. The levelling-up system ensures that a challenge is present throughout the various major battles in the game. The challenge factor of Suikoden 3 is definitely better than average, since the battle system mostly disallows gamers from building their characters up to ridiculous levels and pummelling the enemies into pulp. Wars have to be played out correctly, or it may result in one or more of the 108 Stars of Destiny's deaths, which is very undesirable. Duels require correct guessing of the opponent's intentions, so that they may counter. Mess up, and the gamer might find himself in a precarious situation.

And there is, of course, the 108 characters to obtain. While some of them are gotten automatically, others have to found, and this adds to even more fun and hours of gameplay in Suikoden 3.

A minus factor of the game, however, is the removing of the freedom to traverse the world map. This restricts gamers' movements to merely within towns and dungeons, which can get very mundane after a while. Also, the world map in Suikoden 3 is tiny compared to Suikoden 1 and 2. There aren't many places to go, and there are no side quests to perform, unless defeating 'treasure bosses' are counted in. Navigation is removed here as well, since just about every location in the game has a map, which allows for easy navigation, thus removing the challenge in trying to find your way in a complicated dungeon. Camera angles are fixed, and more often than not gamers may find themselves growing frustrated that they are always going back and forth between two screens because of the sudden switch in camera angles. Hold the analog or directional button in a fixed direction, and the gamer might very well find himself getting out of a room, only to find himself running back in because of the directional switch.

However, on the overall, Suikoden 3 is still a very enjoyable game, easily providing 40+ hours of gameplay with its storyline and characters. Buy this game. You won't be disappointed.

9 of 9 found the following review helpful:


Potentially on of the most interesting RPGs I've ever played. 1story: 4 different veiwpoints.  Jul 27, 2005 By The "Silver Golem"
Parents: If your child likes RPGs or "story telling" games. This is perfect for kids...or adults for that matter. This is one is still on my all time favorite games list. (:

Anyway...

This game was monsterously entertaining to me. The story was a masterpeice with an army of potentially 108 to recruit for your use. Granted not ALL of the will be able to be used on your combat team of six, but most of them will be and you can custimize all of them to a point.

Keeping a story interesting with a potential number of 108 personalities, over three veiwpoints and four main characters would be a challenge for most book writers. Stuffing so much content in one story can sometimes cause it's down fall. "To many cooks in a kitchen ruins the soup" and all that. Somehow Suikoden III, made a masterpiece with it all instead of hindering themselves. I was truly impressed.

During the course of the story you can alternate between four different veiwpoints: a "barbarian" kid, a lady knight, and a mysterious mercinary, and the unlucky new ower of a run down castle that is looking for residents to stay afloat. Each of the first three member resprisents a veiwpoint into each side of an upcoming war with a unseen evil pulling the strings. Through most of the game each group of friends find themself getting sucked into the mystery without even really meeting each other untill the end of the game. During each veiwpoint or "Chapter" each characters can come by and potentially recruit 108 hidden charcaters, not all of them able to be pick up by a single main character or all at once. Some of them are hidden, some are given to you ether way they all end up hanging at Thomas' run down castle while they are not being used because this old castle happens to be the boarder of each waring party making it a neutral and protected area from all sides. The way the story makes this all seem very logical and conicidental is ingenious.

The gameplay is also nothing short of amazing. Like any RPG it takes charcter building to survive, but because the characters always switch and you have only a certain amount of money you cannot become "godlike" in the very begining and make the game effortless for yourself. The "mini-games" are also challengeing because are large scale battle moments that resemble risk and one on one time duels. Not to mention puzzles galore. Unlocking characters can also be considered a minigame.

Not to spoil much, but the replay value is also high for if you find all 108 characters the first time around you can unlock the mini storyline of the main villan.

So if you like RPGs than this one is a MUST. I can't stress that enough. Get Suikoden III. Do NOT, however, mistake Suikoden III for Suikoden 4. Suikoden 4 was terrible.

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