Suikoden Tactics

Infobox VG
title = Suikoden Tactics


developer = Konami
publisher = Konami
designer =
engine =
released = vgrelease|Japan|JP|September 22, 2005
vgrelease|North America|NA|November 8, 2005
vgrelease|European Union|EUR|February 24, 2006
genre = Tactical role-playing game
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB: T (Teen)
PEGI: 12+
OFLC (AU): PG
platforms = PlayStation 2
media = 1 DVD-ROM
requirements =
input = DualShock Controller

"Suikoden Tactics" ("Rhapsodia" in Japan) is a tactical role-playing game installment of the "Suikoden" series by Konami. It was initially released in 2005 for the Sony PlayStation 2 console. The story starts several years before the events of "Suikoden IV", and continues after a hiatus after the events of "Suikoden IV". The story is told through the eyes of Kyril, a young man investigating the power of mysterious weapons called "Rune Cannons," which hold strange powers of transformation.

Gameplay

"Suikoden Tactics " is a tactical role-playing game and thus shares many traits with the genre. The player controls a young man named Kyril, and advances the plot by completing tactical battles and talking with other characters. The player can also recruit new characters to his cause, which often involves a short sidequest. In towns, the player can gather information, sharpen character's weaponry, learn new skills, and buy equipment.Each character may use special "Runes" or items to imbue terrain squares with various elements. Characters each have a particular element on which their attack and defence is boosted by a significant amount when they occupy a space with the corresponding element, and the reverse is true if the character occupies a space with an element the character is weak to.

Another feature of the battle system in Suikoden Tactics are its use of supporting characters. Such characters have no offensive value as they can not attack, but impart various effects on the playing field such as healing, stealing, digging, and stat buffing.

Aside from that, the elemental runes and weapon runes from previous games return. Elemental Runes all have as their level 1 spell a magic that turns an area of the playing field of a certain element. Weapon runes in Suikoden Tactics operate differently from previous Suikoden games. Instead of a single attack with infinite uses, weapon runes impart three different attacks that operate similarly to spell runes, as each attack is defined by a certain number of charges before it can no longer be used, although all MP would be recharged upon a level-up.

tory

The story of "Suikoden Tactics" begins about seven years before the events of "Suikoden IV", and establishes the reason why Kyril is determined to search out and destroy the Rune Cannons. The prequel part of Suikoden Tactics ends with a traumatic event for Kyril, and how Brandeau gains the possession of the Rune of Punishment.

The game leaps forward about three years after the events of "Suikoden IV" takes place. From here on, Kyril begins his investigation on Rune Cannons and eventually leads him north into the Kooluk Empire. Kyril meets a mysterious man, Iskas, who hints at a connection between Rune Cannons and Kooluk. From there, Kyril investigates further about connections between Kooluk and Rune Cannons, and soon leads Kyril to Kika and her pirate crew. Clues turn Kyril's journey north, first to the fortress of El Eal, then finally into the Kooluk Empire itself.

During his investigation in the Kooluk Empire, Kyril and his company meets up with a young aristocrat girl named Corselia, who is later revealed as the granddaughter of the Emperor of the Kooluk Empire. It is also here that Iskas finally reveals his real intentions and begins a plot to antagonize Kyril.

oundtrack

The music for "Suikoden Tactics" was composed and arranged by Norikazu Miura, who would go on to also compose the soundtrack of "Suikoden V". The opening theme "Another World" was performed by yoshiko. The music was released first as the "Rhapsodia Privilege Collection" was released on September 22, 2005. It is a single CD containing selected tracks from the game as well as remixes from other "Suikoden" soundtracks. It also features a preview of "Castle of Dawn," the music for the Ceras Lake castle in "Suikoden V", which was at the time unpublished. A week later on September 28, the "Rhapsodia Original Soundtrack" was released as a full compilation of the music in the game over 2 CDs.

Reception

Suikoden Tactics has a 68% average critical review score from 31 reviews, from Metacritic.http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/suikodentactics?q=suikoden%20tacticsSuikoden Tactics has a 69% average critical review score from 37 reviews, from Gamerankings.http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928809.asp

External links

* [http://www.konami.com/Konami/ctl3810/cp20110/si1587720/cl1/suikoden_tactics Official "Suikoden Tactics" website]
*moby game|id=/suikoden-tactics
* [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928809.asp "Suikoden Tactics"] at Game Rankings
*GameFAQs|type=/console/xbox|num=928809|name="Suikoden Tactics"