My favourite RPG :) (Suikoden II (PS))

Member Name: Sachenka

Product:	Suikoden II (PS)
Date:	13/06/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing game-play. amazing plot. Beautifully written. Really, really, really cool cooking game!

Disadvantages: Not long enough!

Despite the fact that I completed this game within two weeks (usually I spend at least three months on an RPG) this is my all-time favourite RPG. My mum picked the demo up, possibly from a magazine or another game, and we both fell in love with it instantly. The graphics aren't top-notch, but I feel that the plot and all the mini-games more than make up for it (also, the sprites are really cute!).

I think the thing I love most about this game is that there's so much you can do with it. There are so many challenges to overcome: there's the quest for all 108 characters; there's an entire castle to fill up with objects and people; and, most importantly, there's the best cooking game EVER to play! Sadly, I spent an entire weekend playing this mini-game - it was so addicting!

Of course, I didn't just play it for the cooking game (honest). Suikoden II is such a diverse game. There's quite a few hard-hitting scenes - the beginning of the game involves helplessly watching the evil prince Luca burning villages down just for the fun of it. Even though you are seeing 2D sprites, these scenes are still very emotional, especially if you talk to all the NPCs after their village has been burned down. However, there are also some very funny scenes too; one that has me in hysterics every time is when we first meet our hero's sister, Nanami, who proceeds to flatten her brother against the wall when she greets him. I also love the "ghost" in Greenhill!

I really enjoyed the strategic element of the game (even though I'm no good at it!). Not only do you have the normal turn-based battles, but you also have epic wars where you have to place different units to defeat the enemy. I think it's these battles that show you how much work you need to put into this game; if you can't be bothered to constantly level up then you'll find yourself struggling with the epic battles. However, I think that it's completely worth it; you'll appreciate it so much when you see the enemy running away from you!

All in all, I truly believe that this is the best RPG in existence and would encourage you to play it despite its age. All the mini-quests and the plots will ensure that you won't get bored of this; this is a game that keeps giving.

Summary: A must buy for RPGers