Dedicated RPG fans have long awaited the release of Eiyuden Chronicle, a game that pays homage to classic JRPGs of the past and brings back memories of beloved titles like Suikoden. Developed by Rabbit & Bear Studios, Eiyuden Chronicle is considered the spiritual successor to the acclaimed RPG series created by Konami, which garnered a dedicated fan base through multiple games released on PlayStation and beyond.
Since the last main entry in the Suikoden series in 2006, aside from a few spin-offs, the brand seemed to have faded into obscurity. However, Konami’s announcement of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster set to be released in 2024 has reignited interest in the franchise. While fans eagerly await the return of Suikoden, they can revisit the history of the series by exploring a ranking from the least successful to the most beloved games. Are you ready to rediscover this cult classic series?
### 5 – SUIKODEN IV
Suikoden IV is often regarded as the black sheep of the series, with critics and fans considering it a significant step back in terms of story, gameplay, and overall content compared to its predecessors. With a modest average score of 63 on Metacritic, Suikoden IV stands as the lowest point in the mainline series of Konami’s franchise.
### 4 – SUIKODEN V
As the latest mainline entry in the series so far, Suikoden V marked an improvement over its predecessor but still fell short of reaching the heights of the earlier games. With a Metacritic score of 76, Suikoden V offered a sophisticated gameplay experience and a captivating narrative that pleased JRPG enthusiasts.
### 3 – SUIKODEN
Originally released in the mid-90s on the original PlayStation, the first Suikoden title was highly acclaimed as a noteworthy JRPG that stood out among its peers. Despite Metacritic not providing an average score for the original game, it achieved an 82% on the now-defunct GameRankings, solidifying its status as an essential title for JRPG fans.
### 2 – SUIKODEN II
Upon its release on the PS1, Suikoden II received praise from international critics, although its limited Western distribution prevented it from achieving widespread recognition. With a Metacritic score of 82, Suikoden II, like its predecessor, has since become a cult classic and is now revered as one of the best JRPGs ever created.
### 1 – SUIKODEN III
Unlike the rest of the series, Suikoden III for PS2 never officially made its way to Europe, with the European version being canceled last minute due to alleged localization issues. Despite this setback, Suikoden III received widespread acclaim overseas, garnering a Metacritic metascore of 86 and being hailed as the best entry in the franchise. The game was later released on the PlayStation Network as a PS2 Classic in 2015, finally allowing European players to experience it.
### SPIN-OFFS
Among the various spin-off titles released by Konami, only two were localized for the Western market: Suikoden Tactics and Suikoden Tierkreis. Suikoden Tactics, released on the PS2 as a Tactical RPG, failed to impress critics, achieving a Metacritic score of 68. Suikoden Tierkreis, on the other hand, found success on the Nintendo DS as a traditional RPG, receiving a respectable average score of 76 on Metacritic.
As fans eagerly anticipate the return of the Suikoden series with the upcoming HD Remaster, the legacy of these beloved JRPGs continues to live on through modern interpretations like Eiyuden Chronicle, keeping the spirit of classic role-playing games alive for a new generation of players.