A slow burner, but if you are in to classic style JRPGs this one might be for you.

The Gameplay is Good, stay true to the Original.

The Bad:
The Story: The Story is not interesting, there is not enough depth and feels like the story is written by an elementary schooler. No Twist and so predictable.
The 108 heros: There are many heroes with almost no background and usefullness whatsoever just to fulfill the 108 quota, you get some strange useless heroes that suddenly joins with no clear background or motives.
The Lenses: Compared to True Rune whose power are Mythical and the amount of lore behind it, the lenses are meeeh,
The Protag: Seriously I can feel the hardship and the Journey of Suikoden 2 protag from wiping floor in the castle until he becomes the leader of the faction. But in this game I don't feel any connection with the main character.

Overall they only stay true to the original gameplay but they cannot recreate the fantastic story and interesting background lore that the original Suikoden able to offer us.

Some thoughts after playing Eiyuden after 25 hrs:

Summary: All in all, I think they played it too safe in creating this game. Honestly I would have liked if they made bolder or riskier decisions and more mature storyline but I kinda understand because of what’s on the line with this first game and new studio. Expecting more if there’s a sequel. And still a decent game all things considered. With Murayama gone (RIP), really curious what’s the future of the series will look like.

Detailed thoughts:
Background: I played Suikoden 1-5 a lot and know it like the back of my hand. Can recruit 108 characters and do the true ending without looking a guided even after all these years. So with that out of the way, here are my thoughts.

This is a decent JRPG game. But falls short since it’s supposed to be a Suikoden successor. Might be better than Suikoden 1 (arguable) but can’t live up to Suikoden 2 and 5.


Some gameplay thoughts:
1. Changes the Suikoden rune system to Rune Lenses. Kinda nice. MP and system are nice too but the random SP during encounters make me rage. Why is it random?
2. I love that there are at least various weapon types and it’s not all physical damage. Kudos to this.
3. I don’t like that they removed the party formation system from Suikoden 5. And only 1 support member? And can’t freely move party in entourage. Changing party members in inns are nice tho.
4. Teleport system is way better. I miss Viki tho. :(
5. I hate the war gameplay so much specially when I compare it to 2 and even to 5.
6. I hate the treasure chest gimmick battles as a completionist.
7. World map seems way smaller? Since they’re segmented to smaller areas.
8. Almost third person POV is still throwing me off, I still prefer top down.

Storyline thoughts as of 25hrs:

1. Nowa is likeable but I feel like we should spent more time with him at the start. Should have shown Leene at the start instead at the middle of the story too. Players lack connection with him vs when compared to Riou, Tir, or Frey.
2. Same with the main supporting cast, players lack connection with Lian, Mio and Garr. I feel like I’m more connected with CJ, Isha and Garou because of Rising. They made us connect more in 1 and 2 with Viktor and Flik and with the Queen’s Knight in 5.
3. I’m not as invested in the fall of Grum County when compared to fall of Sol-Falena or fall of Muse.
4. Nowa is not a “chosen one” when compared to the protagonists of Suikoden series. Like why would people follow him? He’s likeable but I feel like there’s nothing special
5. And there’s no story with the castle? If there is, must be in the faded books and it sucks.
6. Seign joined too early.
7. Dux Aldric is “Luca Blight at home”
8. Mentioned it in the gameplay but the world map is segmented by mountains and it’s just weird.