Suikoden Tactics

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I avoided picking up this game when it first came out because I couldn't find any reference to random battles. And I like to be able to level up my party in ways other than boss fights.

Well, eventually I just took the plunge because I'm a big fan of the Suikoden series. My impressions so far:

It's frustrating to do this without a guide. Expect to die in battles multiple times in several occasions. Part of the difficulty is saving a fragile character and other time it's respawning monsters. At least the respawning is predicatable so you can position the party to be prepared in the second playthrough.

Recruiting optional Suikoden IV characters is a lot of fun, but they are woefully unprepared for both regular combat and quests. They have to be seriously leveled up first. Plus, if an optional character dies, they're gone for good, but a plot-related character appears after a defeat no worse for wear.

Which brings me to the point about random battles, there's a Deep Dungeon type place called Obel Ruins which is a great place to level up weak characters. The first recruit is Rita, who's a pitiful level 1 (like Cloud in FFT). Level her up and send her on the early quests, since she's most likely to suceed in the early ones. Equip her with eight medicines and use as a nurse character.

I won't spoil the plot, but I like the way the pirates are fit into the story.