Let us discuss the awesome taht is Suikoden 3! (Mark all spoilers I am just starting)

[NeoCracker]

I was doing a Suikoden thread a ways back when I'd finally played the first couple and Gaiden Vol 1, so now that I am playing III (My PC couldn't run a PS2 emulator well at the time. My new one can, but I bought it on PSN so no need to Emulate. )

So, I'll be updating thoughts on Suikoden III here, and lets all discuss it!

Finished Hugo chapter 1 so far, just starting Chris.

The Camera in this game is smurfing atrocious, and AoE Spells seem a bit pointless considering the more sporadic nature of how you move around the field now and can end up hurting your own guys with them.

Otherwise combat is still pretty decent. I love how Lucia is Hugo's mom, I was rather happy to see her again after her story in 2.

So talk Suikoden now!

[Rez09]

Yeah, I recall Fire Magic in particular being too much of a double edged sword unless you had super high affinity with it for my tastes. I also thought the castle situation was a bit strange in the game, as was (SPOILER)the lack of Pesmerga anywhere in the title considering Yuber was still hanging around.

That said, Suikoden III has my favorite war system in the series, and I thought the multiple story perspectives were an interesting touch. I also seem to remember this being the title that introduced 'rare' monsters in certain areas with potentially awesome loot, which is a feature I really love.

And I agree it was awesome to see Lucia again after 2, especially since it was completely unexpected.

[Wolf Kanno]

I do enjoy Suikoden III, I actually just finished another playthrough of Suikoden V just a month ago or so. Great franchise, glad to see your back to work on it.

[NeoCracker]

This is going a bit slowly as I've been busy, but I am not digging the combat in this as much as I was Suikoden 2. (I actually like the Strategic battle less as well.)

[Pumpkin]

This was my first Suikoden

MAKE SURE YOU DO THE PLAYS WHEN YOU GET FURTHER

[Wolf Kanno]

This is going a bit slowly as I've been busy, but I am not digging the combat in this as much as I was Suikoden 2. (I actually like the Strategic battle less as well.)

The game has my least favorite War Battle system in the series, but I love the skill system and how it does really change combat if you give it any attention. Also don't be fooled by the teachers, their ranking of a characters aptitude for a skill actually regards how much the skill will cost to advance a rank, not how good they are with a skill. While most characters will rank low with a skill they have poor aptitude with, some actually can get up to S Rank, it just costs a ton of SP to max it out. Thomas and Piccolo are probably the game's two biggest offenders of this.

[NeoCracker]

I'd already figured out the point cost thing, seemed pretty obvious.

Curerntly doing Geddoe's chapter, came across a nutty little Troll Dragon when doing a bit of grinding. Only killed Ace, which was fine since I just wanted to level Geddoe and Queen to handle a certain optional fight taht kicked my ass my first attempt.

But like hell was I going to just advance the game and NOT win that fight!

[Raistlin]

I really didn't like S3's major battle system at first, but the more I've played it the more I've come to appreciate it -- to the point where it's now my favorite of the series. S1, 4, and 5 all have "use this special attack/unit that the enemy's attack/unit can't counter" gimmick that makes you about unstoppable (S5 is more frantically paced, but you get so many damn special moves that most battles still won't be any trouble). S2 is, of course, "attack randomly and hope you get good dice rolls, because smurf me if I can tell when you're going to do damage or not."

In S3, there's a little bit of strategy when it comes to cover positions, and how you level up and equip characters in the game actually impacts how the characters fare in battle. Yes, it is frustrating when Chris uses her stupid fixed rune over and over instead of just attacking, and a certain villain will be a royal pain in the ass in future war battles, but I appreciate the system as a whole nonetheless.

[NeoCracker]

Question, if you smurf up the horse count for Kathy is there a chance to re-do it?

[Wolf Kanno]

I believe so, Suikoden III isn't as bad as other entries when it comes to recruiting people. You may have to leave the area and try again though.

[Raistlin]

Question, if you smurf up the horse count for Kathy is there a chance to re-do it?

I'm pretty sure, but I think you have to leave the area, and possibly for a while. It's a bit of a pain.

But like WK said, S3 is overall the easiest entry to get all 108 stars. It helps that a majority are automatic, and most of the rest are simply talk-to-and-recruit characters.

[Wolf Kanno]

I think the toughest character to recruit in SIII was Landis, and only because there is a random factor to it that makes it annoying.

[NeoCracker]

Cleared out everyones chapter 2, and I'm torn between Geddoe and Chris as whose story I like more.

I'm edging on Geddoe, but I guess chapter 3 will decide! Also, Chris without the armor?

Anyway, am I the only one who thinks it's odd there is a girl named Chris and a boy named Lulu?

[Wolf Kanno]

Geddoe and Chris definitely have the better stories. Geddoe gets some really cool plot twists in his third chapter.

[NeoCracker]

Okay, so I'm about to beat Chris Chapter 3, and I am marking my prediction for the spoiler (I only have Geddoe 3 left to do after this.)

(SPOILER)I already know Geddoe knew the Flame Champion from his scenes at the end of his chapter, and he knows that one dude from Hugo's village (I forget his name). I Think he was the third guy with Flame Champion and Geddoe. The most recent villagers revealed Chris's Father is Still alive, and had fought along side the Flame Champion, and lives due to the True Water Rune. The guy from Hugo's Village is clearly Karayan, so I don't believe it would be him (Though He likely also possess a True Rune considering he's still alive.) So, the holder of the True Water Rune and Chris's Father is really Geddoe!

See if I"m right.