I've recently bought a DS just to play Suikoden Tierkreis (and FFIII) and I've decided to replay the entire series from I through V. I've finished I with all 108 stars and am now going through II, attempting a perfect playthrough, including Clive's subquest. Here's my thoughts of the games:
Suikoden IThis is where it all started. My knowledge of the myth this game was based on was nonexistant, a lot like watching the Spaceketeers without knowing it was based on the Goku legend (in my defense, the English dub pretended it was a futuristic version of the Three Musketeers). I remember the story was original and interesting. I liked the full circle element where everything began and ended in Gregminster. I actually found Barbarossa and Windy's relationship suprisingly touching. They did a good job of giving every star a moment in the spotlight, although the story focused much more on some characters than others.
Suikoden IIMy second favorite in the series. It marks the return of some of my favorite characters from the first game like Flik and Pesmerga. It has the best villain in Luca Blight who is absolutely pyscho and tough to beat. In many ways it feels like a second installment of the first Suikoden, especially when McDohl becomes recruitable. My gripes are minor: the hidden counter for Clive's scenes remind me of the Excalibur II race in FFIX. Games should allow you to savor the scenery and characters, not to rush breakneck through the action to get some bonus stuff. At least it's not necessary.
Suikoden IIIMy favorite game in the series. Not quite as a good a story as II, but a terrific storytelling system where the story follows four seprate groups of characters whose stories gradually interweave. They even allow you to play a scenario as the villains. Feels like the conclusion of trilogy, where several reoccuring characters have their stories concluded.
BTW, the manga adaptation makes no sense unless you've played the game. It's well written, but like Advent Children assumes you're already familiar with the background.
Suikoden IVA lot of people hate the maritime angle of this game, but I generally liked it. Viki makes this much more maneagable. I liked the fact that it's actually feasable to max character stats. I liked the love-hate relationship between Snowe and Lazlo. The costume changing options were nice. The mouse chasing game was broken.
Suikoden TacticsSort of Suikoden IV-2. Play it if you like tactical games and/or Suikoden IV, but otherwise not. I love FFT, so it was neat to see familiar characters rendered in the same style. I also liked seeing the inside of the Kooluk Empire, who were sort of generic villains in IV.
Suikoden VI liked this one. The matriarchal society was interesting to watch and I liked the secondary characters, especially Lun and Logg. Pitting the rival factions was interersting if a little predictable. Haud is one of the first times I've encountred BGM that's supposed to be annoying.
Suikoden TierkreisNo stars of destiny, no True Runes, no ties to the other plots. I have to say I'm disappointed so far, but I'll give it a chance. The gameplay is fun so far.