Earlier this week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream focused entirely on the beloved Suikoden series. It's been over a decade since the last entry, a Japanese and PSP-only side story, so anticipation was high for what might be revealed. The announcements were met with a mix of excitement and apprehension: a Suikoden anime, which thrilled fans (yay!), and a new Suikoden game for mobile devices (okay, sure!), which included gacha mechanics (oh no!).

The anime, titled "Suikoden: The Anime," will adapt the storyline of Suikoden 2 and marks the first venture into animation for Konami. While we only got a glimpse of a scenic clip during the live stream, and no details yet on international availability, it's certainly a thrilling prospect for dedicated Suikoden fans and could serve as an engaging entry point for newcomers if it reaches a global audience.

The second announcement, a new game called "Suikoden Star Leap," has stirred mixed feelings among the fanbase. The game boasts stunning visuals reminiscent of Octopath Traveler, featuring 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds. It's set to take place between the timelines of Suikoden 1 and Suikoden 5, and retains the series' signature 108 characters. However, the decision to release it exclusively on mobile platforms has raised eyebrows, and the inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization has sparked disappointment. This approach diverges from the series' tradition of premium console and PC releases, leaving fans to wonder how these monetization strategies will impact gameplay and the ability to collect all characters.

In the meantime, fans can look forward to the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and 2, bundled in "Suikoden I&II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars." A new trailer for this collection was showcased during the live event, and it's set to launch tomorrow, on March 6.