This week, Konami delighted fans of classic RPGs with a special live stream dedicated to the beloved Suikoden series. The franchise, which hasn't seen a new mainline entry since a Japanese and PSP-exclusive side story over a decade ago, sparked a wide range of expectations. The stream brought a mix of emotions with the announcement of a new Suikoden anime and a brand new mobile game, albeit with gacha mechanics.

Starting with the anime, aptly named Suikoden: The Anime, it draws its narrative from the events of Suikoden 2. This marks the inaugural production of Konami Animation. Although we were only treated to a brief scenery clip and no specific details on global availability, this news is thrilling for dedicated Suikoden fans and could serve as an excellent introduction for newcomers, provided it becomes widely accessible.

The second major announcement, however, has left fans with mixed feelings. A new game titled Suikoden Star Leap was unveiled, showcasing stunning visuals reminiscent of Octopath Traveler with 2D sprites set against 3D backgrounds. Set a few years before Suikoden 1 and after Suikoden 5, it retains the series' signature feature of 108 characters.

However, the excitement is tempered by the fact that Suikoden Star Leap is slated for release exclusively on mobile platforms. While this might not be a deal-breaker for die-hard fans, the inclusion of gacha mechanics and ongoing monetization strategies has raised concerns. Historically, Suikoden has been a premium series on consoles and PCs, and the introduction of these monetization methods could potentially impact players' ability to fully enjoy the game and collect all 108 characters. We'll need to wait and see how these elements play out.

In the meantime, Suikoden enthusiasts can look forward to the re-releases of Suikoden 1 and 2 in the 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, March 6.