Fifth Suikoden often cited as the return to form after the criticised IV. Rich political intrigue, excellent character cast and well-integrated 108 Stars are remarkable. One of the finest JRPGs on PS2, recapturing the greatness of the franchise's I and II entries.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player12+
Description
Konami's fifth and last major PS2 Suikoden, released in 2006 in Japan. The studio returns to fundamentals: 108 Stars to recruit, large-scale battles, a castle to grow and a political story set in a corrupted kingdom. Widely considered a return to series form after the fourth entry.
Gensou Suikoden V review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
Blending orchestra, world sonorities and traditional instruments, the music of the Suikoden series wraps its political frescoes in a broad, nuanced emotion. Each nation has its melodic colour, between martial nobility and melancholy. This refined sonic richness, deeply narrative, remains the soul of this great JRPG saga.
In a matriarchal kingdom torn by court conspiracies, a young prince sees his family shattered by betrayal and civil war. Reconnecting with the series' political darkness, the tale weaves intrigue, mourning and loyalties with remarkable gravity. A return to form that fans hold to be a high point.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"Pleasant"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Reconnecting with the political saga by gathering one hundred and eight allies and weighing the intrigues of a kingdom on the brink of war sets up an adventure where every recruit revives the urge to push on. Building your base and deploying your runes rewards patience. The opening is slow and the backtracking weighs on you, but this dense fresco and its hero collecting hold you for the long haul.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Rallying 108 companions to a fallen prince's cause opens a meaty political adventure, carried by a kingdom at war and a teeming cast. Building your base, recruiting and overcoming army battles fills dozens of well-filled hours. That generosity of content, true to the Suikoden spirit, sustains a longevity JRPG fans savour.
Limited Genteiban edition of the fifth Suikoden, widely hailed as the series' return to form after the fourth. That critical rebound pushed demand for the original limited box and its bonuses, on a last great PS2 entry whose complete copies are thinning out. For Suikoden fans, pairing the game's restored reputation with the Japanese limited edition makes it one of the most prized pieces of the PS2's late era.
Is Gensou Suikoden V still worth playing in 2026?
The fifth entry in Konami's Suikoden saga, Gensou Suikoden V returns to the series' fundamentals by blending mature political intrigue, the recruitment of the 108 Stars of Destiny and six character turn based combat. The depth of the narrative, the richness of the castle to rebuild and the large scale battles win over fans of classic JRPGs. The slow start and a late console life production weigh on it. A landmark title for fans of narrative Japanese RPGs and the Suikoden saga.
