Suikoden V rekindles the series' grandeur. Rich political plot, massive cast and epic battles. For many fans, the best Suikoden on PS2.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player12+
Description
A Konami RPG released in 2006, the fifth main Suikoden franchise entry and a late PS2 masterpiece. The Falena prince, young heir to a matriarchal kingdom, must reclaim his throne after a coup d'état. 108 recruitable characters, six-character combat with formations, management of Lordlake Castle. Considered by many as a return to the franchise's roots after the disappointment of Suikoden IV.
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.
The fifth entry of Suikoden, reconnecting with the saga's strengths, its hundred-odd recruits and its political plot, hailed as a return to form. Still present on the Western market yet durably in demand, its interest lies in this status as a beloved entry of an esteemed JRPG series rather than extreme scarcity. A prime piece for fans of large-cast RPGs.
Is Suikoden V still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2006 on PS2, Konami's project marks a praised return to form for the saga, reconnecting with the top down perspective and the pacing of its best entries. The court intrigue, mature and political, unfolds a fresco of betrayals and alliances around gathering the one hundred and eight Stars of Destiny. The six character combat, the headquarters management and the large scale battles make for a rich and generous experience. A somewhat slow start asks for patience. A late peak of the classic Japanese RPG, recommended for fans of choral storytelling and of dense political frescoes with real emotional stakes.
