is a role-playing video game developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation video game console and the second installment of the Suikoden video game series. It was released on December 17, 1998, in Japan; on September 29, 1999, in North America; and on July 28, 2000, in Europe. The game features a vast array of characters, with over 100 recruitable characters, of which over 40 are usable in combat.
Suikoden II takes place three years after the events of the original Suikoden. In the northern neighboring countries of the newly established Toran Republic (previously Scarlet Moon Empire) by President Lepant, the new protagonist are caught in a devastating war between City-States of Jowston led by Mayor Anabelle and Kingdom of Highland led by Prince Luca Blight. The player is also adopted son of Genkaku, a hero who saved the City-States of Jowston in a war against Highland years ago. The Genkaku Jr. and his best friend, Jowy Atreides, each gain one half of the Rune of the Beginning, one of the 27 True Runes of the Suikoden setting, and become caught up in the intrigues of the invasion and the dark fate of those who bear the halves of that Rune. As with other Suikoden titles, the game also centers on the recruitment of the 108 Stars of Destiny.
Suikoden II was initially released to lackluster sales and somewhat tepid critical reception, with some criticism (and lack of widespread appeal) being directed at the game's simpler and more retro 16-bit sprite visuals at a time when 3D graphics were heavily emphasized across the video game industry in the late-1990s. Since then, it in retrospect has become a cult classic of the role-playing genre and regarded one of the greatest video games ever made.
A compilation of the first two Suikoden games, Suikoden I & II, was released for PlayStation Portable in Japan on February 23, 2006. A high-definition English localization version of the compilation under the title Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars released worldwide on March 6, 2025, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. An anime television series adaptation produced by Konami Animation premiered in October 2026.
Gameplay Suikoden II is a role-playing video game with strategic elements, with multiple gameplay formats ranging from one-on-one combat to large scale confrontations between two armies. The player controls a silent protagonist, advancing the plot by completing tasks and talking with other characters. The player can also recruit over 100 new characters to his cause, often involving a short sidequest to do so. In towns, the player can gather information, sharpen characters' weaponry, and buy equipment and runes; wilderness areas generally feature random encounters with monsters.
Like other games of the series, Suikoden II employs a unique character leveling system from most RPGs. There is a fixed number of experience points needed to gain each level, and experience gained after battles is determined by the difference in levels between the party members and enemies. This allows for low-level characters to catch up to the levels of enemies at later points in the game quickly, reducing the need for level grinding.
Runes, the source of all magic in the world of Suikoden II, are handled the same as the original Suikoden. Characters have a certain number of spell usages per "spell level"; for instance, a character with four level 1 spell slots and a Fire Rune could cast "Flaming Arrows" (the level 1 Fire Rune spell) four times. Some specialized runes or skill-based runes have different rules, such as unlimited use or a single use per battle.
Updates from the original Suikoden include a grid and unit based tactical battle system, the addition of a three rune slot system which allows for three different runes to be equipped at once, a party inventory system, a "dash" button that allowed the player to move around the screen quicker, and vast graphical improvement. Also notable is the inclusion of a variety of mini-games including one quite reminiscent of Iron Chef. A transfer of data from the prior game in the series enables returning characters to enter the fray with higher levels and improved weapons. References to the original Suikoden are also adapted accordingly for a greater feel in continuity.
Following the original Suikoden, Suikoden II contains three different types of combat:
Regular battles: Where the majority of combat takes place in the game, the turn-based battle system in Suikoden II is considered typical of JRPGs at the time, containing options for attack, magic (runes), items etc. The player can enter battles through random encounters on the world map and dungeons, or at specific points of the plot. The player may have a party of up to 6 characters in this battle type, against up to 6 enemies. If all six characters lose all their hit points and are thus incapacitated, it is game over and the player must restart (exceptions exist for certain plot battles in which winning is optional). This is the only type of combat where the player can gain experience, items or Potch (the currency of Suikoden II). Emphasis is placed on "unite attacks," unique combination attacks between specific characters in the party. These special attacks exhibit a wide variety of abilities and usually highlight the personality traits and relationships of the characters. Duels: The main character is pitted against another character in single combat. This style of fighting only has three moves: Attack, Wild Attack, and Defend. This duel is played in a Rock, Paper, Scissors style where "Attack" beats "Defend", "Wild Attack" beats "Attack", and "Defend" beats "Wild Attack". The player must attempt to guess what kind of attack the enemy is going to perform by the dialogue displayed on-screen before each round. Massive battles: More interactivity was added to this element of the gameplay over that of its predecessor. While some of the shades of the old "Rock, Paper, Scissors" style battle of the original (where cavalry beats archers, archers beat magic and magic beats cavalry) remain, Suikoden II introduces a grid style battle system reminiscent to that of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms or Fire Emblem games. As the main character recruits characters for his castle, this opens up more options for more units. Certain characters are 'unit leaders' while others are 'supports'. Every character adds a certain amount of defense or attack to a unit. In addition, certain characters also add special abilities to the unit to which they have been attached. The numbers affect the chances of win or loss as much as the type of units being pitted against each other. Every unit may take up to a total of two 'losses' which are counted when a unit suffers a severe number of casualties. Each skirmish they take part in might result in no loss, loss on one side, or even loss on both sides. As mentioned before, certain characters add special abilities to the units. Examples of these abilities include being able to take more losses than usual, magic or archery to allow attacks from a distance, healing of itself or others, etc. When a unit suffers its maximum losses it will retreat from battle and, when this happens there is a possibility of the characters in the unit being wounded or even killed. Should a character be killed in a massive battle, they are considered permanently dead.
Story
Characters
The story of Suikoden II centers around the protagonist, Riou Genkaku (canon name; although other name can also be chosen by the player), his childhood best friend Jowy Atreides, and his adopted big sister Nanami. The story revolves around Riou and Jowy each acquiring one half of the Rune of the Beginning, one of the 27 True Runes that each govern an aspect of the Suikoden universe and are the source of all magical powers. The Rune, whose name references the creation myth of the Suikoden universe, governs conflict and war, and steers the destinies of Riou and Jowy so they must fight each other until one is defeated and the two halves are reunited. Their fated conflict causes much pain for Nanami, who wishes for the three friends to run away and live a quiet and happy life together.
The main conflict of the story centers on a war between the nations of Highland and the City-States of Jowston. The antagonist for the majority of the game is Prince Luca Blight, heir to the throne of Highland. Luca is a brutal and bloodthirsty madman who developed a strong hatred for Jowston at a young age after witnessing his mother's rape by Jowstonian soldiers during an earlier war. Other antagonists include Neclord, a senile vampire who uses another of the True Runes to fulfill his lust and sadistic tendencies; Gordeau, the brutal leader of an order of knights; Leon, a mysterious strategist working for his own ends; and the Beast Rune, driven by its instinct to seek Luca, so both can combine their power together to become even stronger.
As with all Suikoden games, the principal cast of the game is the 108 Stars of Destiny, who play important or minor roles in the plot of the game. Important characters include Shu, student of Mathiu who becomes Riou's main strategist; Eilie, Riou main romantic interest; Teresa, a steadfast woman acting as a mayor in her father's place; Kiba, a Highland general who defects after Riou defeats him; Chaco, an impertinent young member of a race of flying humanoids; and Apple, another Mathiu disciple that secretly have romantic feeling for Shu and one of Riou logistic tactician.
Some prominent Stars of Destiny from the original Suikoden appear in Suikoden II and play key roles in the game, including Viktor, McDohl and Flik. If the player loads save data from the original Suikoden at the beginning of the game, the protagonist from the previous game can be recruited.
Plot The game begins with Riou and Jowy waking up from their sleep; they are members of the Unicorn Youth Brigade of the Highland army. On the same night, the maniacal Prince Luca Blight orchestrates a false flag attack on a Highlander soldier, blaming the Jowstonians and giving the excuse to justify an incursion deep into Jowston territory after the recent peace treaty. After witnessing the slaughter of their fellow Highlander, Riou and Jowy have no choice but to escape by jumping from a cliff into a river, promising to return to that mark if they ever get separated.
Riou is rescued from the river by a group of mercenaries working for the Jowston Army, led by Viktor and Flik from the first Suikoden game. Riou is detained as an enemy soldier of Highland. Jowy is rescued and nursed back to health by the keepers of a mysterious shrine in a nearby town. Learning of Riou's imprisonment, Jowy rescues Riou, and the two escape back to their hometown in Highland. After reuniting with Nanami and recruiting Mukumuku, Riou and Jowy are captured and sentenced to death by the Highland army to silence the truth of the youth brigade massacre. They are once again saved by Viktor and Flik, but the mercenaries prove no match for Blight and the Highland army and are forced to flee. As Luca razes the region, Riou and Jowy return to the now-destroyed town where Jowy was rescued, and discover that the shrine is the resting place of the Rune of the Beginning. Inside the shrine, each receives half of the Rune, with Riou gaining the Bright Shield Rune and Jowy gaining the Black Sword Rune.