The brilliant remasters of Suikoden 1 and 2 are excellent ways to relive the classic PlayStation RPGs. Few RPGs combine gigantic rosters with in-depth base-building the way the Suikoden games do. Along with their engaging gameplay, the Suikoden titles feature a sophisticated story centered around high-stakes political conflict.
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While few games are quite like Suikoden, a decent number incorporate some of its major elements. Whether it’s building a powerful base, assembling a large army of party members, or experiencing rich characterization, there are RPGs that can help scratch the same itch Suikoden did.
10
The Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky
The story of a young band of rebels taking on the world will feel familiar to Suikoden fans when they play The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. Its wonderful sprite work makes it feel like a more modern version of Suikoden.
Even though it lacks a gigantic cast and base-building, Trails in the Sky captures the heart and spirit of Suikoden. Like most games in the series, it features rich world-building and a deep magic system.
9
Infinite Space
In terms of gameplay and setting, Infinite Space shares little in common with Suikoden. However, this under-the-radar Nintendo DS RPG features over 100 different characters to choose from. Its story is politically driven and expansive, with an even more immersive plot than Suikoden.
Infinite Space doesn’t have a traditional base-building system like Suikoden, but instead, it focuses on staffing your ship. You can assign roles such as staff engineer and medical technician, allowing it to still scratch some of the base-building itch.
8
Dark Cloud 2
As you progress through Dark Cloud 2, you create a town in your own image. The settlement mechanics were dramatically improved over the original Dark Cloud, offering more customization and better balance. Taking care of your town and developing new settlements is a mandatory, central mechanic in Dark Cloud 2, unlike many games where it’s treated more as a mini-game.
Along with its town-building mechanics, Dark Cloud 2 also excels in weapon customization. The main characters have a wide variety of weapons to choose from, and players can even invent new items. This is a game that prioritizes player choice in its gameplay.
7
Skies Of Arcadia
It lacks the vast roster of party members that Suikoden 1 and 2 have, but Skies of Arcadia has an elaborate base building component. In Skies of Arcadia, you can recruit many people to join your pirate crew. Building a strong base adds a nice tactical element and change of pace to the normal turn-based adventures.
Skies of Arcadia captures Suikoden’s sense of adventure. You watch a young band of pirates maturing before your eyes as they’re taking on the world. Skies of Arcadia is much more upbeat and optimistic than Suikoden, but for fans of plots that aren’t overly complex or plagued with melodrama, Skies of Arcadia’s story is perfect.
6
Chrono Cross

- Released
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August 15, 2000
- Developer(s)
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Square
- Publisher(s)
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Square, Square Enix
- ESRB
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T For Teen due to Animated Violence, Mild Language
After the success of Suikoden, many developers rushed to create RPGs with large rosters. The highly anticipated sequel to Chrono Trigger followed this trend, launching with an impressive 45 playable characters. With only three active party slots, Chrono Cross offered a fresh experience with each playthrough.
Chrono Cross didn’t quite achieve the same level of narrative appreciation as Chrono Trigger, but it emphasized recruitment mechanics and featured a battle system reminiscent of the Materia system from Final Fantasy 7. It was a solid entry for anyone who enjoyed PlayStation One-era RPGs.
5
Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
Character collection is a big part of Ni No Kuni 2, arguably the best aspect of this turn-based RPG. However, characters are often used for temporary tasks, making them feel more like resources than fully playable NPCs, as seen in Suikoden. That said, the base-building element of Ni No Kuni 2 shares many similarities with Suikoden.
Deciding what and where to construct buildings, how to upgrade structures, and engaging in a rock-paper-scissors-style battle system that determines the outcome of large-scale military conflicts all evoke the epic scale of Suikoden. Ni No Kuni 2’s plot and aesthetics take some getting used to, but its gameplay has a Suikoden-like feel.
4
Exit Fate
With all the incredible games made on RPG Maker over the years, it’s no wonder that Exit Fate often gets lost in the shuffle. Directly inspired by the Suikoden games, Exit Fate is the most similar to the classic series in terms of plot, gameplay, party structure, and base building.

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Since this is an older game made on a minuscule budget, it borrows many resources, such as sprites and music, from other titles. Despite its low production values, it hits all the notes one would expect from a Suikoden game. With 40 hours of gameplay, it’s a sure bet that any Suikoden fan will enjoy Exit Fate.
3
Pokemon LeafGreen And FireRed
An easy RPG to overlook due to its popularity, Pokemon actually has a lot in common with the Suikoden games. While the vibe and world are completely different, Pokemon excels—and even surpasses Suikoden—when it comes to accumulating a large number of characters.
The Pokemon you capture don’t have much characterization, but many characters in the Suikoden games are similar in that regard. Pokemon also features a more complex battle system, and while that may be taken for granted now, its world remains unique.
2
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions
A fellow PlayStation remaster, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is a masterpiece of the tactics RPG genre. In terms of gameplay, Final Fantasy Tactics surpasses Suikoden with its 22 unique classes that can be mixed and matched. The strategic elements keep every battle fresh, and aesthetically, it aligns well with the style of the Suikoden games.
Many games feature large rosters, but Final Fantasy Tactics also captures the political intrigue that defined the original Suikoden titles. Complex conflicts between royalty, politicians, and warring kingdoms create an epic medieval tale.
1
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Junichi Murakami, the creator of Suikoden, made a spiritual successor to Suikoden 25 years after the series began. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has everything a Suikoden fan wants, enhanced by 2024 game design and quality-of-life upgrades.
Duels in Eiyuden Chronicle greatly surpass those in Suikoden, where they felt more like an experimental mini-game. Each duel features various scenes, adding a layer of unpredictability. Eiyuden Chronicle also offers solid base building and recruitment, just like Suikoden. Although it lacks some polish, it clearly captures the heart of the Suikoden games.

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