Suikoden IV

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Jan 11, 2005
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 82
  3. Negative: 7 out of 82
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  1. iKen
    Apr 12, 2020
    8
    Played on PlayStation 2.
    Gameplay: GOOD.
    Story: GREAT.
    Graphic: GREAT.
    Music/Sound: GOOD.
    Dialogue: GOOD.
  2. Silver_soul
    Oct 26, 2014
    8
    the thing i love the most in this game is the scenario i just LOVE the island nations and lazlo is my favorite suikoden main character the rune of punishment is soooo ba dass
  3. gqmasters3
    May 11, 2019
    6
    It's not bad, but it's not good. I would say there is no doubt it is the worst game in the Suikoden series, but that doesn't mean it's a bad game. For some reason the developers thought it would be a good idea to make the protagonist's rune really sucky and sometimes self destructive and the cast of characters are the worst of the series. If this game were a Steve Miller song it would beIt's not bad, but it's not good. I would say there is no doubt it is the worst game in the Suikoden series, but that doesn't mean it's a bad game. For some reason the developers thought it would be a good idea to make the protagonist's rune really sucky and sometimes self destructive and the cast of characters are the worst of the series. If this game were a Steve Miller song it would be "Abracadabra"; not a bad song, but not what we want to remember him by either.… Expand
  4. MusicCream
    Jul 29, 2013
    5
    Weakest game of the series, Suikoden fans should be sad with new weak battle system. Short game compared with others Suikoden games. But have memorable characters, and the continuity with Suikoden Tactics make this game have a importance.
  5. moonman1994
    Jul 18, 2012
    6
    It's not that Suikoden IV is a bad game it's just that it's very mediocre. When comparing it to Suikoden 2 or 3 you can see that it's worse than it's predecessors. The characters are less interesting than in previous games, the battles are pretty much the same and the way that you move around in the game (using the ship) is just annoying. All in all Suikoden IV is just a let down afterIt's not that Suikoden IV is a bad game it's just that it's very mediocre. When comparing it to Suikoden 2 or 3 you can see that it's worse than it's predecessors. The characters are less interesting than in previous games, the battles are pretty much the same and the way that you move around in the game (using the ship) is just annoying. All in all Suikoden IV is just a let down after playing Suikoden II and III. If you're a fan of the series I'd suggest buying it but if not get Suikoden II or III.… Expand
  6. shootingstars99
    Aug 29, 2019
    3
    I don't think I could make it through this one (admittedly, the only Suikoden I played all the way through before being done with it was 3), there were just too many off-putting aspects within the first few hours. First the animations in combat looked like slapstick. With the story being somewhat serious, this did not mix well at all. Plus the battles and game overall just felt much easierI don't think I could make it through this one (admittedly, the only Suikoden I played all the way through before being done with it was 3), there were just too many off-putting aspects within the first few hours. First the animations in combat looked like slapstick. With the story being somewhat serious, this did not mix well at all. Plus the battles and game overall just felt much easier than other RPGs, and even other games in the Suikoden series. A step backwards for the RPG genre can be found here.… Expand
  7. DerekT.
    Feb 9, 2005
    8
    I really liked this game, though my opinion is a biased one. I came in hoping for another moving story like in III, but instead found a tale full of face value storylines. Don't take itthe wrong way, the game and story isn't bad at all, just not exceptional. Agian you get to interact with the 108 Stars of Destiny and the tropical ocean setting is a welcome change of pace. As for I really liked this game, though my opinion is a biased one. I came in hoping for another moving story like in III, but instead found a tale full of face value storylines. Don't take itthe wrong way, the game and story isn't bad at all, just not exceptional. Agian you get to interact with the 108 Stars of Destiny and the tropical ocean setting is a welcome change of pace. As for the combat system, the regular random and boss battles are a little easy, with not many more options than attack, magic, item, or combo, and at many times i just found myself jamming away on attack. The ship battles add a little bit of tactical fun but could be on a larger scale. A good game none the less, just do not expect it to live up to higher expectations.… Expand
  8. SeanC.
    Jan 18, 2005
    7
    This game does not live up to the last title in this franchise, however taking it to the sea was a cool idea.
  9. SuikoFan
    Jan 24, 2005
    8
    This game, while fun, seems altogether to much like a step back. Don't get me wrong, the characters are great, and I kind of like going back to the old battle system, but why does if feel like the story was pounded out over a 15 minute meeting in between more important projects? Overall, it's a lot of fun and like each of the other Suikoden games, I haven't been able to This game, while fun, seems altogether to much like a step back. Don't get me wrong, the characters are great, and I kind of like going back to the old battle system, but why does if feel like the story was pounded out over a 15 minute meeting in between more important projects? Overall, it's a lot of fun and like each of the other Suikoden games, I haven't been able to stop playing yet. I highly recommend it!… Expand
  10. VedatY.
    Apr 29, 2005
    10
    This game is perfect.? played all verison of this game and i really impressed. Excellent theme and magics and characters.
  11. AngelH.
    Feb 4, 2007
    6
    It is not the best thing out there but it is not the worst either. I am disappointed in the 108 stars the characters don't burst forth with personality or really excite you about collecting them. The execution of the boat ride was the worst idea ever; although, I give them credit for coming up with the concept. It's a game that really should have had alot more second thought to It is not the best thing out there but it is not the worst either. I am disappointed in the 108 stars the characters don't burst forth with personality or really excite you about collecting them. The execution of the boat ride was the worst idea ever; although, I give them credit for coming up with the concept. It's a game that really should have had alot more second thought to it and you really have to ignore that it has other games as awesome as II in it's bloodline.… Expand
  12. NakkiN.
    Feb 16, 2005
    10
    I loved Suikoden 1 and 2 but Suikoden 4 was the best of the series and Suikoden 3 newer release in here that sucks.
  13. VidM.
    Feb 28, 2005
    7
    Worst of the series, but still moderately fun. It held my attention for the week or two it took me to beat it. Too easy. Drab towns. Same-ish characters. The main character has a middle-aged woman's haircut. His eyes make him look always pissed off, regardless of the situation. On the other hand, Snowe, Lino, and Troy are great characters. In general, the characters are not as Worst of the series, but still moderately fun. It held my attention for the week or two it took me to beat it. Too easy. Drab towns. Same-ish characters. The main character has a middle-aged woman's haircut. His eyes make him look always pissed off, regardless of the situation. On the other hand, Snowe, Lino, and Troy are great characters. In general, the characters are not as interesting as the characters of SIII, which had the best characterization and design. The story is an improvement over the last game though. It is back to focusing on political situations, rather than the "one baddie wants to destroy the world" story of SIII. Needless to say, SI and SII blow this out of the water.… Expand
  14. RageB.
    Mar 27, 2005
    8
    Nice game! There isn't many great RPG game coming out anymore. They all look like Final Fantasy and it gets old fast. This game is original and a lot of fun, but it looks like it was a rush job unfortunately. You can see it when you get to many places where you cannot change the camera angle because they could not be bothered to draw all the graphics in the game correctly. It happens Nice game! There isn't many great RPG game coming out anymore. They all look like Final Fantasy and it gets old fast. This game is original and a lot of fun, but it looks like it was a rush job unfortunately. You can see it when you get to many places where you cannot change the camera angle because they could not be bothered to draw all the graphics in the game correctly. It happens a lot when you get to a dead end. The voice acting is superb with unique voice for each important character and you can feel a lot of emotion in them. It brings the game more alive than other RPG. The political story is quite good, but the 'hero has a problem' story is similar with other RPG. The battle system is pretty boring because you have way too many battle. And after you level up to a certain point in an area, it is useless to continue battling because you get less and less experience as your level is getting higher. This is nice for new characters to catch up to your older characters, but your higher level characters don't improve very fast(or at all). Also, you could not for the life of me see any differences when i had some resistance to an element from when i have none at all. Same damage. You don't see that much difference in the elements that you use so there are a few runes that are the best for most situation(like the fire and lightning runes). The time spent sailing from one island to the next is way too long and filled with a fight every 2 seconds on average. Also, this game takes a long time before becoming interesting. I was bored out of my mind for the first 4-8 hours or so and then things started getting interesting.… Expand
  15. Giovannia
    Dec 23, 2009
    10
    I thought the game was great. Some players are to hard on their review of the game.
  16. MazrimTaim14
    Oct 7, 2019
    5
    When I said the 3d of III somewhat lost the charm of the first 2 titles then this game nailed the coffin.

    A disappoint sequel to a great franchise. Grading it as part of the series. As a stand alone it might have reviewed good for its one but alas having played the previous 3 iterations numerous times, this was a let down.

Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2005
56
#56 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 44
  3. Negative: 5 out of 44
  1. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    60
    Relocating Suidoden's established gameplay to the vast and choppy seas doesn't do it any favors - instead of exploring diverse geography on foot, you're steering a boat across a bleak, boring ocean. [Feb 2005, p.108]
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  2. GMR Magazine
    50
    But it's been streamlined much too much—redefined as absolutely average.
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  3. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    60
    Worse yet, it's even simpler than "Suikoden II", which is a PS1 game that came out in 1998. [Feb 2005, p.80]
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