Suikodenis one of thePS1’s best early JRPGs. Launched in 1995, it featured a moving story, excellent music and a memorable cast of characters - many of whom you could recruit directly. 30 years after its first foray, Konamiremastered the gamein HD with a slew of quality-of-life upgrades.
Not only is it important to know which characters belong in your formation, but they also have to be likable enough for you to want to use them. With new HD portraits and minor translation adjustments, the characters of Suikoden have been brought to life more than ever. Here are our favourites.
10Pahn
Tentai Star
Pahn is constantly caught up in the throes of self-doubt and deception when trying to better himself, but that isn’t for lack of trying. Much like Teo McDohl’s other vassals, Pahn is loyal to the protagonist and willing to place himself at risk to protect his young master.
Unfortunately, Pahn is also of a genteel nature and lacks the guts to betray the Empire even after finding out what they’re doing is wrong. He manages to redeem himself later when facing the man who kidnapped Lepant’s wife. Pahn is a short-ranged character, so you’ll want him in the front row of your party. His tanky nature and attack power make up for his lack of range.
9Cleo
Tenman Star
Like her friend Pahn, Cleo is also one of Teo McDohl’s vassals, but she is more proactive. She is willing to betray the Empire in her determination to serve the protagonist, and her courage gives the other characters to go through with it, too.
Due to her long weapon range, Cleo is able to stand in any row and attack enemies from any position. This, alongside her compatibility for armour exclusive to female characters, makes her a worthwhile addition to your party even once you recruit other characters.
8Ted
No Star Of Destiny
Ted is a starting character and doesn’t remain in your party for long, so his gameplay stats are all but irrelevant. But it would be remiss of us not to mention this briefly appearing but lovable character in the context of the story.
For 300 years, Ted has wandered on the run from the eventual antagonist. He holdsa powerful Rune, which he eventually turns over to you, along with the assertion that in his long life, you were his only true friend. Following that, Ted sacrifices himself - twice - to save your party. What a champ.
7Clive
Tensyo Star
Clive is one of the most sought-after characters in Suikoden, not so much for his story as for his gameplay stats. Though you can find references to him early on at a gravestone in Rockland, the character can only be recruited in the endgame.
Once you have your castleup to level four, you can talk to Clive in the inn. A long-ranged gunner, Clive is incredibly useful in battle and boasts a cool design to boot. He is a member of the Howling Voice Guild and has trained in the use of gunpowder since he was a toddler, so he loves the smell of cordite.
6Camille
Tenyu Star
Camille is funny and charming, with her introductory scene implying her status as a supporting character. A fiery bartender, Camille gives Gremio the dressing-down of his life for drinking too much.
Gaining Camille in your party is a blessing because, as a medium-range soldier, she can fight from any position, and her Unite Attacks make her a priceless party member in large battles. What Camille lacks in raw HP, she makes up for in dexterity. Just ensure you don’t go into debt to her.
5Kasumi
Chikyu Star
Kasumi is a fan favourite among Suikoden veterans due to her emotional relationship with the protagonist in an era where romance in JRPGs was either absent or surface-level. A ninja from Rokkaku Hamlet, Kasumi develops a crush on the commander soon after joining the army.
Kasumi has one of the best speed stats in the game, ensuring early turns. This makes her avaluable endgame character, especially if you’re planning to play Suikoden’s HD Remaster on Hard. You’ll need every early turn you can get.
4Kirkis
Tenbi Star
Suikoden is an early contender in the JRPG genre to tackle social issues. Dwarves, elves, and humans arecaught up in species strife, but young elves like Kirkis don’t understand what all the fighting is about. He is among the earliest proponents of peace in this respect.
So strong is his faith in cooperation among the three folk, in fact, that he swims all the way to the Liberation Army’s headquarters in order to enlist their help against the Empire. Kirkis has his moments of despair, but this long-ranged bow user is a charming character who deserves his happy ending.
3Odessa Silverberg
Odessa’s role in the story is brief but impactful: she appears as a leader of the Liberation Army, as an advisor to the protagonist, and as a friend. Her life is tragically cut short when she protects a child from Imperial soldiers, but even then, she knows what must be done.
With her dying breath, Odessa asks you to throw her body into the stream nearby. She doesn’t want word to get out that she is dead, knowing it would make the Liberation Army lose hope. Her early obfuscation is what gives the protagonist time to recruit more soldiers and marshal his forces.
2Hero
Tenkai Star
The unnamed hero of Suikoden is pretty proactive for a silent protagonist. Not only do his dialogue choices have their fair share of humour, but he steps into a leadership role with nary a hiccup. Under his direction, the Liberation Army is able to overcome injustices plaguing the entire Empire.
Though he starts the story being pampered like a prince, with no fewer than four bodyguards at his beck and call, the hero rises to the occasion when faced with proof of the Empire’s injustices. A medium-ranged character who can equip male armour, caps, and light chest plates, the Hero would be a worthy addition to your party even if he wasn’t mandatory.
Though he is never named within the video game series, fans agree that the hero is called Tir McDohl. This name derives from a Japanese novelization of the first game.
1Gremio
Tenei Star
The dark horse breakout of Suikoden is Gremio, a kind-hearted cook who doubles as your bodyguard and personal assistant. He is your most loyal companion and has raised the protagonist since infancy.
A medium-ranged axe battler, Gremio is a priceless addition to the party thanks to his early rune compatibility. Though his stats are average at best, he is incredibly useful in beating early bosses, thanks to his use of orbs and arrows. Not only that, but his mere presence in the story is a comforting one.
