continuity is one of suikodens selling points.

[Andarc]

I agree with Gen. >____> Final Fantasy has always been a thorn in the side for RPGs.
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[Yvl]

[Andarc]

You make a good point Yvl. Infact I liked FF up to VI, I disliked VII, VIII, IX(alot) and didnt even play X.
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[Cyrus the virus]

Suikoden's greatest, most amazing selling point is the continuity. There is something unbelievably fascinating, satisfying and enjoyable about playing as a different army in different eras and locations in the same world. The next Suikoden is always my most anticipated game, and a big reason for that is because I want to play in another area of the Suikoden world, and see recurring characters.

It's just so damn enchanting!

However, if the Suikoden games stopped having continuity, I cannot honestly say I'd stop playing. They'd still be good games, I imagine, will neat storylines and great characters.

[Vessol]

I love the whole expanded story of the Suikoden world that is only possable in a series of games. Unlike many RPGs such as Final Fantasy where the world is very small and not fleshed out. To me it is what makes me love the games so much as I can go "I wonder what kind of land Zexan is during this time" or imagine this huge massive realistic world.

[red stuff]

Continuity is definitely one of the big selling points of Suikoden for me, since so few RPG series have it at all. One of the things I like most in each game are all the references to other nations/characters/etc, and that would obviously be lost if they started fresh with each new game. But if they did that and the game was good enough, I *might* play it eventually - but I wouldn't be nearly as enthusiastic for the series. I'm sure not going to shell out 600+ to play SVI (assuming it's going to be on the PS3) if they ditched Suikoden's continuity.
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But was surrounded!

[Yvl]

Is anyone familliar with the Magic: The Gathering storyline? From its conception until just a few years ago (Odessey) it all took place on the same plane (mostly) but then when Phyrexia was destroyed, the series took a new turn. It started out as though it was a totally new storyline, but eventually it got tied back into the original story.

My point is that even if it takes place on a new world, there may still be connections to the previous games. After all, Luc said that this was not the first time the 27 true runes had appeared on a planet.
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[Sailor Sexy]

If it lost the continuity, I'd probably still keep picking them up out of I guess habit or whatnot, much like how I bought FFX, even though I've never played it to this day. But, I do think that if Jeane and Vikki didn't appear that I'd have really zero desire to play. Those two characters are a must no matter what nation, continent, or world the game would be set on. Keep them around and I can feel that the game is connected to the others. That's all I ask to keep me happy.
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~Uguu!~

[Tullaryx]

I think a future Suikoden losing continuity in regards to the games preceding it would be as likely as Square-Enix suddenly releasing a Final Fantasy game that didn't have CGI-cinematic cutscenes. I may still buy such a game, but only after finding out from those who bought it first if its worth picking up.
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[Zieg]

Continuity is one of its greatest selling points, undoubtedly.
If Konami resigned from keeping the story going, it'd most likely lose half the fanbase at minimum. Just like mentioned above, the fact that there are plenty references to previous episodes in every new game as well as recurring characters makes it special amongst other RPGs.

Suikoden doesn't particularly draw attention of gamers though, it has weak graphics, which is currently the most vital aspect people take into consideration when buying a game. However, we can observe that our fav series are not immune to the influence of mainstream. It is a fact that Suikoden games have never been too tough to beat, but you'll have to agree with me ( at least those of you who had an opportunity to play it) that the latest part is way too easy.

As for me, I'd have to think it over to buy a suikogame that does not have anything in common with previous instalments, unless there was a satisfactory explanation given by Konami concerning the choice they had made. =)

[Elc]

I actually would continue to play Suikoden even if the continuity aspect was dropped. It would take away some of the feel, yes, but all I really hope for in a game is for it to be a good, enjoyable game.

Hell, I even found things to enjoy in the much-maligned Suikoden IV while I would see others arguing that it was pretty much worthless because it was so far removed from the rest of the series.

[John Layfield]

[Scarlet Assassin]

Suikoden IV had more problems than just Gameplay John. There was also the lack of character development, the cadence of the entire game, the poorly written dialogue, and the terrible voice acting. That's just to name a couple of the problems I had with the game besides the four person battle, the ship, the encounter rate, and the fact that it was somehow EASIER than a Suikoden has ever been.
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Chief of Beat-em-up Honeys Division, Devoted Protector of Lady Tifa Lockhart

[John Layfield]

I never said otherwise, my good Scarlet.

My point was that people generally regarded Suikoden IV as a BAD Suikoden, not as something that was NOT Suikoden.

Suikoden IV, to me, is a sub-standard Suikoden game, but it's still recognisably Suikoden, no matter how ham-fisted the attempt.
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One day, I shall come back. Yes, we shall all come back. Until then, there must be no regrets, no tears, no anxieties. Just go forward in all your beliefs and prove to me that I am not mistaken in mine.

[Ryusei]

Yeah, I agree with John. No matter which way you look at it, Suikoden IV is still a Suikoden. And a bad one at that. It definitely had a "Suikoden feel" although that feeling was shadowed by Suikoden IV's myriad of failures.

And to stay on Topic:

Suikoden's incterconnecting story is definitely one of its main strengths of the series. Without it's continuity, I think I would still play Suikoden. Although I think I wouldn't appreciate the game as much as I would if the continuity is still there.