How could you not like Suikoden V. Aside, from the long ass 8 hour intro? It's probably the best Suikoden to date. Nostalgia aside, I really like it. It has very few innovations, but it feels like the people behind this played Sui 1-4, sat down with a piece of paper, and wrote down what they liked best about each of them.
It's battle system is very similar to the old ones in which you have your six man parties and several formations for you to play with. This game looks nothing like the previous two PS2 games. Classic style fighting engine, timed duels and "real-time" battle system. A tactician coming out with weird plans, people working way over our heads, alleigances with second intentions, and one of those hero/childhood friend relationships. It also seems very, very long, if you like that sort of thing. And it doesn't take itself too seriously.
To stay on topic, I will eventually get Metal Saga. I mean there's a dog with a rocket launcher on the box. That alone is enough to sell me a game. It being non-linear helps me want it more. Now if it would only drop in price about $20.
Playing an RPG for one hour is nonsense. Even the big jRPGs take well more than that to get into. Most take at least 3 or 4 to even find a groove of any sort.
