This game is pure nostalgia for me, so that will affect my rating. I played this game until my Xbox got the red ring of death, and I kept playing it when I managed to get a new one. The story is the same old GoW stuff: locust bad, kill locust, defeat big bad! The multiplayer and core gameplay are still what makes this game so fun for me. The move from host-based connection to dedicated servers made the game feel so smooth compared to the first 2 instalments. The range of new weapons all felt unique, while still keeping the flair of one’s from the older games. The cover system was smooth, wall-bouncing and mantling was like butter. Executions and other animations were top tier. The maps were generally great and each had unique mechanics present whether it was the weather or interactive segments of the map. The challenges gave new stats to look at for your gameplay. New game modes such as beast mode, and a new revamped horde mode also added more than just multiplayer VS as a way to spend your time.

Downsides came from slimmer character models actually having an effect on your hitbox and when the dedicated servers started to die, the lag could really hurt the smooth gameplay you’re used to. But I must’ve racked up 100s of hours on this game and it’s one of my highlights.

My favourite ever experience in gaming.

When I bought this game, I didn't have any nostalgia bias going in, however I was getting deep into my Playstation JRPG discovery phase, a genre I was obsessed with. I was a big fan of the first Suikoden and it's somewhat chill nature. This game, however, ticked every box.

The story had me immensely engaged throughout, whether that was the politics, betrayals or the magnitude of Luca Blight's evil. The secret ending gave me goosebumps, I remember being so nervous as I worked through it.

I absolutely love the visuals, they feel so timeless, and there's something so rewarding about the character recruitment throughout. The battle system isn't complicated, but with so much to do in the game to focus on this didn't feel like a bad thing. I was never overly enthusiastic about the mini games throughout the castle but it was nice to know they were available.

The best thing I can praise about Suikoden 2 is it's atmosphere throughout, you can really feel everything going on in the game as a person. A real remarkable game and my all time favourite.

Aged like milk. I have a lot of nostalgia for this game but I think even as a child I was aware of it's faults.

In the last year, I replayed the game with the intention of 100%ing it, with the main objective being to collect all the Famous Witches and Wizards cards. This game is devoid of any fun, and the controls are so poor that even the better designed mini games feel like exercises in anger management. The biggest issue I had with the game was it's missables (if you've played it you already know I mean the shambles that is Gringotts), with many areas being locked forever upon leaving which isn't ideal for a game of adventuring and exploring.

It doesn't even make a good companion piece to the book/film as the narrative differs in places.