108 Stars

[everlastingsoul]

You know, considering I tried to use GameFAQs to recruit all 108 stars on the first try, it really didn't work that well. I actually relied on Oboro a ton more than any FAQ.

People I had trouble recruiting: Oboro, Murad, Mohsen, Cathari, Raven, Haleth, Zunda, Babbage & Lu, Yahr & Nelis

I think that's it. Murad was frustrating because he wouldn't join me until Doraat; I only talked to him in Rainwall and Beaver Lodge, not Raftfleet and Lelcar. I was upset that Mohsen wouldn't join me in Lelcar; I thought I had chosen the wrong choice and then saved it, but he finally joined me in Doraat, too. Cathari just wouldn't show up where the FAQ told me she would be; I just kept continuing the storyline and then revisited Sauronix.

Cool things about the game:
-- Wow, Euram. You grew a spine when you finally joined me! You've suddenly become one of my favorite characters!

-- Richard is awesome. He's super strong and has a rune with a good effect, too. And he's so ... nonchalant about it. He's like a little kid.

-- RAHAL!! OH MY GOD, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THAT!! (at Grodius)

-- Mathias is from Warriors' Village in Scarlet Moon. Mathias is in love with Isabel. How can I tell? He named his weapon after her.

-- Lucretia appears to be from the Grasslands. Oboro reported that she carries beads from one of the Grassland clans. Personally, I think she's Karayan. She studied in Crystal Valley to become a strategist, and she knows Cathari. How she knows a Gunner, I don't think I want to know...

-- Josephine referred to Grasslanders as "Grassies." Could be an insult... Her real name is Yamu and she's from New Armes.

-- Nagarea is a violent theocracy. That's so awesome. I want to hear more about it in the next Suikoden.

-- New countries mentioned: New Armes, Kingdom of Zelant, Nagarea

-- Viki does so much damage on my game. Chain Magic + Lightning/Thunder Rune rules.

-- Cius and Lelei are so protective. Calling Shula and Nifsara "androgynous freak" and "Armes harlot" amused me.

Quotes from the game (non-spoilers):
"Let our mercy, as deep as the Feitas, and our authority, as powerful as the sun, be revealed to the entire world!"

"I will now exact swift and final retribution, then deposit your loathsome corpse in the nearest river."

I ended up loving a lot more characters in this game than I thought I would. So many of them have personalities and quirks that make you want to learn more about them; even the shopkeepers and generals. I also ended up actually hating the enemies, which is a great thing in that I don't feel bad killing them like Seed or Culgan in II.

Might add some more later on. Corrupt political intrigue rocks!