The Suikoden role-playing games have achieved a sort of cult classic status over the years, particularly 2002's Suikoden III, which served as the series' breakthrough hit. Suikoden IV also serves up a drama-laden tale about those special individuals known as the 108 Stars of Destiny. But this time, the grandiose storytelling is couched in some tedious new gameplay elements and a slightly stripped-down battle system. While the narrative is still enticing, and the eclectic cast of characters remains a positive, aspects like a horrible seafaring travel system and an often outrageous enemy encounter rate detract much from the experience. Even longtime Suikoden fans will want to approach this title with caution.