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A Suikoden Gaiden Game and the sequel to Suikoden IV, Suikoden Tactics (released as only Rhapsodia on Japan) tells the story of Kyril, the son of a Scarlet Moon officer, as he investigates and uncovers a massive conspiracy revolving around Rune Cannons. A complex web of political intrigue, rebellion, insurrection and a dying empire is further complicated by other agents of the Scarlet Moon with their own priorities regarding Kooluk and the Rune Cannons.

Tactics/Rhapsodia ties up many of the loose ends left over from Suikoden IV, providing key information that helped the plot of the prior game make sense. Most of the cast returned, with a higher Stars of Destiny retention rate than even Suikoden II boasted, and several got fleshed out a fair bit more in the process, mostly via party chatter and optional campfire scenes.

Visit the character sheet here!

Tropes used in Suikoden Tactics include:

The Atoner: Andarc, for slaying Walter after he was turned into a fishman and almost killed Kyril. Also, Snowe Vingerhut.
Battle Couple: Akaghi and Mizuki, though they insist otherwise.
Big Damn Heroes: Kyril ends up on both ends of these; one memorable example has Selma, Paula and Jewel show up with The Cavalry while riding Giant Owls.
Cute Mute: Yohn, who combines this with Petting Zoo People.
Dramatic Irony: Late in the game, Kyril kills a fishman to defend Corselia, finally overcoming the mental block that's prevented him from doing so in the past... only to realize he just slew her father, mirroring the trauma that caused said mental block in the first place.
Faceless Masses: Non-named characters still get portraits, but nobody who isn't important to the plot has any eyes. Not even the Mercenaries you fight now and then... and can eventually recruit into your team.
- Their weapons are equally faceless. "Sword". "Bow". "Heaven Star Kitten Kaleidoscope? Oh, hi Named Player Character."
Final Death: Plot-vital characters are actually immune to this; no matter how much punishment they take, they'll never suffer Final Death. The other stars, though, can fall victim to this, and will let you know via dramatic Last Words.
Fish People: Fishmen.
Gameplay Ally Immortality: As mentioned above, anyone with a speaking role in the plot can't die in battle, making them good Meat Shields. However, some characters who join seem like they should have this, but don't... Like, say, Heel Face Turners Beck, Ornela and Roget...
Heel Face Turn: Beck, Ornela and Roget.
Heroic BSOD: Kyril goes through a major one after witnessing his father's Painful Transformation and death. Having the ship blow up didn't help much either.
Heroic Mime: Averted. Kyril TALKS. And suddenly, so does Lazlo.
How We Got Here: The first few chapters are set before the events of Suikoden IV and provide some critical Backstory.
Lady of War: Ornela.
Non-Action Guy: A few recruits that you can call into battle can't fight (or aren't very good at it), but provide various support skills and bonuses. For instance, Rene, a Glasses Girl who can locate and unearth buried treasure.
Obviously Evil: Iskas and Heinz are both clearly trouble.
Old Save Bonus: Transferring data over from Suikoden IV lets you recruit Lazlo and Snowe. Lazlo, fresh off the Best Ending, promptly becomes ~~a bit of~~ a Game Breaker. Snowe is... a guy with a sword.
One-Winged Angel: Pulled at the end by Iskas turning the Evil Eye on himself.
- He's also the only person to not be turned into a mindless monster.
Owl Be Damned: Giant Owls serve as flying mounts.
Painful Transformation: How fishmen are made.
Private Military Contractors: The four mercenaries led by a blue-haired elf.
Start of Darkness: Brandeau, a seemingly one-shot villain who gave Glen in Suikoden IV the Rune of Punishment, has one here. We see how he loses his best friend Edgar (Kika's boyfriend), involuntarily acquires the Rune of Punishment from a Complete Monster of a Pirate (Steele), loses one of his eyes and saw his Sidekick Peck transfigured into a goblin-like creature. He left Kika's crews after being too overcame with guilt, and returns in Suikoden IV as the Ax Crazy pirate.
Unwitting Pawn: Roget.
Weapon of Mass Destruction: The Rune Cannons in general.
Well-Intentioned Extremist: The Patriarchal Faction.
White-Haired Pretty Boy: Iskas.
White Magician Girl: Corselia, your youngest recruit and a Rebellious Princess.
You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Happens to Roget after they're put in charge of more fishmen than they can actually control.

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 A ''[[Suikoden]]'' [[Gaiden Game]] and the sequel to ''[[Suikoden IV]]'', ''Suikoden Tactics'' (released as only ''Rhapsodia'' on Japan) tells the story of Kyril, the son of a Scarlet Moon officer, as he investigates and uncovers a massive conspiracy revolving around Rune Cannons. A complex web of political intrigue, rebellion, insurrection and a dying empire is further complicated by other agents of the Scarlet Moon with their own priorities regarding Kooluk and the Rune Cannons.
-''Tactics''/''Rhapsodia'' ties up many of the loose ends left over from ''IV'', providing key information that helped the plot of the prior game ''make sense''. Most of the cast returned, with a higher Stars of Destiny retention rate than even ''[[Suikoden II]]'' boasted, and several got fleshed out a fair bit more in the process, mostly via party chatter and optional campfire scenes.
+''Tactics''/''Rhapsodia'' ties up many of the loose ends left over from ''Suikoden IV'', providing key information that helped the plot of the prior game ''make sense''. Most of the cast returned, with a higher Stars of Destiny retention rate than even ''[[Suikoden II]]'' boasted, and several got fleshed out a fair bit more in the process, mostly via party chatter and optional campfire scenes.
-Visit the character sheet [[Suikoden Tactics (Video Game)/Characters|here]]!
+Visit the character sheet [[Suikoden Tactics/Characters|here]]!
+{{tropelist}}
-----
+* [[The Atoner]]: Andarc, for {{spoiler|[[Shoot the Dog|slaying Walter]] after he was turned into a fishman and almost killed Kyril}}. Also, {{spoiler|Snowe Vingerhut}}.
-''[[Suikoden Tactics]]'' provides examples of:
+* [[Battle Couple]]: Akaghi and Mizuki, though they [[Everyone Can See It|insist]] [[She Is Not My Girlfriend|otherwise]].
+* [[Big Damn Heroes]]: Kyril ends up on ''both'' ends of these; one memorable example has {{spoiler|Selma, Paula and Jewel show up with [[The Cavalry]] while riding Giant Owls}}.
-* [[The Atoner]] - Andarc, for  {{spoiler|[[Shoot the Dog|slaying Walter]] after he was turned into a fishman and almost killed Kyril.}} Also,  {{spoiler|Snowe Vingerhut.}}
+* [[Cute Mute]]: Yohn, who combines this with [[Petting Zoo People]].
-* [[Battle Couple]] - Akaghi and Mizuki, though they [[Everyone Can See It|insist]] [[She Is Not My Girlfriend|otherwise]].
+* [[Dramatic Irony]]: Late in the game, Kyril {{spoiler|kills a fishman to defend Corselia, finally overcoming the mental block that's prevented him from doing so in the past... only to realize he just slew her father, mirroring the trauma that ''caused'' said mental block in the first place}}.
-* [[Big Damn Heroes]] - Kyril ends up on ''both'' ends of these; one memorable example has  {{spoiler|Selma, Paula and Jewel show up with [[The Cavalry]] while riding Giant Owls.}}
+* [[Faceless Masses]]: Non-named characters still get portraits, but nobody who isn't important to the plot has any ''eyes''. Not even the Mercenaries you fight now and then... {{spoiler|and can eventually recruit into your team}}.
-* [[Cute Mute]] - Yohn, who combines this with [[Petting Zoo People]].
+** Their weapons are equally faceless. "Sword". "Bow". "Heaven Star Kitten Kaleidoscope? Oh, hi Named Player Character."
-* [[Dramatic Irony]] - Late in the game, Kyril  {{spoiler|kills a fishman to defend Corselia, finally overcoming the mental block that's prevented him from doing so in the past... only to realize he just slew her father, mirroring the trauma that ''caused'' said mental block in the first place.}}
+* [[Final Death]]: Plot-vital characters are actually immune to this; no matter how much punishment they take, they'll never suffer [[Final Death]]. The ''other'' stars, though, ''can'' fall victim to this, and will let you know via dramatic [[Last Words]].
-* [[Faceless Masses]] - Non-named characters still get portraits, but nobody who isn't important to the plot has any ''eyes''. Not even the Mercenaries you fight now and then...{{spoiler|and can eventually recruit into your team.}}
+* [[Fish People]]: [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|Fishmen]].
-** Their weapons are equally faceless. "Sword." "Bow." "Heaven Star Kitten Kaleidoscope? Oh, hi Named Player Character."
+* [[Gameplay Ally Immortality]]: As mentioned above, anyone with a speaking role in the plot ''can't die'' in battle, making them good [[Meat Shield|Meat Shields]]. However, ''some'' characters who join ''seem'' like they should have this, but don't... {{spoiler|Like, say, [[Heel Face Turn|Heel Face Turners]] Beck, Ornela and Roget}}...
-* [[Final Death]] - Plot-vital characters are actually immune to this; no matter how much punishment they take, they'll never suffer [[Final Death]]. The ''other'' stars, though, ''can'' fall victim to this, and will let you know via dramatic [[Last Words]].
+* [[Heel Face Turn]]: {{spoiler|Beck, Ornela and Roget}}.
-* [[Fish People]] - [[Exactly What It Says On the Tin|Fishmen]].
+* [[Heroic BSOD]]: Kyril goes through a major one after {{spoiler|witnessing his father's [[Painful Transformation]] and death. Having the ship blow up didn't help much either}}.
-* [[Fridge Brilliance]] - On the Japanese cover, you see Yohn embracing Kyril.  {{spoiler|Turns out she's his mom.}}
+* [[Heroic Mime]]: Averted. Kyril TALKS. {{spoiler|And suddenly, so does Lazlo}}.
-* [[Game Breaker]] -  {{spoiler|Hello, Lazlo! What have you done to that True Rune of yours? Oh, you've taken away the life-draining effect that was its only weakness and now it ''heals'' you while you kill things with it instead? No, that's not ludicrously overpowered at all!}}
+* [[How We Got Here]]: The first few chapters are set ''before'' the events of ''[[Suikoden IV]]'' and provide some critical [[Backstory]].
-* [[Gameplay Ally Immortality]] - As mentioned above, anyone with a speaking role in the plot ''can't die'' in battle, making them good [[Meat Shield|Meat Shields]]. However, ''some'' characters who join ''seem'' like they should have this, but don't...  {{spoiler|Like, say, [[Heel Face Turn|Heel Face Turners]] Beck, Ornela and Roget...}}
-* [[Heel Face Turn]] -  {{spoiler|Beck, Ornela and Roget}}.
+* [[Lady of War]]: Ornela.
+* [[Non-Action Guy]]: A few recruits that you can call into battle can't fight (or aren't very good at it), but provide various support skills and bonuses. For instance, Rene, a [[Meganekko|Glasses Girl]] who can locate and unearth [[Pirate Booty|buried treasure]].
-* [[Heroic BSOD]] - Kyril goes through a major one after  {{spoiler|witnessing his father's [[Painful Transformation]] and death. Having the ship blow up didn't help much, either.}}
-* [[Heroic Mime]] - Averted. Kyril TALKS. {{spoiler|And suddenly, so does Lazlo}}.
+* [[Obviously Evil]]: {{spoiler|Iskas}} and {{spoiler|Heinz}} are both clearly trouble.
+* [[Old Save Bonus]]: Transferring data over from ''[[Suikoden IV]]'' lets you recruit {{spoiler|Lazlo and Snowe. Lazlo, fresh off the [[Multiple Endings|Best Ending]], promptly becomes <s>a bit of</s> a [[Game Breaker]]. Snowe is... a guy with a sword}}.
-* [[Hey Its That Voice]]
+* [[One-Winged Angel]]: Pulled at the end by {{spoiler|Iskas turning the Evil Eye on himself}}.
-** Kyril is [[Digimon Tamers|Terriermon]]. And also [[Rozen Maiden|Jun]]. [[Your Mileage May Vary]].
+** {{spoiler|He's also the only person to not be turned into a mindless monster}}.
-** Sendeca is [[Witch Hunter Robin|Karasuma]]
+* [[Owl Be Damned]]: Giant Owls serve as flying mounts.
-** Kika is [[.hack|Helba]].
+* [[Painful Transformation]]: {{spoiler|How fishmen are made}}.
-* [[How We Got Here]] - The first few chapters are set ''before'' the events of ''[[Suikoden IV]]'' and provide some critical [[Backstory]].
+* [[Private Military Contractors]]: The four mercenaries led by a [[You Gotta Have Blue Hair|blue-haired]] elf.
-* [[Lady of War]] - Ornela.
+* [[Start of Darkness]]: Brandeau, a seemingly one-shot villain who gave Glen in ''Suikoden IV'' the Rune of Punishment, has one here. We see how he {{spoiler|loses his best friend Edgar (Kika's boyfriend), involuntarily acquires the Rune of Punishment from a [[Complete Monster]] of a [[Pirate]] (Steele), loses one of his eyes and saw his [[Sidekick]] Peck transfigured into a goblin-like creature. He left Kika's crews after being too overcame with guilt, and returns in ''Suikoden IV'' as the [[Ax Crazy]] pirate}}.
-* [[Non Action Guy]] - A few recruits that you can call into battle can't fight (or aren't very good at it), but provide various support skills and bonuses. For instance, Rene, a [[Meganekko|Glasses Girl]] who can locate and unearth [[Pirate Booty|buried treasure]].
-* [[Obviously Evil]] -  {{spoiler|Iskas}} and  {{spoiler|Heinz}} are both clearly trouble.
+* [[Unwitting Pawn]]: {{spoiler|Roget}}.
+* [[Weapon of Mass Destruction]]: The Rune Cannons in general.
-* [[Old Save Bonus]] - Transferring data over from [[Suikoden IV]] lets you recruit  {{spoiler|Lazlo and Snowe. Lazlo, fresh off the [[Multiple Endings|Best Ending]], promptly becomes <s>a bit of</s> a [[Game Breaker]]. Snowe is...a guy with a sword}}.
+* [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]]: The Patriarchal Faction.
-* [[One Winged Angel]] - Pulled at the end by  {{spoiler|Iskas turning the Evil Eye on himself}}.
+* [[White-Haired Pretty Boy]]: Iskas.
-** {{spoiler|He's also the only person to not be turned into a mindless monster.}}
+* [[White Magician Girl]]: Corselia, your youngest recruit {{spoiler|and a [[Rebellious Princess]]}}.
-* [[Owl Be Damned]] - Giant Owls serve as flying mounts.
+* [[You Have Outlived Your Usefulness]]: Happens to {{spoiler|Roget}} after they're put in charge of more fishmen than they can actually ''control''.
-* [[Painful Transformation]] -  {{spoiler|How fishmen are made.}}
-* [[Private Military Contractors]] - The four mercenaries led by a [[You Gotta Have Blue Hair|blue-haired]] elf.
-* [[Start of Darkness]] - Brandeau, a seemingly one-shot villain who gave Glen in IV the Rune of Punishment, has one here. We see how he {{spoiler|loses his best friend Edgar (Kika's boyfriend), involuntarily acquires the Rune of Punishment from a [[Complete Monster]] of a [[Pirate]] (Steele), loses one of his eyes and saw his [[Sidekick]] Peck transfigured into a goblin-like creature. He left Kika's crews after being too overcame with guilt, and returns in IV as the [[Ax Crazy]] pirate.}}
-* [[Surprisingly Improved Sequel]] - It's better than Suikoden IV! Really! We swear!
-* [[Tear Jerker]] - Brandeau's [[Start of Darkness]], particularly when  {{spoiler|Kika mourns Edgar's death and his departure}}.
-* [[Unwitting Pawn]] -  {{spoiler|Roget}}
-* [[Viewer Gender Confusion]] - Simone. Also, [[Tomboy]] Wendel returns, and happens to be the only female character who won't wear the [[Of Corsets Sexy|Corset armor]].
-* [[Weapon of Mass Destruction]] - The Rune Cannons in general.
-* [[Well Intentioned Extremist]] - The Patriarchal Faction.
-* [[WTH Casting Agency]] - [[Mona Marshall]] as Kyril. Not as child Kyril. ''Adult'' Kyril.
-* [[White Haired Pretty Boy]] - Iskas.
-* [[White Magician Girl]] - Corselia, your youngest recruit  {{spoiler|and a [[Rebellious Princess]]}}
-* [[You Have Outlived Your Usefulness]] - Happens to  {{spoiler|Roget}} after they're put in charge of more fishmen than they can actually ''control''.
 {{reflist}}
 [[Category:Strategy RPG]]
 [[Category:Eastern RPG]]
-[[Category:Play Station 2]]
+[[Category:PlayStation 2]]
 [[Category:Suikoden Tactics]]
 [[Category:Video Game]]
+[[Category:Video Games of the 2000s]]