u/Agitated_Evening8736

Valeria, generally a fan favorite. Here's why:

If you choose Valeria, she can reunite with Anita (her rival) and perform a Unite Attack that would otherwise be unavailable if you chose Kasumi. They can also have a minor interaction if you bring them together.

Valeria is generally stronger in war battles because she uses cavalry.

Valeria also possesses a rare rune, held by only 4 (5 if you count the master) people in the Suikoden world, called the "Falcon Rune."

As for Kasumi, she's less favorable among fans, but I always choose her over Valeria. Here's why:

If you choose Kasumi, you can go to Rockaxe Hamlet and get both Sasuke and Mondo faster, even before fighting "you know who," the mid-boss. You also get a cute interaction with "the previous hero" if you bring her along when doing "his" side quest. Even though it's a small scene, it's a whole new scene, not just some interaction.

She's an archer in war battles, making her less useful than Valeria, but tbh, I really don't care.

She possesses the Shrike Rune, which is more common. But her biggest downgrade is her attack range. For some unknown reason, she's an L-range character in Suikoden I, but in Suikoden II, she becomes an S-range character.

Most people would immediately choose Luca Blight, and it's easy to see why. His overwhelming strength and terrifying presence made him one of the most feared warriors in Suikoden history, even Viktor the bear genuinely fear of him, But this isn't simply a contest of brute force.

Georg prime , a man whose greatest weapon isn't raw power, but experience. Georg was a former scarlet moon empire great General (now toran republic) , former ebony knight, former queen's Knight, and possibly many others. His swordsmanship was built on precision, patience, and the wisdom that only decades of combat can provide.

Ive played the games many times, and I dont remember Luca landing critical hits during war battles, while Georg is practically a crit master. Luca unquestionably has the higher attack power, but Georg's consistent critical strikes suggest a different kind of mastery. To me, they represent his ability to identify an opponent's weak points and deliver the most effective, decisive blow. Hence the name, Deathblow Georg

Suikoden series has always had pretty awesome openings/intros. Most of them were beautifully done, even spin off titles like Tierkreis. Here’s my take:

1st. None compare to this. This is some AAA opening right here.

2nd. I might be biased since it’s Suikoden II, but I replayed it again and again, and I still feel emotional every time. No other game has ever done this to me.

3rd. Another banger. The game is equally good too.

4th. Again, I might be biased, but I really struggle to put this in 4th place, or the Suikoden IV one, since it’s kinda simpler. But the emotional feeling is just something I can’t hide.

5th. Kinda the same feeling, but I’m not as attached to it.