This is the game that started one of the best RPG series ever made, so yes, this is a very good game.
Gameplay: 9
Like I just said, it all started here. The controls in Suikoden arn't perfect, but they get the job done. The puzzles in this game arn't bad either, but the basis of this game, like the other games in the series, is collecting the 108 stars of destiny. These are the all the players you can recruit to live in a castle you require very early in the game and a large percentage of them are playable, I think like 60-70 of them, but that is just a guess. Only future suikodens have more playable characters in an RPG than this to the best of my knowledge. You get to recruit your own shop owners and various other type of non playable characters which run mini games or do other very useful tasks. It is not required you recruit them all, but it is fun to do so.
There are a three different types of battles in suikoden as well to keep you entertained. There are war battles, duels, and your standard turn based battles. I will start with the standard turn based battles, in which you get to use 6 characters. The battle options are pretty standard and include attacking, combo attacking, using a rune, or running. Combo attacks are attacks that are done in coordination with multiple party numbers to do extra damage. They are fun and useful, it is just to bad there arn't more of them. Equipping a rune is how characters can use magic and skills. There is a lot of variety in the runes making this a very effective and fun system to use. Overall, the battle system is simple and easy to use, but has good amount of strategy to it, which equals fun.
Duels are one on one battles done in a rock-paper-scissors like fashion. Each person selects an attack and hopes they chose correctly. This is fun and adds variety to the game. You can also kind of guess what type of attack is coming by what your opponent says before the attack.
War battles are battles involving most your army done on a 2d screen. There is a lot of strategy in putting together armies and fighting wars. Your main characters will lead battles and depending on who the leaders are you will have different options for what your army can do. Like duels, these battles are rare, but they are fun and a nice touch of variety.
Graphics: 7
These graphics could probably have been pulled off on the snes. In fact there are a few games on the snes with better graphics. With that said, the graphics are easy on the eyes and get the job done very well. The spell graphics and character models are also done very well. If you go into this game not expecting great graphics you might actually be pleasantly surprised.
Sound: 8
Like the graphics, the sounds effects arn't the best I have ever heard, but I really like the soundtrack. It does not get old even by the end of the game.
Value: 8
Suikoden is actually a rather short game by rpg standards, I beat it in under 20 hours. As I said earlier though, there are 108 characters to recruit and if you try to recruit them all you might be able to put more like 25-30 hours on the game. A lot happens with the story over the course of the game though, and there are a couple of fun mini games available to you as well. I might have given this game a 9 in value if it was not for the rarity and in turn high price tag on this game.
Tilt: 9
The story in this game is very good just like the other suikoden games. Also like the other games it is based on the runes that exist in the world of suikoden and the wonderful cast of characters in this game. The experience of meeting, recruiting, and having these characters in your own castle is also very satisfying and fun. This game is not very tedious and doesn't take long to beat either. Basically, it is hard not to love this game.
Conclusion
This games graphics and in some aspects sound arn't going to blow you away, but you should still give this game a try. RPG's are not about those "details" anyway. This game has a wonderful and large cast of characters, addictingly fun gameplay, and a great story. If you like RPGs and are looking for a good time, give Suikoden a shot.