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Suikoden Mastermind Yoshitaka Murayama Sadly Passes Away

Rabbit & Bear Studios, the developer of Eiyuden Chronicle, announces the passing of Yoshitaka Murayama, the brilliant mind behind the beloved Suikoden JRPG franchise.
Suikoden Mastermind Yoshitaka Murayama Sadly Passes Away

Highlights

  • Yoshitaka Murayama, the visionary behind Suikoden, has tragically passed away.
  • Fans can still enjoy Murayama's legacy through games like Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising and the original Suikoden series.
  • Despite his untimely death, Murayama's team remains dedicated to completing his vision for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.

Yoshitaka Murayama, the genius behind the iconic JRPG series Suikoden and the driving force behind the spiritual successor Eiyuden Chronicle, has left us. Reports suggest he was battling an undisclosed illness, leading to his premature demise during the development of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.

Back in 1995, Murayama introduced Suikoden to the world on the PlayStation platform. The first two Suikoden games captivated RPG enthusiasts during the PlayStation era, notably for their vast character collections known as the 108 Stars of Destiny. This concept drew inspiration from the ancient Chinese narrative Water Margin, featuring Song Jiang and his 108 rebels challenging the ruling regime.

Rabbit & Bear Studios, Murayama's development venture, confirmed his passing on February 6. Despite the tragic loss, Murayama and his team were actively engaged in crafting Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, a project initiated in 2020 following a successful Kickstarter campaign by Suikoden fans. The studio pledged to honor his legacy by fulfilling his ambitions for the game.

Explore Yoshitaka Murayama's Game Legacy

Devotees of Murayama's work can immerse themselves in his gaming legacy. They can delve into Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, the inaugural title of the series released in 2022. While presenting a unique side-scrolling action RPG experience, it pays homage to the original Suikoden series.

For those yearning to revisit the classics, the initial two Suikoden installments are accessible on the PS3 via PSN. Konami is set to launch an HD remaster of Suikoden 1 and 2 on the PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch, albeit facing delays from the initially announced 2023 release.

Enthusiasts of JRPGs can further explore the entire Suikoden series, uncovering hidden gems and experiencing the saga's evolution. Despite varying opinions on the series' titles, they remain highly regarded by fans as top-tier genre entries. While some titles are confined to older consoles like the PS2 and PS3, the later games are worth discovering for those with access.

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