LogFAQs > #980044176

Suikoden 1 is well regarded it's just sore of rough in some areas even considering it's already datedness. But it's short enough most of the problems it does have aren't that big of a deal.

Suikoden 2 is the most universal praised. I wouldn't say the gameplay is anything special (though it's fine and better than 1 as long as you don't HAVE to have challenge) but the story and characters are excellent, as well as the overall presentation and tone.

Suikoden 3 was, as said, divisive when it came out. I was not a huge fan at the time because it had a lot of changes from 2 and 2 was my favorite RPG (still might be), but I've come around on it a lot since then and consider it to be around the same quality as 2. Had, at the time, a very unique multiple view points system that wasn't much seen a the time, though it's much more common these days.

Suikoden 4 still kinda sucks honestly. It's not AWFUL or anything and emulators can sort of fix a lot of the problems with how slow it is, but I would heavily temper your expectations if you are playing through the series these days.

Suikoden 5 imo is just about as good as 2, though most people will say it's not. It basically is just gameplay wise going back to 2s style and doing a new story. It also has some issues with slowness in gameplay, but turbo helps. Story pacing also has issues, especially early on.

Tactics I remember being pretty fun but not much more than that and I never replayed it. It's no FFT and it's set in the Suikoden 4 setting/era which drags it down some but I am pretty sure I remember the plot being better than 4.

Tierkries gets a lot of flak for not being a real Suikoden 6 because it's not set in the same world or continue the meta plot after the huge wait for possibly another game, but it's honestly pretty good. I probably wouldn't say it's as good as 2, 3, or 5 but its worth playing if you are able to separate it from the name and treat it likes its own thing ala Eiyuden.

I never played any of the Japan only spinoffs though I think at least some have been fan translated now?