Suikoden games have such engaging stories and I really hate how often this is partially wasted by the silent main that Japan loves so much. So this is a pretty big point in 3's favour to me.
Really surprised you've seen more people who like 5 best than like 3 best; that's just... not my experience at all. 3 is the favourite game in the series in the circles I mainly move (I know it's 2 in most Suikoden communities, though) whereas 5 seems to eternally be the game that everyone likes, but nobody absolutely loves (its flaws are a bit too obvious, I guess).
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