This game (1 or 2, can't remember) made an impression on Ciro Santilli for some reason.

Only many many years after playing it, after Ciro started getting more interested, did he learn that it was actually an adaptation of the Chinese mega-classic Water Margin.

"Suikoden" is the actual Japenese transliteration for the Chinese name of the original Water Margin novel.

Yet another case of Chinese thing better known in the West as Japanese.

The game puts great emphasis on the concept of the 108 Stars of Destiny, which never left Ciro's mind: making 108 allies, the main collectible of the game, allows you to make a more powerful alliance, and unlock better endings.