Initially released in Japan and North America in late 2005, the game was later made available in Europe and the PAL region in early 2006.

The game's music was composed by series veteran Norikazu Miura and features the opening theme "Another World" performed by Japanese vocalist yoshiko.

The game's fantasy story is told in two parts, taking place both before and after the events of Suikoden IV released one year earlier, and features appearances by characters from the title.

The player controls a young man named Kyril, and advances the plot by completing tactical battles and talking with other characters.

Such characters have no offensive value, as they can not attack, but impart various effects on the playing field such as healing, stealing, digging, and stat buffing.

The prequel part of Suikoden Tactics ends with a traumatic event for Kyril, and how Brandeau gains the possession of the Rune of Punishment.

Suikoden Tactics was met with a fairly positive response in Japan, selling approximately 64,472 within its first year, enough to qualify it for a re-release under Sony's "PlayStation the Best" distinction in November 2006 at a budget price.

"[5] Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine stated that the gameplay "works when it's not broken", but was hindered by "boring" story sequences and "awful" graphics.