Suikoden Tactics is cool, it would probably have been better if I'd have played Suikoden IV because the game takes place before, durring and after that game (tutorial takes place before Suikoden IV; the beginning plot device takes place at the same time Suikoden IV is suppose to start; and then you character is crippled for three years and the game jumps ahead and the actual gameplay takes place after Suikoden IV).
It plays just like every tactics game out there, but I enjoyed the overall plot, even though the voice acting was horrible and you can just tell it has that "japanese" feel to the story - it is fucking SLOW to develope, but you like it, at least I did.