As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for the SaGa series, I can confidently say that Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven has me more excited than a cat on a hot tin roof. This remake is like the ultimate reunion of an old friend, with a fresh coat of paint and some new tricks up its sleeve.
I have a strong affinity for Romancing SaGa 2, and I must say that it stands as my favorite among all SaGa games. To clarify, I’m quite fond of the entire series, but Romancing 2 takes the crown. Earlier this year, I enjoyed SaGa Emerald Beyond, and when the announcement for Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven came out, I was simply astounded. Two new installments in one year, including a remake of my all-time favorite? That’s downright unbelievable! Although I was envious of my coworkers who got to test the game at PAX West, I recently had an opportunity to sample another part of it. Interestingly enough, this piece is what players worldwide will eventually get to experience, in the form of a demo. The good news is that progress from the demo will carry over to the full release, so there’s no reason not to give it a try!
If you’re still questioning it, let me clarify based on my past encounters. The demonstration spans for a few hours according to your speed, covering nearly the entire introduction. You assume the role of King Leon, who bears a striking resemblance to Jesus Christ but is muscular and powerful, as he tackles some local issues within his empire. His son Gerard accompanies him; this lad boasts more brains than brawn to assist Leon in becoming battle-ready. With the situation being dire, Leon needs all the support he can get because whispers are circulating that the seven legendary heroes have returned from a kind of celestial imprisonment, and they’re none too pleased.
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the challenging journey that Romancing SaGa 2 presented, a journey that was as enigmatic as it was exciting. Unlike other games, SaGa titles of its era, including the legendary Romancing SaGa 2, earned a reputation for their intricate difficulty. It wasn’t just about monsters dealing hefty blows (though they certainly did), but also in the cryptic way information was withheld from the player.
For many hardcore fans, the SaGa sickos, if you will, have come to enjoy that aspect of the series. It can be fun and rewarding to figure out how things work and discover new events by accident. But it’s a niche, and the team behind Revenge of the Seven is betting on those systems still being satisfying to dig into without all the obstruction. The early moments of the demo are full of tutorial messages that are useful for onboarding, but even without them the game itself is full of visible information. Anything you could possibly think of that Romancing SaGa didn’t show, Revenge of the Seven goes out of its way to provide. The menu screen, which doubles as a “throne room” in some of the coolest UI I’ve seen in an old school-style RPG, gives you everything you’ll need to keep up and then some. It seems like it could be overwhelming, but considering the opposite is almost nothing, I’m super curious to see how newcomers react.
Beyond its wealth of details, what truly stands out in Revenge of the Seven is its stunning visuals. This game is vividly colorful, intricately detailed, and simply beautiful. Unlike many SaGa games of the past, it lacks the distinctive stylistic subtleties they are known for, instead adopting a more conventional appearance. However, it offers a denser and more expansive environment to explore compared to SaGa’s penchant for streamlining and emulating a tabletop experience. This departure from the usual SaGa team is intriguing, potentially attracting new players who might have been deterred by SaGa’s historically unconventional choices. Playing the demo on PC was an unusual yet invigorating experience, as it allowed for more exploration, almost like a bigger-budget sibling to the Final Fantasy series.
In this reimagined game, the fresh graphics and altered information sequence seamlessly contribute to an impactful performance during battles. Beneath its retro Super Famicom roots, it offers swift menus and thrilling camera angles that make decision-making and witnessing the outcomes a satisfying experience. Additionally, it retains the SaGa “Glimmer” system, allowing characters to acquire new abilities amidst combat. In Revenge of the Seven, you can even see the probability of triggering a Glimmer, which can guide your choice of weapons or attacks for party customization. Furthermore, it provides real-time information on enemy vulnerabilities and resistances, a feature less common in modern SaGa games. The swift yet rewarding combat is intended to compensate for those who may find the hints slightly off-putting. And let’s not forget the instant gratification provided by that illuminating bulb and sound effect!
Regrettably, my session came to an end exactly when things were getting really interesting in Romancing SaGa 2. One of the game’s standout features is its intricate storyline and gameplay that span across different dynasties of emperors, without giving away too many details. The ability to inherit skills and memories through bloodlines significantly impacts your progression. Unfortunately, the demo concluded during a pivotal moment when the transition between emperors first occurs, leaving me unable to fully explore the new features introduced. It’s a classic teaser, designed to leave players eager for more, and I certainly hope it does the same for those who try it out. I can confirm that the demo content serves as a prelude to an extraordinary journey, one that I’m desperate to continue exploring.
On October 24, 2024, players can get their hands on Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven across multiple platforms – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5. For this review, we were given an early PC code for a sneak peek at the game’s upcoming public demo by the publisher.
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2024-09-19 04:57