As a long-time SaGa enthusiast, I found myself initially taken aback by the changes in Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven. The loss of some of the series’ trademark obfuscation felt like a departure from the challenging, hardcore experience I had grown accustomed to. However, after giving it some thought, I realized that this remake managed to strike an excellent balance between accessibility and preserving the spirit of SaGa.
SaGa Emerald Beyond, released earlier this year, embodied the quintessential SaGa experience, representing the culmination of decades of exploration, enhancement, and the cohesiveness of its creative team. Conversely, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a complete remake of the 1993 Super Famicom RPG, takes a different approach. The team behind the 2020 Trials of Mana remake is leading this project, focusing more on creating something fresh using the niche classic as a model. While Emerald Beyond was as hardcore as it gets, Revenge of the Seven aims to enhance accessibility. Initially apprehensive, the modern enhancements in this remake succeed without undermining the aspects that made the original game exceptional.
A generational conflict
In the realm of Avalon, under the rule of Emperor Leon and his two offspring, a predicament unfolds. The Seven Champions, renowned for their past valor that once saved the world from impending doom, have re-emerged following an enigmatic sealing. This resurfacing has coincided with an escalation in monstrous activities, catastrophic natural events, and other such turmoil. Although Victor exhibits remarkable strength, Leon has been accompanying his less formidable, scholarly son Gerard on various missions to aid the empire and foster confidence within the youngster. However, when one of the Seven Heroes unveils their true identity, it becomes strikingly evident that Avalon’s resources are insufficient to withstand the immense power they possess.
In Romancing SaGa 2, Leon discovers a potent magic known as Inheritance Magic, serving as its fundamental principle. When rulers pass away, they can transmit their memories, learnings, and skills to their successors. Upon being compelled to rule, Gerard benefits from this magic, addressing his initial weaknesses and enabling him to govern effectively. Yet, even with these improvements, the struggle between Avalon and the Seven Heroes intensifies and morphs over time, culminating in a climactic battle where stakes are revealed to be far greater than initially perceived.
The most complicated family tree ever
In Romancing SaGa 2, the inheritance system serves as the main structure, but every tiny aspect of character development and party creation adds up to create a fully satisfying experience over numerous hours. This is what makes SaGa special, and the remake team captured this essence perfectly. Instead of gaining EXP and leveling up after fights, characters develop based on their involvement in battles. The types of weapons, spells, and skills they employ cause them to grow stronger in those areas. The progression system really shines with “Glimmers,” a moment when a character experiences a sudden realization or learns something new, which is represented by a light bulb. There’s nothing quite like an intense battle being paused by a flash of inspiration, granting the character a powerful, new skill that significantly enhances their abilities.
In Romancing SaGa 2, constructing a collection of tools plays a significant role throughout your journey. This process gradually unfolds as you progress through the story. For instance, finishing side quests may unlock new character classes for you, while discovering lost books can unveil new magical spells. These surprises often modify your strategy or seem to shift the direction of your “main” party. Additional features exclusive to this version, like passive abilities that can be unlocked from each class and then swapped upon mastery, introduce even more options for customization. Each aspect is well-balanced, neither too complex nor insufficiently developed. Everything you achieve helps make your team more adaptable and potent. Reflecting on what you’ve constructed at the end gives a sense of accomplishment and pride.
I was here before SaGa was cool (I hope it’s cool now though)
My biggest point of contention with Revenge of the Seven was something that came up when I interviewed the game’s producer ahead of this review. SaGa games have a reputation for being unkind to the player, generally by obscuring information from them and asking them to figure things out. Romancing SaGa as a trilogy was perhaps the most notorious in this regard, especially the first two. Even the remasters from a few years ago didn’t tell you how anything worked, and the sicko section of the fanbase (myself included) actually enjoys that endeavor of discovery.
In this new version, almost every aspect of the game systems is meticulously laid out, filling the pause menu with numerous options to explore. Even for someone like me who doesn’t typically spend much time exploring, it offers a wealth of information for beginners and those who enjoy optimizing their gameplay. The fear was that in making the game more accessible, something unique might be lost, particularly regarding the Free Scenario System. With numerous waypoints guiding players on where to go next or to start side quests, I wondered if the element of self-discovery, which is a hallmark of Romancing SaGa 2, would be diminished.
In summary, some aspects of the game’s uniqueness were simplified, which initially disheartened me as a SaGa fan. However, there were still elements shrouded in mystery, such as the precise instances when completing a goal would trigger a generational shift. Additionally, though some quests like the mermaid side story were made clearer, they still held hidden outcomes beyond the “completed” notification.
Initially, not having to expend mental effort on deciphering the original’s intent allowed me to focus more on understanding the game mechanics and character development, aspects I find equally enjoyable as the challenging parts. After a transition period, I realized that SaGa still retained its unique character, despite being less frustrating.
More RPGs like this, please
Over the years, one distinctive characteristic of SaGa games lies in their unusual aesthetics and approach. Lately, they’ve been focusing on streamlining unnecessary elements and providing a straightforward tabletop-style role-playing game experience. This implies that features like exploring expansive landscapes, gazing at panoramic cliffside views, and rummaging through labyrinthine dungeons were absent. However, for the remake, Romancing SaGa 2 is essentially a larger version of its original self, which was a traditional Super Famicom RPG. It now includes towns, dungeons, treasures – elements that the series has distanced itself from since.
While not quite reaching the grandeur of top-tier AAA games, Revenge of the Seven truly impresses with its stunning visuals. It skillfully utilizes every inch of space, whether it’s the sprawling cityscape of Avalon or the modest caves inhabited by goblins and strange rabbit-like creatures. In an industry where heavyweights like Final Fantasy grapple to recuperate their immense investments, I can’t help but imagine that a new Square Enix RPG could easily resemble this game while still maintaining the Final Fantasy label. And let’s not forget, Kenji Ito’s return to his original work serves as an opportunity for him to compose even more masterfully, but if anyone labels this game “low budget,” I’d be left quite surprised.
As a self-proclaimed enthusiast of the SaGa series in gaming media, my curiosity was piqued when approaching Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven. Was it possible for a SaGa game to be redesigned with accessibility in mind and still retain its unique identity, or would simplifying it make it indistinguishable from Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest? While there were moments that made me feel somewhat traditionalistic, ultimately, my question was answered affirmatively. The remake of Romancing SaGa 2 offers a rich experience for fans of the original while also making it more inviting for newcomers. If you find yourself drawn in, I strongly encourage you to delve deeper into the series – don’t miss out on SaGa!
On October 24, 2024, you can enjoy Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven on your PC, Nintendo Switch, or either PlayStation 4 or 5. For this review, I received a PC code from the publisher.
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2024-10-23 14:27