Return of a Classic RPG: Romancing SaGa 2 Remake
SaGa fans rejoice: I have returned from PAX West 2024 after going hands-on with none other than Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a remake of the 1993 classic RPG. I know SaGa Emerald Beyond, and I didn’t see eye-to-eye, but low and behold, Square Enix was cooking up a remastered SaGa experience unlike any before with this one. I mean, I would have settled a SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered announcement, but hey, these are insane times we live in so I should have expected a release like this.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven revives the classic JRPG with stunning new visuals and updated combat mechanics.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven sticks close to its roots, bringing back the nonlinear storytelling and complex systems that fans of the SaGa series love, but with some thoughtful updates. This new version feels like it’s designed for both longtime fans and newcomers, as a handful of familiar mechanics and modern touches breathe new life into the series.
Combat Updates: United Attack and Classic Features
The combat system, for example, was fascinating to learn. Along with returning features like “Glimmers,” where characters learn abilities mid-battle, and “Formations,” which change combat dynamics depending on your party’s setup, there’s a new addition called “United Attack.”
The addition of the United Attack feature introduces a tactical depth that enhances battles against the formidable Seven Heroes.
This feature allows party members to combine their moves for a bigger impact, which is necessary to understand and utilize in combat. We had the chance to witness two of the Seven Heroes, Kzinssie and Subier, and these battles were no walk in the park. Kzinssie demanded careful planning with his punishing attacks, while Subier took things underwater for an intense fight that required smart positioning and coordination. The battles felt like a satisfying challenge, making every decision count.
Visual and Audio Revamp for Modern Players
Visually, SaGa has never looked better. The classic 2D sprites have been reimagined in 3D, but honestly, the experience felt brand new, even for someone who has played this game many times. The foundation of what I remember is present, but the updated graphics give the experience a modern touch. The towns and dungeons have also been revamped, but again, they don’t stray far from the original designs. Everything felt familiar but with a modern polish, making it easy to appreciate the care that went into this remake.
With remastered music and fully voiced dialogue, this remake brings a modern touch to the beloved 1993 RPG classic.
One of the standout aspects of our demo was the music. Kenji Ito’s soundtrack has been rearranged, and you can choose between the original score and the new version in the options menu. The voice acting is another highlight, with fully voiced dialogue in both English and Japanese, bringing more life to the characters and story.
A Modern Touch on a Beloved JRPG Experience
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is the SaGa project fans have been waiting for. This is our chance to see modern players drawn in by the pretty graphics only to discover a unique JRPG experience built on the foundations of one of my favorite entries. It retains what made the original special while introducing enough updates to keep it fresh. For fans of the series, it’s shaping up to be a solid return, and for newcomers, it offers a good entry point into the SaGa universe.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on October 24, 2024.
