Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven
Developer: Square Enix, xeen inc.
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: Windows (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, Switch
Release Date: 25 October 2024
Price: $49.99 USD / $74.95 AUD – Available Here
Overview
The Romancing SaGa series is well-known for its open-ended progression, intricate RPG mechanics, and minimalist storylines featuring multiple protagonists.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a remake of one of the most beloved entries in the series, featuring modernized visuals, streamlined gameplay, and customizable accessibility options.
Back on the PlayStation 2, I dabbled in Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song. The series has always intrigued me, and I fell in love with Minstrel Song’s vibrant art style and diverse cast. However, with so many RPGs competing for my attention, I set it aside. Now, with this fresh iteration of Romancing SaGa 2, I’m ready to dive into the franchise for real.
Story
Legends speak of seven heroes who save the day whenever evil arises. Over time, these heroes faded from people’s collective memory as peace and prosperity endured for generations. But now, the land is again under siege by an army of fiends, and the people clamor for the return of the legendary heroes. However, their reappearance may not bring the salvation everyone hopes for. With the guidance of a mysterious seeress, the Emperor of Avalon and his retinue embark on a quest to reclaim the land and uncover the truth behind the seven former heroes.
New and expanded story beats add depth to the world and its characters. Devices scattered throughout the game provide brief flashbacks that shed new light on the events surrounding the seven heroes’ past.
Dialogues and cutscenes are sparse, which works in the game’s favor by avoiding excessive exposition. However, the remake could have benefited from expanding a few key story elements to give more context and impact to pivotal moments. The game’s robust RPG systems further enhance the story, allowing for multiple outcomes and encouraging players to fill in the gaps themselves.
Gameplay
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is an engaging RPG. Its open-ended gameplay offers players considerable freedom in how they approach quests and in what order.
The game offers numerous mechanics to tinker with from the get go. There are a variety of character classes to choose from, with even more becoming available as players complete quests. Dialogue choices can also play a significant role in shaping the outcome of events, potentially unlocking new quests, characters, and abilities while foregoing others.
Character classes have fixed basic attributes, but the game’s growth system is tied to weapon proficiency through repeated use. That means that despite some limitations regarding acquiring skills, your scrawny mage can also become a skilled warrior if you so choose. This peculiar system – among others – makes customizing your retinue one of the game’s highlights. It helps that the frequent turn-based battles are fast-paced and challenging.
Exploring towns often lack significant depth – There’s not much to do besides soaking in the atmosphere. Occasionally, villagers will provide useful hints or clues, but they don’t add much beyond that. In dungeons, light platforming segments enhance the exploration experience, making it more engaging compared to the original game.
Three difficulty levels are available, with hard mode reflecting the original game’s difficulty. Personally, I found this setting the most fitting, as the game is designed for players to learn from failure, experiment, and adapt to overcome challenges. It’s a rewarding approach that encourages mastery rather than simply powering through – I found myself actively looking to engage in battles instead of dreading the next encounter with enemies.
Visuals
The transition from the original 2D environments to 3D is a success, with the new visuals adding depth and immersion. That means bigger areas to explore and nice vistas to see. The graphics don’t feature any technically impressive effects, and a few textures need some work.
Regardless, the art direction is solid, featuring vivid and colorful landscapes. The characters and monsters are beautifully rendered. The visuals resemble xeen’s previous work in Trials of Mana.
Audio
A revamped soundtrack with new compositions and extensions to existing music would have gone a long way in enhancing the experience. After some time, I could barely listen to the same repetitive tunes used for villages, dungeons, and battles.
On the other hand, the voice acting stands out, particularly during the flashbacks with the seven heroes.
Overall
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is proof that an old-school RPG can feel fresh even decades later. The new visuals exude charm. Customizing your party and experimenting with strategies is a blast, and the fast-paced battles keep you on your toes. That said, the soundtrack could use some variety. All in all, it’s a perfect game for hardcore RPG enthusiasts.
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