A deep dive into the SaGa series, revisiting a classic: Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven. For many, the SaGa franchise's entry point was through past console generations. My own journey began with Romancing SaGa 2 on iOS, a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience that ignited my love for the series. Now, a complete remake, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, graces Switch, PC, and PlayStation platforms.
This dual-perspective review combines hands-on gameplay on the Steam Deck (via early access) with an exclusive interview with Game Producer Shinichi Tatsuke (also behind Trials of Mana's remake). Our discussion covered various aspects of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, including lessons learned from Trials of Mana, accessibility improvements, potential future ports, and even coffee preferences! The interview, conducted via video call, has been transcribed and edited for clarity.
TouchArcade (TA): Reflecting on your work on the beloved Trials of Mana remake and now Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, what's it like remaking two classic titles?
Shinichi Tatsuke (ST): Both Trials of Mana and the SaGa series predate the Square Enix merger, originating from the Squaresoft era. They are legendary Square titles, and remaking them is an immense honor. Both games, originally released nearly 30 years ago, presented opportunities for significant improvement. Romancing SaGa 2, with its unique and enduring gameplay systems, remains distinctive even today, making it a compelling candidate for a modern remake.
TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously challenging. I personally encountered a game over within the first ten minutes! The remake offers multiple difficulty settings. How did you balance preserving the original's spirit with enhanced accessibility, particularly for newcomers to the SaGa series who are encountering it with modern visuals?
ST: The SaGa series' difficulty is well-known among its dedicated fanbase, both domestically and internationally. While some consider this difficulty integral to the SaGa experience, others find it a significant barrier to entry. Many are familiar with the series but haven't played due to perceived difficulty.
To address this, we introduced a difficulty system catering to both veteran and new players. "Normal" mode targets standard RPG players, while "Casual" mode prioritizes narrative enjoyment. Our development team included core SaGa fans, ensuring a balanced approach. It's like adding honey to spicy curry – the original Romancing SaGa 2's difficulty is mitigated by the casual mode option.
TA: How did you balance preserving the original experience for veteran players while incorporating quality-of-life improvements? How did you select features for modernization while maintaining a challenging experience for long-time fans?
ST: The SaGa series isn't solely about difficulty; it's also about accessibility of information. The original lacked visible enemy weaknesses and other crucial stats, forcing players to deduce them. This wasn't challenging in a good way; it was unfair. The remake addresses this by displaying enemy weaknesses and other relevant information. We aimed for fairness and enjoyment for modern audiences, improving areas that were unnecessarily difficult in the original.
TA: The Steam Deck performance is impressive. Considering your experience with Trials of Mana on various platforms (PS4, Switch, mobile), was the game specifically optimized for Steam Deck?
ST: Yes, the full release will be compatible and playable on the Steam Deck.
TA: Can you comment on the development timeline for Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?
ST: I can't provide specifics, but the main development began towards the end of 2021.
TA: What lessons from the Trials of Mana remake informed the development of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?
ST: Trials of Mana taught us valuable insights into player preferences for remakes. For example, players generally prefer soundtrack arrangements that closely resemble the originals, while maintaining higher audio quality possible with modern technology. We also learned that offering a choice between original and rearranged soundtracks was well-received, a feature included in Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven. Graphic styles also differed; Trials of Mana's more adorable style contrasted with SaGa's more serious tone, leading to different approaches to lighting and shadow effects. We leveraged past experiences while innovating in new areas.
TA: Trials of Mana eventually reached mobile. Are there plans for Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven on mobile or Xbox?
ST: Currently, there are no plans for those platforms.
TA: Finally, what's your coffee preference?
ST: I don't drink coffee; I dislike bitter drinks. Beer is also not for me.
Acknowledgements to Shinichi Tatsuke, Jordan Aslett, Sara Green, and Rachel Mascetti for their contributions.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Steam Deck Impressions
Receiving a Steam key for the pre-release demo generated both excitement and apprehension. The reveal trailer was impressive, but Steam Deck compatibility was uncertain. Thankfully, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven not only performs exceptionally well on the Steam Deck OLED but also surpasses expectations. The demo's quality makes considering other platforms unnecessary.
The game boasts excellent visuals and sound. The remake gradually introduces core mechanics, offering quality-of-life improvements and enhanced combat flow. For veterans, the changes are noticeable; for newcomers, it's an excellent entry point. The visuals enhance accessibility, yet the core Romancing SaGa 2 experience remains intact. Even on the original difficulty setting, the challenge is satisfying.
The visuals and overall feel exceed expectations, potentially surpassing Trials of Mana's remake (though personal preference for the original game plays a role). The PC port's performance on Steam Deck is outstanding. Extensive audio and graphics options are available, including selectable soundtracks (original and remake), audio languages (English and Japanese), and various graphical settings. High settings at 720p yielded a near-locked 90fps.
The English voice acting is commendable, though I plan to experience the Japanese audio in the full release. The remake successfully modernizes the game while preserving its unique SaGa identity.
I eagerly anticipate the full game's release and exploring the console versions. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a must-have for RPG fans. Hopefully, this will encourage exploration of other SaGa titles, with a strong plea for SaGa Frontier 2 next!
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven launches October 24th for Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PS4. A free demo is available on all platforms.
