A deep dive into the SaGa series' revival: Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven. Many longtime fans discovered the SaGa franchise through older console releases. For me, Romancing SaGa 2 on iOS was my introduction almost a decade ago, a challenging experience that ultimately sparked a deep appreciation for the series (as evidenced by the photo below). The recent announcement of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a complete remake for Switch, PC, and PlayStation, was a welcome surprise.
This review covers my hands-on experience with an early Steam Deck demo and an interview with the game's producer, Shinichi Tatsuke (also behind Trials of Mana's remake). Our conversation touched upon the remake's development, lessons learned from Trials of Mana, accessibility features, potential future ports, and even coffee preferences. The interview, conducted via video call, has been transcribed and edited for clarity.
TouchArcade (TA): What's it like remaking beloved classics like Trials of Mana and now Romancing SaGa 2?
Shinichi Tatsuke (ST): Both Trials of Mana and the Romancing SaGa series predate the Square Enix merger, originating from the Squaresoft era. They're legendary Square titles, and remaking them is a huge honor. Both games were released nearly 30 years ago, providing ample opportunity for improvement. Romancing SaGa 2, in particular, boasts unique systems that remain innovative even today, making it a compelling candidate for a modern remake.
TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously challenging. I personally experienced a game over within the first 10 minutes! The remake offers multiple difficulty settings. How did you balance staying true to the original while enhancing accessibility for newcomers?
ST: The SaGa series' difficulty is well-known, attracting dedicated fans worldwide. However, this difficulty also presents a barrier to entry for many potential players. We aimed to satisfy both veteran and new players by introducing a difficulty system: Normal mode for standard RPG players and Casual mode for those prioritizing story and narrative. It's like adding honey to spicy curry – the original game's difficulty is the spice, and the casual mode is the honey, making it more palatable.
TA: How did you balance preserving the original experience for veterans while adding quality-of-life improvements?
ST: The SaGa series isn't just about difficulty; it's about the challenge of understanding the game mechanics. The original lacked visible information, such as enemy weaknesses, forcing players to figure things out independently. We considered this unfair and adjusted it for the remake, making enemy weaknesses explicit. We addressed other areas that made the original too unforgiving, striving for fairness and enjoyment for modern players.
TA: The Steam Deck demo ran exceptionally well. Considering your experience with Trials of Mana on various platforms, was the game specifically optimized for Steam Deck?
ST: Yes, the full release will be fully compatible and playable on the Steam Deck.
TA: What were some key takeaways from the Trials of Mana remake that informed the development of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?
ST: Working on Trials of Mana provided valuable insights into player preferences for remakes. For example, we learned that players generally prefer soundtrack arrangements that remain faithful to the originals, while leveraging modern technology to enhance audio quality. We also incorporated the option to switch between original and rearranged soundtracks, a feature well-received in Trials of Mana. We also adjusted the character and background art styles to better suit the SaGa franchise's more serious tone.
TA: Are there plans to bring Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven to 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.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Steam Deck Impressions
Receiving a Steam key for the pre-release demo filled me with excitement and apprehension. The reveal trailer was impressive, but I was unsure about the Steam Deck experience. Thankfully, the game exceeded expectations. The few hours spent with the demo made me question the need for PS5 or Switch versions; the Steam Deck OLED experience was that good.
Visually and aurally, the game shines on Steam Deck. The remake smoothly introduces core mechanics. Quality-of-life improvements, enhanced combat flow, and audio options make it accessible to newcomers while offering satisfying changes for veterans. The visuals enhance approachability without sacrificing the essence of Romancing SaGa 2. Even on the original-difficulty setting, the challenge remains.
The PC port offers extensive graphical customization, allowing for high frame rates even with maximum settings on the Steam Deck OLED. I opted for English voice acting for my playthrough, but plan to explore the Japanese audio in the full release. The game successfully blends modern enhancements with the spirit of the original SaGa experience.
I eagerly anticipate the full release and exploring the console versions. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a must-play for RPG fans. Hopefully, this will encourage players to explore other SaGa titles. (Square Enix, please give us SaGa Frontier 2 next!)
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven launches October 24th on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PS4. A free demo is available on all platforms.
