Home - RPG Games - Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Review
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, developed by Square Enix, is an RPG masterpiece that has stood the test of time. Originally released for the Super Famicom in 1993, it has since been remastered and ported to modern platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Steam, and mobile devices. What sets this game apart is its groundbreaking gameplay mechanics, compelling narrative structure, and an emphasis on player freedom.
This in-depth review explores every aspect of the game, including its story, gameplay, art style, soundtrack, and legacy. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, this comprehensive analysis will reveal why Romancing SaGa 2 is an enduring classic. With over 3,000 words of detailed insights, this review leaves no stone unturned.
The Story: A Tale of Legacy and Sacrifice
At the heart of Romancing SaGa 2 lies an ambitious narrative that spans centuries. The game centers on the Avalon Empire, where players take on the role of a succession of rulers tasked with defeating the Seven Heroes. These legendary figures, once hailed as saviors of the world, have returned as corrupted villains, spreading chaos across the land.
Generational Storytelling
A standout feature of the game is its generational storytelling. As rulers age, abdicate, or die, their successors take up the mantle, creating a continuous sense of progression. Decisions made by one emperor can ripple across future generations, shaping the empire and the world itself. This mechanic not only enhances immersion but also raises the stakes of every choice.
Themes of Morality and Legacy
The story explores themes of morality, ambition, and the cost of power. The Seven Heroes—once revered—become a cautionary tale of hubris. Players must grapple with the burden of leadership, ensuring the survival of their empire while confronting the darkness that threatens to consume it.
Branching Paths
The non-linear nature of the story allows players to tackle the Seven Heroes in any order. Each hero has their own backstory and domain, adding layers of depth to the world-building. Side quests and optional events further enrich the narrative, rewarding exploration and curiosity.
Gameplay: A Revolution in RPG Design
The gameplay of Romancing SaGa 2 is a masterclass in innovation. It deviates from traditional RPG norms, offering players a sandbox-like experience where experimentation and strategy are paramount.
Freeform Exploration
Unlike most RPGs of its time, Romancing SaGa 2 grants players an open world to explore. The game’s map expands as the story progresses, revealing new regions, dungeons, and cities. Players can prioritize objectives based on their preferences, creating a personalized experience.
Imperial Succession System
The generational progression system is one of the game’s most iconic features. When a ruler dies or steps down, a successor is chosen from a pool of candidates. These successors inherit skills, magic, and equipment, maintaining continuity while allowing players to adapt their strategy.
Benefits: This mechanic adds a layer of strategy, as players must consider long-term planning.
Challenges: Losing a ruler unexpectedly can disrupt plans, forcing players to adapt on the fly.
Combat Mechanics
Combat in Romancing SaGa 2 is turn-based, but it incorporates several unique elements:
Formations: Players can assign characters to specific formations, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. For example, some formations enhance defense, while others prioritize offense.
Skill Sparks: Characters can learn new skills mid-battle, adding an element of unpredictability and rewarding persistence.
Resource Management: Managing HP, SP (Skill Points), and LP (Life Points) is crucial. LP is especially critical, as a character with depleted LP cannot be revived.
Progression and Customization
Character growth is tied to the weapons and abilities they use. Magic is learned through research conducted in the empire’s capital, while weapons and armor can be upgraded by investing resources.
Graphics and Art Style
The original 16-bit art of Romancing SaGa 2 remains iconic. The remastered editions retain this charm while incorporating modern enhancements.
Pixel Art Excellence
The game’s pixel art is detailed and vibrant, with each region boasting its own distinct aesthetic. From lush forests to desolate ruins, the environments feel alive and immersive.
Modern Improvements
The remastered versions feature high-resolution graphics, improved animations, and a refined user interface. These updates make the game more accessible without sacrificing its retro appeal.
Character Design
The character sprites are expressive, and each hero and villain is meticulously designed to reflect their personality and role in the story. The Seven Heroes, in particular, are visually striking, with designs that evoke both awe and dread.
Soundtrack: A Symphony of Adventure
Composed by Kenji Ito, the soundtrack of Romancing SaGa 2 is a masterpiece. Its music perfectly complements the game’s epic scope and emotional depth.
Memorable Themes
Each region, battle, and pivotal moment is accompanied by a unique track. The overworld theme inspires exploration, while the battle music energizes players during intense encounters.
Adaptive Soundtrack
The music evolves with the story, reflecting the player’s progress and the shifting tone of the narrative. This dynamic approach enhances immersion and keeps the experience fresh.
Legacy and Influence
Romancing SaGa 2 has left an indelible mark on the RPG genre. Its innovative systems and bold design choices have influenced countless games, from Final Fantasy Tactics to modern open-world RPGs.
Critical Reception
While the game was initially overshadowed by more mainstream titles, its re-releases have garnered widespread acclaim. Critics and players alike praise its originality and depth, though its difficulty remains a point of contention.
Cultural Impact
The game’s themes of legacy and sacrifice resonate with players, making it a timeless classic. Its generational storytelling has inspired similar mechanics in titles like Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Innovative Gameplay: The generational system and freeform exploration set it apart from traditional RPGs.
Deep Strategy: Combat and resource management require careful planning and adaptation.
Rich Storytelling: A narrative that spans centuries, with meaningful choices and consequences.
Timeless Presentation: Gorgeous pixel art and a phenomenal soundtrack.
Replayability: Multiple paths and outcomes encourage repeat playthroughs.
Cons:
Steep Learning Curve: The game’s mechanics can be overwhelming for newcomers.
Punishing Difficulty: Mistakes can have lasting consequences, which may frustrate casual players.
Sparse Guidance: Limited tutorials and hints can leave players feeling lost.
Final Thoughts
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a triumph of design and storytelling. Its ambitious mechanics, compelling narrative, and timeless presentation make it a must-play for fans of the RPG genre. While its challenges may deter some, those who embrace its complexities will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re revisiting it on modern platforms or discovering it for the first time, Romancing SaGa 2 is a game that deserves your attention. Its legacy as a bold and innovative RPG is well-earned, and it continues to inspire new generations of players and developers alike.
Customer reviews for Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a game that constantly hints at greatness but rarely delivers on it. While the remake’s visual overhaul is undeniably attractive — lush environments, crisp character sprites, and a stable framerate — the beauty is only skin-deep. Beneath the polish lies a frustratingly uneven experience that feels more like a relic than a revitalization.
The game’s much-touted open-ended structure quickly becomes its own worst enemy. Instead of feeling like a world of possibilities, the lack of direction often leaves you wandering aimlessly, unsure if you’re progressing or just wasting time. The “Inheritance” generational system is conceptually intriguing, but in practice it’s clunky and poorly explained, forcing players to rely on external guides to understand core mechanics like enemy scaling or missable classes.
Narratively, the game is paper-thin. The premise — seven legendary heroes turned villains — has potential, but the story is delivered in sparse, disconnected fragments. Towns feel lifeless, with NPCs offering little more than shop menus and the occasional bland line of dialogue. Even cutscenes, while voiced, are surrounded by long stretches of silence from the world’s inhabitants, making the setting feel oddly sterile.
Combat, though serviceable, suffers from pacing issues. The hybrid of real-time and turn-based elements feels awkward, and the balance swings wildly — one moment you’re slogging through damage-sponge enemies, the next you’re one-shotting entire groups. Without clear feedback on weapon proficiency or skill growth, experimentation feels more like guesswork than strategy.
Ultimately, Revenge of the Seven is a remake that mistakes fidelity for improvement. It preserves the quirks of the original without smoothing over its rough edges, leaving newcomers alienated and veterans wondering why more wasn’t done to modernize the experience. For every moment of charm, there are hours of tedium — and in 2025, that’s a hard sell.
Verdict: A beautiful but shallow remake that fails to make its case to anyone but the most die-hard SaGa fans.
Didn’t like the visual style at all, but the gameplay is still just as interesting and unique. The critical QoL improvements the devs added really made the whole experience a lot smoother and more enjoyable.
I'm usually more interested in story-focused JRPGs, but this one has been an exception.It's primarily focused on gameplay mechanics, party building & battles, yet it's done so well that it kept me hooked the entire way through. But be warned - you have to be willing to accept missing certain things on a play-through, as this game has quests/character classes/items you can't get all in one run.You'll have to pick one thing or another multiple times, and depending on how (and when) you tackle quests, you can get several different outcomes or miss things entirely. And you might think "Oh, well I'll just use a guide!" but that will only help so much, as A) there is no way to get/do everything regardless, and B) there are very few guides for this game.The latter is definitely annoying, as you might get stuck in a few parts, want to know enemy weaknesses, chest locations, puzzle resolutions, etc. & find that most info on this game is severely incomplete. At best, you'll find some half-finished user created guide for select early parts of the game, or potentially old posts on GameFAQs or Reddit, but there's a lot left in the dark. Sometimes, you can find info regarding the older remaster, but not everything is 1 to 1 with the remake.All that being said, this is a remake done right. I've had more fun with this & Octopath Traveler 2 than pretty much anything else Square Enix has put out in recent years.Getting to recruit dozens of different character classes, learning skills & magic abilities, upgrading those skills & abilities through use in combat, unlocking unique abilities for each class, unlocking new formations with each emperor generation, upgrading & forging new gear, and slowly building up your town buildings - all blend together so well!If you're a fan of JRPGs in general, give this game a chance. It's hard to find anything wrong with it. The story could be better, but everything around it is VERY strong.Highly recommend - 9/10
One of the best RPGs I've played. So much customization, team building and fun to be had. Game is tough but fair and kept the challenge from start to finish. The overarching story is...okay but the side quests are fun and meaningful. Overall, I cannot recommend this gem enough. Came out around Metaphor and cleared it by a mile to me.
One of the most addicting turn-based rpgs I have ever played. The SaGa games might not be everyone's cup of tea but when it clicks, it clicks man. From the music, the very in-depth combat, the non-linear aspect of the game, the successor system which makes this game stand out. Overall it's a great game and a faithful remake to the original super famicom game that was released in the 90's.
Look, this game obviously has its charms and the succession system has merit but the completely random time skips and complete lack of continuity throughout the first 20 hours has been something I just couldn't keep on with. It makes no sense why certain people are chosen to succeed and there is no difference between any of the chosen characters and team members right down to their voice acting. While this game is worth trying, the demo does not give you a clear idea of what the game is actually like. Its a no from me unfortunately.
I bought this on a whim but I'm super glad I did. Solid turn based rpg. The sparking system was new but in the end very interesting and rewarding. I loved the art-style and story. Unlike most RPGs that have you on a set path of A to B to C, this allows you to solve the world in any order and there are *very* few things you can miss. This was an absolute blast to play through. I think had I played it on the SNES (yes this is a faithful remake with better graphics) I would've loved it the same and gotten into the Saga series a long time ago.
I have mixed feelings about this game. Mostly because of the generational mechanics. I do think that timeskip -> next gen is an interesting concept that shows the progression of time after various story missions is an interesting one. But when they make it so that the death of the MC or a party wipe also triggers the reset loop I do find that the sheer volume of resets does take away from my ability to get attached to the characters. While it is a viable alternative to a game over the fact that I can die at a pivotal moment and not get punished by a Game Over and then redo the mission 100 years later with a new MC just feels off.In either event the game is good and I do recommend it if you find it interesting. I do keep coming back to it every few weeks since I haven't finished it yet. But the lack of character attachment makes me struggle with engaging in trying to finish the game in one go.7/10
First saga game for me and I loved it. Once I beat it, it left me feeling a void. I dont usually play a game after I beat it, but might reconsider it for this gem. Solid 8/10
Generational skips are bad. Playing the wrong sex Emperor/Empress is punishing for no reason. The player isn't even warned or hinted that this is a thing. Monsters just flat out get more jacked according to how many battles the player has fought. Extremely dumb concept, think "Last Remnant" but kinda worse honestly. So you essentially are punished pretty harshly for trying to characters, experimenting, gearing up multiple teams etc. It should be the complete opposite.Missed opportunity. Poorly implemented. Square Enix is simply not a good company any more.
I like this game a lot and I totally decide play only jrpgs 3 reasons 1. great story 2. great gameplay 3. hot cool characters.
player rankings for this game are very good. I'm newbie in this game it made me to restart campaign a lot
and I still wanna play it that's magick.
+ Colorful
+ Some interesting concepts, like you can master every weapon- Generation skip sounds nice, but makes my party generic
- Enemies scale to number of battles fought, yes, more battles in this JRPG can make you weaker5/10 Maybe I didn't give it a fair chance, but got turned off by generation skips and scaling enemies
the inheritance/timeskip mechanics is unique and fun, but frustrating sometimes, you might missed out some events/classes if you didn't do stuff in particular order, I don't like being forced to choose between classes, essentially forcing us to play new game + just to make different choices, the story is meh, but the core gameplay is fun.
9/10A very nice remake of the classic turn-based JRPG. It has a very unique and in-depth battle system, and it's a great pleasure to implement different strategies in order to beat strong enemies. Instead of linear storytelling in traditional JRPG, it stands out with its high level of freedom in both exploration and combat.If you love JPRGs, don't miss out on this masterpiece.
Played a bit of the original Steam release, but with the remastered visuals and different POV, this a different game entirely. Good or bad, I like this version of the game. It's a fun re-imagining of a classic game. It doesn't have to be any more than that.
I've been playing JRPGs for the majority of my 30 years life. I've played many popular and non popular series, ranging from Fire Emblem and Dragon Quest to Atelier and Shin Megami Tensei. I can easily say that Romancing SaGa 2 remake is one of my favorite JRPGs of all time, easily in my top 5 list. It is easy to see why this game is so popular in Japan and is considered revolutionary.I have very little experience with the original RS2, I've played barely the quarter of the remaster when the remake was announced, which made me wait for its release. It is mindblowing that this is an SNES game. It is extremely revolutionary and its scope has not been repeated even to this day. You don't just play a party of characters, you play members of an Empire through ages, developing facilities, annexing regions, inventing new spells and techniques and then pass it to the next generation, for a 1000 years. You undertake a task too big for one lifetime and see this goal fulfilled through the cooperation of generations of people.Gameplay is extremely deep. It easily has the deepest turn based combat I've seen in my entire life. It has weaknesses/resistances, changing formations of party members, glimmering new techs, insane amount of customization with weapons and spells, manipulation of turn order, changing elemental affinities etc. It even has the best gish/spellblade option I've ever seen in a JRPG. This game also doesn't fall into the trap of disables/instakills being useless. You NEED to have stuns, paralysis, blind, sleep etc. Each encounter is fast and deadly. You don't just press "auto attack", you NEED to use your techs/spells and use up that BP (equivalent of mana in this game). You get full HP after each encounter too so you don't waste time healing. There is a permadeath mechanic where you just die forever once your LP runs out but with the amount of timeskips, you'll never have to worry about that. I never had a character die permanently (on classic/hard difficulty). You also don't buy or loot equipment, you are an Emperor after all. You provide the materials and your blacksmith creates you stronger weapons and armor. There is also no grinding. There is a very forgiving level scaling so overgrinding just makes you stay at the exact same spot. I've defeated both the final boss and the post game superboss (both of which were hard as balls) without grinding even once. If you build your team and use your abilities smartly, you'll win. Know that you might occasionally need to change party members/techs based on several bosses.This game is also full of player choice. As I've heard, main developer of SaGa (Kawazu) is a huge TTRPG fan so he does his best to mimic that in his games, offering meaningful choices that customize your experience. Don't think "yes" and "no" will lead you to the same conclusion in this game. You may fail quests, not be able to annex territories, fail to save NPCs (or party members) based on your choice. And this makes each run unique, it makes so that your RS2 experience will be different than mine, and everyone else's. Try not to look up for guides (except for stuff like Mr S locations), make this your own adventure. I for one failed 1 quest and it made the experience more unique. When was the last time any of us failed a quest in a JRPG because of our choices?Graphics are also good. They are not mind blowing but it looks good enough and doesn't disturb you thanks to the art style. Character and enemy designs are top notch and soundtrack is amazing. If you are curious, please just check the battle theme (Battle of the Emperor) on the internet, only a song THIS good doesn't bore you after tens of hours.I love the main villains of this game. Seven Heroes are extremely interesting and are fleshed out by 15 flashbacks (Wagnas is my bae, justice for Kzinssie). You see their motivations, how they were betrayed and fell from grace, how noble they used to be. If I'd have 1 complaint about this game, it'd be that [spoiler] you can't kill that bastard Hierophant for what he did. [/spoiler] I hope we get a sequel manga or something to solve this issue one day. This game also has one of the most emotional endings I've seen, I was legit teary eyed by the end of post credits. Final Emperor is easily one of the best self insert protags I've seen. By the end, you truly feel like you've witnessed the end of an era, it was truly romancing. This is the kind of game that will stay with me for years, maybe forever. My final rating for this game is 9.5/10. You owe it to yourself to play it, whether you are a JRPG fan or a CRPG/TTRPG fan.Slightly out of topic but I want to give props to Xeen for cooking unbelievably with this remake. With this game and Trials of Mana remake, they have proven themselves to be one of the best Square studios right now. This is how you remake a game, keeping all of its old school charm and complexity but making it more accessible/understandable. I hope we can see them tackle Chrono Trigger and Xenogears remakes in the future. Hell, I want a Romancing SaGa 3 remake like this game too, I'd literally kill for that.
This is a very good RPG. It has great combat and a lot of modern QOL features...as well as good mapping and likeable characters. I also like the branching story with different ways to do some of the side quests. I would definitely reccomend it.
This is mostly a solid game. There's a lot to love. Lots of party members, cool systems. But there is one thing that really pisses me off about this game and that I should warn everyone about.There is this thing called the ley line system where a certain element if its used often will enhance the strength of that element and also heal enemies associated with that element (and allies with certain skills or equipment). Each stage will often have one (only one) ley line. This often means during bosses you need to have skills of the opposite element, otherwise they'll heal and do more damage.That on its own is already irksome, but there is one other nitpick: there is a special class you can obtain by making a certain choice to let an area perish and then following the side quest to unlock umbrology, which is dark element magic. I did this and used the class gained from that quest to make a dark magic user. However, several key battles, including the final boss and the secret super boss use a dark ley line. This means using dark magic will often mess you up and result in a terrain that powers them up and heals them. It blows my mind that they'd make this special magic element you have to unlock and this class you have to make that sacrifice for handicapped in this way.This is still an excellent game, and you can prepare for the ley line issue easy enough, my gripe here is that yeah...the umbrology sidequest is in my opinion stupid and not worth it as a result of this.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a remarkable entry in the SaGa series that successfully blends classic JRPG elements with open-ended gameplay and strategic depth, delivering a uniquely challenging experience that both honors its roots and offers fresh innovations. Developed by Square Enix, this title revives the beloved Romancing SaGa 2 with enhanced graphics, expanded content, and quality-of-life improvements, making it more accessible to modern audiences while preserving the complex, non-linear storytelling and intricate mechanics that have earned the series a dedicated following. The game stands out for its ambitious generational saga, where players guide a royal bloodline through decades of warfare and political intrigue, crafting a rich tapestry of legacy, strategy, and exploration.At the core of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven lies its distinctive gameplay loop that spans multiple generations of rulers, each inheriting traits, skills, and consequences from their predecessors. This innovative system adds layers of strategic planning and emotional investment, as decisions made by one generation ripple through the next, affecting alliances, territories, and the evolving narrative. Players are tasked not only with leading their current hero through perilous dungeons and battles but also with managing the kingdom’s growth, balancing exploration, diplomacy, and combat. This intergenerational aspect enriches the gameplay, fostering a deep connection to the game world and a sense of legacy rarely seen in RPGs.Combat in Romancing SaGa 2 is a sophisticated turn-based system that rewards tactical thinking and party customization. The game features a vast array of skills and abilities that can be mixed and matched across characters, allowing for flexible party compositions and strategic depth. The unique “awakening” system encourages experimentation, as characters can unlock new powers through use and growth, creating diverse builds and combat styles. Battles often demand careful positioning, skill synergy, and resource management, especially in challenging boss encounters that test players’ mastery of the mechanics. Although the combat can be demanding, it remains fair and rewarding, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment.Visually, the updated edition of Romancing SaGa 2 showcases polished 2D art with vibrant, detailed sprites and beautifully rendered environments that evoke classic JRPG nostalgia while benefiting from modern enhancements. The music, composed by Kenji Ito, delivers memorable themes that capture the game’s epic and sometimes melancholic tone, reinforcing the emotional weight of the story and the grandeur of the world. The user interface has been thoughtfully redesigned to streamline navigation and reduce complexity, making it more approachable without sacrificing depth.The narrative is rich and multi-layered, weaving political intrigue, personal drama, and mythic quests into a sprawling epic. The story unfolds through player choices and exploration rather than heavy-handed exposition, encouraging curiosity and discovery. The open-world structure grants players the freedom to tackle objectives in various orders, further enhancing replayability. However, this non-linear approach can sometimes lead to pacing issues, and the lack of direct guidance may be overwhelming for newcomers, requiring patience and a willingness to explore.While Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a captivating and ambitious RPG, it does have its share of challenges. The generational system, while innovative, may feel daunting as players manage an ever-changing cast of characters with differing skills and personalities. Some may find the learning curve steep, especially given the game’s reliance on experimentation and its minimal handholding. Additionally, occasional bugs and translation inconsistencies can detract from the immersion, though patches and updates have addressed many of these concerns.In conclusion, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a standout RPG that combines deep strategic gameplay, a compelling generational narrative, and classic JRPG charm into a rich and rewarding package. It appeals to players who enjoy thoughtful character development, open-ended exploration, and challenging combat, while offering a unique take on legacy and consequence rarely seen in the genre. For those willing to embrace its complexity and non-linear storytelling, this game delivers an unforgettable saga filled with intrigue, adventure, and the enduring power of lineage.Rating: 9/10
Let me start this by saying, I am very salty...I love the game! The game play is fun and the story is entertaining.HOWEVER explain to me the point of locking someone out of a character about 20 or so hours into the game? Like seriously how was I supposed to know the stupid storm was coming and it would stop me from being able to get the Dancer?As someone who tries to get every class possible in literally every game I find this so off putting. I'm left with 2 options here I restart my game from 0 which is going to be boring as hell as I've already gone through the story or wait till new game plus with the painful awareness of the fact that there is one character that I cannot get until then which will absolutely eat me from the inside.Get the game it's fun but:
GO TO ATLANTICUS BEFORE THE STORM (Spoilers maybe? Mainly a heads up I think.)With love a highly frustrated player that is literally staring at the game thinking wth to do. :]
great remake of a JRPG classic. don't sleep on this one, fell under the radar last year amidst the sea of other huge JRPG drops but mechanically this game really holds up despite being built on a 30-year-old foundation. story is somewhat weak (moreso the characters than the story really), but that's a side effect of the game's extremely ambitious (for the time, and pretty well-executed) largely non-linear storyline. hard to have character development when your current Emperor can be any one of some 100+ characters. no other major complaints, only minor gripes like the occasional oddly worded translations and some strange/poorly-explained mechanics (30 year old foundation, remember).def worth a pickup if you're a fun of traditional turn-based RPGs with deep, crunchy mechanics and a good amount of challenge, although waiting for a sale isn't a terrible idea. there's a decently hefty demo too (with the ability to import your save into the main game) so if you're on the fence, that'll give you enough of a taste to decide if the game's up your alley or not.
Overall good battle experience and other JRPG elements, but the generation mechanic (where controlled party / characters die every chapter) is a fatal mistake for several reasons:1. Make the narrative roles (the characters player control) feel detached. It's impossible for players like me to establish connection with the generic characters.
2. Due to generic characters are doomed to die every few hours of game play, the story itself offer no character development. It's weird there's an optional story line of the Seven. But those are detached from main game play.
3. Main story plot now becomes bland due to missing character developmentOverall a very bland JRPG with no story until very end.
Imma be honest, this games CONCEPT is my dream game. building a kingdom in a fatasy land over the course of thousands of years over multiple generations in an rpg is an amazing concept. however the fantasy land feels pre-packaged and overused from any other kid friendly fantasy JRPG. Im not enthused about building or exploring a kingdom here because i can expect anything and everything in any other territory im expanding in. the progression is fun but the game-play aint anything fantastic to see. Due to the plot splitting so much the characters are just cardboard cutouts with a theme. I will give the game credit of a unique amount of splitting over time, but you cant really tell thats whats happening unless you replay THE ENTIRE GAME. I cant recommend it, its just not worth the time invested.
JP voices are really nice. EN are awfulClassic (Hard) will be rather time consuming due to "safe play" and amount of encounters.
While you're encouraged to fail in combat, it doesn't always feel right on Classic.
IMO first part of the game with story Arc (Gerard) that's when you learn game mechanics so it's ok to reload. But when "saga" continues it will be more fun to just comply to the with game's "fail and retry" system.
Some quests might fail, but you will need 2nd playthroughs anyway for 100%, plus there's NG+.Life Point count- IMO this should be hidden value and instead stats should drop by 25% after loosing 50% LP, to show that character is about to disapear. But welp.
For immersion sake I tend to split heros into 2 categories "imperial" (knights) and "exotic" and assign them accordingly with chosen Emperor.FYI
-emperor gender (switchable mid game) matters for 2 quests (dancer, he needs to be male). And this quest is very easy to fail, so don't stress, leave it for NG+
-formation "harder to target" is BS, your ranged and mage characters still need max armor to not die
-Water, Light and Earth magic has Healing (Earth after leveling)
-weapon variety in team is usefull, but focusing on 1 attack type per character is mandatory rather trying both magic and two weapon specs. Just ignore hard zones.TLDR
it's not amazing, but enjoyable jrpg
has some cute in it and nice JP narration
it will take 2 playthroughs so no need to read guides
Fantastic game if you are looking for something a little off the beaten path. Minster Song is even better/weirder but if you want to ease your way into the series this might be a better starting point.
It is a well executed game that I did enjoy. I do like how combat focused it is and how effortlessly you can skip all the story segments. Unfortunately the combat system is a bit too simple for the game of this length. The timeline mechanic is underused and after the initial phase of learning all the systems, the combat loop becomes rather stale. The first 15 hours are strong, with a good difficulty balancing, new skill progression, at a certain point the difficulty in my play through started varying a lot from easy to difficult. It is a worthy of your time RPG... but maybe other SaGa games offer a more in-depth experience (yet to play), this thou is certainly very player-friendly.
