A deep dive into the SaGa series for newcomers and veterans alike. My journey into the SaGa universe began with Romancing SaGa 2 on iOS, a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience. Now, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a complete remake, is launching on Switch, PC, and PlayStation, and I've had the chance to experience an early demo and interview the game's producer.
This double feature includes my hands-on time with the Steam Deck version and an interview with Shinichi Tatsuke, the producer behind Trials of Mana's remake. We discussed Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, lessons learned from Trials of Mana, accessibility, potential ports, and more. 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. They're legendary Square titles. Remaking them, nearly 30 years after their original release, was an incredible honor. The remakes offered opportunities for significant improvements. Romancing SaGa 2 is particularly unique, its systems remaining innovative even today. Its uniqueness makes it a compelling title for a modern remake.
TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously challenging. The remake offers multiple difficulty settings. How did you balance faithfulness to the original with accessibility for new players?
ST: The SaGa series has dedicated fans who appreciate its difficulty. However, many potential players are deterred by its reputation. We aimed to satisfy both groups. The addition of "Normal" and "Casual" modes addresses this. Normal mode caters to standard RPG players, while Casual mode prioritizes narrative enjoyment. Think of it 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 for newcomers.
ST (cont.): The challenge wasn't just difficulty, but also the opacity of certain game mechanics. In the original, enemy weaknesses and other stats weren't explicitly displayed, creating an unfair challenge. The remake addresses this by clearly presenting this information, creating a fairer and more enjoyable experience. We focused on making the game fair and enjoyable for modern audiences while retaining the core challenge.
TA: The Steam Deck version runs exceptionally well. Considering your experience with Trials of Mana on multiple platforms, was the game specifically optimized for Steam Deck?
ST: Yes, the full release will be compatible and playable on Steam Deck.
TA: How long was the development process for Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?
ST: I can't give specifics, but main development began towards the end of 2021.
TA: What lessons from Trials of Mana were applied to this remake?
ST: Trials of Mana taught us about player preferences regarding remakes. For example, players generally prefer soundtrack arrangements that are faithful to the originals, but with improved quality. We incorporated this into Romancing SaGa 2, offering both original and rearranged soundtracks. We also learned that players value choice, so we retained the option to switch between soundtracks. Visually, we adapted the approach to lighting and shadows, tailoring it to the more serious tone of the SaGa universe.
TA: Are there plans for mobile or Xbox releases?
ST: No plans at this time.
TA: Finally, what's your coffee preference?
ST: I don't drink coffee; I don't like bitter drinks.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Steam Deck Impressions
My initial concerns about the Steam Deck compatibility were unfounded. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven looks and sounds fantastic. The remake gradually introduces core mechanics, making it accessible to newcomers while offering quality-of-life improvements for veterans. The visuals are stunning, but the core gameplay remains true to the original. Even playing on the hardest difficulty, the experience is polished and engaging.
The PC port is exceptionally well-optimized. On my Steam Deck OLED, I achieved a near-locked 90fps at 720p with mostly maxed-out settings. The audio options are excellent, allowing players to choose between the original and remastered soundtracks, as well as English and Japanese voice acting.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a must-have for RPG fans. I hope this leads to more players exploring the SaGa series. The game launches October 24th on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PS4. A free demo is available on all platforms.
