A deep dive into the SaGa series, focusing on the upcoming Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven remake. This article features an interview with the game producer and impressions from a Steam Deck playthrough of the demo.
This double feature delves into the recently announced remake of Romancing SaGa 2, available for Switch, PC, and PlayStation. The author played the Steam Deck demo and interviewed Shinichi Tatsuke, the game producer, previously involved in Trials of Mana's remake. The interview covers various aspects of the remake, including its accessibility, potential future ports, and more.
TouchArcade (TA): What's it like remaking beloved classics like Trials of Mana and now Romancing SaGa 2?
Shinichi Tatsuke (ST): Both are legendary titles from the pre-Square Enix merger era. It's an incredible honor to remake these games, nearly 30 years after their original release. Romancing SaGa 2 is uniquely designed, with systems that remain unique even today. This uniqueness made it a compelling choice for a remake.
TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously challenging. How did you balance staying true to the original while improving accessibility for newcomers?
ST: The SaGa series has dedicated fans who appreciate its difficulty. However, many potential players are deterred by this. We aimed to please both groups by introducing difficulty settings: Normal mode for standard RPG players and Casual mode for those prioritizing the story. Think of it like adding honey to spicy curry – the original game's difficulty is the spice, and the casual mode is the honey.
TA: How did you modernize the game while preserving the original experience for veteran fans?
ST: The challenge wasn't just difficulty, but also the lack of information presented to the player in the original. For example, enemy weaknesses weren't explicitly shown. We addressed this by making such information readily available, creating a fairer and more enjoyable experience without sacrificing the core challenge.
TA: How well-optimized is the Steam Deck port?
ST: The full game will be compatible and playable on the Steam Deck.
TA: What did you learn from the Trials of Mana remake that you applied to this one?
ST: We learned that players prefer soundtrack arrangements that are faithful to the originals, while also benefiting from modern technology to improve audio quality. We also added the option to switch between original and rearranged soundtracks, a feature well-received in Trials of Mana. Graphics also differed; SaGa required a more serious, realistic approach to lighting and shadows compared to the more stylized Mana series.
TA: Any plans for mobile or Xbox ports?
ST: No current plans.
TA: How do you like your coffee?
ST: I don't drink coffee; I prefer non-bitter drinks.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Steam Deck Impressions
The Steam Deck port of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is excellent. The game looks and sounds fantastic, with improved accessibility for newcomers while retaining the challenge for veterans. The visuals are a significant upgrade, and the PC port is well-optimized, achieving near 90fps at 720p on a Steam Deck OLED even with high settings. Audio options include original and rearranged soundtracks, and English and Japanese voiceovers. The game successfully blends modern enhancements with the classic SaGa experience.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven launches October 24th for Steam, Switch, PS5, and PS4. A free demo is available on all platforms.
