Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven - A Remake Fit for Modern Gamers: An Interview and Steam Deck Impressions
Many long-time gamers discovered the SaGa series through its numerous releases on past consoles. For me, Romancing SaGa 2 on iOS was my introduction almost a decade ago. Initially, I struggled, approaching it like a typical JRPG. Now, I'm a devoted SaGa fan (as evidenced by the photo below!), so I was thrilled to see the announcement of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a complete remake for Switch, PC, and PlayStation.
For this review, I played the early access demo on Steam Deck and interviewed Shinichi Tatsuke, the game producer (also behind Trials of Mana's remake). We discussed Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, lessons learned from Trials of Mana, accessibility, potential Xbox and mobile ports, coffee preferences, and more. The interview, conducted via video call, has been transcribed and edited for brevity.
TouchArcade (TA): What's it like remaking beloved titles like Trials of Mana and now Romancing SaGa 2?
Shinichi Tatsuke (ST): Both Trials of Mana and the SaGa series predate the Square Enix merger – they're legendary Squaresoft titles. It's an honor to remake them, especially considering they're nearly 30 years old. The remakes offered significant improvement opportunities. Romancing SaGa 2 is uniquely designed, with systems that remain unique even today. Its enduring uniqueness made it a perfect candidate for a remake.
TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously challenging. I got a game over in the first 10 minutes! The remake offers multiple difficulty settings. How did you balance staying true to the original while improving accessibility?
ST: The SaGa series' difficulty is well-known, attracting hardcore fans worldwide. However, many potential players are deterred by this difficulty. We aimed to please both groups – veterans and newcomers. The solution? Multiple difficulty settings. "Normal" mode caters to standard RPG players, while "Casual" mode prioritizes story enjoyment. Our development team included core SaGa fans, ensuring a balanced approach. Think of it like adding honey to spicy curry – the original game is the spicy curry, and the casual mode is the honey, making it more palatable.
TA: How did you modernize the game while retaining the challenge for veterans?
ST: SaGa's challenge isn't just about difficulty; it's about information obscurity. The original hid crucial data like enemy weaknesses and defenses. We felt this was unfair, so we made these elements visible in the remake. We addressed other overly difficult aspects to create a fairer, more enjoyable experience for modern players.
TA: The Steam Deck performance is impressive. Was it optimized specifically for the device?
ST: Yes, the full game will be compatible and playable on the Steam Deck.
TA: How long was the development process?
ST: I can't give specifics, but main development began in late 2021.
TA: What did you learn from Trials of Mana that you applied to Romancing SaGa 2?
ST: Trials of Mana taught us player preferences regarding remakes. For example, players generally prefer soundtracks faithful to the originals, but with improved quality due to modern technology. We also learned that offering a choice between original and rearranged soundtracks is popular, so we included that option. The graphics differed; Mana characters are more "adorable," while SaGa's aesthetic is more serious. We used lighting effects instead of textural shadows to maintain realism. We leveraged past experiences but also innovated.
(I thanked Tatsuke and the team for the English "Romancing SaGa 2 Primer" video.)
TA: Will it come to mobile or Xbox?
ST: No current plans.
TA: Finally, what's your coffee preference?
ST: I don't drink coffee; I dislike bitter drinks. I don't drink beer either.
(Thanks to Shinichi Tatsuke, Jordan Aslett, Sara Green, and Rachel Mascetti.)
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Steam Deck Impressions
Receiving a Steam key for the demo filled me with excitement and apprehension. The trailer looked fantastic, but I worried about Steam Deck compatibility. Thankfully, it's excellent! The few hours I played made me reconsider getting it on PS5 or Switch. The game looks and sounds superb. The remake gradually introduces the basics, offering quality-of-life improvements and new audio options. For newcomers, it's a great entry point. The visuals are approachable, yet it retains the core Romancing SaGa 2 experience. Even on the hardest difficulty, it remains challenging.
The visuals exceeded my expectations. I loved Trials of Mana's remake, but Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven might surpass it (though my preference for the original Romancing SaGa 2 might influence this). The PC port is surprisingly well-optimized for Steam Deck. The game offers extensive graphical and audio customization options. I maxed out most settings at 720p and achieved a near-locked 90fps. I used English voice acting for my playthrough, but I'll likely try Japanese later.
I eagerly anticipate the full release and exploring the console versions. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a must-have for RPG fans. I hope this sparks interest in 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.
