Romancing SaGa 2 Preview: Exclusive Interview with Creator

A deep dive into the SaGa series often begins with its extensive library across past console generations. For me, Romancing SaGa 2 on iOS served as my introduction almost a decade ago. Initially, I struggled, approaching it like a typical JRPG. Now, however, I'm a devoted SaGa fan (as evidenced by the photo below), and was thrilled by the recent announcement of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a complete remake for Switch, PC, and PlayStation.

This dual-feature review involves my experience with an early access demo of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven on Steam Deck, coupled with an interview with Game Producer Shinichi Tatsuke (also behind Trials of Mana's remake). Our conversation covered the remake, 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 conciseness.

TouchArcade (TA): What's it like remaking beloved titles like Trials of Mana and now Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?

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 it's an honor to remake them. Both games' original releases were nearly 30 years ago, presenting significant opportunities for improvement. Romancing SaGa 2 boasts unique systems, then and now, making it a compelling candidate for a modern remake.

TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously challenging (I experienced a game over within 10 minutes!). The remake offers multiple difficulty settings. How did you balance faithfulness to the original with accessibility, especially for newcomers encountering the SaGa series for the first time with modern graphics?

ST: The SaGa series' difficulty is well-known, and many hardcore fans appreciate this aspect. However, it also presents a significant barrier to entry for many potential players. Many know of the series but haven't played due to perceived difficulty.

To address this, we introduced difficulty settings: Normal and Casual. Normal caters to standard RPG players, while Casual allows players to focus on the narrative. Our development team included core SaGa fans, ensuring a balanced approach. 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.

TA: How did you balance the original experience for veterans with quality-of-life improvements? How did you choose which features to modernize while maintaining challenge for longtime fans?

ST: The SaGa series isn't just about difficulty; it's also about accessibility of information. The original lacked visible enemy weaknesses and other stats, requiring players to figure them out. We felt this wasn't challenging, but unfair. The remake displays weaknesses and other crucial information, creating a fairer, more enjoyable experience. We adjusted several areas that were excessively difficult in the original to improve fairness and enjoyment for modern audiences.

TA: Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven runs exceptionally well on Steam Deck. Considering your experience with Trials of Mana on various platforms, was the game specifically optimized for Steam Deck?

ST: Yes, the full game will be compatible and playable on Steam Deck.

TA: Can you comment on the development time 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 the Trials of Mana remake informed the development of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?

ST: Trials of Mana taught us about player preferences regarding remakes. For example, players generally prefer soundtrack arrangements that are faithful to the originals, though the improved technology allows for higher quality. We incorporated the option to switch between original and rearranged soundtracks, a feature well-received in Trials of Mana.

We also learned to adapt the graphical style. Mana's characters are shorter and more adorable, while SaGa required a different approach, with taller characters and a more serious tone. We used lighting effects in SaGa to create shadows, unlike the texture-based shadows in Mana. We leveraged past experience but also innovated in new areas.

The interviewer thanked Tatsuke for the "Romancing SaGa 2 Primer" video.

TA: Trials of Mana eventually came to mobile. Are there plans for Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven on mobile or Xbox?

ST: We have no current plans for those platforms.

TA: Finally, what's your coffee preference?

ST: I don't drink coffee; I dislike bitter drinks. I also don't drink beer.

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 generated excitement and apprehension. The trailer looked fantastic, but Steam Deck compatibility was unknown. Fortunately, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven not only runs superbly on the Steam Deck OLED but made me reconsider playing on PS5 or Switch.

The game looks and sounds exceptional. The remake gradually introduces core mechanics. Returning players will appreciate quality-of-life improvements, smoother combat flow, and new audio options. Newcomers will find it an excellent entry point into the SaGa series. The visuals enhance accessibility, yet it retains the essence of Romancing SaGa 2. Even the original-difficulty setting remains challenging.

Visually, the remake surpasses expectations. While I enjoyed Trials of Mana's remake, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven might be superior (though this is subjective). The Steam Deck port is exceptionally well-optimized. The game offers extensive audio and visual customization options, including soundtrack selection (original or remake), language choices (English or Japanese), and various graphical settings. Even with maximum settings (except for medium shadows), I achieved near-locked 90fps at 720p on my Steam Deck OLED.

I played with the English voice acting, which is good, but I'll likely try the Japanese audio later. The remake successfully balances modernization with the series' distinct identity.

I eagerly anticipate the full game and exploring the console versions. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a must-have for RPG fans. Hopefully, this will encourage exploration of 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.