Games Happy

Longtime SaGa followers know a factor or two about persistence, given the size between releases during the last twenty years. That mentioned, collection stalwarts have been feasting as of late, with ports or remasters of almost each single mainline entry on fashionable consoles.  Final December, Sq. Enix launched  Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Tune Remaster, a port of the 2005 PlayStation 2 remake of the 1992 Tremendous Famicon title.

In 2021, Sq. Enix launched SaGa Frontier Remastered. The revisited 1997 PlayStation basic was warmly obtained by critics and followers alike and it appeared like SaGa Frontier 2 was approaching the horizon. But right here we’re, two years later, and there was no announcement. Sq. Enix has seemingly ignored SaGa Frontier 2 and the oft-maligned Limitless SaGa. I received’t attempt to persuade anybody that Limitless SaGa deserves a remaster (not immediately, anyway), however maybe a delicate reminder of Frontier 2’s strengths will remind somebody at Sq. Enix to get this sport on my Swap in the end.

First, the opening offers a stark distinction to it is predecessor: SaGa Frontier opens with a tranquil tableau whereupon gamers select to begin from 7 characters; Frontier 2 begins with bombast, tossing gamers fairly actually into the warmth of battle earlier than a title display screen seems. After the opening battle, gamers are handled to scenes of a royal start and the early years of younger Prince Gustave. We watch the younger boy’s royal training as he prepares for the Firebrand Ceremony, a royal ceremony of passage. 

Set to happen on his seventh birthday, the joyous event shortly sours as Gustave is unable to show a displaying of magical potential, often known as Anima. Gustave and his mom are tossed from the citadel, residing in poverty on the outskirts of city till they escape to a neighboring kingdom. 

SaGa Frontier 2 has a compelling plot informed in an attention-grabbing method. Its timeline is bifurcated between two lineages throughout a handful of generations. Gamers largely observe the story of Gustave XIII, would-be King, on his quest for recognition and energy as he kinds his personal kingdom. His story is juxtaposed with that of Will Knights, an up-and-coming treasure hunter from a rich household. The 2 boys – then males – couldn’t be extra totally different, and their paths throughout generations collide in fascinating, if not totally profitable methods.

This generational storytelling mechanic is harking back to Romancing SaGa 2, though it advantages from occurring in a world and with characters which might be extra fleshed out. That is complemented by the best way the story unfolds, with gamers given the selection to largely decide the pacing of the competing pathways with a Select Your Personal Journey-esque really feel. 

This distinctive storytelling method enhances the astounding aesthetic of the sport. The artwork fashion is timeless and beautiful, with stunning watercolor hand drawn backgrounds. A remaster might assist sharpen up the backgrounds, spell results, and character fashions, however the sport is already stunning. When the narrative excels, the graphical presentation assists in making it really feel like you might be taking part in a storybook. The top quality visible method is just met by the distinctive soundtrack from Masashi Hamauzu, who offers dramatic flourish throughout moments of fiery fight and drama alike.

SaGa Frontier 2 strives to innovate when it comes to gameplay, though it’s not at all times profitable. Some fight modifications are useful, like permitting gamers to battle enemies in a single to 1 fight; nevertheless the bigger scale strategic battles really feel clumsy. Fortunately, these battles  are few and much between. Usually, fight is pure SaGa: a flashing lightbulb in battle both means one thing to you or it doesn’t. Nevertheless, battles really feel extra accessible to collection newcomers with the brand new potential to expend Life Factors (LP) in battle for a full heal.

I personally maintain each SaGa Frontier video games as collection excessive factors, representing one of the best of the road when it comes to story, fight, and presentation, in a means that has not been matched since. The content material of the story might be fairly affecting, and the execution is unusual and thrilling. Maybe as a result of its story is extra cohesive on the onset, SaGa Frontier 2 is ready to hit emotional highs that Frontier doesn’t.

The SaGa Frontier Remaster was nicely obtained for its love of the unique title, but in addition the standard of life and content material enhancements that made it extra accessible or palatable to collection newcomers. SaGa Frontier 2 might completely profit from these similar changes, permitting gamers to switch the problem to their liking. 

The SaGa collection on the whole has discovered new life lately, with the majority of the collection accessible on console and cell alike. However there’s a sore spot with followers in that not less than one basic title just isn’t accessible on fashionable platforms. SaGa Frontier 2 ought to be a part of them — and hopefully, it’s not a matter of if it comes, however when.