Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven review

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven review

As someone who’s been around the gaming block a few times, I must say that the resurgence of classic titles in remake form has been a breath of fresh air this year. While I usually lean towards the allure of brand-new games, the remakes we’ve seen so far have left me eating my words and asking for more! One series that deserves to shine once again is the SaGa series, a gem that has remained relatively unknown to Western audiences but now returns with a vengeance in Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven.


2024 has been a year filled with revivals of timeless classics, offering them another moment in the spotlight for today’s viewers. Normally, I’d be thrilled about a fresh, new game rather than an updated version of an older one. However, this year’s remakes have proven to be far better than I ever imagined, making me retract my initial enthusiasm. Among the series that seem primed for revivals, few compare to the SaGa series. With roots dating back several decades, this series is relatively unknown in the West. Yet, the 1993 classic, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, has once again captured the limelight.

In this well-known JRPG, seasoned genre enthusiasts will find a sense of nostalgia with its standard fantasy backdrop involving noble families and menacing monsters. The narrative commences with you assuming command over Gerard, the virtuous prince of Varennes and devoted son to his king. Ever mindful of his people’s welfare, Gerard elects to abandon academic pursuits for military training to safeguard his subjects. This military instruction results in an encounter with one of the fabled Seven Heroes who has suffered a fall from grace, leading to the tragic loss of both Gerard’s father and brother, making him the sovereign ruler of the realm. As you delve deeper into the game, the plot takes some unforeseen twists and turns; however, it may not be as thrilling as the exhilarating combat sequences it facilitates.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven review

In Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, you’ll find yourself immersed in an exhilarating world of combat, a core aspect that keeps you hooked! The game offers turn-based battles with a unique twist – focusing on exploiting enemies’ weaknesses. From the very beginning, these encounters are swift, engaging, and satisfying right up until the end.

When I level up specific weapon categories, I can unlock fresh abilities by harnessing a system called Glimmering. As my character grows proficient with a certain weapon, you’ll spot a tiny lightbulb when attacking with it. The brightness of the bulb indicates the likelihood of me stumbling upon and activating an entirely new skill during combat. There’s nothing quite as thrilling as unearthing a hidden ability in the heat of battle, and with a variety of weapon types at my disposal, I’ll have a plethora of powerful attacks, defensive maneuvers, and healing techniques to select from during combat.

An additional motivator for expanding your skill set is the ability to employ them effectively during team assaults. As you successfully target vulnerabilities in battle, a progress bar at the bottom of the screen gradually builds up, eventually allowing for a powerful group attack. This attack combines two skills from two members of your team and significantly increases damage, often reducing anything but bosses to rubble. These team attacks can quickly end combat, making each use incredibly satisfying.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven review

In Romancing SaGa 2, the fast-paced battle sequences pair nicely with the emphasis on exploration. This game is considerate of your time, offering new destinations to travel to rather than a vast open world. These locations often serve as dungeons filled with adversaries to conquer, hidden treasures to discover, and rewards for diligent searching.

In essence, Revenge of the Seven appears to be a conventional RPG at first glance, yet it offers a layer of complexity for those seeking to optimize their team’s performance. Formations can be strategically selected, such as the one you begin with, Cross Formation, which strengthens the defense of the front-line tank and minimizes damage to more vulnerable characters. Additionally, each character class has unique buffs that can be unlocked, proving beneficial in combat once acquired. However, none of these mechanisms are quite as intricate as inheritance, which is the core aspect of the game.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven review

At the beginning of Romancing SaGa 2, you’re acquainted with the inheritance system, which unfolds when your father, sadly, falls in battle against a formidable foe and bequeaths you his talents. This core concept of the game revolves around characters passing down their skills to their children, enabling them to carry on the struggle against evil. In essence, I discovered that this primarily resulted in me feeling less attached to my party, as they gradually morphed into their new, somewhat unfamiliar offspring whom I hadn’t grown accustomed to.

In simpler terms, when the story lacks distinctive characters that we can connect with and support, it seems less unique or engaging. The setting, being a typical fantasy kingdom, doesn’t have a strong identity that encourages emotional investment. Consequently, the most intriguing moments revolve around the antagonists rather than the quest itself. It’s unfortunate because almost everything else in this updated RPG is excellent, but the lack of personal connection to the overall storyline leaves the experience somewhat flat, focusing mainly on acquiring new abilities.

If you’re new to SaGa games, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven offers an excellent introduction, boasting exciting combat and intriguing concepts. Although the storyline might have occasional jumps due to your party transitioning into the next generation, the rest of this timeless RPG is still superb in 2024, making it a must-play experience.

Read More

2024-11-12 14:16