Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven could be one of the year’s best JRPGs | Hands-on preview

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven could be one of the year’s best JRPGs | Hands-on preview

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can confidently say that I’ve seen it all – or so I thought. Diving into Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven was like discovering a hidden gem in a pile of dusty classics. The first few hours were an enchanting journey through a world that felt both familiar and refreshingly unique.


Expanding your understanding of the captivating universe of video games can be quite challenging, given the numerous 50+ hour JRPGs throughout its history. As an enthusiast of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, I make an effort to stay informed about the iconic RPG franchises, but one that has always eluded me is SaGa. Granted, some parts of this series were only released in Japan, yet it retains a significant following in the West due to its uniqueness. Recently, I got a taste of this when I played the initial two hours of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a remake of one of the most acclaimed games from the series.

In this game, the narrative begins by introducing Prince Gerard, a scholar rather than a warrior who is among the potential rulers of Varennes. To prepare him for battle if necessary, his father, the king, decides to embark on some missions aimed at banishing demons, safeguarding their subjects. As you progress, you’ll find support from powerful allies and soon discover ways to enhance your own strength. With seven former heroes seeking to seize control of the land, every ounce of your newfound might will be crucial. For those familiar with fantasy stories, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven may seem somewhat predictable, but it still offers an engaging experience.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven could be one of the year’s best JRPGs | Hands-on preview

Overcoming the monstrous forces plaguing the realm will lead Gerard and his comrades into numerous skirmishes, which surprisingly turns out to be an enjoyable experience. The characters possess a standard array of weapon attacks and magic spells typical in a turn-based role-playing game, along with abilities that develop over time, allowing them to target multiple foes or inflict severe status afflictions. Although it may seem similar to other RPGs you might be considering, its rapid pacing and unique special attack meter that increases by exposing weaknesses make each confrontation thrilling.

Exploring vulnerabilities in the game reminded me of the Octopath Traveler series, where each adversary has an array of question marks next to them, which transforms to show their weaknesses as they’re discovered. Striking these weak spots causes significantly increased damage. Each character in the game wields two weapons for attack and possesses elemental spells, making it swift to accumulate Overdrive points. Once full, you can launch a potent double attack that merges two of your strong abilities without reducing BP, and typically annihilates any non-boss enemies it’s used against.

In Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, I find the method of enhancing my character’s abilities quite unique. Unlike traditional RPGs where characters level up, in this remake, there are no levels! Instead, experience is earned by wielding different types of weapons during battles. To progress with both swords and spears, I need to keep switching between them. Over time, mastering these weapons will unlock new abilities for each one.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven could be one of the year’s best JRPGs | Hands-on preview

In Romancing SaGa 2, the method of mastering skills is peculiar and relies on a recurring feature called the Glimmer system. As you progress in your skill level for an ability and confront formidable enemies, a small lightbulb may appear next to one of your attacks. This indicates that there’s a possibility to acquire a new skill by executing it, which will become permanently available once successfully glimmered. The brighter the lightbulb, the higher the probability of unlocking the new attack. It’s incredibly satisfying to unveil a powerful ability during battle rather than learning it afterwards.

In Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, the battles themselves are incredibly captivating, yet they offer a level of complexity that goes beyond mere encounters. The strategic placement of your characters in different formations can grant various bonuses to specific characters, making combat more intricate. For instance, in the demo I tried out, I used a cross formation to enhance my tank’s stats at the front while protecting my vulnerable young prince at the back. However, the full game promises even more diverse options for tactical maneuvering.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven could be one of the year’s best JRPGs | Hands-on preview

What really captivated me about Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is the inheritance system. This mechanism seems crucial to the final game, enabling characters to pass on their combat skills to their offspring as they fight against evil across numerous generations. In the demo I played, I was able to do this just once (and the demo ended immediately afterwards), so I can’t claim to fully grasp how it will operate. However, I am eager to see how this system influences the overall narrative and look forward to crafting a powerful royal dynasty when the full game launches.

In an updated version like Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, one would anticipate improvements over the Super Famicom original, and that’s exactly what you get. The graphics are on par with a contemporary fantasy RPG, boasting vivid colors and endearing appeal. Notably, the music is exceptional and significantly enhances the overall gaming experience.

Initially, I wasn’t entirely certain about what awaited me when I initiated the demo version of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven. However, it surpassed my expectations significantly. If the final game maintains the quality displayed in the initial two hours, it could potentially rank among my top JRPGs for the year. Needless to say, the wait for the complete release will be challenging.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is set for release on October 24th.

Read More

2024-09-19 13:46