A deep dive into the SaGa series for newcomers and veterans alike. My journey began with Romancing SaGa 2 on iOS, and now, years later, I'm thrilled to experience the full remake, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, on multiple platforms. This article combines my hands-on Steam Deck impressions with an exclusive interview with Game Producer Shinichi Tatsuke.

This double feature includes gameplay insights and a conversation with Tatsuke, the mind behind Trials of Mana's remake. We discuss Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, lessons learned from Trials of Mana, accessibility, potential future ports, and even coffee preferences. The interview, conducted via video call, has been transcribed and edited for clarity.

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

Shinichi Tatsuke (ST): Both titles predate the Square Enix merger, hailing from the Squaresoft era. Remaking these legendary games is an incredible honor. Nearly 30 years after their original release, there was ample room for improvement. Romancing SaGa 2, with its unique systems, remains distinctive even today, making it a compelling choice for a remake.

TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously challenging. The remake offers multiple difficulty settings. How did you balance staying true to the original while enhancing accessibility for newcomers?

ST: The SaGa series boasts dedicated fans who appreciate its difficulty. However, many potential players are deterred by this challenge. We aimed to cater to both groups by introducing a difficulty system with "Normal" and "Casual" modes. "Normal" targets standard RPG players, while "Casual" prioritizes narrative enjoyment. 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.

ST (cont.): The original's difficulty stemmed partly from hidden information, like enemy weaknesses. We felt this was unfair, so in the remake, weaknesses are clearly displayed. We addressed other overly challenging aspects to create a fairer, more enjoyable experience for modern players.

TA: The Steam Deck performance is impressive. Was the game specifically optimized for it?

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

TA: How long was the development of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?

ST: I can't give specifics, but main development began toward the end of 2021.

TA: What lessons from Trials of Mana informed the Romancing SaGa 2 remake?

ST: Trials of Mana taught us about player preferences. For example, regarding soundtracks, players generally prefer arrangements faithful to the originals, but with enhanced quality due to modern technology. We also learned that offering a choice between original and rearranged tracks is highly valued, so we included this option in Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven. Visually, the character styles differ between the two games, requiring distinct approaches to graphics and lighting.

TA: Are there plans for mobile or Xbox releases?

ST: No plans at this time.

TA: Finally, what's your coffee preference?

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

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Steam Deck Impressions

My pre-release Steam Deck experience was overwhelmingly positive. The game looks and sounds fantastic, offering a smoother introduction to its mechanics than the original. Quality-of-life improvements, enhanced combat flow, and new audio options enhance the experience for both veterans and newcomers. Even on the classic difficulty setting, the challenge remains engaging.

The visuals are stunning, surpassing my expectations. The PC port runs exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, even at higher settings. Extensive audio and graphics options are available, including selectable soundtracks (original or remake), language options (English and Japanese), and various graphical settings. I achieved a near-locked 90fps at 720p with mostly maximum settings.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a must-have for RPG fans. I hope this sparks interest in other SaGa titles. The game launches October 24th for Steam, Switch, PS5, and PS4. A free demo is available on all platforms.