Is Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven for you?
Is Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven for you?
This upcoming adventure is set to be a real treat for RPG fans. It features everything you could want from the genre – fast-paced, satisfyingly strategic combat, a unique narrative hook, interesting environments to explore and much more.
But to go back to that question – is it for you? It definitely is if…
You love turn-based RPG combat like FINAL FANTASY X…
If you’re a fan of strategic turn-based combat, like FINAL FANTASY X for example, then you’ll immediately vibe with Revenge of the Seven’s battles.
Like FINAL FANTASY X, turn order is key. Your heroes’ portraits are captured at the top of the screen, as are your enemies’. This helps you strategize when taking down foes.
For example, if one enemy’s turn is near the start of the queue, you can co-ordinate attacks or use disruptive abilities to neutralize it before it does the same to heroes yet to act. Alternatively, if a bigger, burlier foe is prepping for a powerful strike, you can plan ahead to increase your chances of survival.
Another similarity is how important it is to take advantage of enemy weaknesses. For example, like in OCTOPATH TRAVELER, enemies are weak against different weapon types and elements. Targeting these vulnerabilities is the key to success – and with characters able to use different weapon and magic types, it opens up all kinds of strategic possibilities.
Like OCTOPATH TRAVELER, once you discover an enemy’s weaknesses, they’ll show up as little icons in battle and will continue to appear when you face the same enemy again – even after proceeding to another Imperial generation. The more you experiment with different attacks, the more you know!
…but want to play something with its own identity.
Of course, while Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven hearkens back to classic combat systems, it has plenty of ideas of its own.
For example, rather than learning new skills through levelling up, characters do it in the heat of battle. If you see a lightbulb icon next to a technique, there’s a chance that using it will lead that hero to learn an entirely new one – a process known as ‘glimmering’. This adds another layer to strategy and rewards you for experimenting with your different options in battle.
United Attacks are another welcome feature. Exploiting enemy weaknesses fills an Overdrive gauge. Once at maximum capacity, you can unleash a United Attack where characters next to each other in the turn order can combine their attacks for some massive damage.
Formations add even more depth. You can arrange your party of heroes – or ‘retinue’ as it’s known in-game – into different arrangements before a battle. Each of these formations has a different effect – for example, the ‘Imperial Cross’ formation protects the fighter at center and make the member at the front the most likely to be targeted.
These formations can be highly effective – to the point that if an enemy gets the jump on you and breaks it, you’ll definitely feel on the back foot!
It all adds up to a combat system that is delightfully easy to get to grips with yet offers up an enormous amount of depth.
You want a story that spans generations?
At the heart of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is cool concept: Inheritance.
The game centers on the ongoing conflict between the Empire of Varennes and the Seven Heroes – mythical figures who have returned with seemingly less-than altruistic intentions. It’s not a fight that can be won by a single noble hero and a band of plucky adventurers – it’s a war of attrition that spans entire generations.
That means that as the game progresses, so too will the protagonist and their allies. At set points in the story, time will move on, and a new Emperor will have to take the throne. Alternatively, if an Emperor dies in battle or abdicates, a new hero must rise to replace them.
You may be thinking: “does this mean I have to start from scratch with each Emperor?” Thankfully no – thanks to the mysterious ‘Inheritance magic,’ each new Emperor gains the skills, memories, and knowledge of the previous one.
It means you keep the sense of gaining strength – something you’ll need to take on the seven fearsome foes that await.
You want to control an Empire…
The other awesome thing about the Inheritance system is that you’re not stuck to a single bloodline – you get to choose who the next protagonist is.
That gives you a real sense of ownership over your adventure, as you get to define the direction of the Empire yourself. All playable characters can become Emperor, so if there’s a particular hero or class you like (I’m a big fan of the bow-bound Imperial Rangers), you can put them in the starring role!
…and build your own Empire
As the Emperor (or Emperors) of the Varennes Empire, your priority is taking down the Seven Heroes… but that isn’t your only responsibility. You also need to nurture your Empire, and the capital city Avalon.
By researching and building different facilities, you’ll increase your capabilities as fighters. For example, building the Smithy will let you develop new weapons, while the Incantations Lab lets you develop powerful new spells.
You’ll also expand your Empire, as you try to unite the different factions of the world against the threat of the Seven Heroes. You can visit different regions and take on the heroes in any order you like (after the opening sections) – your decisions will allow you to forge alliances and gain allies.
You want control over your story
Thanks to the SaGa series’ signature ‘Free-form Scenario System’ your adventure is just that – YOUR adventure.
Not only can you visit regions in any order, but you’ll often be also faced with decisions that change how the story plays out.
For example, in one part of the game, you have to infiltrate the seemingly impenetrable Canal Fortress. You can choose to sneak in at night by boat, so you can take on the enemies within. Alternatively, you can ask a local vagabond for help to find a potentially safer route inside.
Different decisions can yield very different results, and it’s a lot of fun weighing the different options. Plus, it makes the game incredibly replayable!
You want to blast out some mind-blowing music
The SaGa series enjoys astonishingly good soundtracks – as anyone who’s played the games (or the multiple SaGa DLC packs for THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE) will know all too well. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is no exception.
Original composer Kenji Ito returns with a spectacular rearrangements of these classic tracks. From triumphant marches and thrilling battle themes to quieter melodies that stir the soul, it’s a masterclass of music. You’ll want to turn the volume up for this one.
Of course, if you are a purist for that wonderful 16-bit sound, you can also switch to the original Super Famicom soundtrack at any time. Like so much in Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, the choice is yours.
So, is Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven for you? It’s a great adventure that captures the same spirit as classic RPGs, while offering modern presentation and features. If that sounds like your thing, then yes, the game is definitely for you.
But don’t take out word for it. You can try the game right now via the free demo. Available on Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4 and Steam, it lets you play through the prologue of the adventure and carry your progress over to the full game! It’s a generous slice of RPG goodness, so go check it out:
The full game releases October 24, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4 and Steam.
The game’s available to preorder now – and if you do so, you’ll get the following in-game items when the game releases:
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Shiyuan’s Tactical Primer – A tome with the wisdom of a brilliant military strategist. It boosts the number of Technique Points that can be acquired after victorious battles by 10% (until in-game year 1001).
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Cat’s Amulet – An amulet made by a renowned thief. It boosts the revenue that can be collected after victorious battles by 10% (until in-game year 1001).
You’ll find these items in a treasure box on the ground floor of Castle Avalon after you start the game!
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