A deep dive into the SaGa series for newcomers and veterans alike. My journey into the SaGa universe began with Romancing SaGa 2 on iOS, a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience. Now, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a complete remake, arrives on Switch, PC, and PlayStation, prompting a renewed exploration and an exclusive interview.

This dual feature combines hands-on time with the Steam Deck demo and a conversation with Game Producer Shinichi Tatsuke (also behind Trials of Mana's remake). We discuss the remake, lessons learned from Trials of Mana, accessibility, potential future ports, and more. This 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 Trials of Mana and the SaGa series predate the Square Enix merger, hailing from the Squaresoft era. Remaking these legendary titles is a tremendous honor. Almost 30 years after their original release, there was ample opportunity for improvement. Romancing SaGa 2, with its unique systems, remains distinctive even today, making it a compelling candidate for a remake.

TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously challenging. The remake offers multiple difficulty settings. How did you balance faithfulness to the original with improved accessibility, especially for newcomers encountering the SaGa series for the first time?

ST: The SaGa series' difficulty is well-known, attracting dedicated fans worldwide. However, this difficulty also creates a significant barrier to entry for many potential players. We aimed to cater to both veteran and new players. The solution was a new difficulty system: Normal mode for standard RPG players and Casual mode for those prioritizing narrative. Think of it like adding honey to spicy curry – the original game's difficulty is the spice, and Casual mode is the honey, making it more palatable.

TA: How did you preserve the original experience for veterans while incorporating quality-of-life improvements?

ST: The challenge wasn't just difficulty, but also the lack of readily available information in the original. Enemy weaknesses and other stats existed but weren't displayed, creating unfairness. The remake addresses this by explicitly showing weaknesses and other crucial data. We also adjusted areas that were overly punishing in the original to create a fairer, more enjoyable experience for modern players.

TA: Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven runs exceptionally well on the Steam Deck. 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 process?

ST: I can't give precise details, but main development began towards the end of 2021.

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

ST: Trials of Mana taught us valuable insights into player preferences. For example, regarding soundtracks, players generally prefer arrangements faithful to the originals, but with enhanced quality afforded by modern technology. We offered a choice between original and rearranged tracks, a feature carried over to Romancing SaGa 2. Visually, we adjusted the character heights and lighting effects to better suit the SaGa series' aesthetic.

TA: Will Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven come to mobile or Xbox?

ST: There are no current plans for those platforms.

TA: Finally, what's your coffee preference?

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

(TA's Steam Deck Impressions)

The Steam Deck version of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is impressive. The visuals and audio are excellent, and the game's gradual introduction to mechanics makes it accessible to newcomers. The quality-of-life improvements enhance gameplay without sacrificing the challenge. The PC port is well-optimized, achieving near 90fps at 720p on the Steam Deck OLED with high settings. Audio options include original and new soundtracks, and English and Japanese voiceovers. The remake successfully modernizes the game while retaining its core SaGa identity.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven launches October 24th on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PS4. A free demo is available on all platforms.