While I’ve played many video game remakes in recent years, it’s rare that I dive into one without having experienced the original version first. My perceptions of these projects are typically influenced by the source material. Games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Resident Evil 4, and Silent Hill 2 are fascinating precisely because of the dialogue they create between past and present. However, Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven presented me with an opportunity to try something new without that prior knowledge.
Square Enix’s latest remake revitalizes its 1993 SNES classic by transitioning it from pixelated 2D to vibrant 3D graphics instead of the popular HD-2D approach seen in Dragon Quest 3. This more ambitious approach involves a complete reconstruction of the original game, providing a modern reimagining that can fully realize a once-restricted world.
Despite this, my experience with the remake left me wishing I had played the original first. The journey began on a whim after receiving a review code for Romancing Saga 2, a title in a series that I had yet to explore. The remake caters to newcomers like me by modernizing the game’s look and feel, making it more accessible while preserving its essence. As I delved deeper, I discovered a classic fantasy RPG with an engaging premise involving seven heroes who must be vanquished after returning as villains.
Although the initial dungeons may not meet the expectation set by the premise, Romancing Saga 2 quickly reveals its unique qualities. The game introduces a high-stakes system where characters face permanent death if their life points reach zero, adding weight to every battle decision. The deep and intricate RPG systems, such as gear slots, move learning mechanics, and formation benefits, offer a compelling experience that captivated me as I experimented with party composition.
Three decades after its release, Romancing Saga 2 remains a challenging RPG for hardcore fans, providing impactful decision-making and a real sense of leadership within the game world. Despite these strengths, my initial impressions of the remake were underwhelming, with issues related to voice acting, visual style, and gameplay mechanics.
As I continued to play, I realized that the remake had lost sight of the original’s essence. A coincidental encounter with someone playing the original game made it clear that the pixel art and top-down perspective of the original added character and depth that the 3D remake lacked. This reflection raised questions about the industry’s trend towards modernizing classics, sometimes at the expense of their unique charm.
While the remake offers a fresh take on Romancing Saga 2, it may not be the best introduction to the series for newcomers. The essence of the original may be lost in the pursuit of modernization, diminishing the distinctiveness of the RPG experience. For those interested, Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven launches on October 24 for PlayStation 4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
