Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Interview With Game Producer Shinichi Tatsuke and Steam Deck Hands-On Preview

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven – A Remake Fit for Modern Gamers and Nostalgic Fans Alike

Many longtime gamers discovered the SaGa series through its numerous releases on past consoles. For me, Romancing SaGa 2 on iOS was my introduction almost a decade ago. I initially struggled, approaching it like a typical JRPG. Today, however, I'm a devoted SaGa fan (as evidenced by the photo below), so I was thrilled by the recent announcement of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a complete remake for Switch, PC, and PlayStation.

This review covers my experience with an early Steam Deck demo and an interview with the game's producer, Shinichi Tatsuke (also behind Trials of Mana's remake). We discussed the remake, lessons learned from Trials of Mana, accessibility, potential future ports, and more. 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 Trials of Mana and the SaGa series predate the Square Enix merger, originating from the Squaresoft era. Remaking these legendary titles is an incredible honor. Nearly 30 years have passed since their original releases, providing ample opportunity for improvement. Romancing SaGa 2, with its unique systems, remains distinctive even today. Its uniqueness made it a compelling candidate for a remake.

TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously challenging. I experienced a game over within ten minutes! The remake offers multiple difficulty levels. How did you balance faithfulness to the original with improved accessibility, especially for newcomers encountering the SaGa series for the first time with modern visuals?

ST: The SaGa series' difficulty is well-known, attracting a dedicated fanbase. However, many potential players are intimidated by this reputation. We aimed to satisfy both veteran and new players. The solution was a new difficulty system: Normal and Casual modes. Normal caters to standard RPG players, while Casual mode prioritizes story and narrative. Our development team included core SaGa fans, making this a collaborative decision. It’s 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 modernize the game while preserving the experience for veterans? How did you choose which features to enhance?

ST: The SaGa series isn't just about difficulty; it's also about the challenge of understanding the game mechanics. The original lacked visible information, such as enemy weaknesses and defense stats. We considered this unfair, so we made these stats visible in the remake. We also adjusted other overly difficult aspects to create a fairer and more enjoyable experience for modern audiences.

TA: The Steam Deck version runs exceptionally well. Was it optimized specifically for the Steam Deck?

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 specifics, but main development began towards the end of 2021.

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

ST: Trials of Mana taught us player preferences. For instance, regarding soundtracks, players prefer arrangements faithful to the originals, but with improved quality thanks to modern technology. We also learned that players appreciate the choice between original and rearranged soundtracks, a feature we included in this remake. Graphically, we adapted the lighting and shadow techniques, but character and background styles differ significantly between the two series.

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. I also don't drink beer.

(Thanks to Shinichi Tatsuke, Jordan Aslett, Sara Green, and Rachel Mascetti for their time.)

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Steam Deck Impressions

My initial reaction to the Steam key was a mix of excitement and apprehension. The reveal trailer was impressive, but I wasn't sure about the Steam Deck experience. Thankfully, it's excellent. The few hours I spent with the demo made me question whether I even needed the PS5 or Switch versions.

The game looks and sounds fantastic on the Steam Deck. The remake gradually introduces core mechanics. Returning players will appreciate quality-of-life improvements, while newcomers will find it a welcoming entry point into the SaGa series. The visuals enhance accessibility, but it remains true to the original Romancing SaGa 2. Even playing on the most challenging difficulty level, it retains its unique charm.

Visually, it surpasses expectations. While I enjoyed Trials of Mana's remake, I suspect Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven will ultimately be superior (though that remains to be seen). The Steam Deck port is exceptionally well-optimized. The game offers options for soundtracks (original or remake), audio languages (English or Japanese), and extensive graphics settings, allowing for customization to suit individual preferences. I achieved a near-constant 90fps at 720p with mostly high settings on my Steam Deck OLED.

I played through the demo with English voice acting, which was good. I'll likely switch to Japanese for the full game. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven successfully blends modern enhancements with the essence of the SaGa series.

I eagerly anticipate the full game's release and exploring its content. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a must-have for RPG fans. Hopefully, this will inspire more players to explore the SaGa series. Square Enix, please give us SaGa Frontier 2 next!

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