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

Experience the Reimagined Classic: Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven

Many longtime gamers discovered the SaGa series through its numerous appearances on past consoles. For me, Romancing SaGa 2 on iOS was my introduction almost a decade ago. I initially struggled, mistaking it for a typical JRPG. Now, 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 dual-review features my hands-on experience with an early access 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 games 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. They're legendary Square titles. Remaking them is a huge honor. Both games are nearly 30 years old, offering ample room for improvement. Romancing SaGa 2's unique systems, still innovative today, made it a compelling remake candidate.

TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously challenging (I got a game over in the first 10 minutes!). The remake offers multiple difficulty settings. How did you balance faithfulness to the original with accessibility, especially for newcomers?

ST: The SaGa series' difficulty is legendary, attracting dedicated fans worldwide. However, this difficulty also creates a high barrier to entry. Many know the series but haven't played it due to perceived difficulty. We aimed to please both veterans and newcomers by introducing difficulty options: 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 the casual mode is the honey.

TA: How did you update the game while preserving the original experience for veterans?

ST: The SaGa series isn't just about difficulty; it's about the challenge of understanding the game's mechanics. The original lacked visible enemy weaknesses and other stats, creating unfair challenges. We addressed this in the remake by making this information readily available. We also adjusted other overly difficult aspects to create a fair and enjoyable experience.

TA: The Steam Deck demo ran exceptionally well. Was it specifically optimized for the Steam Deck?

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

TA: How long was the development process?

ST: I can't give exact details, but major development began in late 2021.

TA: What did you learn from the Trials of Mana remake that you applied to Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?

ST: The Trials of Mana remake taught us player preferences. For example, regarding soundtracks, players preferred arrangements faithful to the originals, but with improved quality thanks to modern technology. We offered a choice between original and rearranged tracks, a feature well-received and carried over to this remake. Visually, we adjusted character proportions and lighting effects to better suit the SaGa series' aesthetic.

TA: Are there plans for mobile or Xbox ports?

ST: Currently, no plans exist for those platforms.

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

Receiving a Steam key for the pre-release demo filled me with excitement and apprehension. The trailer looked amazing, but I worried about the Steam Deck experience. Thankfully, the game is excellent on the Steam Deck OLED. The few hours I spent with the demo made me question the need for the PS5 or Switch versions. The remake is visually stunning and sounds fantastic. It gradually introduces core mechanics, offering quality-of-life improvements and new audio options. For newcomers, it's a great entry point into the SaGa series. Even on the hardest difficulty, it retains its challenging nature.

The visuals are far better than expected. While I loved the Trials of Mana remake, this might surpass it (though only time will tell). The PC port's performance on the Steam Deck is impressive. Extensive audio and graphical options are available, including choices for soundtrack, audio language, and various graphical settings. I achieved a near-locked 90fps at 720p with mostly high settings.

I eagerly await the full game's release and exploring its console versions. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a must-have for RPG fans. I hope this sparks interest in other SaGa titles; Square Enix, please give us SaGa Frontier 2 next!

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.