The acclaimed JRPG, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, is now available for a significantly reduced price of just $30 on both Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. This special offer is being matched by retailers, presenting a fantastic opportunity to experience the fully rebuilt remake of this Square Enix classic.
For Nintendo Switch owners, the physical edition can be purchased for $30. Those with a Switch 2 can then acquire the official upgrade from the eShop for an additional $10. Considering the Switch 2 digital edition typically costs $50 on the eShop, opting for the physical copy plus the upgrade still provides a $10 saving overall.
About Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven
Released last October, this impressive remake of the Super Famicom JRPG might have flown somewhat under the radar in a year packed with great RPGs. However, Square Enix`s meticulously crafted turn-based RPG offers a unique experience that easily justifies the 40-60 hours required to complete its main campaign.
Romancing SaGa 2 is a complete reimagining of the 1993 Super Famicom original. While an HD remaster was released in 2017, this remake boasts full 3D graphics and an overhauled turn-based battle system. It incorporates the `timeline` system, a feature seen in more recent titles like SaGa Emerald Beyond, alongside several quality-of-life improvements designed to make the game more accessible to new players, including multiple difficulty settings.
Players assume the role of members of a royal family, tasked with protecting their empire and fending off world-ending threats. Beyond its deep and nuanced battle system, Romancing SaGa 2 features extensive castle-building mechanics, allowing you to construct and manage fortresses across your kingdom. True to the series` nature, your choices—from who you interact with to which side quests you pursue—can profoundly alter the story`s progression. It remains a surprisingly open-ended experience, even by modern standards, making this beautiful remake an ideal chance to discover it or revisit it for a new narrative path. The remake received a solid 8/10 in reviews.
Performance on Nintendo Switch
While the PS5 version offers superior visuals and performance, Revenge of the Seven delivers a robust experience on Nintendo handhelds. The original Switch version runs at a stable 30 frames per second with 720p resolution in handheld mode and 1080p when docked. Players might encounter slightly longer load times and occasional brief frame rate dips.
Square Enix also released a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game in late July, priced similarly to the original but exclusively available on the eShop. Owners of a physical copy for the original Switch can purchase a $10 upgrade pack for the Switch 2 version.
The Switch 2 edition significantly enhances both visual fidelity and performance, achieving up to 1440p resolution and 60fps in docked mode, and 1080p in handheld mode. These visual improvements are complemented by faster load times for Switch 2 users. Additionally, Romancing SaGa 2 is verified for Steam Deck, offering another portable option.
Preorder Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered
Fans of the SaGa series can also preorder the upcoming physical edition of Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered International for PS5 and Nintendo Switch. This highly-regarded remaster originally launched digitally in 2022 across PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile platforms.
Similar to Romancing SaGa 2, the physical boxed version of Minstrel Song Remastered is exclusively available for PS5 and Nintendo Switch, a collaboration between Square Enix and publisher Red Art Games. Romancing SaGa Remastered International is scheduled for release on December 9. Given the likelihood of a limited print run, interested collectors are advised to preorder soon.
The Enduring Appeal of the SaGa Franchise
Square Enix has been actively revitalizing the SaGa series over recent years, introducing remasters, remakes, and entirely new entries such as the latest, SaGa Emerald Beyond. This renewed focus highlights the franchise`s unique place in the RPG landscape.
Originating as a Final Fantasy spin-off known as Final Fantasy Legend, the SaGa series quickly forged its own distinct identity. Unlike many other 90s JRPGs, SaGa titles are celebrated for their non-linear narratives and intricate character-building systems, which often shared more in common with 90s computer RPGs than their console counterparts.