Join the epic generational battle against the legendary Seven Heroes in Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Review Overview
What is Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven follows the original 1993 game’s plot where the legendary Seven Heroes return as villains hellbent on revenge. Furious that mankind has seemingly forgotten about their sacrifices, the Seven Heroes now pose a threat to the world in a non-linear adventure filled with various protagonists and countless new heroes.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven features:
⚫︎ Complete 3D Remake of the 1993 Hit JRPG
⚫︎ Turn-Based Combat
⚫︎ Points about the graphics
⚫︎ Play Over 30 Characters Spanning Different Generations
⚫︎ Added Quality of Life Features
⚫︎ Choice-Based Narrative
⚫︎ Japanese and English Voice-Acting.
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven's gameplay and story.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Steam |
 PlayStation |
 Switch |
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| Price | $49.99 | ||||
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 In-Depth and Engaging Gameplay Loop Insane Replayability Lots of Quality of Life Features Beautiful Visuals |
Lackluster Story Draw Distance and Low Texture Problem |
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Overall Score - 84/100
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a remake of a 30-year-old classic that, much like its inheritance system, preserves and inherits the best traits of the original while improving upon its visuals, combat, and overall experience. Though some of the original issues remain, it serves as an excellent entry point for newcomers to the SaGa franchise and stands as a timeless classic that will never be forgotten.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Story - 6/10
Romancing SaGa 2 presents an ambitious, generation-spanning narrative, and I commend it for a story concept that was ahead of its time. However, despite the enhanced cutscenes and added content, the story remains its weakest point. The premise is intriguing, but the execution feels a bit flat, with one-dimensional characters and dialogue that often come across as unnatural. While there are certainly high points, this is one aspect of the game that could have benefitted from a more substantial overhaul rather than staying too faithful to the original.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Gameplay - 9/10
The original English port of Romancing SaGa 2 faced criticism for its lack of gameplay explanations and some overly tedious mechanics that detracted from an otherwise enjoyable experience. Fortunately, the developers listened to the feedback, and this remake is packed with quality-of-life improvements that allow the game's fun mechanics to truly shine. Now, you feel more in control, as you progress through the generations with a sense of mastery over your growing empire.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Visuals - 9/10
It’s clear that some corners were cut, particularly with a few low-poly textures and poor draw distances for enemies. However, the developers did a fantastic job of transforming the 2D world into 3D. The characters look stunning, and the world feels rich with culture, with noticeable differences between towns that make each location feel distinct and alive.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Audio - 8/10
While I enjoyed some of the performances, I have to say the voice direction for the English dub felt off—monotonous and a bit awkward at times. On the bright side, Kenji Ito did an outstanding job remastering the OST, with the new arrangements being particularly impressive.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Value for Money - 10/10
For $50, you're definitely getting your money's worth with 40-60 hours of gameplay and tons of replayability. With multiple paths to choose from and a wide variety of character options, each playthrough feels unique. It truly captures the essence of a personal adventure, making every player's journey distinct.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Review:
A Multigenerational Classic
If there’s one game I never expected to get a full remake, it’s Romancing SaGa 2. The game hasn’t been as popular in the West compared to Japan, often overshadowed by bigger Square Enix titles like Final Fantasy or the Mana series. Ironically, this remake is being developed by the team behind Trials of Mana, and it's been completely rebuilt from the ground up.
So, what is Romancing SaGa 2 all about? It's part of the SaGa series, which is known for its nonlinear gameplay, open-world exploration, and unique character development system. The game's open-ended plot and freedom of choice were truly ahead of their time.
One of the defining features of Romancing SaGa 2 is its multigenerational gameplay and narrative. Instead of following a single party, the story spans many eras, with new emperors taking up the fight across generations. You’ll control up to 30 different characters, each from a different class or background, as you guide the empire of Varennes in its battle against the Seven Heroes—once noble figures who have now fallen from grace.
As a fan of the original, I can confidently say this remake feels like the definitive version. It not only improves on every aspect but does so in a way that makes it unlikely for fans to return to the original—it’s that good.
An Underwhelming Story for an Incredible Premise
If there’s one area where Romancing SaGa 2 falls short, it’s the story—and this isn’t the remake’s fault, as the narrative remains the same as the original. It’s a shame because the premise is genuinely exciting. The idea of embarking on a multi-generational journey, fighting a timeless evil that spans lifetimes, is fascinating. However, the execution is underwhelming.
The story starts off with two of the blandest characters, Leon and Gerard, who lack any real personality. They feel like one-dimensional placeholders, making it hard to get emotionally invested in the early game. This disconnect is especially disappointing because the opening scenes are meant to be emotional, yet they never really land.
Even as the story progresses with new characters, I find myself uninterested in their personal conflicts. The main villains, the Seven Heroes, who arguably get the most character development, fail to leave a lasting impression.
While we get glimpses into their backstories and how they fell from grace, their convoluted names and lack of depth make it hard to care about them. It’s unfortunate, considering how much potential the narrative had.
I usually prefer sticking closely to the source material, but in this case, I believe the game would have greatly benefited from taking more creative liberties with its story and writing. It would have been nice to see meaningful additions that enhance the narrative rather than making me want to skip the cutscenes.
Gameplay Totally Makes Up for the Story
What it lacks in story is completely compensated by its addictive gameplay loop. If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be not to get too attached to your party members. In this game, you control a series of heirs across different generations, with each protagonist possessing unique abilities that develop based on your choices.
The exciting part is that new protagonists inherit abilities from their predecessors, so you’re not starting from scratch. This is known as the Inheritance System, which activates when a playable character dies or there’s a time skip in the story.
The fun of the Inheritance System lies in the freedom it provides to customize your party and keep you on your toes. While there are presets for what characters can do, you have the flexibility to shape them however you want.
For example, Gerard starts as a light and fire magic user focusing on lightswords, but you can also mold him into an archer or another class. When he dies, you can switch up your playstyle based on the character class you choose next.
You're not locked into a single option or bloodline when selecting the next leader; any playable character can become an emperor and inherit their predecessor's skills. This level of choice adds immense variety, making each playthrough distinct from the others.
Complex but Very Rewarding Combat
The game's turn-based combat has seen significant improvements from the original. It features a timeline system inspired by more recent SaGa titles, along with the unique “Glimmers” and “Formations” systems. The glimmer system allows characters to automatically learn new techniques during battles.
When you use an ability marked with a lightbulb icon, it can trigger a ‘glimmer,’ unlocking an entirely new technique that you can use at any time. Players can consult the glimmer chart to see which techniques are available for each character class, with different affinities displayed. Learnable skills are marked with a question mark icon, while those unattainable for that class are indicated differently, adding variety to playstyles.
Formations also play a crucial role in combat. Before each battle, you can arrange your fighters into different formations to grant them advantageous effects and status boosts. Each formation provides unique benefits, and new ones can be learned based on the class of the character who becomes the Emperor.
In terms of weaponry, the game offers eight different types, including swords, greatswords, shortswords, spears, axes, clubs, and martial arts, allowing each party member to wield up to two weapons. Using spells or targeting an enemy's weakness fills the overdrive gauge, and when it's maxed out, you can unleash a powerful United Attack.
Although this may seem overwhelming, the game excels at teaching you the mechanics, and its visuals and UI have undergone quality-of-life improvements that enhance gameplay flow. You can auto-equip armor and weapons for new party members, and when you die, the process is far less tedious than in the original. The game provides explanations of abilities and highlights enemy weaknesses based on prior encounters, preventing confusion.
While it streamlines gameplay to make it more accessible for newcomers, it doesn't compromise on difficulty. Enemies can be quite tough, and a well-thought-out formation is essential. Simply attacking won’t suffice, as permadeath is a factor; if a character runs out of life points, they are gone for good. Should your entire party fall, you'll need to choose a new Emperor.
Your choices in combat carry significant weight, and one misstep can be fatal, making the combat feel engaging and tightly knit. There’s a high level of customization for your party composition, which extends to the impressive freeform scenario system. Your choices significantly impact how the story unfolds. For instance, the order in which you visit locations and the actions you take can alter the narrative path. I recall an early quest where you have the option to save a cat burglar.
If you choose to rescue her, you’ll embark on a quest in the sewers to defeat enemies, and she’ll subsequently join your party. However, if you decide not to save her, she won't be available to assist you.
It genuinely feels like your dialogue choices shape the future, and even the smallest actions can lead to significant consequences. At one point, I discovered that I could prevent a civil war from breaking out by making the right decisions to avert the crisis. Many quests offer multiple approaches, such as taking a diplomatic route to negotiate with enemies, charging in to attack those who refuse to kneel to the emperor, or opting for a stealthy approach through the sewers.
I love that there are so many ways to tackle your tasks. The expansive world encourages exploration, allowing you to approach quests and the main storyline however you choose while working to unite the land under your banner. While there are some graphical elements that feel outdated, the game’s art direction is genuinely beautiful. I particularly enjoy the 3D remakes of characters like Gerard, Therese, and Cat—they look fantastic! Everything you do feels important and connected to your journey, with plenty of opportunities to explore and develop your city for new weapons and spells. It truly feels like the world is your oyster, and the adventure is uniquely yours.
Is Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Worth It?
Tis The Perfect Entry Point!
Now is the perfect time to dive into the franchise, as Revenge of the Seven serves as an excellent entry point. At $50, it's a solid value for what you're getting. This remake shines even in a year packed with incredible JRPGs and offers something both longtime fans and newcomers can enjoy. I truly hope it performs well, as this could set a promising trajectory for the series moving forward.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam |
PlayStation |
Switch |
|||
| Price | $49.99 | ||||
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven FAQ
Do You Have to Play the First Romancing SaGa to Play this Game?
No, this game is entirely stand-alone and you don’t have to play any of the games to understand the story or gameplay.
What are Some of the Different Classes in Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?
⚫︎ Nomad
⚫︎ Crusader
⚫︎ Martial Artist
⚫︎ Corsair
⚫︎ Saigo Clansman
⚫︎ Salamander
⚫︎ Amazon
⚫︎ Desert Guard
⚫︎ Imperial Guard
⚫︎ Iris
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Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Product Information
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| Title | ROMANCING SAGA 2: REVENGE OF THE SEVEN |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 24, 2024 |
| Developer | Square Enix, xeen Inc. |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Supported Platforms | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC (Steam) |
| Genre | Role-playing, Action, Adventure |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | RP |
| Official Website | Romancing SaGa 2 : Revenge of the Seven Website |
