Romancing Saga Review

Visuals 7/10
Gameplay 6/10
Control 8/10
Sound 9/10
Replay Value  9/10
Impact Rating 7/10
Overall Rating 68/100

Romancing Saga is a remake of the never release in North America SNES title of the same name.  The game is a free form RPG which allows you to select one of eight characters.  The end result is a very open and very customizable adventure.

The first thing you will have to do is select a character to play as.  This can be quite a decision as the characters are diverse not only in their stats but also in their characteristics such as starting classes, and their backgrounds (which range from knights to Vikings).  Not to worry though, as you will encounter the other characters along your adventure and can often even have them join your party, as well as be able to recruit and kick out members of your party at every town.

The game also features a storyline where the choices you make affect future events.  This is achieved mainly through its use of a free game play style.  You are never tied down to one locale, there are many to explore, and similar to what you would find in an MMORPG, you are given small quests which you can embark on for rewards and to advance elements of the story.

The game does a lot of things right and in interesting ways.  As mentioned, there is a lot of choice in terms of character interaction, but the battle system is where the game has a lot of innovation.  Rather than the tried and true RPG battles in which you have a set amount of HP and carry that HP forward battle after battle, this game gives you a set amount of HP per battle.  Once you have completed the battle, you HP will be completely regenerated.  Should a character die, they will lose a life point, and will return at the end of battle should your party not be eradicated.  Once all their LP are gone, the character leaves your party.

One of the nicest attributes of battle is the ability for enemies to “chain”.  When a group of enemies surround you, sometimes they will chain together.  What this means to you is that you will face a host of enemies, and once clear of them instead of leaving battle and replenishing your HP you will have to fight the next set of enemies with your HP depleted and carry forth like this until the enemies are all vanquished.  Considering that most battles already cause you to get quite drained, this adds a lot more strategy to the battle you are currently in.

Special attacks and magic are handled similarly to most other games using what this game calls BP.  The only exception is that each turn your characters will all regenerate BP based upon their traits.  Finally, the battle system doesn’t have an experience system but rather through battle your attributes will increase such as HP and Charisma.

The preparation for battle is quite an undertaking as well.  You have the ability to equip multiple weapons to your character which gives you greater flexibility but will also increase your weight.  Weapons also have a set amount of DP which is used when performing special attacks and even with regular attacks at times.  Once the DP is depleted the weapon cannot be used until you rest at an inn.  You also have the ability to customize your characters weapons which will enhance various traits for your character.  Toss in the ability to choose from a wide array of classes and proficiencies which are special traits to be used in the field and you have a very in depth management style RPG.

All of this sounds good, but for all the great elements of this game there are some very large issues.  As stated, the game offers a free game play experience.  What this means to you is that you will often be left wondering what to do next, accomplishing menial tasks hoping to progress the story, talking to every person in every town in the hopes that you will find your next story path.  Another large issue comes in the form of proficiencies.  Often times you will require a proficiency when performing a quest and only once halfway through do you discover that you need this proficiency.  Typically this could be resolved by keeping a wide array of proficiencies on you, but the game will only allow you to switch proficiencies in town.

Another of the issues comes in the form of combat.  Firstly, the enemies on the map are far too aggressive so you can pretty much forget trying to avoid them 99% of the time.  Also within the battle system is an ability called a glimmer.  This ability is how you gain your special abilities and randomly occurs while in battle.  That’s the issue with it, you have no control over earning your special moves, you merely continue using the same style of weapon be it axe or sword in the hopes of unleashing a new special.  Fortunately these glimmers don’t appear to be too rare of an occurrence, but a little control over your specials would have gone a long way.

Graphically the game is a mixed bag.  It features a graphical style which is quite super deformed but not quite realistic, leaving something in between not quite like anything ever seen before.  This style is all a matter of preference but I personally would have preferred either end of the spectrum rather than what was displayed here.  Battle animations are fairly solid, and particle effects are nicely drawn, and aside from a few animation quirks, the graphical engine is fairly solid.

The sound in the game is one area where the game truly shines.  The towns themes and battle themes are all very well composed pieces that put you right into the moment like any RPG should.  Featuring a victory theme that almost rivals that of the FF series, you get a sense that the music was in great hands.

Romancing Saga is an interesting game because it has a lot of strengths.  The battle system is incredibly fresh compared to the typical turn based RPG fare, and the management aspects are very enjoyable.  You even have to purchase items from three separate vendors increasing your relationship with them in turn unlocking new weapons and items for purchase.  Sadly, a story style which is far too open for its own good, and the inability to switch out proficiencies in the world map cause what could have been a great game to become an adequate one.  Here’s to hoping the next entry in the series offers the same fresh battle system, with a slightly more linear story.

BEST FEATURE – Very fresh battle system with tons of customizability

Paul Nunes, Gaming-Media Staff