[TGS24] Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Hands-on: A New Spin on a Classic RPG

We had the opportunity to try a hands-on demo of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven at Tokyo Game Show 2024. Our experience spanned two save files, totaling about 2 hours of gameplay. The first file, “Goblin Invasion,” allowed us to play as Gerard from the game’s opening up to Kzinssie’s mansion. The second file, “Sunken Ship,” was a battle-focused mode culminating in a fight against Subier of the Seven Heroes.

The game employs a Conditional Turn-Based Battle system, where players build a party of 5 characters and place them in chosen formations. While turn-based, the system allows for enemy interruptions based on the Act List. Bosses telegraph powerful incoming attacks, adding a strategic layer to combat. Interestingly, players select the enemy target before choosing their skill, which may take some getting used to for those familiar with traditional turn-based RPGs.

A standout feature is the Glimmering Techniques system. Characters don’t learn skills through leveling, but instead unlock them randomly during battle. Each character has a chance to acquire new skills based on their equipped weapon, with a lightbulb indicator showing the likelihood of skill acquisition. Our playthroughs revealed that skill unlocks are indeed random, potentially allowing for early access to powerful abilities.

The “Sunken Ship” save file showcased mid-game progression with stronger characters and better equipment. It highlighted the importance of exploiting enemy weaknesses, which can be elemental or weapon-based. Players must experiment with different skills to discover these vulnerabilities. The Overdrive system adds another layer of strategy, allowing players to chain 2-3 character skills for a high-damage combo attack. However, this removes the individual character moves from the Act List, requiring careful planning for maximum effectiveness.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven demands thoughtful strategy both in and out of battle. Players must balance combat tactics with the need to acquire as many skills as possible for their characters. The game also boasts impressive character designs and a captivating soundtrack, which enhance the overall experience.

As a remake of the 1993 original, this entry in the SaGa franchise brings the classic RPG into full 3D. It features both Japanese and English voiceovers, rearranged musical compositions, and a blend of classic and new SaGa franchise elements.

Check our Preview Video here:

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Square Enix

Release Date: 2024-10-24

Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam

In this non-linear RPG, rule and expand the Empire of Varennes across multiple generations. Discover a vast array of story experiences as you fight the Seven Heroes in an epic battle that plays out over thousands of years.

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