Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge Of The Seven is a ground-up remake and standalone story will feature modern visuals, reworked strategic gameplay and various other enhancements that will delight longtime SaGa fans and newcomers alike.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is an expansive new RPG that spans generations. You don’t just play as one protagonist - you follow a lineage of emperors in their ongoing battle against the Seven Heroes of ancient myth.

The game is a remake of 1993’s Romancing SaGa 2. Originally released solely in Japan for the Super Famicon, it eventually came to the West through a remastered edition in 2017. This new version is a full remake of that original game - it retains the elements that make it so acclaimed, such as the lineage system, but updates and reimagines things to make the game feel fresh and modern.

For example, the once 2D pixel art world has been fully reimagined in with 3D graphics, the battle system has been completely reworked and features such as new difficulty options have been added to make the game more fun and accessible. It’s also available with English and Japanese voiceover, and French, German and Spanish subtitles.

It is an age of unending war. Terrifying fiends plague the land and various nations struggle to contend with both this incursion and their own internal conflicts. The people wait in hope for the fulfillment of an ancient legend: the return of seven great heroes who once rose to save their ravaged kingdoms.

One fated day, Avalon, the capital of the Varennes Empire, sis suddenly attacked. The people are crushed underfoot and Prince Victor, the brave and noble heir to the throne, is brutally slain. The aggressor is none other than Kzinssie - one of the seven heroes of legend!

While the people weep in despair that the legends were false, Emperor Leon swears his vengeance on the Seven and their mighty powers. He uses the fabled ‘inheritance magic’ bestowed by a seeress to pass his powers onto his surviving son, Gerard, trading his own life for a chance to strike back.

Thus begins an epoch-spanning struggle between the imperial line of Varennes and the Seven Heroes.

The story of the game spans many generations, with the power of the Emperor passing on to new emperors throughout the ages. There are more than 30 different character classes in the game, covering a wide range of races and professions. Each class has its own unique characteristics, with different proficiencies for weapons and spells.

Character Classes

• Regulus (Freelance Mage): A mage researching the mystical arts at the Incantations Lab. He possesses great magical power and is particularly adept at hydrology and terrology.
• Rose ( Freelance Mage): A mage researching the mystical arts at the Incantations Lab. She boasts great expertise in wielding pyrologyand terrologyspells.
• Shiyuan (Strategist): Only the finest among the Imperial University’s already illustrious body of students are trusted to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Emperor as Strategists. Shiyuanis a gifted strategist and is proficient in the use of magic. He has some serious misgivings about the ancient magical art of umbrology.
• Jubei (Levante Guard): The Levante Guard is made up of warriors from the East, swearing fealty to the Emperor and serving to protect the Empire. Jubeiis well versed in a unique style of swordplay that has been passed down through the generations in the Kingdom of Yauda.
• Natalie (Diver): Natalie is a fisherwoman from Toba on the Western coast of the South LongitSea. Her work helps to support the economy of her hometown.
• Siero (Mole): Sierois a member of a race of mole-like creatures that live beneath the Savannah. He is a skilled craftsmolewho is able tocreate all manner of items and objects. The Moles have been pushed to the brink of extinction by the termites.
• Thetis (Nereid): A mermaid living in Lake Aqua in the LudonHighlands. Thetis hates how dirty the waters of the lake are, and she generally avoids the people on the land. The Nereids are thought to be a separate species from the mermaids of Atlanticus.

Combat

Learning New Techniques via the Glimmer System

Players can check which character classes can learn what techniques through the glimmer chart. Different character classes have different affinities for learning techniques. Any techniques that have not yet been learned appear as a string of question marks, while any techniques that cannot be learned due to the character class being unable to wield it are marked with an icon struck through with a diagonal line.

New Spells and Formations

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven introduces brand new spells and formations that were not present in the original game. Some examples include:

Spells

• Water Blast: Hydrology spell. Hurl a blast of water at a foe. Can be upgraded to Water Blast II, which attacks multiple enemies in a straight line and lowers their physical defence.
• Pulverize: Terrology spell. Manifest a floating boulder and slam it into a foe.

Formations

• Fanged Assault: Can be learned when a Mercenary is appointed Emperor. The foremost unit has increased physical attack power, but they also become easier for enemies to target.
• Volcanic Heart: Can be learned when a Salamander is appointed Emperor. All units get a significant boost in both offensive power with and magic defence against pyrology spells.

Systems

Development: Incantations Lab

Spells that have been learned via the glimmer system will be registered in the Incantations Lab, where they can then be taught to other characters with a high enough level in the appropriate spell school (element).Players can also develop powerful “synthesized” spells—spells that combine two different elements—by finding Old Books hidden in dungeons and the overworld.

Development: Imperial University

The Imperial University allows players to take imperial exams, testing their knowledge in a variety of different subjects. Passing these exams can reward crafting materials and crowns (in-universe currency).Players can also visit the Imperial University’s Odeum to listen to both the original and updated arrangements of the game’s soundtrack.

Development: Avalon Gardens

Once developed, the Avalon Gardens will encourage more tourism of the capital, increasing imperial revenue (signified by the amountof crowns obtained from winning encounters).
The gardens will grow more lushas more battles are won, increasing the amount of revenue as they do.

Imperial Standing

This feature allows players to check the Empire’s overall weapon and spell school levels. Overall standing will increase as long as weapons and spells are used in battle and their levels are raised. As the Empire’s overall standing increases, the base level and strength of new retinue members recruitable from taverns also increases. The Imperial Standing screen also displays enemy strength, current imperial revenue, and overall battle records.

The Imperial Chronicles

The Imperial Chronicles allow players to see a record of all that they have done in the story thus far, as well as next possible objectives (i.e.current and completed quests). Selecting a quest that is currently in progress will mark it on the world map and in the field, guiding the player where to go next.

Mr. S Finder

Mr. S is a familiar face to any SaGafan, and he has a habit of turning up in all kinds of odd places all over the world, from towns to dungeons. Each time Mr. S is isfound, he rewards the player with a sticker. Collecting stickers unlocks all sorts of benefits, such as increasing the amount of revenuegained after each victorious encounter, decreasing the amount of time it takes to build new facilities, or revealing the location of undiscovered treasure chests.

Free-Form Scenario

Free-form Scenario: The Sunken Ship

One day, the small port town of Tobain South Longitis struck by a fierce storm that shows no sign of letting up. The storm has left the locals unable to fish. A diver from the town informs the Emperor that a pirate by the name of Garonwas shipwrecked somewhere in the middle of the South LongitSea after being attacked by Narwhal, Ruler of the Seas. Garonstill haunts the region, and his ghost is suspected to be the cause of the storm.

If the player makes peace with Narwhal after she destroyed one of the Empire’s bridges, a messenger from the mermaids will give the player the mermaid potion. Using the mermaid potion allows the player to reach the sunken shipwreck. Garon, the ghostly pirate who summoned the storm, waits for the retinue in its depths.

If the player seeks out the witch, they will need to go on a quest which requires getting help from a variety of different races and then handing over the necessary materials. Once done, the witch will reward the player with the potion. Using the mermaid potion allows the player to reach the sunken shipwreck.
Garon, the ghostly pirate who summoned the storm, waits for the retinue in its depths.

The story of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven spans many eras, with new emperors taking up the fight throughout the ages. As for who those new leaders are… that’s up to you. The Inheritance System lets you select the next Emperor and pass down the powers of the previous generation to them. Inheritance takes place when the current emperor is reduced to zero LP (life points), when the party is wiped out, when time moves on to the next era, or when the current ruler abdicates.

You can make one emperor abdicate and move onto the next ruler in the imperial line at a time of your choosing. However, you can’t have two emperors abdicate in a row. You’re not stuck with a single option or bloodline when choosing the next leader. Any playable character can become an emperor and inherit the skills of their predecessor.

Turn-based battles have evolved to a timeline system in Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, where (as the name implies) the turn order for every ally and enemy is shown on a timeline. When a character’s turn comes around, they can act immediately.

You’ll fight all kinds of dangerous foes in the game. Enemies are weak against certain weapons and spells and choosing attacks to exploit these vulnerabilities can give you a real edge in combat. Of course, your foes will hit back. All characters have Life Points (LP), in addition to the RPG staples of HP and MP. If a character is incapacitated, their Life Points (LP) will reduce. If that value reaches zero, that character will die.

There are eight weapon types to wield in the game, and each opens up different abilities. You can fight with swords, greatswords, shortswords, spears, axes, clubs, and martial arts. Mages can also use six magical disciplines, each with unique characteristics. You can try to master pyrology, hydrology, aerology, terrology, cosmology and umbrology.

In Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, you learn new skills through in the heat of battle - a process known as ‘glimmering.’

If you use an ability with a lightbulb icon next to it, it can sometimes trigger a ‘glimmer’ and activate an entirely new technique. You’ll then be able to use this new ability whenever you like. The icon means you’ll be able to see which skills can spark new techniques and work them into your battle strategy accordingly! It’s easier to learn new skills when facing powerful foes, so bear that in mind too!

You also have a chance to evade enemy attacks and avoid damage completely. An ability that has been evaded once can be automatically evaded in the future!

Whenever you use a spell or target an enemy’s weakness, the overdrive gauge will fill. Once it’s at maximum capacity, you can unleash a powerful United Attack!

Before a battle, you can arrange your fighters into formations to enhance them with advantageous effects and status boosts. Different formations offer different benefits and new ones can be learned depending on the class of the character who becomes the Emperor.

The Free-form Scenario system offers a vast array of story experiences in response to your choices, and with the Imperial Succession system, you can select your main character from many playable protagonists to cultivate and expand your legacy, passing down powers, skills, and secrets to the next generation.

The world of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is comprised of many different regions. Your goal: unite all the lands under your banner as the Emperor of Varennes! Each region is beset by its own problems and solving these crises allows you to win over the local forces and bring them under your influence. You’re free to visit regions in any order you please - and as mentioned, the story can play out very differently depending on the order chosen.

There are three difficulty levels in Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, making it accessible for SaGa newcomers and the most experienced of fans alike.

• ‘Casual’ is an easier and more accessible option. It’s perfect for newcomers to the SaGa franchise or RPG genre.
• ‘Normal’ is for players who are familiar with RPGs.
• ‘Hard (classic)’ offers more of a challenge, based on the difficulty of the original Romancing SaGa 2.

If you know anything about the SaGa franchise, you’ll know that the games have some of the best soundtracks out there. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is no exception. The game features a new, fully rearranged soundtrack as well as newly composed tracks for this version of the game by the original composer Kenji Ito. But if you’re feeling nostalgic for that classic 16-bit sound, you can also switch to the original score from the options menu.

In anticipation of the game’s release this fall, pre-orders are available today across PS4, PS5 and PC (Steam), followed by Nintendo Switch version at a later date.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge Of The Seven is coming to Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5 and PC (Steam) on Oct. 24, 2024.