Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 170 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • grinding
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Game Cover
Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven remakes an overlooked gem into a modern-looking feast for old-school JRPG fans, though some wrinkles still show.
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In "Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven," players embark on a journey to save their empire from impending doom, as the legendary Seven Heroes return after thousands of years. This full remake of the 1993 RPG features non-linear gameplay, Japanese and English voiceovers, and newly arranged compositions. Carry over your demo save data and immerse yourself in an exciting adventure suitable for newcomers and franchise fans alike.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 170 reviews
story18 positive mentions
grinding17 negative mentions
  • The game features interesting and different systems for a JRPG, including a unique inheritance mechanic that allows skills to be passed down through generations.
  • The remake is more accessible for newcomers, with quality of life improvements such as clearer mechanics, quest markers, and a more forgiving difficulty curve.
  • Combat is engaging and strategic, with a variety of character classes and skills that encourage experimentation and thoughtful planning.
  • The game suffers from a steep learning curve, which may be overwhelming for new players, especially with its permadeath mechanics and enemy scaling.
  • Some players find the combat repetitive and feel that the level scaling system can lead to frustrating difficulty spikes, making it hard to progress.
  • The story is considered minimal and lacks depth, which may disappoint those looking for a rich narrative experience in their JRPGs.
  • story79 mentions

    The game's story is generally considered minimal and linear, primarily serving as a framework for combat and gameplay mechanics rather than a deep narrative experience. While some players appreciate the unique non-linear quest structure and the ability to shape the story through choices, many feel that the writing is underdeveloped and lacks character depth. Overall, it appeals more to fans of JRPG mechanics than those seeking a rich, engaging storyline.

    • “The story is pretty interesting and, from the sounds of it, expanded from the originals.”
    • “The story is epic.”
    • “Because of that freedom in the choice of how you play the game, it makes every playthrough special as your decisions shape the world in a branching storyline.”
    • “The story itself is still... basically non-existent.”
    • “This is a game for JRPG mechanics lovers, not JRPG story lovers.”
    • “By that I mean, the story is relatively barebones, there's a ton of combat (probably around 80% of the game), and the characters are all (mostly) without personality and just randomly generated.”
  • gameplay67 mentions

    The gameplay of this title is characterized by its unique mechanics, such as the generations system and formations, which encourage strategic thinking and planning in battles. While it retains many classic JRPG elements, some players feel that certain longstanding mechanics have been altered or removed, leading to a mix of accessibility and frustration. Overall, the game offers a challenging yet engaging experience, particularly for fans of the genre, with a focus on gameplay over narrative.

    • “The world is beautiful, the leveling system is unique, and RPG mechanics are addicting.”
    • “Gameplay itself is fun and challenging (on hard), but not frustrating.”
    • “Romancing Saga 2 offers a refreshingly unique experience, blending gameplay-focused mechanics with an unusual story progression that keeps things unpredictable.”
    • “I've always had some pretty mixed feelings about saga games since they tend to punish you for doing the one thing their mechanics seem primed to allow you to do: relentlessly grind.”
    • “Not only did the game not receive any sort of mechanical update, the people at Xeen arbitrarily changed longstanding mechanics of the series in favor of turning this game into Octopath Traveler with some vestigial saga mechanics that have also been greatly tampered with.”
    • “The game is stressful and unfun in all the worst ways, and the choices you have in your direct combat gameplay are boring as hell.”
  • grinding18 mentions

    Reviews highlight a mixed approach to grinding in the game, with some praising its design that discourages mindless grinding by scaling enemy difficulty, while others criticize the excessive requirements for skill and class progression that lead to tedious grinding. Players appreciate the balance that allows for strategic gameplay without grinding, but many feel that the removal of unique class mechanics and the introduction of generic elements detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while grinding can be necessary for progression, the game offers alternatives that can make it less of a chore if approached thoughtfully.

    • “The game is so well designed that even on hard mode you can beat the whole thing with no grinding and by just using the correct equipment, spells, evasions, and skills.”
    • “Legitimately, 90% of the saga games I've played try to counter the player grinding by just ramping up the enemy difficulty for every few battles you do.”
    • “What happens when you grind is that you functionally strengthen monsters; without acquiring new equipment to help enhance your team's attributes, excessive grinding can leave you at a severe disadvantage.”
    • “Battle system seems interesting, but the way you level up your skills is way too grindy for me.”
  • music17 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and nostalgic appeal, particularly Kenji Ito's remastered soundtrack, which enhances the overall experience. However, some reviewers noted a lack of variety in the original compositions, with certain battle themes being reused unnecessarily. Overall, while the soundtrack is celebrated for its catchy tunes and fitting atmosphere, there is a desire for more unique tracks to accompany different gameplay scenarios.

    • “The music is fantastic and the gameplay is snappy and fun.”
    • “The music is amazing, I haven't changed it off of the remake soundtrack and everything sounds perfect for the original!”
    • “Smooth gameplay, excellent combat, great story, soundtrack is incredible.”
    • “Kenji Ito being the only returning member of the original staff has delivered a fantastic OST, but outside of two new tracks for the Dread Queen fight, the OST leaves something to be desired. The game needed more content in that area, especially since normal bosses still reuse Kujinshi's battle theme for no good reason. Minstrel Song and the DS remakes got this right; this game did not.”
    • “Like the original, there's a low amount of unique music for areas.”
    • “If you fight a boss, I recommend playing 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End OST' with 4K background as background music.”
  • graphics13 mentions

    The graphics of the game are a blend of nostalgic 90s aesthetics and modern visuals, with some reviewers praising the breathtaking art direction and character designs. While the visuals may not be cutting-edge, they effectively evoke the charm of old-school JRPGs, appealing to genre fans despite some dated animations that could deter newcomers. Overall, the graphics are considered serviceable, with a subjective appreciation for the unique art style.

    • “The voice acting is top notch and the graphics are just breathtaking.”
    • “The music is catchy, the 90s aesthetic is upheld even with the 3D graphics, and the character designs are beautifully retro.”
    • “Peak JRPG story, character development, excellent graphics and inheritance system.”
    • “If you're feeling nostalgic for PS2 era JRPGs, this game takes its roots not just in the designs but down to the graphics and animations, which are unfortunately very dated. This may not be an issue for fans of the genre, but it will obviously drive away potential newcomers.”
    • “I would personally have liked a less generic art direction that's more in line with Tomomi Kobayashi's art style, but it's serviceable.”
    • “It does a lot of things that are unique, but the devs (mostly Kawazu) always had this knack of going 'how about we take everything from a graphical to gameplay standpoint, and make it weird.'”
  • character development7 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and impact, with player choices significantly influencing the world and character progression. The customization options for party members enhance the experience, allowing for varied gameplay despite functional similarities among characters. Additionally, the retro-inspired character designs and engaging music contribute to a nostalgic yet fresh atmosphere, complementing the overall narrative and gameplay.

    • “I've liked everything this game offers so far. Combat is fantastic for someone addicted to turn-based combat like me. I love the character design, the areas, and how different they can be from each other, as well as the details in the towns. The game is not next-gen or anything, but it looks and runs great. I like how hard the game can be on classic difficulty, and I really appreciate how your choices matter and how they change the world around you or give you a new class if you do it right. I also love the customization available for your party with formations, equipment, techs, spells, and abilities.”
    • “Plus, even though functionally the characters are similar, it felt interesting to defeat the many bosses with different protagonists who had subtly different feels because of character design.”
    • “Peak JRPG story, character development, excellent graphics, and inheritance system.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “While the game offers a variety of characters, their development feels predictable and uninspired, leaving little room for growth.”
    • “The characters seem to follow a formulaic path, which detracts from the overall experience and makes their journeys feel less impactful.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game is well-optimized for low-end hardware, delivering polished performance and fluidity. While the localization faced challenges, the voice cast's dedication and the game's quality-of-life improvements enhance the overall experience. The transition from 2D to detailed 3D models is also well-executed, contributing to its strong optimization.

    • “The game is well optimized for low-end hardware.”
    • “In all honesty, I love the changes. The revamped quality of life features, the detailed 3D models transitioned well from their 2D counterparts, and the polished fluidity of everything contribute to an optimized performance. Kenji Ito's masterful music composition shines in all its glory, with the option to switch between remake or original audio.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Replayability is largely dependent on player choices and the sequence in which heroes are approached, allowing for varied experiences in each playthrough.

    • “The replayability is up to the player, as playthroughs can be quite different based on choices and the order the heroes are tackled.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game appears to prioritize attracting a broader audience over catering to its original fanbase, leading to feelings of alienation among long-time fans. This shift, likened to the approach taken with "Guilty Gear Strive," suggests that increased budget and marketing efforts have been directed towards appealing to newcomers rather than rewarding loyal players.

    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it prioritizes profit over player experience, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, which makes the game feel less like a complete product and more like a cash grab.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall enjoyment, as it feels like the developers are more interested in making money than creating a balanced gaming experience.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly and looks good, with no major stability issues noted. While it may not be next-gen in terms of graphics, players appreciate the performance and the ability to customize settings, such as turning off motion blur. The game’s mechanics and design elements contribute positively to the overall experience without detracting from stability.

    • “The game is not next-gen or anything, but it looks and runs great.”
    • “I really like how your choices matter and how they change the world around you.”
    • “I love the areas and how different they can be from each other, and the details in the towns.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is reminiscent of classic Dragon Quest games, which some players find soothing but others feel may be too dull or sleep-inducing.

    • “It has a Dragon Quest-like atmosphere to it, and that really puts me to sleep.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven

Play time

58hMedian play time
55hAverage play time
50-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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