The SaGa series has a rich history that spans multiple console generations, and for many, it's a journey that began long ago. My own introduction to the series came with Romancing SaGa 2 on iOS nearly a decade ago. Initially, I found it challenging as I approached it like a typical JRPG. However, my appreciation for the series has grown immensely over time, as evidenced by the collection showcased in the photograph below.

In this double feature, I've had the opportunity to explore Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven through an early demo on Steam Deck and to sit down with its game producer, Shinichi Tatsuke, who also led the Trials of Mana remake. Our discussion covered a range of topics from the remake itself, lessons learned from Trials of Mana, accessibility, potential expansions to other platforms, and even Tatsuke's coffee preferences. This interview was conducted via video call and has been transcribed and edited for clarity and brevity.

TouchArcade (TA): How does it feel to have worked on the remake of Trials of Mana and now on Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, both beloved classics?

Shinichi Tatsuke (ST): It's truly an honor to work on remakes of legendary titles from the pre-Square Enix merger era when the company was known as Squaresoft. Both Romancing SaGa 2 and Trials of Mana are over 30 years old, offering us a fantastic opportunity to enhance them for modern audiences. Romancing SaGa 2, in particular, stands out due to its unique systems that remain distinctive even today, making it an exciting project to undertake.

TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously difficult. With multiple difficulty options in the remake, how did you balance staying true to the original while making it more accessible?

ST: The SaGa series is known for its challenging nature, which is a significant draw for its hardcore fans. However, it can also be a barrier for newcomers who feel intimidated by its difficulty. We aimed to cater to both groups by introducing a difficulty system with normal and casual modes. The normal mode is designed for standard RPG fans, while the casual mode allows players to focus on the narrative without the steep challenge. This approach is akin to adding honey to spicy curry to make it more palatable for a broader audience.

TA: How did you incorporate quality of life improvements while maintaining the challenging essence for veteran fans?

ST: The SaGa series isn't just about difficulty; it's also about the complexity of understanding the game. In the original, many elements like enemy weaknesses and stats were hidden, making the game feel unfair. For the remake, we've made these elements visible to ensure a fairer and more enjoyable experience for modern players. We've adjusted areas that were overly difficult in the original to strike a balance between challenge and fairness.

TA: I've been playing the demo on Steam Deck, and it runs impressively well. Was there specific optimization for this platform?

ST: Yes, the full release of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven will be compatible with the Steam Deck, ensuring a playable experience.

TA: Can you share how long the development of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven took?

ST: We began the main development towards the end of 2021, but I can't provide more specific details.

TA: What lessons from the Trials of Mana remake did you apply to Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?

ST: From Trials of Mana, we learned that players appreciate soundtracks that stay true to the original while benefiting from modern technical enhancements. We also found that offering a choice between original and newly arranged tracks was well-received, so we included this feature in Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven. Additionally, we adapted the graphics to suit the SaGa series' more serious tone, using different techniques than those used in the Mana series.

TA: Trials of Mana eventually came to mobile. Are there plans to bring Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven to mobile or Xbox?

ST: Currently, there are no plans to release the game on those platforms.

TA: Finally, how do you like your coffee?

ST: I don't drink coffee as I'm not a fan of bitter drinks. I can't drink beer either.

I'd like to extend my gratitude to Shinichi Tatsuke, Jordan Aslett, Sara Green, and Rachel Mascetti for their time and assistance with this interview and for providing preview access over the past few weeks.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Steam Deck Impressions

When I received a Steam key for the demo of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, I was both excited and apprehensive. The reveal trailer was promising, but I was unsure about its performance on the Steam Deck. Fortunately, the game not only runs smoothly on the Steam Deck OLED but also offers an engaging experience that makes me consider skipping the PS5 and Switch versions altogether.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven looks and sounds fantastic on the Steam Deck. The remake introduces the game's mechanics gradually, making it more accessible for newcomers while retaining the essence of the original. The visuals are more approachable, yet the game remains challenging on the difficulty setting meant to mimic the original.

The remake's visuals and overall feel exceed my expectations. While I enjoyed the Trials of Mana remake, I believe Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven might surpass it, partly due to my fondness for the original. The PC port on Steam Deck is impressive, offering numerous customization options for screen mode, resolution, frame rate, and graphics settings. I achieved a near-locked 90fps at 720p with most settings on high or maximum.

For audio, I opted for English during my initial playthrough, though the voice acting is solid, and I plan to try the Japanese audio as well. The attention to detail in both modernizing the game and preserving its SaGa identity is commendable.

I eagerly anticipate exploring the full game and testing the demo on consoles. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a must-watch for RPG enthusiasts, and I hope it encourages more players to explore other SaGa titles. A SaGa Frontier 2 remake would be a fantastic next step for Square Enix.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is set to launch on October 24th for Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PS4 worldwide. A free demo is available on all platforms today, and I highly recommend giving it a try.

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