Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Interview With Game Producer Shinichi Tatsuke and Steam Deck Hands-On Preview

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven – A Remake Worthy of the Name: Interview & Steam Deck Impressions

Many longtime gamers discovered the SaGa series through earlier console generations. For me, the iOS version of Romancing SaGa 2 was my introduction almost a decade ago. Initially, I struggled, approaching it like a typical JRPG. Now, I'm a devoted SaGa fan (as evidenced by the photo below!), and I was thrilled by the recent announcement of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a complete remake for Switch, PC, and PlayStation.

For this review, I played the early access demo on Steam Deck and interviewed Shinichi Tatsuke, the game's producer (also behind the Trials of Mana remake). We discussed Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, lessons learned from Trials of Mana, accessibility, potential Xbox and mobile ports, coffee, and more. The interview, conducted via video call, has been transcribed and edited for clarity.

TouchArcade (TA): Having remade the beloved Trials of Mana, and now Romancing SaGa 2, both classic Squaresoft titles (pre-Square Enix merger), how does it feel?

Shinichi Tatsuke (ST): It's an incredible honor. Both games are legendary, and remaking them, nearly 30 years after their original release, presented a fantastic opportunity for improvement. Romancing SaGa 2 is unique, with systems that remain innovative today. Its uniqueness made it a compelling title for a remake.

TA: The original Romancing SaGa 2 was notoriously challenging. I recall a game over within ten minutes! The remake offers multiple difficulty settings. How did you balance staying true to the original while enhancing accessibility for newcomers, especially given the modern graphics?

ST: The SaGa series has dedicated fans who appreciate its difficulty. However, many are intimidated by this, preventing them from experiencing the series. We aimed to please both groups. The normal mode caters to standard RPG players, while the casual mode allows players to focus on the narrative. It's like adding honey to spicy curry – the original is intensely challenging, but the casual mode softens the difficulty.

TA: How did you balance the original experience for veterans with quality-of-life improvements? How did you choose which features to modernize while maintaining the challenge?

ST: SaGa's challenge isn't just about difficulty; it's also about its obscurity. The original hid crucial information, like enemy weaknesses and defenses. We felt this was unfair, so in the remake, weaknesses are clearly displayed. We addressed other overly difficult aspects to create a fairer, more enjoyable experience for modern players.

TA: Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven runs exceptionally well on Steam Deck. Considering your work on Trials of Mana across multiple platforms, was the game specifically optimized for the Steam Deck?

ST: Yes, the full game will be compatible and playable on the Steam Deck.

TA: What lessons from the Trials of Mana remake informed the development of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven?

ST: Trials of Mana taught us what players want in a remake. For example, players generally prefer soundtracks faithful to the originals, but with enhanced quality. We included the option to switch between original and remastered soundtracks, a feature well-received in Trials of Mana. We also adjusted the graphics, making characters taller and using lighting effects instead of textures for shadows to better suit SaGa's more serious tone.

TA: Will Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven come to mobile or Xbox?

ST: There are currently no plans for those platforms.

TA: Finally, what's your coffee preference?

ST: I don't drink coffee; I dislike bitter drinks.

(Editor's Note: The interviewer expressed gratitude for the "Romancing SaGa 2 Primer" video.)

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Steam Deck Impressions

Receiving a Steam key for the early access demo filled me with excitement and apprehension. The trailer looked stunning, but I worried about the Steam Deck experience. My concerns were unfounded; the game is fantastic on the Steam Deck OLED. The few hours I spent with the demo made me reconsider getting it on PS5 or Switch.

The game looks and sounds amazing on the Steam Deck. The remake gradually introduces core mechanics. Returning players will appreciate quality-of-life improvements and the new audio options. For newcomers, it's an excellent entry point. The visuals enhance accessibility, yet it retains the essence of Romancing SaGa 2. Even on the hardest difficulty, the challenge remains.

The visuals exceeded my expectations; I believe it surpasses the Trials of Mana remake (though my fondness for the original SaGa 2 might influence that). The Steam Deck PC port is surprisingly well-optimized. The extensive graphical and audio settings allow for customization; I achieved near 90fps at 720p with mostly high settings.

I initially played with English voice acting, which was good. I plan to try the Japanese audio later. The care taken to modernize the game while preserving its SaGa identity is evident.

I eagerly await the full release and plan to compare the console and Steam Deck experiences. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a must-play for RPG fans. I hope this encourages more people to explore the SaGa series. Square Enix, please give us SaGa Frontier 2 next!

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven launches October 24th on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PS4. A free demo is available on all platforms.