Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Platform: Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Android, iOS
Tested on: Switch
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered – Review
It was only a matter of time before SaGa Frontier 2 would join Square Enix’s illustrious lineup of ports, remakes, and remasters of the SaGa franchise. It’s something we can only applaud, as historically, the SaGa games have always stood in the shadow of their much more prolific sibling, Final Fantasy. SaGa Frontier 2 debuted on the PS1 in 2000, but it was a niche title back then, and it went under a lot of people’s radars. This re-release provides an opportunity to check out what you may have missed out on. Before you take the plunge, read on, as SaGa Frontier 2 may not be exactly what you’d expect.
Story
Like its predecessor, SaGa Frontier 2 goes for a multi-pronged approach to its story. This time around, there are two interweaving tales to be told. These are presented in the form of a history book, allowing you to pick individual chapters at your own pace. You can even skip ahead or revisit prior events in this way. The first of our protagonists is Gustave, a young prince. As a teenager, he is banished from the kingdom alongside his mother, after the king discovers that Gustave doesn’t possess a magical power known as Anima. Gustave’s story is a rags-to-riches story following the prince-in-exile’s rise to power through his strength and cunning, instead of relying on magic. Our other hero, Wil, starts out as an ambitious young Digger, a treasure hunter of sorts. His story revolves around an artefact that he finds on one of his quests. This mysterious item is the seeming source of several tragedies. The stories span multiple decades in the lives of our heroes, and it isn’t until quite late in the game that the connections between everything become clear. We won’t spoil it, but we can tell you that the payoff is satisfying and that there is quite the emotional impact to seeing it all come together.
Graphics
We were initially under the impression that SaGa Frontier 2’s striking visual style was new to the remastered version. However, the visual design that juxtaposes pixel art characters against hand-painted watercolor backgrounds was part of the original game. The resolution has been increased, of course, and the colors pop a little more, but by and large, SaGa Frontier 2’s visuals stay very true to the original version. This means that the game’s performance is more than adequate. We wouldn’t have expected anything less from a 25-year-old game.
Sound
Unlike some of the other Square Enix remakes and remasters, SaGa Frontier 2 didn’t get a fancy new version of its soundtrack. As far as we can tell, the audio, including sound effects and music, is identical to that of the original game. We’re on the fence, as this does mean that SaGa Frontier 2’s soundscape sounds dated as a whole, even if composer Masashi Hamauzu’s tunes haven’t lost any of their appeal.
Gameplay
At first glance, SaGa Frontier 2 might look like your run-of-the-mill JRPG, but looks can be deceiving. The non-linear approach of SaGa Frontier 2 is something that isn’t just part of the storytelling, but it bleeds through into the game’s mechanics as well. There are still a lot of familiar JRPG elements present, but there are also some key differences, in particular when it comes to combat and managing your adventuring party. One major caveat here is that it can be very difficult to find your footing. SaGa Frontier 2 hails from a time when games came with manuals, but one isn’t included here, not even in digital form. Without a manual or an in-game explanation, some of the mechanics become needlessly obtuse. There is a host of QoL features added here, but the fact that a simple manual is omitted feels like an oversight. Fortunately, there are a plethora of online guides that explain the ins and outs of the game.
How well party members perform in SaGa Frontier 2’s turn-based combat isn’t tied to their level or experience points, but instead to the gear that they carry. Weapons can be leveled up, which adds a wholly unique mechanic, as you can swap these between different party members and even between the two different storylines. That last one wasn’t possible in the original version of the game. Luckily, thanks to the new Parameter Inheritance mechanic, you won’t need to manage the two parties’ stats individually, making the game less reliant on grinding. Managing your party’s equipment is key to victory, as the different attributes of weapons tie into each character’s individual arts and skills. Using those skills requires spending MP, SP, or LP. The right weapon can restore those precious points, essentially making the use of the skill “free.” The downside of this approach is that you’re locking yourself into specific strategies. If you hit a proverbial wall against a boss, you can’t just readjust your approach on the fly. Add to this that enemy level scaling is still resolved separately between storylines, and you’ve got a game that can feel brutally punishing at times. We mean that in the best way possible, as overcoming the odds is incredibly satisfying.
The QoL changes that are new to the remaster mitigate some of SaGa Frontier 2’s more frustrating elements. There’s that aforementioned Parameter Inheritance, of course. Other changes are in line with similar Square Enix releases, like speeding up the game and the addition of a quick-save feature. There are new side stories that flesh out the 30-ish hour main story, and completionists can give a previously Japan-only minigame a go, thanks to an emulated PocketStation. If you’re a purist, you can turn all the fancy new features off too, enabling you to enjoy the game as close to the original as it gets. As a whole, this is without a doubt the definitive edition of SaGa Frontier 2, and it’s well worth the €29.99 price tag.
Conclusion
For its time, SaGa Frontier 2 was revolutionary, and even now, it holds up. The game may not have anything new to offer by today’s standards, but compared to contemporary JRPGs, it provides a breath of fresh air. The one thing missing from the game is a digital manual. It’s likely you’ll have to resort to a guide in order to understand everything about what makes the game tick. If that’s a hurdle you can overcome, you’ve got a treat waiting for you.
No Comments