Romancing SaGa

Romancing SaGa is summarized a series of computer role-playing games, originally published exclusively for the Super Nintendo in Japan only. This series includes three titles that have no significant similarities other than their common names, and thematically represent the second part of the SaGa series.

Was released in 1992 in Japan, the first part of the series, Romancing SaGa (Japaneseロマンシングサ·ガ) for the Super Nintendo. The game was developed by Square, with Akitoshi Kawazu was responsible as lead developer, as with the rest of SaGa parts. It was 2001, a port of this game for the Wonderswan Color, which had only very minor changes. Romancing SaGa As: Minstrel Song (Japaneseロマンシングサ ガ-ミンストレルソング- ) a content and graphics greatly improved remake for the Playstation 2 was released in 2005, which was published as the first and only part of the series outside of Japan. This remake of the game is less a remake of the game as it is a completely new title. Apart from the complete optical redesign with modern 3D graphics and a complete setting of the dialogues there were extensive changes in content and extensions. Additional quests, new skills, game mechanics from the parts later published, which were subsequently integrated into this game, all of this changed the game completely.

You select one of eight different game characters that differ from each other in both the background and the perception of their world, in addition, you can take additional effect on the initial design and equipment of the character on the choice of parents in this game. Each character starts in a different field and has to meet certain, available only for this figure tasks, but ultimately run all eight storylines to a shared together. During the game, one also applies to some extent to the other, unelected figures who then act as NPC. Aim of the game is, in effect, to collect ten jewels with which the evil god Saruin was banished because the exile with time became weaker and weaker.

The game itself is mostly non-linear and instead it uses the so-called check- Fights (it is in principle simple fights, however, are due to the fighting styles to survive only with certain minimum values ​​) as a measure of which areas are accessible and which are not. In addition, certain quests are only available at certain periods in the game accessible or removable, but this is not always visible to the player. In addition to the main character are normally more NPCs the group temporarily or permanently, with some of them quest depends only stay for certain periods of time, while others are free recruitable. During the game, you move through a considered in the plan view world, which is decorated in tile appearance. Confrontations with opponents take place in a simple side view has a depending on the ambient background. The development of the characters is necessary for the progress in the game and takes place in addition to an increase by collecting experience also has a learning-by -doing system, which is especially necessary for the use of weapons capabilities. Magic exists in this game, in the form of learnable spells that have a limited number of uses before they need to be re-learned. For the turn-based tactical battles simple options such as the choice of installation are possible.

A year after the first part was 2 (Japaneseロマンシングサ·ガ2) the successor in turn published by Square Romancing SaGa 1993 for the Super Nintendo.

Unlike its predecessor this time there is not the choice between different game characters, but you get during the game, even the possibility, within certain limits, to determine the respective main character for a specified period. This is done through the game mechanics of the heir to the throne. Each time a certain action point is reached, or the current hero dies, the player is given the opportunity to choose his successor from a small set of possible candidates. What alternatives are offered for this depends on the gameplay and the decisions of the player from himself. Aim of the game is this time of the fight against the seven heroes who saved a long time ago the world from the demons, as the legend tells.

The companion of the main character can thereby be recruited in the first part, or close during the course of a mission automatically. Also in the running of the game itself there were changes, there is now a clear linear path and follow it during the course of the action. The control and the combat system remains broadly received, and will be complemented by new game mechanics and additional skills. Overall, a significantly greater attention is paid to the purchase and use of special abilities than in the predecessor, also there are several aspects of the game that go more in the direction of strategy role-playing game or business simulation. In addition to a significant expansion of available strategic options in battle the possibility of permanent death of game characters was introduced, which can have an impact on the game.

The last part of the series for the Super Nintendo was released in 1995 with Romancing Saga 3 (Japaneseロマンシングサ·ガ3), as again developed all part of Square.

Similar to the first part of this series is chosen at the beginning of the game one of eight possible main characters, and gives him or her a certain playful background, which decides on the basic orientation of FIG. Content, this time the various figures differ mainly by a short intro, which introduces in the game, and explains the background of the selected character, and slightly different encounters in the game. Almost all of the rest of the game is otherwise the same for each figure. The role and nature of any additional NPCs that you can take during the game has remained the same, as are the normal battles in the game. Game goal is to eventually reach the back and defeat a final opponent, this time against the background of Eclipse, a recurring catastrophe that destroyed all life in the world down to a single survivor.

Compared to the two predecessors, there are again several changes in the game system. This ranges from the usual extensions available for combat skills, magic and weapons on the launch of new fighter formations, which now enable a sixth person, as Commander participate in the debates, to an entirely new combat form. This is for real -time battles in the style strategy game, in which about generic command larger groups own units must be waged against the enemy. Visually, there are several new features. The world through which one moves, is now shown in a Secret -of- Mana -like environment, instead of the well-known square grid, and the enemies that can be encountered during the game are visible on the map.

Soundtrack

For release of the remakes for the Playstation 2, the co-designed by Kenji Ito mainly soundtrack of the game by Universal Music in a comprehensive four CD box was released.