Romancing SaGa 2 Review: An Incredibly Innovative Throwback! | Backlog Battle

[@BacklogBattle]

Check out Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven here bit.ly/seven-backlogbattle Enter the giveaway and use code SEVEN to win cool prizes gleam.io/4NAGs/find-mr-s

[@Normal-Person]

What is up with this year's JRPGs man, my wallet can't take any more of this.

[@JohnD131]

Got it today and already adore it. The changes to traditional RPG mechanics make it feel incredibly fresh despite being a remake of a game over 30 years. As you said, ahead of its time.

[@BacklogBattle]

Indeed! I'm actually curious how people will take on the main story, given how it's quite nonlinear!

[@JohnD131]

@@BacklogBattle Even knowing the generations changes were coming, when the first one actually happened I was stunned. Glad the side quests could wait an entire generation.

[@OGtruthserum]

Is there enough dialogues and cut-scenes in this game?

[@DanielSantosAnalysis]

I never played the original, but this remake seems lovingly crafted, with clear reverence for the original.

[@kerijizo]

I think people who are not interested in this game should try the demo.. I'm one of the people who hates saga games in general because of its levelling system, after trying the demo I changed my mind like immediately... They really revamped the game from the ground up and added some story + added voice.it's surprisingly made me want to buy it,but YS Nordic come first lol. I'll buy later in December 👍 great review.

[@R.Williams]

Yeah I'm one of those that hate Saga games. I find them really confusing and didn't like the graphics. However I played the demo of this one and liked it a lot. Ordered a copy!

[@BacklogBattle]

Thank you!

[@Childofbhaal]

I’m just finishing up getting platinum on Metaphor Refantazio. It was my first Atlus game. I bought Persona 5 Royal, Persona 3 Reload. I want to check out Unicorn Overlord, now I just discovered this game and am intrigued. I DONT HAVE TIME FOR ALL THESE GAMES AGGHH

[@snazzydrew]

LET'S GO BABY! SaGa is love! SaGa is life! I'm waiitng for the game to unlock soon as we speak! This is gonna be such a good time!

[@BacklogBattle]

I hope you have a blast! It's such a treat to play!

[@williamklahre2659]

Why couldn't they remake Final Fantasy 1-6 like this? They always choose games that weren't that great, that get the graphics and gameplay overhaul . This looks great BTW. Just wish they did there other titles like this.

[@DetlefDSoooS]

@@williamklahre2659 daaaamn, if they remake ff3 or 5 in this kind of style, i would instantly buy

[@williamklahre2659]

@DetlefDSoooS for real I love this art style , octopath traveler 2 is one of my favorite games of all time . Wish I could experience FF1-6 and chrono trigger in the same way

[@ArkrideSolutionsOffice]

Definitely my GOTY(unless DQ3 can top this). I fell in love with the series after the remaster came out a few years back, with this one being my favorite along with Romancing SaGa 3. The final boss is somehow much more difficult having beaten it on classic difficulty. Here's hoping Romancing SaGa 3 gets remade as well

[@landonstallings2891]

I despise rouguelike games, but after running through the demo twice. I'm sold! I'm very excited for my copy to arrive.

[@BacklogBattle]

I think all of the other things it does - like the nonlinear way you can go through the story and improving after every lineage - makes the game feel less punishing than most roguelikes/roguelites!

[@xdcksgmd37]

Thank you, you are the first reviewer I’ve seen who mention Final Fantasy 2 and roguelite.

[@BacklogBattle]

You're welcome :)

[@KHawk9799]

I just started playing the full version today, there is so much more to the game than I expected, it's quite fun! I especially like the visual aspect of this game and I love the soundtrack. I'm now counting Romancing Saga 2 among my favorite games! I highly recommend it to those who like turn-based RPGs. If you're not sure if you want to buy RS 2, I recommend playing the demo first.

[@BacklogBattle]

Great to hear it! Let me know what you think of it when you play more/finish it here!

[@KHawk9799]

Having played RS 2 a little bit more now, I think maybe the only things I would have done differently visual wise if I were the developer of this game would have been to make it possible to change the appearance of the party characters, and to make the game more open-world instead of isolated locations that you can only teleport to. That's just a personal preference because I realize not everyone likes open-world games. Otherwise I really like the game.

[@randomgamer4610]

the demo made me pre order this game I have never played any Saga game before so that is saying something

[@BacklogBattle]

I've played a ton of SaGa games that didn't meet up to my expectations. This is the first one that did!

[@HybridAngelZero]

I'm so glad this remake is getting the full physical release treatment! The SaGa games from the 90s were so innovative, but they were always hard for a lot of people to approach, but as I said before, getting Xeen and the Trials of Mana team on this one was a brilliant move. I hope this can be the game that puts SaGa on the map for the overall RPG crowd!

[@BacklogBattle]

It's a remake and then some! Truly incredible!

[@odaynewilliams1810]

Man this is game kicking my ass Probably the hardest jrpg i played

[@gpkai]

I was worried that this game might be to difficult from the bits and pieces that I heard from it but your review really helped with my decision to pick it up. Well eventually atleast theres a few other games I need to get through first but this one is definitely on the list now lol

[@BacklogBattle]

It's tough, but it's worth it! Definitely nothing else like it!

[@Ranemoraken]

How death doesn't matter, with generations of heroes trying to solve issues, and your general progression being kept? Obviously, you're talking about Record of Agares...Roguelikes! Yes. Roguelikes. I have no idea what I was about to say. Ahem.

[@BacklogBattle]

Maybe you're just excited about the game 😅 Also, I said rogue-lite, not rogue-like. There’s a distinct difference.

[@GregoryAlanBaileygamereviews]

I bought this and The Stanley Parable for PS5 on Amazon last night couldn't resist the urge. This game looks like an overlooked gem.

[@BacklogBattle]

Easily overlooked, especially with how much competition there is!

[@Mystra]

Saw MrHappy play this and looks pretty fun. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well! It's on my radar now

[@1DangerMouse1]

I'm playing it now and loving it so far!

[@BacklogBattle]

@@1DangerMouse1 glad to hear it! Reply to this and let me know what you think once you’ve played more!

[@1DangerMouse1]

​@@BacklogBattle so I've played it for many hours now and I think this game is very underrated. So far it is like a 9 or 10 out of 10! I I'm addicted. I love so many aspects of it. I like that there's isn't endless dialogue!

[@Bornagainvillain]

I had preloaded since Tuesday. I love it. I’ve played numerous SaGa and had issues getting into them, but I think with this remake being so accessible, I’ll be able to go back to playing the other ports Square had released. Kinda like Grandia.

[@BacklogBattle]

@@Bornagainvillain that sounds like a great idea!

[@panjul-g9h]

the mortality of the characters reminds me of crusader king games, while the non linear main quest reminds me of baldur's gate 3 lol. Thanks for the review!

[@BacklogBattle]

You're welcome! Crusader Kings is on my list!

[@ashenthornwolf]

Played the demo and loved it! The Trials of Mana remake devs are amazing!

[@BacklogBattle]

They really are!

[@abw1317]

Just bought this, look forward to diving into it. Between this and Metaphor i couldnt afford to spend time on other great JRPGs like YS

[@BacklogBattle]

I have something to say about Ys... tomorrow

[@FelixS.]

Nice review as always :) Got my copy today but I have to finish Silent Hill 2 first and then it’s a rough decision weither to go with Ys X, Metaphor or RS2. 😅 All three are waiting patiently under my TV :)

[@BacklogBattle]

I don't envy you! All great games

[@makasete30]

Go with Metaphor. It’s a real GOTY contender and once in a decade JRPG.

[@FelixS.]

@@makasete30 I just got the Platin trophy in Persona 3 reload a few days ago, I am just afraid I will have some kind of Atlus burnout when playing P3R and M:R almost back to back so I currently consider to play M:R during the holidays (I will take 4 weeks off in December) and pick now Ys X. Not 100% sure right now, I just finished Silent Hill and maybe I will play an hour or two into all three games and decide then. But thanks for your input anyway 🙏

[@Voidsway]

@@makasete30 this right here. I just beat it and I'm sad bc I did everything on it and had to shelf it lol.

[@acthulhuspawn]

Great review. Loving the game so far!

[@BacklogBattle]

Glad you’re enjoying it!

[@andreas11051984]

Great Review as always 🎉😊 thank you Alex

[@BacklogBattle]

My pleasure!

[@cloverraven]

This game is blowing my mind. It’s so DQ11 in so many ways. And if you’re going to grab stuff from a game to make it modern or 3d, what better game to grab from.

[@dustinanderson7004]

Great video!

[@tsukanomon]

If the hero dies and we need to select a new one, then we need to level the new hero all over again ?

[@BacklogBattle]

The hero inherits everything the previous hero had

[@konstantinos-iliasstrempas4594]

love the game also bro knew what he was doing with the thundmail

[@BacklogBattle]

I always do 😉

[@R1ckmister]

Can i play this without any history with the franchise? Or am i going to be missing story beats left and right?

[@BacklogBattle]

Yes! This is just like Final Fantasy in that every mainline entry is different!

[@fortheqynn3503]

Just curious, what system did you play this on? Usually the video title says which one you played it on. Maybe you said it in the review and I missed? Feels like an ideal Switch game, but trying to figure out if the PS5 has significant upgrades that are worth it.

[@BacklogBattle]

PS5!

[@fortheqynn3503]

@BacklogBattle any thoughts on that version vs Switch?

[@ZefoniusLinestraf]

Romancing saga 2 remake basicaly saved the saga franchise to me i played saga frontier saga minstrel song and boy those arent accesible for todays audience this one is a great entry point and also a good sign for the franchise future

[@rarzarbex9172]

Is there any small type romance like fire emblem as the MC where you choose your S class support at the end at least? Doesnt have to be major but a small little ending I would like.

[@olbericaegis206]

There's a romance with a mermaid iirc

[@hausu3163]

get that square enix sponsor baby lets goo

[@NewSciFiDiscoveries]

Is there any way to make it through the whole game with one generation?

[@BacklogBattle]

@@NewSciFiDiscoveries no

[@gaspump]

What, you don't like going to the weigh scale room to see how slow everyone is? I love RS2 so much. Big 2nd favorite after Frontier.

[@graciaman]

I'm trying to understand the meaning of the "Catch-22" reference here. Did you just mean to say "the catch?" Generally a Catch 22 is an impossible situation because you cannot do one thing until you do another thing, but you cannot do the second thing until you do the first thing. I'm not seeing that applying here.

[@BacklogBattle]

@@graciaman in the game, each individual character can learn new abilities. That means that other existing characters in the same generation cannot avail themselves of that ability. HOWEVER, upon moving into the next generation, unlocked abilities regardless of the party member will become available to every character, regardless of what they have and haven’t learned. But in order for all of this to happen, the generation must advance.

[@graciaman]

@@BacklogBattle oooooo interesting. Game sounds so good. Ty for the clarification

[@wexon4840]

its kinda weird to me that a story and its characters are too free like if characters can die and are easily replaced its kinda loses the point of investment and I'm talking about the character itself and their personality not their abilities and if the story is like this, its kinda like making your own insert fanfic or reading one

[@BacklogBattle]

I think it’s possible to craft an engaging story despite characters getting replaced frequently. But what’s important to remember is that this game was also made at a time when storytelling in games were at its infancy. They could’ve attempted to fix it for the remake of course, but then you’ll have to contend with people who would complain that it’s changed too much. It’s a tough decision to make, and I don’t envy them.

[@eliotwildermann]

Can this game be beaten without dying and getting a new generation 🤔

[@BacklogBattle]

No, you cannot

[@eliotwildermann]

@BacklogBattle kinda seems like a missed opportunity 🤔

[@BacklogBattle]

@ tell that to the people who designed it back in the 90s

[@brianstanley1568]

Just reload previous save?

[@zacharyhacker4221]

This game sounds SO confusing.... lol. Does this game provide good tutorials??

[@BacklogBattle]

Yes! Also, there’s a demo you can try that has the save carrying over to the full game

[@ekurisona663]

rogue came out in the 80s

[@BacklogBattle]

I said rogue-lite, and Rogue is not a rogue-lite.

[@ekurisona663]

@@BacklogBattle i stand corrected

[@degamersmind]

Should i say that Roguelites are a thing since way before Romancing Saga? Still good video tho!~

[@BacklogBattle]

@@degamersmind roguelikes are.

[@degamersmind]

It's debatable if Dragon Crystal can count as a Roguelite in that sense, as you do have p​ermadeath, but can avoid it if you saved up enough cash in your playthrough as it also makes you keep your equipment. But its deep gray zone between R-Like and R-Lite, which is suuuuch a long debate by now @@BacklogBattle

[@joshuahall5]

imagine being releasing another rpg the same month as dragon age and metaphor lol

[@BacklogBattle]

@@joshuahall5 there’s just too many games coming out! Ys X tomorrow!

[@FelixS.]

As if Failguard was relevant. 😂

[@Yuras649]

@@joshuahall5 Dragon age? Are you for real? Dont make me laugh

[@louiechudley5616]

"Over 30 years ago when Rogue-likes weren't even a thing" ???? Did you really just say that? Google the game Rogue. You're in your 40s dude. You should know this.

[@BacklogBattle]

I said "rogue-lite" not rogue-likes. They sound very close, but if you watch it again, I pronounce no S-es after the word. Also, I greatly appreciate it if could just not be an asshole when correcting people.

[@louiechudley5616]

@@BacklogBattle well I stand corrected then. Sorry for the attitude.

[@gustavogus692]

Let me guess: the MC you control is just a boring mute who only listen and have no personality at all. If Im right, then this is boring.

[@BacklogBattle]

They’re actually voice acted and there’s is a story for them