SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered brings one of the most distinct entries in Square Enix’s classic RPG series back for modern audiences, delivering a faithful recreation of its intricate narrative and deep mechanics. Available on today’s systems including the PlayStation 5, the remaster preserves the unconventional structure and tactical combat of the original while introducing improvements aimed at smoothing out the experience. While the game still carries some of its predecessor’s quirks and complexities, it remains an engaging and ambitious RPG that stands apart from more traditional genre offerings.
The game’s story is one of its most defining aspects, weaving together the journeys of Gustave XIII, a royal heir cast aside due to his inability to wield magic, and Wil Knights, a young adventurer uncovering hidden truths about his world. Instead of a singular protagonist, the narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives and events, allowing players to shape history by selecting different chapters in a non-linear fashion. The remaster enhances this aspect with new events that flesh out previously underdeveloped characters and resolve unanswered questions from the original, making for a more complete and almost director’s cut-like experience. However, while the additional content is a welcome expansion, newcomers still might find the fragmented storytelling difficult to follow at first.
Gameplay remains largely unchanged from the original, retaining the tactical depth that defines the SaGa series. Battles are split between traditional party-based encounters and one-on-one duels, both of which require careful planning due to the game’s unique attack attribute system. The “Glimmer” mechanic, which allows characters to spontaneously learn new techniques mid-fight, returns, keeping combat dynamic. While the fundamentals remain the same, the remaster introduces quality-of-life upgrades, including speed adjustments, expanded inventory space, and an improved scenario chronology layout. The “Parameter Inheritance” feature also makes character progression more flexible by allowing stats to be carried over, reducing a bit of the grind-heavy nature of the original. That said, some of the more obscure mechanics, like the army-based battles, remain as rigid as they were in 1999, meaning certain fights can feel unintuitive or punishingly difficult for unprepared players.
Visually, the game’s signature watercolor aesthetic has been upscaled, giving environments a soft and painterly look. While this maintains the original’s charm, the quality of the remastering is inconsistent – some backgrounds look blurry, and character sprites don’t always blend naturally with the scenery. The new UI, however, is a notable improvement, making menus and navigation far more intuitive than before. The music, composed by Masashi Hamauzu, remains a highlight, with a sweeping orchestral score that enhances the emotional weight of key story moments.
Despite its refinements, SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered still carries some of the original’s shortcomings. The lack of clear environmental cues can make exploration frustrating, as interactable objects and exits aren’t always obvious. Additionally, while the quality-of-life improvements help smooth out certain aspects, they don’t fully address the game’s steeper learning curve, meaning it remains an acquired taste for those unfamiliar with SaGa’s unconventional mechanics.
Overall, SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered successfully revitalizes a cult classic, preserving its ambitious narrative structure and strategic gameplay while introducing thoughtful refinements. While some of its old-school design choices may deter new players, longtime fans will appreciate the expanded story, visual enhancements, and gameplay tweaks that make this the definitive way to experience the game.
Score: 7.5/10
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