Unlimited SaGa

Play Magazine

I just couldn't sink my teeth into the game, mostly because of the seven-character-based non-linear play, which left me a bit disinterested. I guess I like my games more straighforward. [June 2003, p.57]

IGN

Whether it's the clunky navigational setup, a bothersome interface, or the overly complicated battle system, UNLIMITED SaGa may still be a bit too hardcore for its own good.

Game Informer

Interaction within the environment and the board game movement and structure are tedious and archaic. [June 2003, p.102]

Adrenaline Vault

If you take the time to fully understand its mechanics and enjoy the menu-based format, then SaGa will prove to be a unique, rewarding experience. As the alt text for this section says, only hardcore fans need apply.

Edge Magazine

New skills are simply triggered randomly during battles, resulting in the confusing hit and miss levelling up that so infuriates attention deficient westerners... Indeed, the manner of the execution makes for tough gaming but, paradoxically, it's the exclusivity of the gameplay that will attract a few. [Nov 2003, p.108]

GameShark

There's a lot of game to be had if you can get past the game's quirks.

eToychest

While I applaud the developers for shedding the trappings of contemporary role-playing games that opt for style over substance, that does not excuse the fact that the actual gameplay is many times awkward and cumbersome.

G4 TV

Hard-core hobbyists may appreciate the title's extreme challenge level, esoteric presentation, and pioneering play mechanics. On the other hand, confusing campaigns and a mind-boggling mission structure guarantee casual enthusiasts just won't get the picture.

GameZone

I could do without fancy-schmancy visuals and professional voice-acting, all I require in my RPG is good solid gameplay and satisfying plot progression. Neither of which are present in this game.

Gaming Age

Just based on the amount of character customization, Unlimited Saga has so many good ideas that were ruined by poor interface, poor presentation, a below average story, and truly horrendous voice-acting.

GamePro

Even basic navigation is difficult in this game—it will take you an hour or two before you have any idea how to get anywhere.

Game Over Online

With its ill-defined gameplay, sloppy graphical execution and unclear combat mechanics, Unlimited SaGa is proof that even experienced developers can slip every now and then.

Game Power Australia

The game fails to tell an interesting (or even a cohesive) story and you'll often wonder why you're doing what you're doing.

GameSpot

Every aspect of the game, from the combat mechanics to the movement to the technical execution of the graphics, is lacking in some regard, and when you add these elements together, you get a game that's simply unpleasant to play.

Gamezilla!

A truly abysmal gaming experience that doesn’t do the Square moniker justice, we know they are capable of better.

Cinescape

Another complaint I have with the game is the map. No longer do you have much control of where your character goes.

Cheat Code Central

Don't expect much help from the interface. It's a confusing mess that after some 20-hours of gameplay still makes little sense as to its existence - I thought these things were meant to be helpful.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

It also suffers some stultifying strikes: excruciating difficulty, obtuse mechanics, a stifling lack of freedom, and a brutal mission structure that punishes you as often as it rewards you. [July 2003, p.94]

PSX Nation

I’d rather have root canal without anesthesia than to ever put myself through the pain that is playing this game any more than I had to already!

Into Liquid Sky

Let's not kid ourselves - Unlimited Saga is overly deep and complicated to a fault. It's as if Square was trying to make a complex game but failed to add some serious polish or just cut out the excess.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

This game sucks. Unlimited Saga exemplfies everything that's wrong with RPGs today and throws it all together in one deluxe package for all to avoid like the plague. [July 2003, p.108]

GMR Magazine

Having every move consume HP is somewhat unbalancing when enemies already do so much damage, and the reworked HP/LP setup can be bafflingly random. [July 2003, p.72]

GameSpy

Everything you never wanted in an RPG -- an awkward and tedious mess.

Game Revolution

Boring. I mean, the battles could have fallen back on the classic turn-based formula, or at the very least opted for a passable framerate. And even if the minimal road had to be taken, it could have been done in a much easier and welcoming manner instead of obtuse for the sake of being obtuse.

GameCritics

Graphics aside, battling with the Unlimited Saga system is clunky and completely unintuitive. The battle engine features an insane potluck of disparate elements, almost as if Square-Enix took all of the purged leftovers from ten or fifteen other games and smashed the scraps together to create the unholy videogame sausage that it is.

GameNow

The gameplay experience never becomes even remotely fun... An excruciating bore. I've never had less fun playing a videogame. [July 2003, p.55]