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Unlimited SaGa ps2 Game Reviews
Unlimited SaGa
Critic Score
Metascore: 45 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
3.5 out of 10
based on 26 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 20 votes
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The story is uniquely told through the eyes of seven different protagonists, each with their own motivations for seeking the seven grand menaces. The powers of the Seven Wonders of Lore have been released and a deity has emerged, heralding the advent of a new Golden Age. A group of adventurers led only by their belief in the legend journey out to solve the deity’s riddle. Their fates cross in a town during the hustle and bustle of a festival.

PUBLISHER: Square Enix
DEVELOPER: Square Enix
GENRE(S): Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE: June 17, 2003

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

70
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]
66
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.
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65
Game Informer
Interaction within the environment and the board game movement and structure are tedious and archaic. [June 2003, p.102]
60
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.
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60
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]
60
GameShark
There's a lot of game to be had if you can get past the game's quirks.
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60
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.
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60
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.
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56
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.
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50
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.
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50
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.
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50
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.
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45
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.
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43
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.
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42
Gamezilla!
A truly abysmal gaming experience that doesn’t do the Square moniker justice, we know they are capable of better.
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42
Cinescape
Another complaint I have with the game is the map. No longer do you have much control of where your character goes.
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40
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.
40
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]
40
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!
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33
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.
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33
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]
30
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]
28
GameSpy
Everything you never wanted in an RPG -- an awkward and tedious mess.
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25
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.
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10
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.
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0
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]

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 3.5 (out of 10) based on 20 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jesse S. gave it a0:
I am a sucker for Square-Enix games. I tried to approach this game with an open mind, and I tried to enjoy it. I really did. However, this is one of the most TERRIBLE games in existence. The graphics are pen & paper based, which wouldn't be so bad if the gameplay was actually tolerable. Which it isn't. Avoid this game at all costs. Consider it to be the worst RPG ever made.

Matthew I. gave it a 0:
It's terrible.

Blood Emperor gave it a 0:
Unfortunatley I could give this game a minus score as the system wont allow it.. 2 words.. 'Absolutley Abyssmal'

Acacia TwentyTwo gave it a 9:
Extremely underated. This is the closest that I've come to finding a CRPG that relates to Pen N Paper origins. As the title suggests, the game is unlimited, and finally introduces to console gamers an aspect that has been lacking in 90% of the RPG's out there; FREEDOM, this teamed with numerous of manners in which to act with your surroundings, makes for an extremely deep experience for those who want more thought, challenge, and joy of self discovery, as opposed to those who prefer brain candy. No pointless converations with midgets with big heads about peanut butter and kitty cats, no need to search through peoples homes for that one herb hidden in a dresser. U-Saga cuts out the crap. I give this one point less of a 10 for lack of documentation. Admitedly, there's a good amount of self rewarding fun in learning how to understand and play this title, but I still feel that there should've been more resources for those who cared to know more. The manual is small, and the game did not win enough support for a strategy guide to be realsed. Fortunately with sites like GameFAQs, the few of us that actually do find the value in the game have been able to share advice. U-Saga serves as a morale Western society; The more effort you put into something, the more reward you'll get back. U-Saga also serves as a diamond in the rough that challenges intillect; for the rest, I give you Enter the Matrix, and football.

Marcelo C. gave it a 10:
Unlimited saga sure is a very odd game but for sure is game that gets elements from other games and plays totally fresh, one of the most well balanced games i played so far.

Logan C. gave it a 7:
While the manual provided is dismal, which causes most of the confussion, the game itself is actually very entertaining. The watercolor style is innovative and fresh. At first I was frustrated but after hashing out some details, its become quite intriguing. This game will appeal to those who enjoy a challange with strategy, but will probably turn away whiners and those with little patience.

Jonathan V. gave it a 5:
Well.nothing to say about this boring game...

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