Romancing SaGa

 PlayStation 2
Romancing SaGa Image
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

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  • Summary: A thousand years ago, Saruin was imprisoned. Now the barriers that contain him are weakening, and his foreboding shadow threatens to swallow the world of Mardias once again. Who will rid the world of Saruin's scourge? A mysterious minstrel appears and guides the group to adventure, at timesA thousand years ago, Saruin was imprisoned. Now the barriers that contain him are weakening, and his foreboding shadow threatens to swallow the world of Mardias once again. Who will rid the world of Saruin's scourge? A mysterious minstrel appears and guides the group to adventure, at times shielding them from adversity. Occasionally, the minstrel forces grave choices upon them, which change their world and twist the plots they encounter. Romancing SaGa reclaims the renowned features of the series and boasts all new elements enhancing gameplay, bringing the player even deeper into the story. The free-roaming scenario system gives gamers a choice of eight intriguing playable characters, each with their own unique adventures and individual goals. Depending on the character and actions chosen, the plot and the subsequent events differentiate dramatically. This free-roaming scenario system promises the ultimate in open-ended adventure. [Square Enix]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
  1. eToychest
    90
    The game emphasizes role-playing over subscribing to the underlying story, and that is what makes Romancing SaGa such a terrific experience to be had.
  2. Worth Playing
    85
    Some people are going to hate it on sight, but I believe that like SaGa Frontier before it, Romancing SaGa has a welcome place in the gaming library of anyone who appreciates a completely free-roaming experience and isn't above being patient with the quirks of gameplay it holds.
  3. Computer Games Magazine
    80
    Most certainly a pleasant console role-playing game of a faded breed. [Jan 2006, p.89]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. G4 TV
    60
    At best, Romancing SaGa is an eight-part RPG miniseries contained in one overflowing DVD. At worst, it's an unbalanced snooze-fest whose surface you won't feel too compelled to scratch.
  5. GamePro
    50
    Moderately pretty graphics and average sound don't offset the labored frustration that follows playing this stilted title. [Nov 2005, p.146]
  6. Game Informer
    50
    Barely even a game. [Nov 2005, p.154]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Gaming Age
    25
    Most traditional RPG fans will find themselves bored and frustrated with SaGa's extremely open-ended and unforgiving game design, but those select few who find themselves excited by these prospects will proclaim this one of the most satisfying experiences in recent memory.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. TorlisB.
    May 30, 2006
    10
    Romancing Saga is an awesome game and should definitely be played by all people who are big RPG fans, you won't be disappointed! The Romancing Saga is an awesome game and should definitely be played by all people who are big RPG fans, you won't be disappointed! The Battle system is awesome and different from other RPG's. IT ROCKS!… Expand
  2. zleonke123
    Feb 17, 2021
    10
    an absolutely terrific game. It contains various elements from UNLIMITED SAGA, such as field skills and other things that add depth in variousan absolutely terrific game. It contains various elements from UNLIMITED SAGA, such as field skills and other things that add depth in various areas. Definitely a game worth your time!… Expand
  4. LastResource
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this spin off game in the series.
  5. BillC.
    Oct 14, 2005
    9
    I really enjoyed this port of the classic Japanese RPG. The open world that you are free to explore is quite a lot of fun. The acting is very I really enjoyed this port of the classic Japanese RPG. The open world that you are free to explore is quite a lot of fun. The acting is very good for some of the main characters and a bit weak for a couple. But the replay value on the game is well worth purchasing.… Expand
  6. Raknis
    Sep 5, 2016
    9
    Ministrel song to me was a breath of fresh air in 2006 and even now.

    Let me make it clear that this game is not appealing to the casual rpg    Ministrel song to me was a breath of fresh air in 2006 and even now.

    Let me make it clear that this game is not appealing to the casual rpg fan. There is no clear progression, no direct narrative, no levels. You the player are thrown into this vast world with only the barest of information. Players will feel unfamiliar with the equipment, status, and mechanics the game offers to the player. Due to this, people turn away from the game and it is completely understandable. Even with an online guide and ingame guide, players can still be easily overwhelmed.

    But there within lies the beauty of Romancing Saga. You pick one out of 8 characters, learn about them, and are thrown into this world. You can stumble into a random town and pick up a quest. Maybe you explore the sewers and discover the catacombs. The player is left to make any choice. where they go and what quest they chose to do or not to do is up them. This opens up so much to the player because of the freedom of choice. You and a friend could have experienced two different things. Maybe they picked up a quest you didn't, or perhaps you decided to do X quest first while they decided to explore.

    There is no "Levels" in this game. Instead of that after "X" amount of Experience you get Stat up's. This is random, although every character have different growth rates (Character 1 might have a higher chance to get an increase of Strength then Character 2). This might come across as troubling for new players because it will eventually hard to gauge how strong you are. However by removing levels, the player is no longer restrained. Some area's may be more challenging to a player to the point of frustration, but it is always beatable (for most cases). Also 2 tip of advice.
    -The world and time advances with you (the stronger you get the stronger the enemies and the better quests). This means certain quest may become available the stronger you become, BUT at the same time you may miss quests. So keep in mind questing>grinding.
    -Tip #2. Stat's are crucial and important. Yes. But skils are just as, if not more, important. It's better to be specialized in this game than a jack of all trades in this game.

    I would dwelve further into the system mechanics but it's a lot to go through. Just understand that the skills and game mechanics is very deep and requires a lot of getting used too.

    Now the lack of narrative is also a main complaint of people who have played this game. I don't believe that is true. The game isn't only the story of you defeating some main villain. The story is within the quests itself and the tales told throughout. Some are deep and tell a deep tale, while some are short and sweet. These quests help build the culture of the world and its inhabitants. The best stories are always those you discover, not what you're shown.

    The game's graphic was visually appealing on its release in 2006 and I still think they hold up today. Romancing Saga Minstrel song is a remake of the original Romancing Saga. Although they took a strange approach into the art and models of the character, I think it adds a very unique look.

    The music for the game is something I loved when I heard and I still love to listen today. Simple and sweet.

    In closing (and TL;DR). The game is challenging, complex, hard and confusing. But I promise you that if you put in the time to learn it, you won't regret it. It has replay value with new game+. The music is great. The story is unique and the gameplay is deep and fun. It's not for everyone but at the same time I think every jrpg fan has to play it at least once. In today's market where the game literally holds the player hand, this gave the player so much freedom. I've clocked in over 120+ hours and I don't regret a single moment of it.    … Expand
  7. KevinS.
    Oct 21, 2005
    9
    If you liked SaGa Frontier, you will almost surely love Romancing SaGa. It gives you the same sort of freedom and customization. Fantastic.
  8. jason
    Nov 23, 2008
    1
    This is one of the worst games ive ever played... attempted to play. It is almost impossible to do anything considering the spinning wheel ofThis is one of the worst games ive ever played... attempted to play. It is almost impossible to do anything considering the spinning wheel of actions that almost never lets you do anything you want, an uninteresting cast of characters that you have to play each of. It takes out the story and character development and fun gameplay and all it leaves in grinding and a wheel. There is no fun to be had here and anyone whop gives it a high score suffered through the whole game and cant let all that time they spent seem like a waste.… Expand

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