If you’ve been following Square Enix’s mobile releases, you’ve probably Saga comments until now. This series, which has always had a notable localization track record, remained dormant in the West for a long time after its 2005 release. Romance Saga: Minstrel Songs on PlayStation 2. I can only assume the Western release Romance Saga 2 ($17.99) did better than expected, as we have received countless SaGa releases since then. All of those games were released globally regardless of their original localization status, meaning we only had nearly the entire series on mobile. And now fate has brought us here, back Romance SaGa: Minstrel Song ($24.99).
This is a remake of the PlayStation 2 game, itself a remake of the title Super Famicom Romance Saga. You never know how big the changes will be when a game from that era reappears, but in this case the changes are numerous and quite significant. These range from new content (characters, story) to improved quality of life, and the end result is a game that outstrips its predecessor to the point of making it almost irrelevant. I honestly think it’s as good as possible without really ripping the whole thing off and starting from scratch. If for some reason you’re trying to decide between the PlayStation 2 version or this version, it’s an easy choice.
While I’m sure not many readers played the pre-release (after all, the franchise didn’t work for some reason), I’ll quickly detail the additions and improvements. up. Most obviously, the graphics have been improved and upgraded. I have mixed feelings about this game’s art direction, but it has never been nicer than here. The UI and menus have been reworked, which they clearly need for mobile users. It looks and works just as well as you would get when applying touch controls to a game that was originally designed for a controller. There are some great quality of life improvements like a high speed mode, hugely useful minimaps, and a highly acclaimed New Game + option that fits this game like a glove.
As for new content, there’s actually quite a bit to see. like with SaGa Frontier‘s remaster, we’ve got a new playable character with their own episode. The Witch Aldora, whom those familiar with the original will remember as an ally of Mirsa, can now choose and have her own story about her travels with the Legendary Hero. There are also some new recruitable characters, with Schiele being a standout. There are several new layers to tinker with, which is always an interesting thing to see in remakes and remakes of games with a job system. In addition, there are a bunch of new super bosses. They are… something. For players who found the original game to fail to satisfy their desire for challenging encounters, eat it all up.
Oddly enough, part of the intention behind the original Minstrel song is to return to a more traditional and accessible format after the apparent mixed reaction to Unlimited Saga. Yes, this is Saga team (circa 2005) trying to make a game easy to digest. Does it work? Yes and no. At the end of the day, this is still a Saga game. It has all the quirky systems you’d expect from the series, tends to be opaque and offers few clues as to what to do and focuses more on mechanics rather than story elements. It revels in its unorthodox nature, although it is quite orthodox in its unorthodox if you are familiar with the series.
That last bit is probably the key to it. If you are looking to join Saga series, this is a good enough starting point. It will teach you a lot about how the series works, and you may find yourself able to appreciate other games more once you’ve played through this one. I’m not sure that’s the best starting point anymore, but it’s a good one. But in the grand scheme of RPGs, it’s still a game that requires players to put in a little more effort. While the original Romance Saga is the fourth part of Saga series, this is the third game in the series made by the same team. If you’ve played the Game Boy games, the next original game from Legend of Final Fantasy II, bringing the ideas and philosophies of the series into the 16-bit world. With, you know, all that implied.
However, I won’t spend too much time talking about the original 16-bit game, because the PlayStation 2 game is already an important remake and this remake goes even further. You’ll start this game by choosing from eight different characters at the beginning, and once you’ve gotten through the first part of each character, you’ll more or less explore the world on your own. It’s packed with things to do and people to meet, though how many of them you find in any given game is up to you. It wants you to play it again, and if you like what it has to offer you will almost certainly do.
That open-minded approach is this game’s calling card, and it proves that in many ways this is a title ahead of its time. But it can also be daunting for players accustomed to a more guided approach. I recommend taking advantage of all the tutorials and guides the game has to offer, mainly through the kids hanging around town. It will make you better equipped to enjoy what the game has to offer. If you feel uncertain or anxious, I recommend starting with Albert. It will hold your hand as much as this game is ready. Those who just want to dive into the goodness of the open script should pick up Barbara, who is more or less thrown into the fray right away.
I won’t say too much about the story. Stories? It’s all engaging enough with some really fun twists and turns and world building, but that’s not the main reason to play the game. No, it’s the mechanics that are the highlight here. Lightning (FOOTBALL) returns the system, allowing you to learn new techniques almost anytime just by using other techniques. in truth Saga fashion, your stats will upgrade based on your actions. There are no traditional levels here. The class system also requires you to have certain skills among other requirements. All in all, the tough battles in this game are best solved by rethinking your team building and tactics. Grinding is an option, but it’s a very bad idea due to one core part of the mechanism: event ratings.
Basically, the passage of time in the world of Minstrel song. At certain points, enemies will get stronger, new missions will open and old quests will disappear. What determines how time passes is the number of battles you’ve fought, which will lead to what’s called your event rank. Grind too much and you’ll miss out on a lot and end up just making the enemies stronger. At the same time, you’ll want to move time (and fight battles) at a reasonable pace so you don’t end up before some quests have a chance to unfold. Your relationship to event rank will largely determine what you can and cannot see in this world and is one of the things that makes this game replayable.
It’s worth taking your time to complete as completing side quests not only adds to the narrative fabric of the game, but it also powers you up in a variety of ways. You will find new characters and other things that are really worth watching. And who is this game really for, I think. While The Last Illusion the game is a roller coaster that takes you on a fairly simple route with pre-planned turns and surprises, Saga The game tends to be more for adventurers. People who like to experiment. People who like to poke around and see if they can get one into the game. If that’s you, you’ll find a lot of value in this game.
If you have played any Saga games in the past and had a good time with them, you’ll almost certainly enjoy Romance SaGa: Minstrel Song. Its presentation is a bit odd but the game itself is a pretty safe entry in the quirky franchise. On the other hand, if you can’t get into previous games like Saga Scarlet Grace ($29.99) or SaGa Frontier ($24.99), nothing here will change your mind. If you’re somehow completely new to this whole business, this isn’t the worst place to dip your feet in. Those who are tired of the old JRPG mechanics or those who are generally open-minded may want to give this one a try.
For this mobile version in particular, it’s excellent. The aspect ratio means you’ll have bars on the side if you’re playing on an iPhone, but the visuals look great and the user interface is both useful and engaging. Thankfully, you’ve got full controller support here. One never knows with Square Enix releases. Even if you don’t use the controller, you’ll find the touch controls are more than just up to the task. Sure, it’s a bit expensive compared to other mobile games, but it’s cheaper than the console versions and everything is fine.
Overall, Romance SaGa: Minstrel Song is a great remake of a game that has a lot of room for improvement and this mobile port is top of the line. Saga fans will eat it, and even if you’ve played the original, you might want to check out this one for its new content and additions. There are certainly some awkward transitions from its PlayStation 2 roots, such as the lack of a player-controlled camera, and that might be frustrating for some. It is also a Saga game through, and that will make you jump for joy or run up the hill. I leave the final decision to you, but I know where I stand.
