Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Interview with Producer Shinichi Tatsuke

At the end of this month, Square Enix will publish a full-scale remake of a classic SaGa title, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven. Alongside our hands-on preview based on the available demo, which gave fans a glimpse of what this remake offers, we had the opportunity to present questions to Shinichi Tatsuke, who served as producer for this title alongside another recent remake (Trials of Mana).

In this interview, we ask Tatsuke for details and insight regarding the remake process from various production angles (graphics, sound, story, gameplay). Enjoy!

RPGFan: In a past interview, producer Hiroyuki Miura cited Romancing SaGa 2‘s theme of “an RPG to build history” as the greatest theme in the entire SaGa franchise. How do you feel about presenting this powerful theme to a new generation of players?

Tatsuke: The SaGa series has a 35-year history and many devoted longtime fans to this day. However, we believe it is essential to bring in new and younger players in order to continue to share this title with future generations. This time, we reviewed the original game’s entire game system to make it more accessible to new players. We have also made it easier for beginners to play by adding three different levels of difficulty. In addition to providing the very best game to longtime fans, we believe that our biggest mission this time around is to extend SaGa‘s reach to new audiences.

RPGFan: We are curious about the choice to do an upgraded 3D remake. Do you believe this remake is in the same vein of transition (or upgrade) as Minstrel Song was to the original Romancing SaGa?

Tatsuke: I was originally the producer of the 2020 Trials of Mana remake, and the same development team is working on this remake title. The decision to go with 3D graphics was largely influenced by the earlier Trials of Mana remake. However, I believe this is a different remake approach from Minstrel Song. The worldview, storyline, and familiar SaGa systems, such as Imperial Succession, Glimmers, and Formations, are kept intact as in the original, but the graphics, battles, and other game systems have been redesigned in a modern way. For example, battles have been changed from a turn-based system to an Octopath Traveler-like timeline system. In addition, players can perform United Attacks when their Overdrive gauge is fully charged by striking the enemy’s weaknesses.

RPGFan: Currently, Square Enix Music has listed a two-CD soundtrack for Revenge of the Seven (standalone retail and a Japanese limited edition pack-in). Fans seem to celebrate the SaGa music as a key component of each game. What are your impressions of the musical rework by Kenji Ito and the sound team? What can fans look forward to?

Tatsuke: I asked Ito-san to create an arrangement that was less eclectic and more faithful to the original, with high sound quality. Though at the time, the sound sources were limited for the Super Famicom, we asked him to arrange the music in the same style of that time using today’s sound sources. I am personally delighted to be able to enjoy high-quality music that retains the same feeling of the music from back then. In addition, there is an option to switch between the arranged and original soundtrack, so those who want to enjoy the original sound can also listen to it while playing the game.

RPGFan: In 2017, English-speaking gamers got their first chance to play Romancing SaGa 2 via the Arte Piazza remaster on various platforms. This remaster includes new content not found in the 1993 Super Famicom original, including the Maze of Memory. Is this content included in Revenge of the Seven? Additionally, is there new scenario or content here not found in any previous edition? For example, did any content from the “SaGa The Stage” stage plays get incorporated in this remake?

Tatsuke: This title includes brand-new episodes from the Seven Heroes’ pasts. It will reveal why they were called “heroes,” and why they ended up seeking revenge. Elements from “SaGa The Stage: Return of the Seven Heroes,” as you mentioned, are also included, so please look forward to it.

RPGFan: Core combat mechanics tend to define the way players enjoy each SaGa game. To what degree did you decide to maintain faithfulness to the original mechanics, and to what degree have you decided to implement elements from other games in the franchise (or even develop entirely new mechanics)?

Tatsuke: Since we wanted the game to be played by a wide range of players, we included many elements of a typical RPG, more so than with other SaGa titles. For example, when progressing through the story, you will be able to see your destination with a map marker. You can also check your current progress in the Imperial Chronicles. In battles, you will be able to see various elements, such as enemy weaknesses, which were hidden in the original game.