Romancing SaGa 2

Romancing SaGa 2 is an innovative JRPG developed by Square for the SNES. Breaking conventions with its generational system where players guide an empire through centuries of rulers, the game features non-linear progression, intricate skill-based combat, and one of the first 'New Game Plus' modes in RPG history.

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Release Date

January 1, 1993

Developer

Square

Publisher

Square

Players

Region

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Story

In the backstory of Romancing SaGa 2 there was a group of seven warriors, dubbed the Seven Heroes, who saved the world from monster invasions but vanished immediately afterwards. After a millennium, the Seven Heroes have returned, but are now corrupted by dark powers and begin attacking the continent. Leon, ruler of Avalon, begins a campaign against the Seven Heroes which is passed down to his younger son Gerard after he dies, then on to subsequent heirs named by each ruler and inheriting their abilities through a special spell. Over time, Avalon expands into an empire, with its ruler and a chosen group of warriors killing each of the Seven Heroes.

When six of the seven are defeated and the final Emperor or Empress takes power, it is revealed that the Seven Heroes faced up to this point were copies, and the seventh copy has gone to protect the Heroes' original bodies. The final Emperor or Empress, whose inheritance magic has worn off, defeats first the final copy, then the true Seven Heroes. The story is bookended by a minstrel retelling the game's events and concluding that the Empire of Avalon was turned into a commonwealth after the Seven Heroes' defeat; the still-living Emperor or Empress listens to the minstrel. Later versions of Romancing SaGa 2 include an optional dungeon revealing that the Seven Heroes were betrayed by their people, the Ancients, due to fear of the power they gained by absorbing monsters with an earlier version of the inheritance spell, returning from the realm of monsters to exact revenge on the Ancients.

Gameplay Systems

In Romancing SaGa 2 , the player plays as the Emperor or Empress of Avalon , a castle located in the northwest corner of the game's world map. The Treasurer, in the throne room, tells the player the fund reserve in their castle treasury. Development of new equipment and spells, and establishment of services in Avalon will consume funds. The Treasurer also fills the Emperor with walking about funds if the player needs it.

Also in the throne room is the Accountant. He tells the player how much money they collect per battle. When the player controls more land on the map, the amount increases. In the southeast corner of the throne room is the Chancellor.

He tells the player what problems need to be solved in the world and where to solve them. Solving the problems he points out aids the player to advance to the next generation. The Fighters are the default characters that join the player early in the game. The Formation Soldiers demonstrate any battle formations the player happens to know and will collaborate with the player to make new formations.

If the heir the player chooses knows a formation, it is recommended that the player consult the Formation Soldiers. Throughout the game, the player will be able to expand the capital. They will not appear until the player cleared a generation though after accepting the offers to start the public works.

Sales & Commercial Performance

Total Copies Sold

1.5 million copies

Media Reviews

Famitsu

26/40