Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

This remake of the first Romancing SaGa masterfully blends classic JRPG mechanics with modern quality-of-life improvements. You begin by choosing one of eight unique heroes or heroines, each with their own backstory and starting class. From there, you’re free to explore the land of Mardias in any order you please, tackling dungeons, recruiting allies, and chasing down the scattered Fatestones that imprison the evil god Saruin.

Character development is twofold. First, every battle awards automatic stat growth per attribute—rather than a flat level bump—which makes each fight feel meaningful. Second, you can spend precious jewels to manually upgrade weapon skills, climbing, chest search, and more. This hybrid progression system rewards both tactical combat and thoughtful long-term planning.

Combat itself is turn-based but far from static. Characters learn weapon skills through “Glimmer” during fights, then spend Battle Points (BP) and, occasionally, Duration Points (DP) to execute special attacks. The highlight is the combo system: under the right conditions, your party can chain attacks together for flashy, high-impact results. Managing up to five equipped weapons per character also adds a layer of resource management—DP depletion can break a weapon mid-battle, forcing quick strategic pivots.

Beyond individual duels, party composition and class changes keep gameplay fresh. You can swap characters in and out of your five-member team at inns or in the field, experimenting with different class traits—whether it’s a swordsman’s boosted offense or a mage’s wide-area spells. Since classes don’t lock you into a rigid story path, you’re free to build and rebuild parties to suit your preferred playstyle.

Graphics

The remake updates the original’s pixel art into crisp, hand-drawn anime-inspired visuals that pop on modern displays. Character portraits shine with personality, and battle animations—especially combo finishers—feel both weighty and fluid. It’s a respectful evolution of a classic look, retaining the charm of the ’90s while embracing contemporary fidelity.

Overworld and dungeon environments benefit from richer color palettes and improved lighting effects. Lush forests, arid deserts, and ancient ruins each have distinct atmospheres, and dynamic weather adds immersion. Even the smallest hamlet feels alive, with animated NPCs going about their routines and subtle flourishes like drifting leaves or flickering torches.

Menus, status screens, and maps get a streamlined UI makeover. Navigating character stats, skills, and inventory is intuitive, with clear icons and responsive controls. The world map zooms and pans smoothly, making long journeys feel less like a chore and more like an invitation to discover hidden secrets.

Story

Set in the once-tranquil realm of Mardias, the narrative picks up a millennium after the three evil gods—Death, Saruin, and Schirach—were defeated. With Saruin sealed by ten scattered Fatestones, peace reigned for centuries, but recent tremors and dark omens hint at his revival. You step into this fragile balance as one of eight protagonists, each drawn by fate to confront the looming darkness.

Though each hero’s personal quest provides unique dialogue and character interactions, the overarching plot remains cohesive. You’ll pursue Fatestones, unravel ancient mysteries, and face moral choices that flavor your journey. Side quests abound—rescuing villagers, stamping out bandit camps, or delving into monster-infested ruins—letting you pause the main arc to forge your own legend.

The non-linear design is the story’s greatest strength. You might stumble upon a late-game dungeon early on, forcing you to grind and retrace your steps, or you can ignore certain story beats until you’re fully geared. This open approach encourages multiple playthroughs, as different heroes can lead to fresh perspectives on familiar events.

Overall Experience

Romancing SaGa’s remake strikes an impressive balance between deep RPG systems and player freedom. The two-track progression keeps every battle engaging, while the freedom to explore Mardias in any order prevents the pacing from ever feeling stale or overly scripted. It’s a sandbox JRPG at its core, inviting you to write your own saga.

Combat feels both strategic and cinematic, with combo chains and weapon skills delivering a satisfying punch. The risk of weapons breaking mid-fight adds tension, and the decision to auto-heal stats after each battle (but not Life Points) encourages cautious party management. Permadeath for fallen allies heightens the stakes in tougher encounters.

Graphically and audibly, the game delights. Modernized anime-style art, a polished UI, and a sweeping soundtrack breathe new life into the classic score. Whether you’re a veteran nostalgic for the original or a newcomer curious about a non-linear JRPG experience, this remake offers excellent presentation and accessibility.

Minor quibbles—such as occasional backtracking or the lack of deeper branching narratives—don’t overshadow the core strengths. With its wealth of replay value, robust systems, and compelling world, Romancing SaGa’s remake stands as a must-play for fans of strategic turn-based RPGs seeking both nostalgia and fresh challenges.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10