‘Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song-‘ Review – Toss a Coin to Your Minstrel – TouchArcade

In the event you’ve been maintaining with Sq. Enix’s cell releases, you most likely have SaGa opinions by now. The sequence, which had all the time had a spotty localization file, went dormant within the West for a very long time following the 2005 launch of Romancing Saga: Minstrel Tune on the PlayStation 2. I can solely assume the Western launch of Romancing SaGa 2 ($4.99) did higher than anticipated, as we’ve obtained a veritable flood of SaGa releases since. All of these video games have seen international releases no matter their unique localization standing, that means that we’ve nearly the complete sequence obtainable on cell. And now destiny has introduced us right here, again to Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Tune ($20.99).

It is a remaster of the PlayStation 2 sport, which was itself a remake of the Tremendous Famicom title Romancing SaGa. You by no means fairly understand how in depth the adjustments will probably be when a sport from that period makes a reappearance, however on this case the adjustments are many and pretty important. They vary from new content material (characters, story) to high quality of life enhancements, and the tip result’s a sport that so tremendously outclasses its earlier incarnation that it renders it almost irrelevant. I believe it’s frankly nearly as good as it may be with out truly ripping the entire thing up and ranging from scratch. If for some cause you are attempting to determine between the PlayStation 2 model or this one, it’s a simple selection.

Whereas I’m certain not many readers performed the earlier launch (the franchise went dormant for a cause in spite of everything), I’ll rapidly element the additions and enhancements. Most clearly, the graphics have been enhanced and upscaled. I’ve combined emotions concerning the artwork course of this sport, nevertheless it’s by no means seemed higher than it does right here. The UI and menus have been redone, which they might clearly have to be for cell customers. It appears to be like good and is as useful as you will get when making use of contact controls to a sport initially designed for a controller. There are some good high quality of life enhancements like a high-speed mode, extraordinarily helpful mini maps, and a extremely welcome New Recreation + choice that matches this sport like a glove.

As for brand spanking new content material, there’s truly fairly a bit to see. Like with SaGa Frontier‘s remaster, we’ve bought a brand new playable character with their very own episode. Aldora the Sorceress, who these accustomed to the unique will bear in mind as Mirsa’s ally, is now selectable and has her personal story about her travels with the Legendary Hero. There are additionally a handful of latest recruitable characters, with Schiele being a spotlight. There are some new lessons to tinker with, which is all the time a pleasant factor to see in remakes and remasters of video games with job techniques. Moreover, there are a bunch of latest tremendous bosses. They’re… one thing. For these gamers who discovered the unique sport didn’t fulfill their want for difficult encounters, eat up.

Curiously, a part of the intention behind the unique Minstrel Tune was to return to a extra conventional and approachable format after the decidedly combined response to Limitless SaGa. Sure, that is the SaGa staff (circa 2005) attempting to make an simply digestible sport. Does it work? Sure and no. On the finish of the day, that is nonetheless a SaGa sport. It has all of the quirky techniques you’d anticipate from the sequence, tends to be opaque and supply few clues about what to do, and focuses extra on mechanics than story components. It revels in its unorthodox nature, although it’s reasonably orthodox in its unorthodoxy when you’re accustomed to the sequence.

That final bit is maybe the important thing to it. In the event you’re seeking to get into the SaGa sequence, this can be a respectable sufficient start line. It should educate you numerous about how the sequence works, and chances are you’ll properly end up capable of admire the opposite video games extra having performed by this one. I’m unsure it’s the perfect start line anymore, nevertheless it’s a great one. However within the grand scheme of RPGs, that is nonetheless a sport that requires a bit extra work on the participant’s half. Whereas the unique Romancing SaGa was the fourth a part of the SaGa sequence, it was the third sport within the sequence made by the identical staff. In the event you’ve performed the Recreation Boy video games, the unique sport adopted on from Remaining Fantasy Legend II, bringing the concepts and philosophy of the sequence to the 16-bit world. With, you understand, all that means.

I gained’t spend an excessive amount of extra time speaking concerning the unique 16-bit sport although, as a result of the PlayStation 2 sport was already a major remake and this remaster takes it even additional. You’ll begin this sport by selecting from eight completely different characters at first, and when you’ve gotten by the primary bit for every, you’re kind of by yourself to make your method on the planet. It’s stuffed with issues to do and other people to satisfy, although how a lot of that you just discover on any given playthrough is as much as you. It needs you to replay it, and when you get pleasure from what it gives you virtually definitely will achieve this.

That open strategy is the calling card of this sport, and it demonstrates how in a variety of methods this was a title far forward of its time. Nevertheless it will also be formidable to gamers used to a extra guided strategy. I like to recommend making the most of the entire tutorials and directions the sport gives, principally by youngsters hanging round within the cities. It should go away you higher outfitted to get pleasure from what the sport has to supply. In the event you’re feeling unsure or anxious, I like to recommend beginning with Albert. It should maintain your hand as a lot as this sport is keen to. Those that simply need to dive into the open situation goodness ought to decide Barbara, who is kind of tossed into the fray instantly.

I’m not going to speak an excessive amount of concerning the story. Tales? It’s all participating sufficient with some really attention-grabbing twists and world-building, nevertheless it’s removed from the principle cause to play the sport. No, it’s the mechanics which can be the spotlight right here. The Glimmer (SPARKING) system returns, permitting you to study new methods just about any time simply by utilizing different ones. In true SaGa vogue, your stats will improve primarily based in your actions. There aren’t any conventional level-ups right here. The category system additionally requires you to have sure expertise leveled amongst different necessities. On the whole, robust battles on this sport are greatest handled by rethinking your get together construct and ways. Grinding is an choice, nevertheless it’s a really unhealthy concept on account of a core a part of the mechanics: occasion rank.

Mainly, time passes on the planet of Minstrel Tune. At sure factors enemies will get stronger, new quests will open up, and previous quests will disappear. The factor that determines how the time passes is the variety of battles you’ve fought, which feeds into one thing known as your occasion rank. Grind an excessive amount of and also you’ll miss out on quite a bit and solely find yourself making the enemies stronger. On the similar time, you’ll need to transfer time (and struggle battles) at an honest tempo lest you attain the tip earlier than some quests have an opportunity to open. Your relationship along with your occasion rank will largely decide what you may and might’t see on this world, and is likely one of the issues that makes this sport so replayable.

It’s value taking your time going by, as a result of finishing sub-quests not solely provides to the narrative texture of the sport but in addition helps you energy up in numerous methods. You’ll discover new characters and different issues which can be frankly value seeing. And that’s actually who this sport is for, I believe. Whereas the Remaining Fantasy video games are curler coasters, taking you on a reasonably simple route with pre-planned surprises and turns, the SaGa video games are typically extra for the explorers. The individuals who wish to experiment. Those who wish to poke round and see if they’ll put one over on the sport. If that’s you, you’ll discover an absolute ton of worth on this sport.

In case you have performed any SaGa video games prior to now and had fun with them, you’ll virtually definitely like Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Tune. Its presentation is a bit of odd however the sport itself is a reasonably protected entry within the oddball model. On the opposite facet, when you haven’t been capable of get into previous video games like SaGa Scarlet Grace ($8.99) or SaGa Frontier ($14.99), nothing in right here goes to alter your thoughts. In the event you’re in some way totally new to this entire enterprise, this isn’t the worst place to dip your foot in. These uninterested in the identical previous JRPG mechanics or those that usually have an open thoughts could need to give this one a go.

As for this cell model particularly, it’s glorious. The facet ratio means you’re getting bars on the facet when you’re taking part in on iPhone, however the visuals look unbelievable and the UI is each useful and enticing. You’ve bought full controller assist right here, fortunately. One by no means is aware of with Sq. Enix releases. Even when you aren’t utilizing a controller, you’ll discover the contact controls are greater than as much as the duty. Positive, it’s a bit of costly relative to different cell video games, nevertheless it’s cheaper than the console variations and each bit nearly as good.

General, Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Tune is a unbelievable re-do of a sport that had numerous room for enchancment, and this cell port is top-shelf. SaGa followers will eat it up, and even when you’ve performed the unique chances are you’ll need to examine this out for its new content material and additions. There are definitely some awkward carry-overs from its PlayStation 2 origins, like the shortage of a player-controlled digital camera, and that will chafe some. It’s additionally a SaGa sport by and thru, and that’s both going to have you ever leaping with pleasure or operating for the hills. I go away it as much as you to make that remaining resolution, however I do know which facet of the road I’m standing on.