SaGa Series Discussion

[zwanzig_zwoelf]

There's only one thing I can see really causing this, and it's not researching in the right kind of healing spells.

Eh, it's not just that -- certain spells (or lack thereof) can make or break certain battles and the final boss will put everything you've accomplished and learned to the test.

It is truly remarkable how you can blow through multiple campaigns of these games in a row like you do. I get burnt out after a single lengthy one and have to take a long break between playthroughs usually. Emerald Beyond is a little different, but I've got nearly 20 hours into Siugnas' campagin, still have at least 3 main quest worlds to get through, and can't imagine wanting to dive right into another having explored the majority of the 17 worlds in this playthrough. This will be a 25-30 hour playthrough, at least.

I enjoy it a lot and it's a very smooth ride for me, partially due to my experience with prior games.

The campaigns are generally shorter on the first run, but I wonder how the second will differ in all of them, plus I keep encountering new worlds as I poke around with new characters.

There are also fewer moments where the game becomes a drag compared to Scarlet Grace. As much as I don't like the Delta Base on subsequent runs, certain provinces and scenarios in SG dragged like crazy.

 

[Jinn]

Eh, it's not just that -- certain spells (or lack thereof) can make or break certain battles and the final boss will put everything you've accomplished and learned to the test.

I mean, yeah, when it really comes down to it, smart and efficient spell research is kind of what will make or break a run, but not until the final battle. But while you can end up pretty naturally with most offensive spells you'll need to deal with certain situations, healing is really what you'll need, especially in those final battles. I would say any JRPG worth its salt is going to throw an incredibly difficult final battle at you, but the difference in RS2 is that you can't grind your way out of the situation if you fuck up essential spell research throughout the game. I would say most everything else in a given playthrough - while challenging at times - is surmountable besides that final battle, keeping all this in mind.

 

[n0wh3r3]

So: should I buy Emerald Beyond?

 

[zwanzig_zwoelf]

Finished one run per each character. The game gets progressively easier since equipment carries over along with stats and skill levels, but you can tweak that or avoid using powerful equipment if you want more challenge.

Started a second run as Ameya Aisling with BR carryover to up the challenge. Judging by Kawazu's tweets, BR carryover is recommended on second runs per character if you want a challenge.

Overall? Easily my GOTY 2024.

Eager to check how the second runs are going to differ from each other.

So: should I buy Emerald Beyond?

I'd say yes. This game is a massive improvement over Scarlet Grace in terms of gameplay, but the exploration can get pretty linear within each world. On the bright side, usually, you have a choice on which world to tackle.

 

[zwanzig_zwoelf]

OK, this is interesting.

Started a second loop as Ameya Aisling and encountered the following:

1. The game skips most of the intro.
2. You get access to more worlds as soon as you enter the Junction.
3. I entered a world I never encountered during my first playthroughs as 5 characters.

 

[n0wh3r3]

Finished one run per each character. The game gets progressively easier since equipment carries over along with stats and skill levels, but you can tweak that or avoid using powerful equipment if you want more challenge.

Started a second run as Ameya Aisling with BR carryover to up the challenge. Judging by Kawazu's tweets, BR carryover is recommended on second runs per character if you want a challenge.

Overall? Easily my GOTY 2024.

Eager to check how the second runs are going to differ from each other.

So: should I buy Emerald Beyond?

I'd say yes. This game is a massive improvement over Scarlet Grace in terms of gameplay, but the exploration can get pretty linear within each world. On the bright side, usually, you have a choice on which world to tackle.

I'll be sure to get it soon then.

In the meantime I'm starting a run on Romancing Saga 1 for the SNES (the original Minstrel Song). Has anyone played it?

 

[wolfbane]

In the meantime I'm starting a run on Romancing Saga 1 for the SNES (the original Minstrel Song). Has anyone played it?

Yes, I posted about it just a few posts up. But basically I really enjoyed what I played (which was admittedly limited). Apparently there’s some game breaking bugs near the end? That’s what I recall hearing but when I tried googling it recently, I didn’t find anything.

It’s a very charming game though.

 

[Ash]

Never played a SaGa game. Considering Saga Frontier 2. Y/N?

 

[Jinn]

Never played a SaGa game. Considering Saga Frontier 2. Y/N?

If you want one of the more linear games in the series, then yes. And that's not a knock to the game at all. SaGa Frontier 2 is excellent and still let's the player off the leash more than most JRPGs. It just has a much more rigid structure than prior SaGa games. But with that more rigid structure comes more of an emphasis on story-telling and character development than a lot of the other games have.

But if you want the more open-world structure the series is really known for, try something else. SaGa Frontier or Romancing SaGa 3, maybe.

 

[Damned Registrations]

But if you want the more open-world structure the series is really known for, try something else. SaGa Frontier or Romancing SaGa 3, maybe.

SaGa Frontier kind of gets to do both in a way; depending on which character you pick, you either get full blown sandbox (Lute, Asellus,) a very structured and linear set of missions (Red, Emelia), or somewhere in between with the other 3. Blue's my personal favourite scenario, but they've got a pretty good range of styles when it comes to storytelling and character development and the gameplay that entails.

 

[zwanzig_zwoelf]

Finished my second run as Ameya Aisling. I strongly suggest BR transfer on second runs to keep the challenge, otherwise the game might get too easy.

I collected the minimum number of cats and focused on chasing the emerald visions. Went through 4 worlds instead of 2, and available worlds changed depending on choices.

Also, the scenarios within worlds changed a bit, e.g. I got to recruit Azure and recover Balthazar's heart while traveling with Ivar.

The main story changed as well -- it had more of the stuff you'd expect from a witch living in disguise among common people.

I'll try a new Mido run later and see how things change there.

 

[Miner 2049er]

Started with Tsunanori and he goes down faster than Mia Khalifa to a point, I'm wondering he has narcolepsy.

This game left an awful first impression. I loved SaGa Scarlet Grace and many other SaGa games including The Last Remnant and The Alliance Alive, but here I'm having a hard time getting into it.

If it's true (and I have no reason for doubts), that the stories are short and have to be repeated over and over just to see some changes, I don't care for, I'm not sure I'm liking those design decisions and the direction of the game. Combat is still ace though. I will finish this character and hope I'm having more fun with the next one.