A historic return. SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered.

I scoff at the people that compare video games to art. To me, it’s a stuffy and contrived way for gamers to gas up their favorite games while at the same time looking down on other ones. So, I won’t be calling SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered art. But, if I were to classify games as art, then this would be an appropriate one for that classification. I say this because it’s a unique experience that just so happens to be part of my favorite series. Originally released stateside in 2000, SaGa Frontier 2 received moderate acclaim because people just didn’t “get it.” Thanks to a few dedicated gamers’ guidance and tutelage, it became more and more accessible over the years. Now, we have a remastered version that delivers the best of that golden RPG era with modern quality of life enhancements. Obviously, I recommend it.

I wan to start with the visuals and music. The graphics have been enhanced in the remaster tenfold. Featuring watercolor backgrounds and classic sprites, this game is still lovely to look at. Character sprites have been upscaled and refined. I played on the Switch 2 and their animations were silky smooth whether docked or handheld. Skills, spells, monster movements, and more all looked amazing. Masashi Hamazu’s soundtrack, while slightly samey, still sounds great. I’m a bit biased, because I feel that the SaGa series’ music is best done by Kenji Ito. But, Hamazu’s work does a good job with getting the feelings and themes across as the story moves forward.

SaGa Frontier 2 takes place in the world of Sandail. Players get to experience this world from two perspectives that sometimes cross paths with one another. The first is Gustave, the thirteenth heir to the throne in the kingdom of Thermes. Sadly, Gustave was born without anima: the ability to call upon magical powers. This “defect” caused him to be banished to a small town. Gustave isn’t going to roll over quietly. He learns the ways of the blacksmith and begins forging weapons out of steel; something unprecedented in a world of magical items. The second character is Wil Knights, a starry-eyed digger that wants to hit it big. After an expedition through some ruins, Wil learns about a group of shady diggers that discovered an egg-shaped quell. Wil’s parents were supposedly lost in an expedition where a quell with that same description was discovered. Wil decides to follow the lead to discover the truth. Both characters ‘tales span multiple generations, shaping the history of Sandail.

Players get the privilege of witnessing all of it as they select various scenarios. Along the way, you’ll meet a cast of (mostly) memorable characters. I really enjoyed the story because it was so different for the series. Usually, a game with the “SaGa” title means that there is little emphasis on narrative and more on exploration. With SaGa Frontier 2 and its newly remastered script, there’s a healthy combination of both. Navigating the game can be done in such a way that no two playthroughs are alike. So, while the game is linear by all accounts, there’s still a sense of freedom to explore as preferred by the player.

SaGa Frontier 2 takes the classic town -> dungeon -> town formula and adds some nifty twists to it. Typically, after selecting a scenario, you will go through a town to gather information and restock. Then, you’ll go to an area filled with monsters. After a boss fight, story beat, or a combination of the two, you’ll be returned to the town and the scenario will end. You’ll be back on the world map and given new scenarios to enter. It’s a clever, highly addictive gameplay loop. Going further, initial gameplay will feel familiar to anyone that’s played an RPG. You form a party, equip them with various weapons and armor, give them skills and spells, and venture off. Towns are lively, but it’s the dungeons and combat that shine most. SaGa Frontier 2 rewards players that take their time and fully explore each scenario. This applies to treasures, but also to powering up your characters. I really, REALLY want to get into the nitty-gritty of the combat, but I won’t. I’ll just say that the battles (turn-based with a group of four, duels, or large-scale tactical battles) are all equally enjoyable. As per usual, sparking a skill or spell mid-combat is a rush.

The core gameplay of SaGa Frontier 2 has remained unchanged. This remastered version, however, features a handful of helpful tutorials that can be accessed at any time. I point this out because aspects of the original game left players confused back in the PlayStation days even after reading the instruction manual from start to finish. Resources and guides were limited, so oftentimes players (self-included) found themselves just wandering from point to point and not taking full advantage of the game’s mechanics. By the time a lot of us reached the end of the game, we got game overs so quickly it made our heads spin. So, all that to say, these new in-game guides really help.

There’s also a speed up option with multiple settings. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the inclusion of the features that originally required a PocketStation, an accessory for the PlayStation that was hard to obtain outside of Japan. Now, players can enjoy Combo Pocket and Go! Go! Digger. Combo Pocket makes it easier to keep track of the various combos and attacks you discover. Go! Go! Digger allows you to discover new equipment pieces by sending diggers out to explore and excavate various areas. Neither of these were needed in the original version, but having them now really makes this feel like the definitive version of SaGa Frontier 2.

For folks that have been visiting my illustrious website for a while, you might recall my review of the PlayStation original (published in 2003!) and a hints and tips write-up for SaGa Frontier 2. Both are linked below. This means that I have three writing pieces dedicated to SaGa Frontier 2. It should be evident that I recommend gamers experiencing the game. And, there’s really no better time than now thanks to this remastered version. In terms of flaws, there are some balancing issues and, even with the in-game guides, there’s still a learning curve when it comes to understanding everything. But, by that same token, “getting it” feels rewarding. Just make sure to keep multiple save files handy in the event you need to restructure your team/resources. I’m a big fan of this series and game, so my recommendation is to check it out and experience a historically unique RPG.

Overall, 8.5/10: Shape history. Be history. Remaster history! SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered adds necessary, modern features to a classic RPG from the PlayStation era.

Fear The Egg! SaGa Frontier 2’s unique approach to storytelling and discovery creates a game that’s one of a kind.

SaGa Frontier 2 Hints and Tips.