SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered brings this cult-classic JRPG to modern platforms while preserving its beautiful watercolor art style. Originally a PlayStation 1 exclusive, the game remained unavailable on other systems until this newly announced remaster for PC and consoles. While divisive among fans, it’s one of the most unique entries in the SaGa series – and still feels remarkably fresh today.
What sets SaGa Frontier 2 apart is its more linear structure compared to other open-ended SaGa games. The story follows two distinct protagonists – Gustave XIII and Wil Knights – whose narratives eventually intertwine. The game’s hand-drawn visuals remain one of its biggest draws.
Combat uses an old-school turn-based system with three battle types: Duel, Team, and Strategic. Characters fulfill specific roles and learn skills through battle, with the ability to chain moves for powerful combos. The dual protagonist structure lets you switch between storylines at will, and there are numerous easy-to-miss optional events throughout.
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered was a total surprise when it randomly showed up in a Nintendo Direct. As a longtime fan of the series (flaws and all), I was thrilled – I’d somehow missed the original back in the day, so this remaster gave me a second chance. The upgraded version adds some nice touches like visual filters for modern screens and a much-appreciated quick-save feature that makes playing through the story smoother.
What really hooked me was how story-driven this game is. Before you even get control of your character, you’re treated to lengthy cutscenes that flesh out the world, characters, and lore. The writing is fantastic – it reminds me of the stellar localization in the Tactics games. I love how it doesn’t force you to choose between protagonists; you can either follow the timeline chronologically or focus on one character’s journey first. There’s no “right” way to play – just go with whatever feels best for you.
The option to toggle between remastered and original visuals is a great addition. Playing mostly on Steam Deck’s smaller screen, I found myself sticking with the classic look – the pixel art holds up surprisingly well. The remaster also includes some new story events, though you’ll need to choose between experiencing the original version or the updated one.
I’ll admit I’ve reached a point where turn-based combat rarely clicks with me these days. While SaGa Frontier 2 excels in storytelling and art direction, its weakest moments come between cutscenes when gameplay takes over. The three battle types (Duel, Team, Strategic) feel uneven – though I did enjoy the epic scale of the strategic army battles.
Exploration is another sore spot. The excessive backtracking feels unnecessary, especially with the game’s literal roadblocks that seem more frustrating than clever. I often found myself searching for guides, as the game does little to point you in the right direction.
The two protagonists couldn’t be more different in how they play. Gustave’s story leans heavier on narrative with less combat, while Wil’s route focuses more on dungeon crawling. Since exploration isn’t the game’s strong suit, I naturally preferred Gustave’s campaign – though credit where it’s due, both characters are wonderfully realized.
The remaster adds some fantastic quality-of-life improvements. Being able to fast-forward through battles and cutscenes is a game-changer for grinding, and the shared EXP system eliminates so much unnecessary repetition. After experiencing these features, I can’t imagine going back to the original version. Square Enix even included nice extras like minigames that were previously Japan-exclusive – not essential, but a cool bonus for fans.
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered is like unearthing a polished gem from gaming’s past. While the quality-of-life improvements elevate it far above the original, some rough edges remain – the combat system has a steep learning curve, and while the variety helps prevent monotony, it never quite becomes truly enjoyable. The exploration elements similarly drag down what’s otherwise a captivating narrative. But these flaws shouldn’t deter you from experiencing this unique piece of JRPG history.
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered Game Information
- Price: $29.99
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platform: PC (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
