Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered Review

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I’ve often discussed Square Enix’s SaGa series and how it delivers a unique RPG experience unlike any other. Last June, I described Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song as wonderfully strange and then explained what makes SaGa games special – the emphasis on letting players explore and discover things for themselves.

We’ve always been big fans of the SaGa series here at RPG Site. In fact, SaGa Scarlet Grace Ambitions was our RPG of the Year in 2019, beating out other great games like Disco Elysium, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. The SaGa games aren’t for everyone, but those who enjoy them really enjoy them.

Square Enix released a lot of games last year, including Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered. It didn’t get much attention at the time, overshadowed by other popular Square Enix titles like Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion and Tactics Ogre Reborn. However, I think Minstrel Song deserves a closer look.

To me, Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song is one of the best RPGs ever made.

Most Japanese role-playing games tell a straightforward story that unfolds in a predictable way, and that’s perfectly fine! However, the SaGa series is different. If you expect a typical, linear RPG experience when you start playing a SaGa game, you’ll likely be surprised, as it doesn’t follow that formula.

I won’t rehash my previous points about Minstrel Song, but it’s hard to compare it to other games. SaGa titles have a unique design and approach that sets them apart. Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song brilliantly captures the feeling of role-playing, both during battles and while exploring, all within a well-made game. It’s a standout entry in the series, and the Remaster version is even better thanks to helpful new features that make it easier to enjoy.

The game lets you choose from eight different characters, each beginning their journey in a unique location within the world of Mardias. After a brief introductory sequence, you’re free to explore and decide your own path. There isn’t a central storyline or a set direction to follow. In fact, everything in the game is optional – you can truly do whatever you want and go wherever you please.

The game doesn’t have a set story. Instead, you build it by talking to people and exploring locations they mention. You’ll uncover different events and meet characters who can join your group. While your ultimate goal is to defeat an evil god, the path you take to get there is up to you.

Square Enix often promotes its SaGa games with the tagline “Create your own SaGa!” and it perfectly captures the experience. No two players will have quite the same journey, thanks to the game’s open-ended design and numerous possible paths. This creates a truly captivating experience fueled by a desire for exploration. The final result feels like a unique, personalized adventure, similar to a tabletop RPG campaign, but within the familiar style of a classic Japanese console RPG. Series creator Akitoshi Kawazu has often mentioned his love for Dungeons & Dragons and his goal of bringing tabletop elements into his games, and that influence is clearly visible throughout.

The game, and the SaGa series as a whole, is built around letting players explore and figure things out on their own. Every game mechanic is designed to encourage curiosity. Even familiar RPG elements, like getting new equipment or recruiting party members, are handled differently. Unlike many JRPGs, Romancing SaGa doesn’t have a set path for improving your gear or expanding your team. Where you go, who you talk to, and what you discover will determine when you find powerful items and characters – you might even get top-tier gear and allies early in the game.

What makes Minstrel Song, and the SaGa series as a whole, so rewarding is the ability to build a strong team with the characters you like best. The game offers a lot of freedom in how you play, and there are always tough challenges to overcome. As you learn how the game’s systems connect, you can start creating a team that’s ready for anything. It’s a fantastic feeling when you finally defeat a boss that once seemed impossible.

As a friend put it, Minstrel Song makes you feel incredibly powerful, but in a way that feels truly deserved.

We’ve received a lot of positive feedback about the quality-of-life improvements in this Remaster. Compared to the original PlayStation 2 version, there have been so many changes and adjustments that I’m bound to miss mentioning a few.

The penalty for running from battles has been reduced. Battles and exploration now feel faster and more responsive thanks to a new turbo mode. The user interface has been completely redesigned to display important information and shop details more clearly. A marker now shows your current Event Rank, which many players requested. New Game Plus now allows you to carry over more progress, making subsequent playthroughs less repetitive and time-consuming. Previously difficult-to-start quests are now easier to activate. Finally, a 999-item storage system, accessible from any menu, greatly simplifies item management.

These changes, among others, easily make this new version the definitive version of Minstrel Song. 

My biggest issue with this remaster is the new content it includes. Without going into too much detail—it gets complicated—there are basically three new additions.

We’ve added four new characters – Marina, Flammar, Monica, and Schiele – who can join your team. Once you finish each character’s quest (which remains the same as before), they’ll become available. I think this is a great addition, as it simply expands your options for building a battle party.

The game also introduces a new series of events centered around Aldora, a character with a significant role in the original game. You can add her to your team, but her story is only available starting on your third playthrough – and even then, you need to make specific choices in the first two playthroughs to unlock it. While the events themselves are engaging and expand on the game’s world, they’re hidden so well that they’re very hard to find and experience.

Okay, so they’ve added even harder boss fights this time around, seriously challenging even the optional super boss from the original game. Honestly, because of how they tweaked the New Game + stuff, that old super boss isn’t quite as brutal as I remember from the PS2 days, but he’s still a massive pain and needs a ton of prep. But here’s the kicker – if you actually manage to take him down, you unlock a whole thirteen more super bosses to fight, if you’re feeling brave enough!

A lot of the new content in Minstrel Song Remastered will likely only be experienced by dedicated players. This includes things like completing very specific playthroughs to unlock the Aldora story, or defeating exceptionally tough bosses after already overcoming a major challenge.

Overall, I think this feels like a lost chance to really surprise players. It would have been great to have more unexpected events appear naturally during a normal game. As it stands, though, it’s probable that most players won’t discover the new content unless they become deeply invested. It’s a small issue, but I’m a little disappointed with how it was handled.

Romancing SaGa isn’t a game for all players, and that’s perfectly okay. However, if you’re looking for a JRPG that breaks the mold and offers a unique experience, it’s worth checking out – you might just find yourself completely hooked.

9

We tested Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered on PC. It’s also playable on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.

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2025-12-05 17:57