The gods created man and man created stories.
In the beginning there was Romancing SaGa, the first installment of the classic 16-bit RPG trilogy. The beloved adventure was later remade for the PS2 and was titled Romanncing SaGa -Minstrel Song-. On December 9, Red Art Games will release an enhanced version of the PS2 game on PS5 and PS4, titled Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered International.
This novel international version is the most comprehensive yet, featuring novel characters, tougher challenges, as well as numerous QoL improvements including French, Italian, German, and Spanish localization, the ability to switch between English and Japanese voices, and more, making it perfect for longtime fans and first-time SaGa players.
Before we return to the world of Mardias, I had the honor of interviewing Akitoshi Kawazu, the original creator of the SaGa series and producer and director of the 2005 version. Kawazu-san was kind enough to answer a few questions we had about the game, the 36-year history of the SaGa series, and his personal thoughts.
Can you tell us how the idea for the first Romancing SaGa game came about?
I’ve always wanted to make a gigantic fantasy RPG in the style of The Lord of the Rings. With our previous experience and novel equipment available, I knew it was time to take on this challenge.
And then came Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song-. What were the challenges of creating the 2005 PlayStation 2 version?
The biggest challenge was determining the limits to which we could push the expression capabilities of PS2. The novel band members wanted different expressions than those found in the original version, but if we went too far, it wouldn’t be true to the original. Growth was about finding balance.
In the PS2 version, the original 2D pixel graphics were completely reworked into a full 3D game. When it comes to battles, novel systems such as BP management and combos have been introduced, adding more strategy and drama to each encounter. The music, composed by Kenji Ito, has also been boldly rearranged, providing players with a fresh and powerful listening experience even if they were familiar with the original. In addition, features such as a class and proficiency system were added, which reflects the trends of the time and makes the game more accessible and convenient to play.
It must be special to see the game brought back to life on the PS5 version. What was it like being in the room when Square Enix discussed remastering the game? What was on your mind then?
To take full advantage of the PS5’s capabilities, another full remake would be needed, and that was not the goal of this project. That said, we knew we didn’t want to waste the potential of its high specs, so we tried different approaches to see what was possible. We also discussed what additional elements we wanted to include.
The remastered version introduces several novel features and improvements to further enhance the player’s experience. New playable characters have been added, as well as high difficulty bosses designed to challenge even experienced players. A newly written script by Akitoshi Kawazu expands the story and world of the original, while Kenji Ito’s music has been boldly rearranged, offering a fresh and energetic listening experience. Additionally, various quality-of-life features – such as an improved UI, a battle speed option, and data transfer after wipe – make the game more accessible and enjoyable for both novel and returning players.
Romancing SaGa has a long history. Over 30 years and still growing! What makes this game such a reference in the JRPG genre that it is still so much fun to play it again and again?
I think this is because our priority was to give the player a lot of freedom. Games are fun because they operate under a specific set of rules, but those rules aren’t fun if they exist only to satisfy the designers’ whims. A huge part of the game’s appeal is that the player remembers their experience long after the game is over.
How does the story of Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song-Remastered International differ from the original Romancing SaGa?
The basic premise and plot remain the same, but we’ve added many elements reminiscent of miniature fantasy stories so that players can enjoy the story of this world more.
This remastered version adds many novel events that were not present in the original 1992 version. New story arcs include the introduction of the Volunteer Brigade, which guides players through the core game systems and progression, as well as additional episodes that further develop certain characters – such as Marina and Flammar, who are now playable. There are also special events that can only be experienced on the second playthrough or later, offering players more depth and replay value.
Of the many characters in Minstrel Song, who is your favorite? Can you explain why?
I think the most heroic of them all is Albert, a newborn man beset by the vagaries of fate.
One of the most striking elements of this title is Tomomi Kobayashi’s art direction. Can you tell us why you decided to include her art in the game?
We chose Tomomi Kobayashi because her apply of dainty lines and radiant colors inspires the player to apply their imagination. I would go so far as to say that the development team – myself included – were even more energized than the players. The reason why the characters come to life can be directly tied to Kobayashi-san’s designs.
Regarding the “Minstrel” mentioned in the title. In the Romancing SaGa series, the bard always appears in each installment. What do you think the role of a Minstrel is?
Minstrel is supposed to provide an objective view of the world. Although he empathizes with the characters, he is someone who loves everything in the world, including the monsters that live there. I don’t like it when a story overemphasizes characters’ emotions to the exclusion of other aspects of the world, so I try to include characters who are able to provide a more universal point of view.
As for the music in this title, the remaster seems to have further enhanced its presence, elevating the overall gameplay experience. In the PlayStation 2 version of Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song-, many songs from the original version of Romancing SaGa were boldly rearranged, and novel compositions were created. Could you share any specific stories or memories about the process of arranging or composing these novel songs?
We’ve rearranged the music to better take advantage of the PS2’s affluent audio and musical capabilities. Kenji Ito, who composed the original, put a lot of work into the entire project, and his fresh arrangements and novel songs often brought our sound engineers to tears.
For a long time, the Romancing SaGa series has been created mainly with Japanese players in mind. What do you think about the overseas release of Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered International by Red Art Games, which now includes additional localizations in four European languages?
My decisions at that time meant that the original did not reach abroad for a long time. I’m thrilled that this work can now be enjoyed in a land where the fantasy genre has its roots in the languages of the people there.
How would you like to see the SaGa series develop in the future? Are there any novel directions or challenges you would like to explore?
I would like to continue to provide audiences with contemporary fantasy RPGs, including remakes of previous titles.
Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Kawazu!
And thank you, dear reader, for getting this far! The game will be available on December 9 on PlayStation Store for PS4 and PS5.
