Let's Discuss: SaGa Frontier Remastered

There is no denying that Square Enix's cash cow franchises are the FINAL FANTASY and DRAGON QUEST games. While those games do bring in the big bucks, this hasn't stopped the company from giving some their other IPs some time in the sun. In 2019, Collection of Mana (the first three titles in the Mana series) was localized to audiences outside of Japan. December of 2020 saw the release of Collection of SaGa: FINAL FANTASY LEGEND, which housed the first three SaGa titles, originally released outside of Japan under the monikers of FINAL FANTASY LEGEND. Over the years Square Enix has been giving the SaGa series more recognition outside of the Land of the Rising Sun despite the niche fanbase the series has. With that in mind, Square Enix's announcement for SaGa Frontier Remastered shouldn't be too surprising and yet, I found myself in disbelief as I watched the trailer.

I played SaGa Frontier around the time it was originally released. The game had quite the appeal with seven different characters to choose from each with his/her own story. There were also no random encounters as enemies appear on the field, but like EarthBound, many enemies make a B line for you whenever they can. Fights can also be quite difficult since enemies grow in strength right along side you. Like FINAL FANTASY II, your characters don't gain levels but their stats increase depending on the actions you take in battles. Characters that swing swords around more frequently will become more proficient with blades. Defend to get better defense and so on. Your party can also learn new skills on the fly in battle, which makes experimenting essential, especially if you want to learn some of the more devastating attacks. Your HP is recovered after every battle but that doesn't mean you should pass on staying at inns. In SaGa Frontier you have LP, or Life Points. If a character's LP ever hits zero, they won't be able to take part in battles and having one less battle ready characters is something you really don't want in this game.

For 1998, SaGa Frontier had some very nice sprite based visuals and this remaster does a marvelous job of touching them up for a 2021 audience. I wish a similar level of care went into the sprites of the mobile ports of the FINAL FANTASY games. The backgrounds have also been cleaned up a bit, though some still look like they contain a bit of grain, though that could just be from some of the screens I've looked at.

SaGa Frontier was originally going to have a cast of eight playable characters but one was cut for time. This remaster brings back that cut character, Fuse, who appeared in some of the character's stories. So not only are gamers getting a remaster but the cut content of the original is now being restored along with other quality of life improvements. SaGa Frontier Remastered doesn't seem like a quick and dirty cash grab. 

Judging from the trailer, the music sounds very much like the score I heard in the original game, which is just fine in all honesty. Kenji Ito's score in SaGa Frontier sounds identical to his work on all three Romancing SaGa games on the SNES, only SaGa Frontier had the power of CD quality audio backing it. This game has so many good battle themes, town and dungeon themes. Baccarat is still one of the best jazz bangers in any RPG. 

Do I have some concerns? Well, after the way FINAL FANTASY Crystal Chronicles Remastered was handled, I'm hoping SaGa Frontier Remastered doesn't end up sharing a similar fate. I guess we'll have to wait until the summer to see how the game pans out. It is also worth noting that while I enjoyed SaGa Frontier, it may not appeal to everyone. Any unprepared party can be whipped out by normal enemies. You can save anywhere but it is possible to save in the wrong spot and completely doom a character run because you've come up against a fight you just can't win. This is very much an RPG for the hardcore player. 

I gotta say, it is nice to see Square Enix giving some games outside of the FINAL FANTASY series remastered love, even if the results are sometimes less than stellar. If we could get some remasters of say, Einhander or Brave Fencer Musashi, I would be a very happy gamer. 

All screens from Square Enix

Favorite Tunes #276: Catroidvania

The first Favorite Tunes of the year and I actually got 'em posted on a Saturday. We're starting the year off right.

Title - Gato Roboto (PC, NS)

Describe Gato Roboto in five words. Metroid with a cat, cute. From the level layout/design to the bulky shoulder power suit Kiki wears, Gato Roboto proudly displays wears the Metroid love on its gun arm. Some of the music can be more on the ambiance side but some tracks go pretty hard.

Gumos Hideout - Ori and the Blind Forest (PC, XBO, NS)

What can I say about Metroidvania games? Indies love them. Maybe a little too much, but I digress. Ori and the Blind Forest, like Cuphead, was exclusive to PC and XBO but Microsfot has been all buddy buddy with Nintendo, so the Definitive Edition of the game came over to the Switch. There's a plethora of calming, soothing music to listen to as you make your way through the forest and die a lot.

HQ - SaGa Frontier (PS)

You'd be forgiven for thinking SaGa Frontier was the first in the SaGa series to be released outside of Japan. In truth, the GB Final Fantasy Legend games are SaGa titles released under the FF name to give them a more broad appeal. For some 20 years now, Square Enix has been more confident to release the SaGa games under the original name. That said, some of the SaGa games can be really freaking difficult, strangely designed and are not for everyone. Kenji Ito's music on every SaGa game he's worked on is a high point for the series.

Big Blue (F-ZERO) [New Remix] - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (NS)

The latest entry in the Super Smash Bros. series was jam packed with so much content and characters on launch day. And yet, the game continues to get more content with free updates, and even more characters to be added throughout the 2020. My favorite of the new F-ZERO arrangements have been the glorious F-ZERO Medley and Sand Ocean tunes, but I gotta admit, this new Big Blue remix is fire.

The Hard Corps Blues - Contra: Hard Crops (GEN)

Even for the standards of the series, Hard Crops is ridiculously brutal. Stages are littered with mini bosses, endless waves of mooks and you only get a measly 5 continues to help you beat the game. That is, in the American and UK versions. The Japanese version gives you a life bar and unlimited continues. If you want to play Contra: Hard Crops, I recommend buying the Contra Anniversary Collection, which lets you play the Japanese and American versions of every Contra title on the arcade, NES, SNES, GB and GEN, with the exclusion of Contra Force. Even some UK versions are in there. Hard Corps has a lot of hype, high energy music so a much more laid back track like The Hard Crops Blues is unexpected but welcome.

2PM - Animal Crossing (GCN)

The excitement for Animal Crossing: New Horizons is real. Giddy with anticipation for the game, I thought I'd post a track from the first Animal Crossing game I played, the enhanced GCN version of the N64 title that never made it outside of Japan. Despite being a night owl, I would always play Animal Crossing during the day time so I heard all of the PM and sometimes sunlight AM jams. Realling looking forward to the new game's soundtrack in March.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate wallpaper by Cat with Monocle

Favorite Tunes Database

Remix of the Week: Feldschlcht I (SaGa Frontier 2)

Maaaaaaaaaan, it has been faaaaar too long since I posted something from The Consouls on this blog. If you're not familiar with them, they are a band that specializes in jazz covers. Some time ago, they did an arrangement of one of my favorite songs from SaGa Frontier 2, Feldschlacht I. (That's German for Field Battle I.)