That day, in 1997, the JRPG antithesis, Saga Frontier – Actu

We would not have liked to release our game in 1997. For example, It’s the year of major video game events. For example, starting with the ogre Final Fantasy VIIwhich allows Square to start the year with a bang, then finish it in the same way with the European release in November. However, These are the big hours of the studio, the year of Final Fantasy Tactics, Bushido Blade, front mission 2 … However, and a much more divisive project, like an ode to idiosyncrasy: SaGa Frontier. In addition, Derived from an already marginal series. Furthermore, the episode continues the heritage of Kawazu and emulated it by breaking with all the usual codes of what is then called JRPG. Moreover, As unfinished as they are confusing, SaGa Frontier is, somewhere, become cult in spite of himself. day, 1997, jrpg antithesis, saga For example, Because the goal is not to convince here: it is to shake up, to question the foundations of a genre. Therefore, And inevitably. However, with such a project, we do not expect success: he comes to him with the years and the maturity of the players.

SaGa Frontierit is above all the story of a disappointment: that of the American. Similarly, European players who, invested with a new interest in the genre thanks to Final Fantasy VII, tried themselves in the game of Akitoshi Kawazu, hoping to find the same scriptwriting dimension, the same gameplay in turn, the same science of the Lore. Similarly, And instead, what did they find? A tale in 7 parts putting the narration in the background, all in favor of a sacrosanct disturbing freedom. Here, the player is completely free from his actions, he is day, 1997, jrpg antithesis, saga not satisfied with a well -defined script shackles. SaGa Frontier Take a hike. alone, out of the tracks already traced: if you expect you to hold your hand, you should have turned to a guide (Final Fantasy VII).

The progress. non-linear and at the limit of the chaotic, highlights various script arches with scattered length and quality: some arcs are completed in 2 hours, others in ten. And the game has no screwed to help you stroll through this world: it is confused. messy, empty and filled at the same time. And yet. in this intentional chaos shine certain aspects: the gameplay of SaGa Frontier is a huge advance compared to the previous Saga Romance. In reality. it is a kind of combination between the multi-arcs and multi-protagonistic aspects of Romancing SaGa And the customization of characters/The science fiction and fantasy mixture of day, 1997, jrpg antithesis, saga Final Fantasy Legend. It is as ambitious as item. and yet the title is doing really well in its systems: its turn-by-turn fight combines the types of characters (humans, mystical, monsters, robots) with different learning logics. Humans acquire random techniques by performing them. robots are equipped with pieces to win stats, the monsters absorb their enemies to evolve. And Combos mechanics offers unpredictable moments of grace, when five characters follow their blows in a deadly choreography.

More SaGa Frontierlike romance saga 3 before him, is an incomplete game. There are dungeons that seem to have no connection with the narration (they are just there, without explanation). The scenario of Fuse. the eighth character that was initially planned, was cut, in the same way as many secondary quests, this lack of time and budget (this sums up the whole history of the series). And yet. it is also this unfinished aspect day, 1997, jrpg antithesis, saga that contributes to its charm, because behind its many faults, SaGa Frontier Takes the appearance of an artisanal experience, in reverse of millimeter productions and the great rival of the year Final Fantasy VII. Suffice to say that going from one to the other was a shock for many. The good news is that a reworked version of the game (released in 2021) will have allowed Square Enix to finally take out the famous scenario of Fuse. and thus complement this game which will only be appreciated with the right state of mind. You have to get rid of the codes of the genre, to better accept the inevitable: SaGa fact SaGa. To divide is in the DNA of the license. and if you see only a badly fucked up prototype, you would be roughly as right as that which considers it as a little masterpiece. But isn’t that the day, 1997, jrpg antithesis, saga goal of an artist?