Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Great Gaymathon Review #15: SaGa Frontier (PlayStation)


Game: SaGa Frontier
Genre: RPG
Developer: Squaresoft
Publisher: Squaresoft
System: PlayStation
Release date: 1998

A lot of gamers--especially American ones--love to complain about Squaresoft's SaGa series. I'm not one of them. I thoroughly enjoyed playing through each of the series' GameBoy iterations--known as Final Fantasy Legend in the States--as a tot, and I've similarly enjoyed what (admittedly little) I've played of the Super Famicom-based Romancing SaGa titles. That said, none of those games have tripped my trigger as much as the series' first 32-bit offering, SaGa Frontier. Sure, this expansive, open-ended RPG (one of the many traits it shares with its predecessors) isn't for everyone, but those looking for something out of the ordinary for the genre are most likely to enjoy it. My favorite aspects of SaGa Frontier: Its sci-fi setting; its non-linear storylines; its bevy of playable protagonists, party members and optional quests; and its beautiful battle scenes. That last bullet point, by the way, is chiefly responsible for my enjoyment of this crazy, Akitoshi Kawazu-crafted creation--especially when one of the game's many over-the-top combination attacks come into play.


See also: Previous 'Great Gaymathon' posts

6 comments:

Viewtiful_Justin said...

It looks gorgeous, it's a Squaresoft game, and it sounds great. How have I never heard of this? I feel like I lived in a cave through the PSX era...N64 had exactly 2 RPGs during its whole run. I definitely missed out.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yes, you definitely missed out, Justin. It's never too late to jump into the PSX/PS1 catalog, though :)

You've played FF Tactics, right? That's another gorgeous Squaresoft PS1 effort. And Legend of Mana, too. And FF IX, and ...

Viewtiful_Justin said...

No, no, and...no. I always wanted to play LoM, but...never got to it.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, Justin! You especially have to try Final Fantasy Tactics. Honestly, it's one of my favorite games *ever*. I love it.

I've yet to sink much time into Legend of Mana, but I've played enough to know it's a gorgeous, gorgeous game.

Yes, you have to get yourself some PS1 games at some point in the future :)

famicomfreak said...

You can't go wrong with Gen! That drunken bastard!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ha ha! Glad to know someone else likes this game -- or at least has played it :)