35 years already?
Written by Jason Venter
Published Apr. 25, 2024
It's hard to believe the SaGa series has been around for 35 years now, but that makes today a great day to celebrate that history. Square Enix announced the latest installment, SaGa Emerald Beyond, is available now for a variety of platforms and across all the usual regions.
This is actually the first time a SaGa game has seen a simultaneous worldwide launch. Closer to the start of its existence, the games didn't even make it west under that title. Remember the Final Fantasy Legend games for Game Boy? Those were SaGa games under a different name.
SaGa Emerald Beyond brings back key talent from those earliest outings, including series creator Akitoshi Kawazu, composer Kenji Ito, and illustrator Satoshi Kuramochi. That's a lot of star power in one place.
“Without our fans, this would not have been possible," said Akitoshi Kawazu. "SaGa Emerald Beyond is the product of 35 years’ worth of innovation, experimentation, and a personal desire to examine what makes an RPG an RPG. For our longtime fans, I hope you enjoy the ongoing innovations and callbacks to previous SaGa titles. I also invite newcomers to accept the offer of the emerald vision and embark on a new adventure. I hope everyone who picks up this title has an unforgettable experience with it.”
It makes me all tingly inside. It really does. But the SaGa games have always been something of an acquired taste, so it's hard to tell how this newest entry will fare.
“The things that made me fall for the SaGa franchise are all present in this title, from the free-form scenario system to the challenging strategic combat to the diverse and intriguing characters," promises Masanori Ichikawa, the SaGa series producer. "Of course, one can’t forget about composer Kenji Ito’s incredible contributions as well. I’m also proud to say that we’ve taken steps to welcome in newcomers with the game’s emerald waves, which are key to the overall story and will guide players on their journey.”
If you're interested in the new release but feeling cautious, don't worry; a demo is available now for Switch, PS5/PS4, and PC. They offer several hours of content from various storylines, allowing players to sample the experience that awaits them in the full product.
SaGa Emerald Beyond is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, and even iOS and Android devices.
