Unlimited Saga

 PlayStation 2
User Score
4.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 44
  3. Negative: 21 out of 44
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  1. swoke12345
    Sep 20, 2020
    10
    I loved this game. My only problem was, the fact that, the game doesn't give you enough information on what your attacks do, what tile bonuses do; how to get tile bonuses, and how to get panels. There are guides on game faqs you should read about these things before playing. The game isn't really overcomplicated at all like people might think. I also like the stories within the game asI loved this game. My only problem was, the fact that, the game doesn't give you enough information on what your attacks do, what tile bonuses do; how to get tile bonuses, and how to get panels. There are guides on game faqs you should read about these things before playing. The game isn't really overcomplicated at all like people might think. I also like the stories within the game as well. The graphics still hold up today, in my opinion. If you like rogulikes, old school rpg's, pen and paper like rpgs. you'll love this just read the game faq guide first.… Expand
  2. qand_macena7
    Feb 11, 2021
    10
    what an amazing game. I feel like most people giving it really low scores have no idea what they're talking about. It's a really great alternative dungeon crawler
  3. Odiema
    Feb 16, 2021
    10
    The "mystique" of a SaGa game is simultaneously its strongest and weakest point. I love all the surprises and curve-balls a SaGa game throws at you, both in terms of story and gameplay, especially if you go in blind and figure out those things yourself. Then you play the game for a couple more playthroughs, think you've figured it out, only to visit the forums and realize that youThe "mystique" of a SaGa game is simultaneously its strongest and weakest point. I love all the surprises and curve-balls a SaGa game throws at you, both in terms of story and gameplay, especially if you go in blind and figure out those things yourself. Then you play the game for a couple more playthroughs, think you've figured it out, only to visit the forums and realize that you overlooked a huge chunk of the game! Time for another run! To me, it's all in good fun, but most people don't have the time or patience to go through that.

    I remember the first time my entire party in SaGa Frontier was wiped except for Red, only to realize that he can transform into a superhero when everyone is down. Or, in Unlimited Saga where the battle system is all about switching formations every single turn. To even heal at all in that game, you have to put the injured on standby, so you're constantly rotating characters in and out from your entire roster. Or, recently in Romancing SaGa 3, where there is a whole, separate battle system (Commander Mode) that actually makes your party far stronger than the normal one in many situations. A battle system that barely, if any, reviewers ever mention.

    I remember how Unlimited Saga was so incredibly opaque, even for a SaGa game, that there was a huge rift in review scores between the Japanese and the US version, just because the US version got a manual that explained nothing in the game. Imagine playing an RPG without knowing how to heal at all - how much fun would you have? I wonder how many USaga players today even know how to activate multi-art combos in USaga. You have to hit a skill on the FIRST rotation of the combo slot ring so that multiple characters can activate their abilities in a combo. People think that the minimalist board game design was its downfall, but such games have been and are still successful today. It's the extreme lack of handholding for a game that is incredibly deep mechanically and very experimental.

    Unlimited Saga is the most underrated game of the franchise. Don't let the reviews fool you - barely any of them probably even played the game correctly. Unlike other SaGa titles, it is hard to play this one blind (I'd argue that veterans of the series might be able to). If you're interested in revisiting this old, lost gem, here's a rundown of things to expect:

    1.) Dungeons & Dragons-like board game design.

    2) Complex Exploration - For example, it can take up to optional 5 steps (Fortuneteller, Sharpeye, Defuse, Locksmith, Melee) to open a trapped treasure chest safely without it blowing up in your face.

    3.) Experimental Battle System completely unlike anything you can find ever:

    4.) HP is not HP, it's an MP-like resource that also absorbs damage. The more HP you have, the less chance you have of taking LP damage. The same is true of bosses, so you would do a lot of HP damage first, then switch to LP-damaging attacks. Unlike other SaGas, you don't collapse at zero HP.

    5.) Standby Healing - You constantly rotate out characters in your party each turn from your entire roster. Those on standby (not fighting that turn) heal HP. Fights are epic, since the whole party is involved by design. Believe it or not, but the amount you heal is also affected by the weather of the environment (snowy means you heal less).

    6.) Tactical Position - Each turn, you choose who to attack first in what order. This determines aggro from enemies. Correctly rotating defenders is vital to beat bosses.

    7.) Skill Reel - Instead of skill points, you activate stronger skills by pressing attack at the right time on a spinning reel. To activate all skills in a combo attack, you need to press on the first pass of the skill, otherwise other characters' skills won't be aligned.

    8.) Weapon Weight & Attack Types - The Weight of your weapon determines what Attack Types it has, and each type has a different role, whether to attack first to split enemy combos (Quick/Throw), damage HP (Power), damage LP (Multi/Aim), or damage both (Dash). Crafting in this game is very detailed, since you can make weapons lighter or heavier to flesh out your strategy. Lighter weapons in your secondary hand are important for blocking attacks. And of course, none of this is explained.

    Sorry for the long rambling, but USaga's reputation makes me sad sometimes. USaga's brilliant, Formation-based battle system of constantly switching around characters is something too few players appreciate, even among SaGa fans to this day. And sadly, almost no reviewers understand.    … Expand
  4. Z45Core
    Feb 16, 2021
    10
    The negative reviews are truly terribly written and deliberately disingenuous to this game. So what if it plays like a board game? Are games not allowed to be different from each other? What are you even insinuating? Go give this game a shot. Not everyone likes it, but a 3.9/10 is far too low for what it is.
  5. zleonke123
    Feb 17, 2021
    10
    Not a single other RPG comes even close to its mechanical depth combined with fun dungeon design and absolutely stunningly good character-building system. It's a very good game.
  6. 666dame
    Jul 11, 2014
    0
    Without a shadow of doubt the worst RPG I have ever had the unfortunate experience of "playing".

    This takes linear RPG's to a completely new level, gameplay and movement are so restrictive it would make chess seem more appealing. Any positive reviews would only be from Square employees. Avoid at all costs even if it was being given away for free, please don't waste even a single hour    Without a shadow of doubt the worst RPG I have ever had the unfortunate experience of "playing".

    This takes linear RPG's to a completely new level, gameplay and movement are so restrictive it would make chess seem more appealing. Any positive reviews would only be from Square employees.

    Avoid at all costs even if it was being given away for free, please don't waste even a single hour of your life on this.    … Expand
  7. blakfayt
    May 19, 2017
    5
    Contrary to the negative reviews here, Unlimited SaGa isn't a bad game. It's a horribly average one brought to us by the same guy who made FINAL FANTASY 2, not 3, not 6, not 7, not 10. 2. Final Fantasy 2 had a system where you didn't gain experience by killing enemies but simply by using skills and attacks. Want more HP? Take hits. Want more attack? Attack more. There's a really deepContrary to the negative reviews here, Unlimited SaGa isn't a bad game. It's a horribly average one brought to us by the same guy who made FINAL FANTASY 2, not 3, not 6, not 7, not 10. 2. Final Fantasy 2 had a system where you didn't gain experience by killing enemies but simply by using skills and attacks. Want more HP? Take hits. Want more attack? Attack more. There's a really deep system involved with skills in U SaGa that is just poorly explained and leads to people scratching their heads minutes into the game. Combined with a lackluster story and a high difficulty curve and people will be turned off immediately.

    My first several HOURS of the game were spent in two or three towns, progress inching forward as I would need to spend more time battling to increase stats instead of trying to further the story. When I would finally make headway with the story a boss would inevitably pop up and slam me back into grinding mobs for stats until I was strong enough to fight the boss. This sounds like a very typical RPG set up, but realize that if I don't get hit my defense doesn't go up. So a fight could be me standing there guarding to take hits for several minutes, and then not getting a stat up because RNG decided not to give it to me. This can be mitigated and abused at times, but it also means that the average gamer becomes frustrated and gives up.

    In the end, the game doesn't innovate anything, it borrows from old ideas the designer of Final Fantasy 2 had, slaps them on a new art style, and is honestly a very mediocre game in the SaGa series. Yes, series. This isn't the only SaGa game, it wasn't even the first, and it wasn't the last. And quite a few of those are better than this one. It seems like the man behind FF2 is doomed to always fall when Square pushes his titles West.    … Expand
  8. Kage
    Aug 4, 2003
    1
    OMFG this game is the suck!!! Managed to sit thru the crap for an hour before I had to shut it off. DONT GET THIS CRAPPY game, If you read the review on www.gameshark.com it describes every reason why it sucks in full detail. I am utterly astounded that the people who made the masterpiece that is FF3/6 created this pile of crap. Boo on squaresoft!!! WTF were they thinking?
  9. Pogoshmogo
    Jul 8, 2003
    2
    I was very interested in playing this game. ....Biggest mistake ever. Bad graphics, lame characters, annoying music, tedious battle systems, all-around confusing, and completley boring. Horrible new inovations in this game, that i hope never see the light of day again. And i hate the way you move your character. There are so many downsides to this game, it's hard to even think of a I was very interested in playing this game. ....Biggest mistake ever. Bad graphics, lame characters, annoying music, tedious battle systems, all-around confusing, and completley boring. Horrible new inovations in this game, that i hope never see the light of day again. And i hate the way you move your character. There are so many downsides to this game, it's hard to even think of a single good thing. Thbe plot stinks too! Really squaresoft....tisk tisk. Enhergiez was unfinished...but fun, final fantasy 9 was dissapointing...but still ok, but this time you've gone too far, this game is ridiculous.… Expand
  10. J.M.
    Aug 20, 2003
    6
    Alright, so the battle system makes no sense and the overall system for moving around is lanky and going from one part of the story to the other is a bit confusing but i think the main attraction to the game is it's story and hardcore rpg strategists would love the challenge. just prepare for longs hours in front of the screen though.
  11. BloodEmperor
    Oct 14, 2004
    0
    Unfortunatley I could give this game a minus score as the system wont allow it.. 2 words.. 'Absolutley Abyssmal'
  12. AcaciaTwentyTwo
    Mar 5, 2004
    9
    Extremely underated. This is the closest that I've come to finding a CRPG that relates to Pen N Paper origins. As the title suggests, the game is unlimited, and finally introduces to console gamers an aspect that has been lacking in 90% of the RPG's out there; FREEDOM, this teamed with numerous of manners in which to act with your surroundings, makes for an extremely deep Extremely underated. This is the closest that I've come to finding a CRPG that relates to Pen N Paper origins. As the title suggests, the game is unlimited, and finally introduces to console gamers an aspect that has been lacking in 90% of the RPG's out there; FREEDOM, this teamed with numerous of manners in which to act with your surroundings, makes for an extremely deep experience for those who want more thought, challenge, and joy of self discovery, as opposed to those who prefer brain candy. No pointless converations with midgets with big heads about peanut butter and kitty cats, no need to search through peoples homes for that one herb hidden in a dresser. U-Saga cuts out the crap. I give this one point less of a 10 for lack of documentation. Admitedly, there's a good amount of self rewarding fun in learning how to understand and play this title, but I still feel that there should've been more resources for those who cared to know more. The manual is small, and the game did not win enough support for a strategy guide to be realsed. Fortunately with sites like GameFAQs, the few of us that actually do find the value in the game have been able to share advice. U-Saga serves as a morale Western society; The more effort you put into something, the more reward you'll get back. U-Saga also serves as a diamond in the rough that challenges intillect; for the rest, I give you Enter the Matrix, and football.… Expand
  13. LoganC.
    Oct 21, 2003
    7
    While the manual provided is dismal, which causes most of the confussion, the game itself is actually very entertaining. The watercolor style is innovative and fresh. At first I was frustrated but after hashing out some details, its become quite intriguing. This game will appeal to those who enjoy a challange with strategy, but will probably turn away whiners and those with little patience.
  14. KaseyD.
    Jun 13, 2003
    5
    Ok, the game is very flawed. But, I wish metacritic would stop accepting idiot website and magazine reviews that give items a "0", it ruins the whole purpose of Metacritics average system when people over-exaggerate crap like that.
  15. Orca
    Jul 23, 2003
    2
    Good ideas, interesting story, characters. Bad execution. I didn't know that the beloved people at Square, responsible for masterpieces like Final Fantasy 7 and 10, could do this. Maybe it's Enix. Let's just hope that upcoming projects (Kingdom Hearts 2, FF11, and hopefulyl an FF 7-2) do not suffer from the same flaws that Unlimited Saga did.
  16. DanY.
    Sep 16, 2003
    1
    This game sucks, I still love the romancing saga series from SNES, but from PSX to PS2, the saga series getting worst with the stupid water paints, looks so horrible and boring. FF series rocks.
  17. OneillC.
    Sep 21, 2003
    2
    This game sucks can't believe squaresoft made it.
  18. MarceloC.
    Oct 22, 2003
    10
    Unlimited saga sure is a very odd game but for sure is game that gets elements from other games and plays totally fresh, one of the most well balanced games i played so far.
  19. AneilT.
    Jul 22, 2003
    10
    AMAZING
  20. XixianFlac
    Jul 25, 2003
    0
    First of all, this game sucked right off the bat. as many have said the battles are harrible and the monsters take too god dan much. And the moving was bad, the way they made it look like a gameboard. and thers too many puzzles ...the graphics were bad and the game play was rediculous. regret ever getting that game. the only thiin that i found to be atleast good was the characters they First of all, this game sucked right off the bat. as many have said the battles are harrible and the monsters take too god dan much. And the moving was bad, the way they made it look like a gameboard. and thers too many puzzles ...the graphics were bad and the game play was rediculous. regret ever getting that game. the only thiin that i found to be atleast good was the characters they had some likeness to them for me. And the shop system was horrible too there was no healing items, the only way to heal was to rest and that was shit. so for any future game buyers i heavily recommend that you donnot buy this game because it is BIG waste of time and money!!!… Expand
  21. JonathanV.
    Sep 21, 2003
    5
    Well.nothing to say about this boring game...
  22. MatthewI.
    Nov 12, 2004
    0
    It's terrible.
  23. JesseS.
    Jun 18, 2005
    0
    I am a sucker for Square-Enix games. I tried to approach this game with an open mind, and I tried to enjoy it. I really did. However, this is one of the most TERRIBLE games in existence. The graphics are pen & paper based, which wouldn't be so bad if the gameplay was actually tolerable. Which it isn't. Avoid this game at all costs. Consider it to be the worst RPG ever made.
  24. TwoPeopleDown
    Feb 17, 2021
    10
    This game's reputation sometimes makes me sad, especially since it is so incredibly obvious that the vast majority of people haven't even bothered to give it a fair try or were simply unable to admit that this particular niche does not appeal to them without blaming the game.
  25. LastResource
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this spin off game in the series.

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
55
#55 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
45

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 26
  3. Negative: 14 out of 26
  1. Edge Magazine
    60
    New skills are simply triggered randomly during battles, resulting in the confusing hit and miss levelling up that so infuriates attention deficient westerners... Indeed, the manner of the execution makes for tough gaming but, paradoxically, it's the exclusivity of the gameplay that will attract a few. [Nov 2003, p.108]
  2. GameZone
    56
    I could do without fancy-schmancy visuals and professional voice-acting, all I require in my RPG is good solid gameplay and satisfying plot progression. Neither of which are present in this game.
    Read full review
  3. eToychest
    60
    While I applaud the developers for shedding the trappings of contemporary role-playing games that opt for style over substance, that does not excuse the fact that the actual gameplay is many times awkward and cumbersome.
    Read full review
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