Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. IGN Japan
    Jan 27, 2023
    80
    Not only is Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered more playable than the original version, its added content also does a great job in making the game’s nonlinear “free scenario” system more fun. The new UI isn’t much of an improvement, and the experience has aged in some parts, but this remaster is definitely the best way to experience Minstrel Song.
  2. PSX Brasil
    Nov 28, 2022
    80
    Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered is a welcome remaster of a very good game that was forgotten. With a non-linear narrative whose structure remains current to this day (even if, overall, it's not very special) and a combat and exploration that are also good (but simple), this remaster brings several quality of life improvements that are welcome, even if it still needed a few more.
  3. Hey Poor Player
    Nov 28, 2022
    80
    It’s without a doubt that Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered comes with very little hand-holding and a steep learning curve that may be off-putting in today’s limelight. However, its unique approach to non-linear gameplay and storytelling, in addition to its impeccable art direction and soundtrack, combine to create an exceptional adventure. 
  5. Worth Playing
    Nov 28, 2022
    75
    Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered is an excellent remaster of a very weird game. It's one of those games that is difficult to necessarily recommend because so much of what it does evokes love or hate. If you're curious about the franchise, it's probably a lot easier to hop in with SaGa Frontier Remastered or Scarlet Graces. If you like games in the SaGa franchise or want to try something different, Minstrel Song is a worthwhile experience. If you already know that you don't like the franchise, you'll probably be annoyed and frustrated with this offering.
  6. Noisy Pixel
    Nov 28, 2022
    75
    Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered breaks the rules of traditional JRPG systems. There’s a gorgeous experience waiting to be unearthed, but this requires player patience to enjoy it fully. This might be a big ask, considering other titles are much more accessible, but I can’t help be enjoy every playthrough, no matter how challenging. What’s missing is a modernized tutorial prologue for new players, if only to help ease them into the experience, but what’s here is an RPG masterpiece.
  7. GamersRD
    Nov 28, 2022
    75
    Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song -Remastered- will take us through a world of eight main characters with different points of view. It is a game with complex systems especially for fans of this role-playing genre. It brings certain innovations as a remaster but it is not a perfect game.
  8. RPGamer
    Dec 6, 2022
    70
    Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered brings all the non-linearity of the franchise with some welcoming quality-of-life additions. The combat’s brutality will present a challenge even to hardened veterans and will be merciless to those who are just strolling by. The game isn’t for everyone; it requires both time and patience to learn how everything ticks. However, those willing to engage in the game, particularly across multiple playthroughs, can find a title packed with nuances and peculiarities that still stand the test of time.
  9. COGconnected
    Dec 5, 2022
    70
    Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered is awesome in so many ways, but it’s annoying in a lot of ways too. With the steep learning curve at the beginning, I can’t imagine anyone enjoying it who’s not a JRPG veteran. But for those of us that love the genre, there are some cool experiments to shake things up, and a massive world to explore with multiple protagonists. It’s a ton of content; easily over 100 hours’ worth. Anyone curious about the roots of modern JRPGs like Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default should really give it a try.
  10. Video Chums
    Jan 9, 2023
    67
    Even though I usually enjoy any SaGa game that I play, Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered left me more annoyed than fulfilled. With that in mind, it does have redeeming qualities thanks to its great cast of characters and nifty party growth mechanics.
  11. Hardcore Gamer
    Nov 29, 2022
    60
    SaGa games have always felt like the odd man out in the world of JRPGs and Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song is no exception that statement. SaGa games have always tried to be innovative, often times feeling like they’re prioritizing experimentation over making an enjoyable game, and Minstrel Song is one of them. The battle system is one of the more interesting features with the different elements such as durability points for weapons and life points for characters making many of the most basic battles feel like they’re a high-stakes encounter. The lack of structure in completing the main quest and side quests is a double-edged sword. It’s nice to have the freedom to explore Mardias and address quests in whatever manner the player feels, but the low emphasis on story and a rather bland world didn’t offer much encouragement to do so. Hardcore SaGa fans will likely chalk that up to just being the quirks of a SaGa game and have a great time with this. Fans of more conventional JRPGs are less likely to find what they want here.

Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
3.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 9 out of 14
  1. shin777
    Dec 3, 2022
    0
    You remaster a game in 2022 and dont even put effort on translating it to others languages...
  2. ohdenny88
    Dec 3, 2022
    9
    This is a difficult review for me to write in an unbiased manner as SaGa is my favourite series. And this particular game is a contender forThis is a difficult review for me to write in an unbiased manner as SaGa is my favourite series. And this particular game is a contender for my favourite. So I’ll start at the beginning;

    My first SaGa experience was SaGa Frontier 2, the first in the series to see a European release since the FF Legend games back on the original gameboy.

    I loved that game as a kid back in 2000 and still do. Sure, it had its quirks and played differently to other RPGs, but the unusual systems and mechanics, along with the brilliant soundtrack and honestly, astonishing watercolour visuals, blew me away. They still do now. Seriously, just look for yourself.

    Fast forward to 2003, along comes Unlimited SaGa, the famed black sheep. I won’t say much about this title as it’s (unfairly in my opinion) very much maligned. However, I can see it was a game not for everyone. More to the point, it was only the second game in the franchise which was released here in the uk in a decade.

    Which brings me to this game. I actually imported an NTSC ps2 console which also required a step down transformer to play here, purely to finally play the Squaresoft games we were deprived of here in Europe, the highest priority for me being SaGa Frontier (1)

    Alongside the console I also picked up this game, at the time simply called ‘Romancing SaGa.’

    At first, Romancing SaGa was a game I found it difficult to fall in love with. Even as a massive fan of the series I struggled to figure out where to go and how to balance out all the systems. You have so many systems at play here which I won’t go into as there are far more adept reviewers which will do and already have gone into so much more detail than I could possibly manage, being half cut typing this on my phone.

    However I will say this. If this type of game appeals to you, then this is the perfect example. O

    A game that initially hides its RPG brilliance and lets it slowly reveal itself. Not a game particularly focused on telling one story, but one that offers the chance to let you make your own in a complex world. It’s challenging but also highly rewarding, even offering the chance to “power up” bosses for real bragging rights.

    You can choose from 8 protagonists with countless (optional) characters to add to your team, each offering different skill sets and potential class options. This game differs from any other RPG in the sheer options available to the player- from glimmering new skills, combo attacks, weapon stances and quest options that make it infinitely re playable.

    And here we have the immense remaster, which takes all those options and make them even more accessible. From a speed up option to new classes, characters, enemy drops and even battle styles.

    In summary this is not a game for everyone. Some players will hate it immediately. It’s a contender for my favourite of all time and I only gave it a 9/10 on the objective basis that it’s not perfect and is definitely a ‘marmite’ experience. However, everyone should try it at least once.    … Full Review »
  3. Salaphon
    Jan 17, 2023
    8
    Are you a person worn out on the normal rpg experience and need a spin on the genre? Like Skyrim and open ended world discovery? Then Saga mayAre you a person worn out on the normal rpg experience and need a spin on the genre? Like Skyrim and open ended world discovery? Then Saga may be for you. However that said it will not hold your hand and can be tough to grasp, however should you come around then a long storied franchise (most couldn’t bother to learn or figure out) lay in wait for you to discover. Ignore the negativity and anger, they just couldn’t hang and need “simple” games with “simple” mechanics and plenty of hand holding as opposed to discovering and learning a new or different spin on the genre.… Full Review »
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