“, which made a brilliant debut as the first RPG on the Game Boy.saga” series has steadily progressed with the times and has continued to be loved for a long time from Heisei to Reiwa.
Its momentum has not slowed down in recent years, and in 2016, a completely new series, “saga scarlet grace', and in recent years, remastered versions of previous titles with a number of new elements have been well-received.
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And on April 25th, a completely new work will be released for the first time in about 8 years since “Saga Scarlet Grace”.“Saga Emerald Beyond”will be released on Nintendo Switch/PS5/PS4/Steam/iOS/Android.
The “Saga'' series can be roughly categorized as a “turn-based command RPG.'' However, it is very different from other works in the same category, and has evolved in its own way. Saga Emerald Beyond, which is at the forefront of this series, is also a very unique work.
A trial version of this work has been distributed prior to its release, and many people are likely to have gotten a glimpse of its appeal. However, in the trial version, you can only play “Mido Tsunanori Arc” (PS5/PS4), “Ameya Arc” (Switch), and “Diva Number 5 Arc” (Steam), and the remaining two main characters ” It was not possible to try out the “Siugnus Edition” and “Borny & Formina Edition.”
While you can enjoy the unique battle system, it is difficult to understand how the main characters interact with their respective worlds unless you play the product version.Therefore, in this article, we will introduce the features that will appear in the product version.“Siugnus Edition”Through this, we will deliver a glimpse of the group drama and a review of the product version of “Saga Emerald Beyond''.
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■ Battles in “Saga Emerald Beyond” are highly strategic and easy to control.
Aside from the depth of the game system of “Saga Emerald Beyond” that can be gained by playing the game for a long time, you can get a taste of the basics in the trial version that has already been distributed. We also introduced those distinctive elements in the preview article the other day.
“Saga Emerald Beyond” A rich playing experience that eliminates the “margins” is shocking!A new form of “Saga” that pursues unique game characteristics[Preview]| Inside
The long-awaited complete new series “Saga Emerald Beyond”. Ahead of its release, we will deliver a preview that touches on its charm and features.
Therefore, I will not go into a detailed explanation of the game system this time, but as mentioned earlier, even though this work is an RPG, it is different from the general style in some ways. In a normal RPG, many people imagine that even though the party is called a party, each member acts individually during battle, such as healing or applying buffs to allies.
However, in the case of this work, the collaboration between friends“alignment”is the basis of strategy, and there are many situations where you have to think about how to combine various techniques and techniques. Each technique has different effects, such as power, counter, substitution, cancellation, invalidation of guard, delay of action order, etc.“When to use it”, “Which technique”, “Who to use it on”is very important.
However, the effects of techniques can be confirmed sequentially, and they can also be viewed on a “timeline” that shows the order of actions.Visually check whether cooperation is possibleAlthough there are many elements involved, it is not complicated. “Saga Emerald Beyond'' offers battles that are easy to understand yet strategic.
■Each battle is “heavy”, but overall it is made to be less burdensome.
Due to the strategic and deep nature of the battles, the battles in Saga Emerald Beyond take longer than typical RPGs.
In other games, it's a long battle when you're fighting a boss, but most of the small battles along the way can be resolved within 2-3 turns.However, in the case of this game, other than bosses, basicallyTurns tend to overlapin,Battles that always keep strategy in mindIt will be.
Some users may be worried, saying, “It's good to be highly strategic, but it's tiring not being able to let your guard down even when dealing with small fry.'' It's true that in modern RPGs, there are often balance adjustments that emphasize the exhilaration of fighting small fish in a short amount of time. If you are used to such games, you will have to plan your strategy every time, and you will not be able to let your guard down in this game's battles.Feels a little “heavy”That's probably true.
However, when looking at the game as a whole, the elements in the battles of “Saga Emerald Beyond” are:not overly heavy.
In the case of a typical RPG, small fry battles are less burdensome, while boss battles are more burdensome. The boss battles in this game are even more difficult, but the other battles are often fought well, and the battles in general are always worth watching.
However, this is a story focused on a single game. In a typical RPG, you will have to fight many small battles to reach the boss. Although the burden for each battle is small, there are many to handle, so when you look at it as a whole, fighting small fry can be said to be a reasonable burden.
Also, both the main story and side quests are alwaysprogress in stagesIt can also be said to be a major feature.The number of times you fight during this time is fixed, and you can say, “Fight the small fry endlessly until you reach the boss.''It has nothing to do with situations that are common in RPGs.is.
The battles in this game are certainly “heavy,” but I feel like the number of battles itself has been adjusted to be small, so overall I don't get the impression that it's a heavy burden.
If a typical RPG is like, “Each battle is light, but you don't know how many times you'll have to fight before you get to the boss,'' this game has “no random encounters, and you'll put your full effort into each battle.'' You could say it's a game system.
Even though it is a turn-based RPG, the way it is and the tempo of play are completely different, and this point alone should give you an idea of the unique side of this work.
■The journey of “Diva Number 5” in search of “heart”
Now, from here on, I'll summarize the overall feel of the game, including the story. In this work, five groups of six main characters travel through 17 worlds, each with their own reasons and goals. I won't reveal the details or the development of the second half, as they would be spoilers, but the main characters sometimes meet each other along the way, and it's an eye-opening group drama.
“Diva Number 5”, which was introduced in a previous preview, depicts the journey of a mecha, a diva who is prevented from singing, who transfers her consciousness to another body and questions her own “heart.” As the journey begins, doors to various “worlds” will open, and the player can freely choose where to go.
At this time, the author first chose a world called “Delta Base”, which is controlled by three clans.She comes from a different world and is questioned harshly, but her number 5 is a diva who is still dealing with her sense of loss.“I would be happy if you could dispose of it.”I would rather accept it.
Fortunately, the decision was made to put her in a supervisory role, and she helped each tribe with their troubles, and her search for the “heart” yielded some results. In this playthrough, she was especially deeply involved with the Yellow Clan, and I remember clearly that she had a somewhat bitter ending.
After that, she traveled around the world as Diva No. 5. For example, in line with Dolores' wish for the resurrection of the Dark Lord, Diva Girlfriend Number 5 somehow wanders into that world from a tombstone.
This game has a variety of developments depending on the world you visit, such as a former diva being worshiped by the king of darkness, but this time I tried changing the main character to Siugnus.
■Changes in the development that can be seen through “Siugnus Arc”
The “Siugnus Arc” begins with him, the king of darkness who rules that world, being attacked by a sudden visitor and waking up in “Brighthome,” a world where dead heroes throw themselves into battle.
One of the player charactersking of darknessSo, right after the openingattackedand in another worldwake up…And from the beginning, there was a lot of intense development. It is said that the songstress lost her position as a girlfriend and left for a different world.The story of this work basically develops quickly, and things progress quickly.
What is also interesting is that the “How Diva Number 5 came out of the tombstone'' that I mentioned earlier is connected to the story of Siugnas. Chronologically, Siugnus is attacked first, and Dolores, who mourns and thinks that he has been killed, prays for her master's resurrection, and for some reason Diva His Number 5 appears from his gravestone. We can infer that Dolores is happy that the King of Darkness has been resurrected…
Not only are there many worlds, but it's not uncommon for each protagonist's world to be visited by another protagonist and interact with them in strange ways like this.These intersectionsThis is the real thrill of “Saga Emerald Beyond”, which has 6 main characters in 5 groups.
In any case, first of all, Siugnus takes on the fight against “Chaos” in “Bright Home”. He leads his friends, such as “philosophers'', “warriors'', “hitokiri'', and “kings'', into numerous battles.
I won't tell you the details of the story of “Bright Home” because spoilers are inevitable, but together with these friends, a journey across the world has begun.
There, just like in Diva Number 5, you will be given multiple choices as to which world to go to. However, the appearance was slightly different, showing each world where each of their friends, such as “philosophers” and “warriors”, lived. In other words, in “Siugnus Edition”,Tracing the past of friendsThere is also that aspect.
When I tried to select the world where the “Philosopher” was, it turned out to be the “Delta Base”, which was the first place I visited when playing Diva No. 5 and had three clans.
■If the main character changes, the encounters will also change! ?
The response of the three clans will not change even when dealing with Siugnus, and they will be cautious and watchful. However, unlike Diva No. 5, who was half washed away,“There is someone somewhere who should become my vassal, so let me search for him.”and claim their position as equal.
In this way, even the same situation changes depending on the main character, so you can enjoy the world with a fresh feeling even if you have experienced it more than once.In fact, it makes me want to know what kind of changes occur between the main characters.
In addition, the past and relationships of the accompanying members — the “philosophers” in “Delta Base” — come to light in the “Siugnas Arc,” making it doubly interesting.
By the way, this time in “Delta Base”, I chose a path that is deeply related to the Green Clan. As a result, the “philosopher'' remembers his harsh past, and the deeds of the Midori clan chief are also discovered. It's a pretty heavy past, so I'd like you to play the product version and experience what happened.
In addition to this, in the world where Siugnus ruled as the King of Darkness, he reunited with the “Tower of Greed” who was acting as his subordinate (this is the first meeting in the game), etc.I was able to enjoy the development that I could not encounter in the previous play.. There are such differences between the main characters, and being able to enjoy them is a unique charm of this work.
■The real pleasure of “Saga Emerald Beyond” is the encounters between the main characters!
He travels to another world, where he meets one of the main characters, Tsunanori Mido. Not only can you go to the world of each main character,Developments in which the main characters encounter and interact with each otherThere is also.
It is also a world where one of his friends was Hitokiri, but he was forced to make two choices and chose to work with Mido. Perhaps for that reason, he never directly touches on Hitokiri's past, and spends his time fighting to protect the world by teaming up with Mido.
There are many opportunities to gather information here, and Siugnus uses his charm-like abilities to uncover many stories. His approach is unique to him,“What would you do if it was a different protagonist?”Imaginations such as these may swell. This kind of stimulation leads to a desire to play a different protagonist, albeit in a small way.
Also, after successfully saving the world, Mido will join your party depending on your choice. Up until now, he has only been a companion in the process (and guest participation in boss battles), but from now on he will play an active role as one of your party members.A development in which the main character from a different route becomes a friendThis is also the real thrill of group drama.
By the way, perhaps thanks to Siugnus' charm, not only Mido but also the young lady “Waka Naomi'' joined the group. There are also differences in the friends that join depending on the protagonist,You can enjoy the fun of party organization for each main character..
Siugnas' journey through the past of his friends will continue, but one of the characteristics of “Saga Emerald Beyond'' is that each protagonist can enjoy different experiences and developments.
Combat, where enemies and allies exchange attacks, obstruction, and techniques, is rich in strategy as you discern the flow. The battle and defense is visually expressed in the “timeline”, and everything from the construction of “coordination” to the battle situation can be clearly seen at a glance.
As a result, each battle has its own weight, but the overall number of battles is limited, and thanks to the well-balanced structure, I didn't feel an excessive burden. Although there were some tough boss battles that I had to restart many times, it's easy to re-fight, so it's nice to see that they're designed to reduce stress.
Each world is small in the sense of a field, and the sense of vast adventure like in a typical RPG may be lacking. However, there is no need to spend time on the road, and the tempo of the story's progression and the waiting battles mesh well, so you can say that there is almost no sluggish time that is common in RPGs.
When the main character changes, it affects each world, and there are many developments that can only be seen in that route. In addition, there are often choices that can drastically change the course of the game, so you may want to change the protagonist or play around with the same protagonist, making the game even more exciting.
Modern RPGs have a lot of detour elements, but the main story is a straight path, and even if there are branching endings, they only diverge at the end. The world is vast and rewarding to explore, but most games can be fully enjoyed in just one playthrough.
Compared to such general works, “Saga Emerald Beyond”located almost exactly opposite, is a work with a distinct personality. Therefore, if you are expecting the fun and play tempo of a standard RPG, you may be disappointed.
However, this is just one of the states we have reached as a result of evolving the fun of RPGs in a unique way and making bold choices. Rather than dividing the overwhelming appeal and lacking parts of this work into strengths and weaknesses,Difference in stanceI think it's more accurate to think that way.
After playing the entire game, you won't feel like you just played an RPG.I was filled with a sense of fulfillment from playing Saga Emerald Beyond.. It's easy to play multiple times, so I'm looking forward to continuing to enjoy the journey with the new protagonist.
“Saga Emerald Beyond” official website
