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Saga Frontier 2
"In typical Square fashion, we get a brilliant story, great characters to relate to and yet another unique battle engine."
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Developer  SquareSoft Game Type  Strategy
Distributor  SquareSoft EA Review Date  Mar 00
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Playability:
 
      Saga Frontier 2 is somewhat different from most of Square's other Playstation RPG's. The game uses two dimensional hand drawn backgrounds with most of the game focusing on the story line rather than actual game play. From the in depth story boards to how you can choose your characters and his path, this is definitely your typical RPG. The game opens with story sequences laying the foundation for your character with each sequence lasting a few minutes. After these portions are finished the game lets you save the game and gives you the option of selecting your next part of the game. There are two main protagonists Gustave, the disowned prince who struggles with his inner conflicts, and William, a digger of humble means raised by his aunt and uncle. Each option takes place over a certain period of time. So depending on what option you choose and the goal of that choice other opportunities available to you might no be available your next time around. After you finish a goal you can press your R1 and L1 buttons to explore the different parts of this world. The options in white are available to you at that moment in time. The choices in gray are selected options that where already completed. Choose an option that spans over a few years and previous options may not be available anymore. There is no right or wrong in this. It just adds to the nonlinear game play and gives that choose your adventure feel.

The party exploration is similar to most RPG's. You can select who goes with you on various missions. No more that four of you can be in a party. Each character has a role in your party's battle sequence. This can be changed and adapted during game play. Each character can be equipped with two weapons and four defensive/magician enhancement items. Attributes are broken up into hip points, physical weapon mastery level, spell casting ability, party support points, and other common elements of most RPG's.

Each character can be customized when developed. You can equip your character with various weapons: swords, axes, staffs, spears, bows, or simple hand to hand combat. As you battle with your characters, their attributes will develop in the new area of expertise. New attack forms are developed causing different offensive strikes. Magical attacks can also be developed inflicting massive damage. Various magical items can enhance attributes. Some weapons and magical items have an inexhaustible amount of physical striking and magical casting ability while other items will break after a specified amount of uses. Items can be repaired but most of the times it will be easier to replace the weapon type.

Battle sequences are fought two ways. The whole party fights most of the battles. Each fight is a turn-based event. After selecting an attack, at random times party members fighting techniques are combined for a more powerful strike. Certain attacks when executed at specific time have an affinity for combined attacks. The other battle sequences are of the one-on-one melee type. This is also turn based but with a twist. You can select four offensive options. When you finish, depending on your selection order and mastery level of a weapon, powerful attacks can also be combined for devastating results. At various times in the battle the computer may give an option to end the battle. Sometimes this option is in your best interest.

When it's all said and done this game is basically a big story. It took me a little getting used too, but I am enjoying the fresh approach to an old game format. There are so many choices when continuing with the story line that it's almost impossible to keep track of all the story developments. Usually you can save a point on your memory card and just go back if something is missed. It's almost not worth it to keep track of all the options. I recommend just going back and forth between Gustave and William when a goal is met…this worked out the best.
 
Game Options:
 
      This is a 1 disk game for 1 Player. It is compatible with the standard (digital) joypad and the analog stick controls of the dual shock joypad. Games can be saved via memory card (1 block per save).
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Staff Opinions
Rich  "What can I say? I really enjoyed playing Sage Frontier 2...It's not the best RPG ever conceived but it certainly was enjoyable to play. At first I was a bit frustrated with the way the story took precedence over the actual gameplay but once I got into the game things opened up a bit and I got totally absorbed.

Definitely check this one out if you like RPG's, it a real breath of fresh air!"
Graphics  19/20
Playability  45/50
Sound  8/10
Lastability  14/20
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Staff Opinions
Tom R: "Yet another fine RPG from Square. I really enjoyed playing through Saga Frontier 2 with its storyboard style delivery and hand drawn 2D backgrounds. The game just seemed to be the perfect fantasy style game where you could suspend your beliefs for a while and enter into a world that will fascinate and entertain you for hours on end.

The graphics are absolutely gorgeous with hand drawn backgrounds, and intricately detailed sprite based characters. It really is kind of different from what I am used to seeing on the Playstation, but it was a nice change to be sure.

In typical Square fashion, we get a brilliant story, great characters to relate to and yet another unique battle engine. At first the battle scenarios definitely take some getting used to and can seem overly complex but given time everything starts to make sense and you start to see the flexibility of it.

Overall, this was a fine effort and a much better game than the original Saga Frontier. "
Graphics  19/20
Playability  42/50
Sound  8/10
Lastability  15/20
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. 84% .
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