Platform: Playstation 2

Genre: Role-Playing

Publisher: Square-Enix

Developer: Square-Enix

ETA: June 2003

Related Links:

Review: Final Fantasy X (Playstation 2)

Review: Grandia Xtreme (Playstation 2)

Review: Dark Cloud 2 (Playstation 2)

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UNLIMITED Saga

UNLIMITED Saga is an upcoming RPG from SquareENIX.  It’s due out on the PS2 in June 2003 in the US, and in Europe, Summer 2003.

UNLIMITED Saga is the first in the Saga series to be developed for the PS2, and it hopes to genre further than before with the use of new art styles and a rather sophisticated gameplay structure, thus making its presentation not just unique, but revolutionary.  A rarity in its graphical design in these days of computer-generated graphics, as all of the graphics are hand drawn and painted.  A completely new method of creating computer-generated graphics, called “Sketch Motion”, has been implemented to utilise detailed 2D animation, which avoids the limitations of 3D polygons.  The introduction of the “Reel” system adds new variations to the already familiar combo and skill development system.  The latest in modern audio technology has also been implemented to enhance the sound composition.  All of these advances mean that UNLIMITED Saga is another milestone for SQUARE.  

Seven different heroes tell the story in UNLIMITED Saga uniquely through their own eyes.  Each of them has a different motive for seeking out the seven Grand Menaces.  Every one of the characters follows their own enemy to the Seven Wonders, but they are not aware that the antagonists are seeking to grab the power of the Seven Wonders for themselves.  The Seven Wonders, by the way, are a group of structures, shrouded in mystery.  The legends say that long absent Gods lie within the structures, who if released, will engage in a rebirth of the Golden Age.  The fates of the main character cross paths in a town during a festival.

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Now to discuss the main features of the game in a little more detail:

- The “Free Scenario System” creates quite the open-ended adventure possible (indeed, I’ve never seen a game like it before).  Non-linear options allow the characters and the world around them to evolve.  Discovery and Growth are the core of an RPG experience, and UNLIMITED Saga allows the player to focus on this.

- The innovation of the “Map Movements System” pushes the limits of the game, which is aided by adventures that will never unfold in the same way twice.  This makes for a less linear RPG, as most require the player to work their way through many adventures that are always the same.

- The “Reel” system, mentioned earlier, relies on a slot machine-type interface.  Players stop a number of spinning reels, which result in a number of different actions.  This system kicks in after the player engages in battle, from there they will then either “Hold” or “Go” for every attack.  Positive results may appear to be based on luck, but players need to use their turns wisely, as the “Reel” system requires an amount of intellect as well as agility.

- Differing from other RPG’s, the character development system is quite unique.  The characters themselves do not have levels, but their abilities and arts do.  This makes for a more refreshing, less mass-produced-feeling RPG.

- The detailed graphics are conveyed in a way never before seen.  The “Sketch Motion” system is a completely new technique of animation, based on technology developed with Adobe Systems.  UNLIMITED Saga is neither a 2D nor a 3D game; it makes the best of both worlds.

- The return of Tomomi Kobayashi to illustrate the world of UNLIMITED Saga with her own distinct style, using breathtaking hand-drawn material is good to see.

- Yusuke Naora, of the FINAL FANTASY series, joins the team as the Art Director to lend the team his experience in RPG games and to the cutting-edge graphics in UNLIMITED Saga.  This should make things interesting.

- UNLIMITED Saga is also the first game to completely support 5-channel sound in every part of the game, utilising Dolby Lab’s latest technology, Pro Logic 2.  Dolby Laboratories has always been known to create fantastic sound systems, so this should help make UNLIMITED Saga create the perfect RPG atmosphere.

As I said before, there are seven main characters that the player can play as.  Below is a brief detail on them all:

Ø    Judy.  Wizard Josel’s ten-year old daughter, who is a reckless witch who has mastered the concept and use of three familiars.  Bright, cheerful and hardworking with a slight tendency to overdo things, as well as confident and optimistic.  She has a special fondness for her father as well as being frustrated at her older brother Roy’s obesity.

Ø    Ventus.  He is nineteen-years old and has decided to follow in the footsteps of his brother, who had died when working as a courier.  Ventus seeks the truth about his brother’s death, and believes that the answers lie in the last shipment that he handled right before his demise.  Ventus believes himself to be a ladies’ man but in reality, he isn’t.

Ø    Laura.  She is a thirty-year-old widow of Pablo, who was known for his dedication as a teacher.  Laura was a pirate once, but went to live with Pablo.  Her love for him was immeasurable.  She also loved the reckless life of a pirate, but she loved Pablo more.  She is rather aggressive and strong, but she also has a compassionate and romantic side to her.

Ø    Kurt Burgundy.  Thirty-two years old, and an adventurer involved in a movement to extend knowledge the world over.  The first-born son of a high official of knights, he rebelled and ran away to avoid entering knighthood.  Kurt is a very serious man, and has a sense of justice that occasionally, he takes too far.

Ø    Mythe.  He is twenty-eight years old and is an inventor.  He is better known however, for his penchant for the ladies and a good time.  Mythe is also a talented connoisseur of relics.  Even though he has doubt in his own judgement occasionally, he believes himself to be a levelheaded person when it comes to women or his work.  That is, until he becomes infatuated with a portrait of a beautiful silver-haired girl.

Ø    Armic.  A carefree Chapa tribesman with low self-esteem.  Armic’s village has been plagued with a drought, thus four brave men have been chosen to collect necessary materials so as to conduct a rain ceremony.  No one, including Armic, is quite sure why they were selected for the important task.

Ø    Ruby.  Seventeen-years-old, and the sister of the infamous fortune-teller, Sapphire.  Ruby is nonchalant and reckless, often taking risks.  While she likes to portray that she’s like Sapphire, she is not truly psychic, and sometimes needs to make the result match her fortune.

UNLIMITED Saga has the potential to be big; the only thing that could hold it back is the advertising.  A strong advertising campaign has the potential to significantly boost sales, and with what the relatively ambitious nature of Unlimited Saga gamers could see a lot to be excited about with a little help from the marketing department.

Dave Whitby

June 15, 2003