Romancing SaGa creator discusses fantasy RPG heritage, music, art, and more – PlayStation.Blog

The gods created humans, and humans created stories.

First there was Romancing SaGa, the first entry in the classic 16-bit RPG trilogy. This beloved adventure was later remade on the PS2, entitled Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song-. On December 9, Red Art Games will release an enhanced version of the PS2 game on PS5 and PS4, titled Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered International.

This new International Version is the most comprehensive yet, featuring new characters, tougher challenges, as well as various quality improvements including French, Italian, German and Spanish localization, the ability to switch between English and Japanese voices and more, making it perfect for both longtime fans and first-time SaGa players.

Before we return to the world of Mardias, I was honored to have the opportunity to interview Akitoshi Kawazu, the original creator of the SaGa series and producer and director of the 2005 version. Kawazu-san was kind enough to answer some of the questions we had about the game, the grand 36-year history of the SaGa series, and his personal thoughts on the process.

Can you tell us how the idea for the first Romancing SaGa title came about?

I’ve always wanted to make a big fantasy RPG in the style of The Lord of the Rings. With our previous experience and the new hardware available, I knew that now was the right time to take on the challenge.

And then came Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song-. What were the challenges involved in developing the 2005 version of the PlayStation 2?

The biggest challenge was figuring out the limits of the PS2’s expressive capabilities. The new team members wanted different expressions than those found in the original version, but if we deviated too far, it wouldn’t be true to the original. Development is about achieving balance.

In the PS2 version, the original 2D pixel art is completely recreated into a full 3D game. In terms of combat, new systems such as BP and combo management are introduced, adding greater strategy and drama to each encounter. The music, composed by Kenji Ito, is also boldly rearranged, giving players a fresh and powerful listening experience even if they are already familiar with the original music. In addition, features such as class and proficiency systems have been added, reflecting the trends of the times and making the game more accessible and comfortable to play.

It would definitely be something special to see this game brought back to life in the PS5 version. What was it like being in the room when Square Enix was discussing remastering the game? What was going through your mind at that time?

Another full remake is needed to take full advantage of the PS5’s capabilities, and that’s not the goal of this project. That said, we knew we didn’t want to waste its high-spec potential, so we tried different approaches to see what was possible. We also discussed what additional elements we wanted to include.

In the remastered version, several new elements and improvements have been introduced to further enhance the player’s experience. New playable characters have been added, along with high-difficulty bosses designed to challenge even veteran players. A new screenplay written by Akitoshi Kawazu expands the original story and world, while Kenji Ito’s music has been boldly rearranged, offering a fresh and dynamic listening experience. Additionally, various quality-of-life features—such as an improved UI, combat speed-up options, and post-delete data retention—make the game more accessible and enjoyable for new and existing players alike.

Romancing SaGa has a long history. Over 30 years and counting! What makes this game a reference for the JRPG genre so that it is still fun to play to this day?

I think it’s because we really prioritize giving players a lot of freedom. Games are fun because they operate according to a certain set of rules, but those rules wouldn’t be fun if they were created just to satisfy the designers’ wishes. A big part of the game’s appeal is that it makes players remember their gaming experience long after they have finished playing.

What is the difference between the Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered International story and the original Romancing SaGa story?

The basic premise and storyline remain the same, but we added some elements reminiscent of short fantasy stories so players can enjoy the lore of the world even more.

In this remastered version, many new events have been added that were not present in the original 1992 release. The new storyline includes the introduction of the Volunteer Brigade, which guides players through the base game system and its progression, as well as additional episodes that further develop certain characters — such as Marina and Flammar, who are now playable. There are also special events that can only be experienced on the second playthrough or later, which offer players more depth and replay value.

Among the many protagonists in Minstrel Song, who is your favorite? Can you explain why?

In my opinion, the most protagonist of them all is Albert, a young man who was battered by fate.

One of the most striking elements of this title is its artistic direction by Tomomi Kobayashi. Can you tell us why you chose to feature his art in the game?

We chose Tomomi Kobayashi because her use of smooth lines and bright colors inspires players to use their imagination. I would venture to say that the development team—myself included—is more stimulated than the players. The reason why the characters come to life can be directly attributed to Kobayashi-san’s designs.

Regarding the “Minstrel” mentioned in the title. In the Romancing SaGa series, a Bard always appears in every episode. What do you think is the Minstrel’s role?

Singers exist to provide an objective view of the world. Although he empathizes with the protagonist, he is someone who loves everything about the world, including the demons that live there. I don’t like it when a story puts too much emphasis on the protagonist’s emotions to the exclusion of other aspects of the world, so I make a concerted effort to include characters who can provide a more universal view.

Regarding the music in this title — the remaster seems to increase its presence even more, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. In the PlayStation 2 version of Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song-, many songs were boldly rearranged from the original Romancing SaGa, and new compositions were also created. Can you share any specific stories or memories about the process of composing or composing this new work?

We rearranged the music to better utilize the breadth of the PS2’s sound and music capabilities. Kenji Ito, who composed the original songs, put a lot of work into the entire project, with his fresh arrangements and new songs often making our sound engineer cry.

For a long time, the Romancing SaGa series was primarily developed with Japanese players in mind. How do you feel about Red Art Games’ overseas release of Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered International, which now includes additional localization in four European languages?

My decision at the time meant that the original version would not make it overseas for a long time. I am very happy that this work can now be enjoyed in a land where the fantasy genre originates from the language of the people who live there.

​​

How would you like to see the SaGa series develop in the future? Is there a new direction or challenge you want to explore?

I want to continue bringing audiences fantasy RPGs with a modern twist, including by remaking previous titles.

Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Kawazu!

And thank you, dear reader, for making it this far! The game will be available on December 9 on the PlayStation Store for PS4 and PS5.