SNES

The 7th Saga

Another sprawling RPG from Enix, this one distinguishes itself because the game follows slightly different paths depending on which of the seven characters you choose - adding unheard of replay value!

The best thing about this RPG is you can play it repeatedly and never get the same game twice! The non-linear game play and excellent Mode 7 sequences make this the RPG to get. Soul Blazer fans should take a look.

If you're a connoisseur of RPGs and don't mind incessant combat, you'll want to have this game in your collection. However, Enix may want to think twice before creating an Eighth Saga.

In the pantheon of classic RPG games, The 7th Saga stands out as one of the more memorable titles for the SNES. In 1993 it was one of the first RPG's to use Mode 7 graphics, as demonstrated with a revolving camera angle used in the middle of battle, where the camera would turn to face whatever enemy the main character was attacking as opposed to the more popular Final Fantasy model of having enemies on one side of the screen and the heroes on the other. It utilizes a unique random enemy encounter system where enemy positions would show up as moving dots on a mini-map. It has a myriad of unique and colorful looking enemies and took full advantage of the SNES 256 colors in bringing them to life. Unlike other RPG games for the SNES when it was released, the enemies in The 7th Saga aren't still life drawings but actually animated creations in combat. These features make The 7th Saga more distinguishable from some of its contemporaries.

So, overall, it’s a real tossup. If you want a hardcore game that will provide a good challenge, it can actually be pretty fun. There’s always been something about the game that’s kept me playing it, even if I’ve only beaten it once. However, if you like your games to “be fun,” “have a story,” or “not cause you to throw your controller at the TV,” you’re better off looking elsewhere. At least most Wii games have two out of three.

And, as I’ve said before, the game didn’t do enough with what could have been its greatest asset — the competition between characters to collect the runes. When all seven heroes are generic RPG character templates, it’s hard to care about their mission AND when there is hardly any actual interaction between them, the whole concept seems rather pointless. No, The 7th Saga isn’t a horrible RPG, but it lacks the sufficient backbone and soul to make it particularly appealing for many players other than those who relish tirelessly leveling up in order to overcome mammoth obstacles.