Romancing SaGa 3

Romancing SaGa 3 (ロマンシングサガ3 ) is a role-playing game developed by Square and published by Square Enix. It is  remastered of the original title, released in 1995. The game is set in a magical world threatened by an apocalyptic event. Only one chosen hero can prevent the destruction of the world. RS 3 features classic RPG components, however, it also introduces some new ones. The game received solid reviews from the critics, who noted the nostalgic vibe of the game as its main selling point.

Classic RPG gameplay with a few twists

The gameplay mechanics of Saga 3 are similar to many other RPGs o that time, but there are some exceptions. The player begins their adventure by selecting one of 8 playable characters, who will act as the leader of the party. The player can choose to play as a knight, a merchant, a nobleman, a mercenary, an archer, an ax-wielding warrior, a princess, and her bodyguard. Each character has his unique skills and the player should consider their playstyle before choosing.

After selecting the leader the player must form a party. Party members may be recruited from the NPCs the player will meet throughout the game. Unlike other RPGs, the party leveling system in Romancing SaGa 3 occurs on a single stat basis, meaning that each stat is increased independently.

Another feature that differentiates SaGa 3 is the HP and LP system. When the party member HP points are spent, the LP gauge begins to drop. If that reaches zero, the party member is lost and needs to be recruited again. Losing all HP and LP by the party leader results in a game over.

Combat in RS 3 is turn-based, with each member being able to use a simple attack, a skill or an item. The characters can learn new attacks, through what is called "spark". During the battle the player can use different formations, to see which one suits their playstyle.

Story of a Chosen One

Once every three hundred years, a Death Eclipse occurs, wiping out all newborn life in the world. However, during one such cataclysmic event, one child is spared from the cruel fate. The boy grew to become the Devil King, spreading his rule of terror across the land. The Devil King died eventually, and during the next death eclipse, another child was born, this time – a hero. As the next Death Eclipse is coming near, everyone wonders – will the next Chosen One be good...or evil?

Reception

Romancing SaGa 3 received solid reviews from the critics. Many of them noted the game's archaic mechanics as a plus, stating that they were exactly what gave the game the atmosphere of nostalgia. The critics concluded that despite lacking modern gameplay solutions, some of which would make playing SaGa 3 more accessible to the modern player base.