Welp, instead of starting SaGa Frontier 1, due to needing to either hook up my PS3 in lieu of my PS4 or deleting some space on a memory card so I can use my dying PS2; I've opted instead to just try out NG+ on both Romancing SaGa 2 and 3.

Some fun observations include:

RS2
  • Finally discovered what happens if you don't bother with the succession crisis in Cumberland and I was pleasantly surprised by the results. Especially since I was worried I screwed myself out of the Crusader class though it only sems to screw you out of the Male variants which is fine because the female variants are way better.
  • I think I came closer to mastering everything in RS2 than I did in 3. It looks like I'm only missing stuff in Martial Arts, Bows, and Swords.
  • The Epee/Rapier class swords are way better in RS2 than 3. They have a better skill set and less situational nonsense.
  • I'm still baffled that Formations are the one thing that don't carry over into NG+. Skills, Gear, and Global Levels do but it looks like Formations, kingdom upgrades, and classes all have to be re-earned. Which is not a bad thing necessarily but a completionist is going to be pissed that it's impossible to do a complete run in this game.
  • The Pirate class is a beast of a class in this game. I don't know what it is about the SaGa team but they smurfing love pirates and make them a badass whenever they show up.
  • I was happy to use the human slave route to beat Bokhohn. Of anything the replay value here has been really interesting.
  • My current goal is to try and unlock the Desert Guard earlier so I can waza more Greatsword moves. Sadly, I think I screwed myself out of the Amazon class this playthrough. Regardless, my other goal here is to tackle Noel before Rocbouquet.
  • My main goals for this round is to unlock the final two classes I missed (Salamander and Samurai) in the my first playthrough and actually finish the Maze of Memory secret dungeon. I think it's too late for me to think about trying for the biggest achievement challenge which is beating the game before reaching the Final Ruler but I'm fine with that because I went with The Empress this round and want to see her in action.


RS3
  • Chose Katarina as my starting character since she's the only playable hero unavailable in all the other quests lines. I also just grew to love her while playing RS RE:U. I chose Warrior and Greatsword as her starting attributes.
  • My final party is going to be based on a fan pic I found. Ultimately the theme is: People screwed over by Maximus, so my planned final team will be Katarina, Black, Muse, Charl, Nora, and Tiberius. We'll see if I stick with them.
  • I think I like how RS3 handles NG+ a little better here. It seems like they take an average instead of your party strength and base part of it also on who you are using so when I recruit characters I used a lot in the previous playthrough, they are pretty powerful but characters I don't use only get a slight power boost. I still retain most gear except for story significant stuff like the Archfiend/Matriarch gear. I retain all skills and formations as well. To give people an idea, my team is still not strong enough to tackle the Zweig Tournament despite my gear and skills. My HP is too low. Come to thin of it, I think RS2 also resets the party hp.
  • Despite how utterly simple it is, I find Theodore's Merchant Mini-game to be incredibly addictive. More fun than the war battles for sure.
  • Also mad props to Katarina's opening segment, some cool game design right there.
  • I am happy I managed to acquire Herman this time. He's average at best but Ellen sparked so many good Axe skills in my previous playthrough that I feel it would be a shame to not have one axe specialist on the team.


I'm not sure if I'll finish these playthroughs or if the call for new SaGa will overtake me but I'm having a blast going through both of them again.