Unlimited Saga

Infobox VG
title = Unlimited Saga


developer = Square
publisher = vgrelease|JP=Square|NA=Square Enix|EU=Atari Europe
designer = Akitoshi Kawazu, Kyoji Koizumi
composer = Masashi Hamauzu
engine =
released = vgrelease|JP=December 19, 2002|NA=June 17, 2003|EU=October 31, 2003
genre = Console role-playing game
modes = Single-player
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=Teen|PEGI=12+
platforms = PlayStation 2
media = 1 DVD-ROM
requirements = Memory card
input =
series = "SaGa" seriesnihongo|"Unlimited Saga"|アンリミテッド: サガ|Anrimiteddo: Saga is a console role playing game developed and published by Square (now Square Enix). It was released on December 19, 2002 in Japan, June 17 2003 in North America and October 31, 2003 in Europe. It is the ninth game in the "SaGa" video game series and the first game in the series to be released for the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console. It should be noted that "Unlimited Saga" is the only game in the series not to capitalize the letter "g" in Saga. The reason for this is unknown.

Gameplay

This game is known for its "reel system." In order to attack, one must time button presses on a slot-machine like reel. The reel system is also used for many other things, such as disarming and avoiding traps, disarming and unlocking treasure chests, and occasionally locked doors.

As in previous SaGa games, there is an LP (Life Point) system.

In dungeons, the player moves around a two-dimensional map as in a board game. Each step takes one "turn." Other actions also take one turn. Monsters also move around dungeons. When attacked by a monster, there is no "run" command, and enemies cannot be escaped from, though they may be avoided.

Main characters

*Laura – Voiced by: Kelli Cousins – A former pirate who finds herself embroiled in a young prince's troubles.
*Judy – Voiced by: Hilary Haag – A young witch whose goal is to save her grandfather who is trapped in a mirror.
*Ventus – Voiced by: Chris Patton – A courier whose goal is to avenge his brother's death. Called Vent in Japanese.
*Mythe – Voiced by: Vic Mignogna – An inventor searching for a mysterious silver-haired girl.
*Kurt – Voiced by: James Marshall – A noble who intends to find out the origin of his cursed gauntlet. Called Cash in Japanese.
*Ruby – Voiced by: Jessica Boone – A fake fortune teller who travels the world visiting various ancient ruins.
*Armic – Voiced by: Tiffany Grant – A member of the Chapa tribe sent out to find items needed for a rain making ceremony.

Development

Quote box
quote = " [...] As far as "UNLIMITED: SaGa" is concerned, we said let's tackle the basics of game design once again. We didn't try to emphasize the realistic details, but rather symbolize, and cut out the parts we didn't need. We thought, let's dare to do a "not express" thing and we calmly [stuck] to that route."
source = Akitoshi Kawazu, RPGFan Interview (2003)cite web | author=Chris Winkler, Eve C. | date=2003 | title=Creator's Talk Interview #1: Akitoshi Kawazu | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/features/creatorstalk/index1.html | work=RPGFan.com | accessdate=2008-06-12]
width = 45%
align = right"Unlimited Saga" was directed and produced by Akitoshi Kawazu, the creator of the "SaGa" series. The characters were designed by Yuichi Shiota, and the art direction was handled by Yusuke Naora, who previously worked on "Final Fantasy X". For the graphics, Square partnered with Adobe Systems to create "Sketch Motion" during battles. Using programs such as Photoshop and After Effects, hand-drawn 2D designs were combined with 3D models to create a unique hybrid look.cite web | author=Adobe | title=SQUARE - UNLIMITED SaGa Feature | url=http://www.adobe.com/jp/digitalimag/features/square_saga/index.html| work=Adobe.com | accessdate=2008-06-12]

To promote "Unlimited Saga" in North America, Square Enix held the "Hall of Valor" contest beginning on the game's release date, June 17, 2003 and ending on July 27, 2003. It consisted of three challenges where players would have to send in answers to difficult questions related to the game. Prizes included products by electronics manufacturer Denon.cite web | author=Square Enix staff | date=2003 | title=Hall of Valor Contest | url=http://www.u-saga.com/contest.html| work=U-Saga.com | accessdate=2008-06-10]

Versions

"Unlimited Saga: Limited Edition" was released in Japan on the same day as the regular version of the game. It included a promotional "Unlimited SaGa Maxi Single CD", a 3-song CD.cite web | title=UNLIMITED SaGa MAXI SINGLE CD | url=http://www.gmronline.com/info.asp?CatNumber=none0173 | work=GMROnline.com | accessdate=2008-06-12] "Unlimited Saga Collector's Edition" was released in Europe and included a bonus DVD titled "".cite web | author=Justin Calvert | date=September 10, 2003 | title=Final Fantasy X-2: Prologue for US and Europe | url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/finalfantasy10/news.html?sid=6074857 | work=GameSpot.com | accessdate=2008-06-12]

Audio

The game features 5-channel surround sound support from Dolby's Pro Logic II.cite web | author=Heath Hindman | date=2003 | title=Preview: Unlimited SaGa | url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/saga/usaga/usagaprev.html | work=RPGamer.com | accessdate=2008-06-10] The music was composed by Masashi Hamauzu. He had previously composed the soundtrack for "SaGa Frontier 2" after the departure of previous series composer Kenji Ito. The game's soundtrack consists of 58 songs spanning two discs. It was released on January 22, 2003.cite web | title=Unlimited SaGa Original Soundtrack | url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/albums/u/unlimitedsaga.shtml | work=SquareEnixMusic.com | accessdate=2008-06-13]

Reception

Upon its release in North America, "Unlimited Saga" was widely panned by critics. The most common complaints focused on the game's use of the reel mechanic, which arguably added too many random elements to the gameplay. Many were also turned off by the game's "board game"-like approach to exploration and the static nature of the game outside of battle. These sentiments were apparently shared by a large portion of the game-playing community, and as a result, the game failed to do remarkable business. However, the game did manage to garner a small but loyal fanbase of gamers that have embraced the very mechanics that were seen as flawed. Thus, it may be possible to classify Unlimited Saga as a cult video game, much like its predecessors, SaGa Frontier and the Game Boy SaGa/Final Fantasy Legend series.

"Unlimited Saga" currently has a score of 45 out of 100 on Metacritic, which corresponds to "generally negative reviews."cite web | author=Metacritic staff | title=Unlimited SaGa (ps2: 2003) | url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/unlimitedsaga | work=Metacritic.com | accessdate=2008-06-09] The game was called the "Biggest Letdown" of 2003 on the website RPGamer.cite web | author=Jeff Walker and Anna Marie Whitehead | date=2003 | title=RPGamer Awards 2003: Biggest...Letdown | url=http://www.rpgamer.com/awards/2003/results/reader/letdown.html | work=RPGamer.com | accessdate=2008-06-09]

References

External links

* [http://www.lost-saga.com "Lost Sa・Ga"] Fan site of the entire SaGa series
* [http://www.u-saga.com Official website]
*GameFAQs|type=/console/ps2|num=561939|name="Unlimited SaGa"
* [http://www.squarenexus.com/unlimitedsaga/ Square Nexus' Unlimited SaGa Section]