Ranking The SaGa Series WORST To BEST! 

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I'm going to stand up and defend SaGa Frontier 2 as one of the best SaGa games. The story is great, once you learn the mechanics it isn't bad at all and best of all, at least compared to Romancing SaGa and SaGa Frontier, it doesn't have a Battle Rank. And also it is absolutely gorgeous as you mentioned. Gustave XIII and the Knights family are some of my favorite characters ever.

Weird to see Saga Frontier 2 second to last, I love that game.

Glad to see Emerald Beyond getting so much love, even as a long time SaGa fan I was pleasantly suprised by just how great the combat and progression is and couldnt put it down.

I’m not ready for the Unlimited Saga slander 😭

Here's hoping Frontier 2 gets a remaster. If it's of the calibre of what SF got, then that'll easily push it up the rankings.

JRPG rules level 1 save a kitten, level 100 fight god.

Thanks for making this. I feel like no one ever talks about Saga so I never know where to start. This helps a lot

Legends 3, and Romancing SaGa 3 will always be my top recommendations to newcomers looking to get into the series.

Oh wow. This is one list where we completely differ 😅. I would put saga frontier 2 at the top. I love the art style. And I think it’s one of the only games in the series that managed to have a clear through-line in the story regarding the series’ theme of ancestry. Also…Unlimited saga took me several attempts, but once it clicked, I was into it. I still think it’s a little clunky, and I probably wouldn’t have the patience to play it today, but I kind of loved the growth panel concept. I thought that was such a clever way to grow your characters….the panels you got were based on what the individual character used most during a dungeon…but you couldn’t completely control it, so there was a slight element of strategy and testing the player’s adaptability within the randomness of it. I also love romancing 2 and 3…as well as saga frontier 1. I tried to play 5 minutes of emerald beyond and I was so repulsed that I immediately deleted all traces of it from my console…that’s not my saga. Absolute trash Minstrel song would probably be 3rd or 4th from the top of my list. It’s really solid, but it has some systems that I don’t really love

If you’re new to the series you should start with either Saga frontier or Minstrel Song Remastered if you want a longer more in depth game. This is a good list David I only disagree with Unlimited Saga and Emerald beyonds placement 😅. Unlimited Saga just needs a remaster that has tutorials to explain the game, and maybe a way to disable the reel system if you don’t like it. Personally I like games that don’t hold your hand and explain everything to you so Unlimited Saga was a real treat. You really don’t need a guide it only took about a night or two of playing to figure stuff out myself, I guess others just drop the game too fast before giving it an actual chance which I understand. Emerald Beyond on the other hand ohh boy, I hated this game. The story is laughably bad on almost every planet you go to, the menu UI is bad and slow to navigate, smallest soundtrack of a Saga game so hope you enjoy listening to the same 2-3 songs all game in and out of combat, there’s no towns, no shops, no cutscenes, all you do is run panel to panel ( which I somehow enjoyed more in unlimited saga,maybe cause you could actually choose where to go instead of the game just pointing you to the next panel like a child) read some cringey dialogue and then fight some mobs or a boss.The combat is the only part of the game I enjoyed everything else was a boring slog. First Saga game I’ve played where I have no motivation to start a second character after beating it.

After unlimited saga, they are all pretty fun. Ranking how fun they are to play now vs. how fun they were to play is another factor. The first game has great memories for me, and I still remember how I felt as I was exploring, but it may be a little old for today's tastes. There is an excellent RPG maker saga4 Masters of The Demon world that I just started playing, if you are a saga fan it is very loyal to the original... the music, tiles, and classes are all used.

The music in Final Fantasy Legend 2 was absolutely amazing.

According to Wikipedia there were no SNES releases of the Romancing SaGa games, only Super Famicom, they were original passed over for Localization like Final Fantasy 5.

The thing about SaGa is even though there's some common design elements the entries really vary a ton. It's very possible to love some and hate others. For me SaGa Frontier 2 is probably my favorite. Having a more focused and less open ended narrative with "just" two main protaganists are good things, not bad. But it's pretty different so I get why people whose favorites are Romancing SaGa 3 or even SF1 won't rank it that highly.

I loved this video! And though I would have a pretty different list, you back up your choices well! Very nice.

David I can't tell you how many times I've gotten into full arguments with friends over " just because a game is old doesn't mean it's bad!" Preach brother preach !

I remember owning saga frontier 2 as a child, I didn't get far.

Honestly when I first heard of the SaGa series, I thought of the company that sells holidays to older people.

I’m so glad you made this video, I finally got saga frontier on a really good sale and I’m trying really hard to get into it. I’m starting to though!! I was literally looking for this exact video a couple weeks ago but you hadn’t made it yet lol

Me with the entire GB list, both frontiers, and punching out romancing 3 right now : yeah this is pretty accurate

Great vid! Never played any Saga but I've always been curious I think I'll give one a try!

Thank you for making this, David. Also Happy belated Birthday! I was just about to reach out to you and ask which game should I get between Megaton Musashi W vs. Saga Emerald Beyond? Guess I’m going with Saga!

Saga Frontier was the first game I played on the PS1 (it was a loaner) and it holds a special place in my heart. I'll probably try scarlet and emerald when i can grab a copy as they look interesting, I'm restarting Saga Frontier when I get my order, probably tomorrow 😊

I need to go back and play FFLegend 2 I remember loving it as a kid and playing it for hours on roadtrips. I barely remember the story now as an adult. I’m curious how different it would be today and if that same fondness I remember would still be there. Thanks to one of you other videos about saga I bought the collection on switch to go back and play those old school ones.

Awesome video David! Emerald Beyond has become my absolute all time favorite SaGa and i haven't been able to put it down since it released. Where would you have put The Last Remnant on the list though?

I’ve seen all from 1980-Now I enjoy all Saga games my favorite is Romancing Saga 3

I hope some people who see this video will be inspired to try out the SaGa series. They really are wonderful, unique RPGs. Personally, my favorites are the SaGa Frontier games.

I hope that I'm offering some friendly and constructive criticism when I say that I think that tier lists work much better than lists that are already in order. This is because there are surprises all the way through, as opposed to the most important and most high quality games come never being a surprise.

I played Final Fantasy Legend II so much as a kid as well! Fantastic game

Awesome list, David!! I agree a game being old doesn’t mean it’s bad, I’ve been playing a lot of older games lately and most have aged amazingly!

I think I could have adapted to Unlimited SaGa if it wasn't for one thing. Whenever it's time to determine if a stat might go up... you use the reel system. A bad roll means stats will go down. Making it even harder. Outside of that I was almost getting the hang of it.

Seeing emerald at your #2 makes me wanna vom =)

I heard rumors of saga frontier 2 remake or remaster for the switch. I would play that. It's one of those stories I'm curious about.

I've dropped out of the series but always wanted to worm my way back in, so I'm really curious what someone who's played more of them thinks!

My fav is Saga Frontier 1. Amazing game.

FF Legend 1 was one of my first RPGs, and I really need to catch up on the rest of the series. It is awesome that the two newer ones ranked so high!

Great ranking list, David! I still haven't played the SaGa series yet, but was thinking of grabbing all the ones available on Switch!

Gosh, minstel song would have been awesome for me if that Event and battle rank system wasn’t in it. What a kick to the balls that was lol. Punishing you for wanting to kill every enemy and explore everything

I would absolutely LOVE an Unlimited SaGa remake in the style of Scarlet Grace and Emerald Beyond. Also for them to capitalize the G in Unlimited SaGa, cause why tf was this the only SaGa game not to have that? It really is the black sheep of the franchise. 4:02 Romancing SaGa 2 remaster was also released on PS4.*

I havent played all of these but I was stoked to see Legend 2 get the top spot. That game has stuck with me for many years and is still one of my favorite games. Great list overall.

Hi David! I'm here to learn about the SaGa series so I can decide my first one to play. Have a blessed day!

Appreciate the SaGa content! I think Scarlet Grace is now my #1 SaGa since the combat is strategic and very engaging (still havent tried EB yet tho!). Every SaGa is at least good in my book. That said, nowadays I get tired of simplistic turn-based combat more easily. I'd say SaGa Scarlet Grace, Darkest Dungeon 1&2, Divinity 1&2, and Baldurs Gate 3 have some of the best turn based combat ever made. If anyone else has a similar contender I'd love another recommendation!

Im a simple man. I see saga, I watch. Edit: forgot to say that minstrel song is my favorite saga game ever xD

Saga frontier 2 being so low on the list hurt me. I get it much more on rails but I felt like I readinf classic 18 century novel wirh all the character. I love how we see effect choices down the road.

Back in the day, SaGa Frontier 1-2 (and Vagrant Story) were the only PSX jRPGs I couldn't understand at fullest because higher complexity (and no internet, no game manuals where I bought them and I still learning english). Because of that, up to this day I still respect Kawazu A LOT for making this franchise.

Right on!! The Game Boy Final Fantasy Legend trilogy are among my all-time, most creatively influential, favorites! Legend III did cool things blending SaGa's system with more traditional RPGs; as well as the time and space crossing adventures (who wouldn't want the Talon as their ship?). The first game was just SO ambitious and mind-blowing in its mechanics and scope!! I agree the second one's the best: it refined and added to those ahead of the time, outside the box, ideas introduced in the first!! Great list, David!

That´s a nice topic, I´d get a troubled mind ranking SaGa. I Love the Original triology, I love the Romancing triology, I love Scarlet Grace and Emerald Beyond. How do you even start ranking?

I think you overvalue the original SaGa trilogy a little but I appreciate the nostalgia you have for them. Great video. I love me some SaGa content and it is extremely misunderstand on the west. My favourite? Romancing SaGa 3!

looking good, Mr. David

I absolutely loved FF legends 2. It was one of my first ever RPGs that i played and I've just played it recently on switch, its still a great game even today! I really tried to like unlimited Saga and started multiple playthroughs, but it really is bad - I even enjoyed Quest 64 more!

I've played the three game boy games and Saga Frontier 1 and 2. The only reason I don't still regularly play Final Fantasy Legend 2 and 3 is I don't have a functioning game boy anymore. I've said for years that Saga Frontier 1 is a collection of sidequests and bugs held together by hope and bubble gum, but despite that I still have some genuine affection for the game.

I think I ruined my Bonnie and Formina, so started a new story linem the vampire guy. So far i love Emerald the most cuz animating, every action is a Keyframe and the combo lines are tweening zones. Reminds me a lot of Grandia battle system in it shows whos going who and who is doing what, and you gotta adapt to it. The fact their all mobile now its really perfect time to experience these.

after buy it 6 saga games and have not played one at all i finally know wich wiht one i will startet thank you this video help me a lot (^^)//

Which one is the saga game where your a blonde king? Not to be confused with the one where your like a prince twin and there's another brother but one that has u like time travel or is it unlimited saga ?

I want to enjoy them so bad but they're so hard to finish. Emerald beyond is the best to me since we can't get lost. It's the best for new comers. I was stuck to diva final battle with a 3 phases boss 😓 i gave up on it.

He sunshine in case I'm not online on the day I'll say this now happy birthday David

Saga Frontier will always be the best to me. Even though I spend every playthrough getting OP in the Research Lab. Fiend Rod central in the beginning room on the right. Actually so many great weapon drop in there.

I enjoyed Saga frontier 2 growing up. I may not have beaten it at all until much later down the road due to the last boss being crazy difficult and the two types of currencies is a bit annoying but other then that, pretty good game. But Romancing Saga 2, while my favorite to this day has some issues that I wish could be explained more without having to look up a guide. Like the whole armor system and damage types. For example, there is a glove called oven mittens or something similar and they give like 1 defense or something.. why would you wear this? well, it has great fire defense but the game does not tell you this and there is a boss down the road that does a lot of fire damage. I know its a SNES game, but hidden info like that can really make or break your run.

Despite its general obscurity, the Saga series a pretty solid one. A series you'll always associate with the term "non-linear". And Square has been doing a fine in keeping it alive with all these releases on modern consoles. Boggles the mind how Bandai Namco is doing the opposite for the Tales series, despite it being far more popular.

Seeing Emerald Beyond hit 2 and FFL2 at the top pleases me. Kinda surprised at how low Romancing SaGa 2 and MinSong were though!

I'm a huge fan of the SaGa series. For me it's: 1. Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song 2. SaGa Frontier 3. Romancing SaGa 2 4. SaGa Scarlet Grace 5. Final Fantasy Legend II 6. Romancing SaGa 3 7. SaGa Emerald Beyond 8. The Final Fantasy Legend 9. Unlimited Saga 10. Final Fantasy Legend III 11. SaGa Frontier 2 I have never played a RPG that has given me the sense of adventure that Minstrel Song gave me.

Wouldn't call one of the most successful in terms of sale numbers titles, SaGa Scarlet Grace, a hidden gem in it's own series. What's also worth noting is that that game somewhat saved the series from drowning from what I've been told as the series, due to it's very... swinging noticableness so it's thanks to that game, no matter how much I dislike it due to it's draggyness, that we got SaGa Emerald Beyond which luckily got more RPG conform and mass appealing in terms of battle system and some narrative drivenness, in the positive sense, without falling into some weird western RPG standards or weird eastern RPG standards!

Love from Belgium 🇧🇪 ❤

For anyone that want to get into the Saga seires. I recommened Romancing SaGa 3 to be your first Saga game.

I've loved exploring the series on Switch, as they've released almost the whole thing at this point. Unfortunately, they refuse to release Emerald Beyond as an English physical so I haven't picked it up. I had hoped there might be one down the road, but now with the company restructuring and all that... I'm pretty bummed on it...

Unlimited SaGa is the most misunderstood entry in the most misunderstood series

I played the demo of SaGa Emerald Beyond. Gotta say, I was sadly unimpressed. Maybe I just miss the style of SaGa Frontier and Romancing SaGa 3...

5:09 Slow down there cowboy. It's a remake, or rather a reimagining, because it neither uses the original engine, nor does all the changes done to it make it really comparable to the original SNES version. So much was changed that it is more the definition of a reimagining, sadly, since I prefer quite some of the SNES version ideas and how it tackled some aspects, including the music or how some characters were designed.

minstrel song is my #1, with scarlet and emerald tied for 2

I've recently started Final Fantasy XIII-2 and the noise my PS3 makes is crazy loud less than two hours after I switch on the PS3, has anyone else who has played this game experienced this? It didn't happen this loud while I was playing the first game.

I haven't played any SaGa games past SaGa Frontier, I hated that game so much, it killed any interest in playing any of the games past it. But, Final Fantasy Legend II is still one of my all time favorite games, and it rivals Link's Awakening for my favorite Game Boy game.

I actually enjoyed RS2 despite the difficulty spikes and SF2. I love playing games with a generation/dynasty system. It’s a nice change from 15 years old teenager boy comes of age and saves the world from the evil empire with his girlfriends generic story. It’s too bad we never got Venus and Braves either…

I've played every saga game besides unlimited and frontier 2. I do know a long time die hard fan if the series said frontier 2 was his personal favorite. For me it's hard to rank them because for the most part they're all great games. I do love the idea that the big villain of romancing saga 2 was the previous heroes that's a twist that's rarely used. My top two ones are saga 2 on GB and romancing saga 3. But frontier 1 is close.

I rewatch this video after Romancing Saga 2 remake announcement at Nintendo Direct. At this list, the original is at rank 8 of 11. So, are you recommending the remake, David? Thank you for making useful content

I don’t like the game boy ones anymore. I do love saga 2 . 3 was like forget it, but I wouldn’t mind trying another one. Thanks for the Vid.

I liked unlimited saga more then the other ones. I loved the randomizest of it. I liked the og Gameboy ones too..final fantasy legends series. I only played the saga series because i liked unlimited 🤔 i stop after the ps1 ones. The one with your offspring taking over was a cool idea. But i liked unlimited the most. I liked the crazy combos you can do. Oh 😔 yes i did have to restart my run a good three times before i beat it. There was s option to keep your lv, gear, skills, & items if you wanted to restart i think. I'm pretty sure about that 🤔 it felt like a rouge like to me 🤷🏾‍♀️ i remember using a game shark for more money because my luck was bad when it came to finding gear..no no 🤔 it was for skill points. To learn more combos/skills.

What happened to your mic on this one David?

The first Saga game I played was Unlimited Saga for PS2. This explains a lot on why I didn't care for the series, as I started with the worst game in the series. 😆 I really liked the story, art and combat of Scarlet Grace, but I found myself getting frustrated over dying so much and not being able to complete all the quests for each battle. Since Emerald is similar to Scarlet Grace, is the game easier to play?

I was surprised to see saga emerald that high concidering all the people who recommend me are frontier minstrel song and emerald people dismiss it i got minstrel song to try the series out and welp it was experience alright....

I just cannot find a saga game I don’t hate. 🤷 Ibbouncednoff minstrel song three times and scarlet grace twice, And other back in the day never grabbed me either. They just don’t seem to want to do any of what I like these kinds of games for

This just in: I JUST BEAT THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM! :D

Unlimited SaGa is the best one in the series including Emerald Beyond

I would put the GB games down at the bottom (though still above Unlimited). Old games are great but games with rando characters that have no personality to drive the story.... are not great. My top 3 would probably be Frontier, Minstrel Song, and RS 3 (not sure about the order). I want to play Emerald beyond but since it hasn't been released yet I wouldn't even put it on my list. Reallly hoping Square gives us a Saga Frontier 2 port on switch.... I'm sure if they do it will be a PlayAsia exclusive thing but I am fine with that.

I enjoyed Emerald Beyond, but it sure is unbalanced based on who you pick. I started with Bonnie and Formina and BARELY made it passed their final boss after soooo much grinding. Then picked Mido and it was easy breezy.

SaGa is my favorite series…..You never used to be on board with the series. Is that changing and you’re becoming a convert?

We need more games where you kill god 🤣

SaGa 3 my fav ❤

..romancing saga was remade for the ps2 then remastered 5:10

Wait wait wait, was 7th Saga NOT A SAGA GAME?!?

I disagree with every game and rank.

👍romancing saga 3 is my top list and Emerald beyond is my bottom as a long time SaGa series player I still stand that they should go back snes saga gameplay Even the music in beyond is lackluster

😊

Unlimited Saga is one of the most terrible games Square-Enix has ever released. I should have been hesitant when I noticed that this newly released game was selling for $20 shortly after launch. It feels like there was someone in a board meeting sarcastically suggesting terrible ideas and the boss didn't catch the tone and went with the idea. Probably also how Lunar Dragon Song got made.

I HATED Final Fantasy Legends 1 and 2. For an experienced rp gamer, optimizing your team is the most tedious thing ever! Both games require to save or reset the game after EVERY battle. Why? To make sure that you’re not being screwed over by the game’s RNG stat gains and ability gains. At least Legends 2 lets you know at the end of a battle if anything has changed. If you don’t like, reset. Legends 1 doesn’t even have the common courtesy of letting you know if there’s any stats or ability changes! After a battle, you must go to the sub screen and inspect every character EVERY time. Do you like having a useful hit point healing ability? Well, kiss it goodbye if it’s in the last inventory space on your last character because the game can replace it after a victorious battle whenever random chance decides for it! The game doesn’t even ask you if you want to keep it or throw it away. The game asks if you want to eat monster meat. WHY DOESN’T THE GAME ASK YOU IF YOU WANT TO HAVE YOUR ABILITIES REPLACED? One more kick in the nuts. You can’t rearrange your inventory for the sake of efficiency and ability sacrificial management.

Lol saga frontier 2 so low. It's probably best saga ... U don't know good game sir sorry.

I just cannot find a saga game I don’t hate. 🤷 Ibbouncednoff minstrel song three times and scarlet grace twice, And other back in the day never grabbed me either. They just don’t seem to want to do any of what I like these kinds of games for