Unlimited SaGa Preview

Developer	Square
Publisher	Square Enix
Genre	Role-Playing
Release Date	7/16/03

Given Square's pedigree for brilliant storytelling, it's easy to see why so many gamers drool over every project the revered developer/publisher spits forth.

It's a given then, that Square's newest entry in their SaGa series is highly anticipated by RPG nuts, despite the fact that this game is no Final Fantasy by any means. In fact, Unlimited SaGa, which is due July 16th, contains some seriously innovative gameplay elements that could make Final Fantasy look tame in comparison.

Hand-Drawn Beauty
US is one incredible-looking game. The technique, referred to by Square designers as "Sketch Motion", makes 2D graphics stand out as good, or even better than any 3D polygon out there. Take a gander at our screens, and you'll see it's hard to disagree. The beautiful hand-drawn visuals are breathtaking just in still shots, but seeing them in motion is unreal. Animations are fluid, and environments are colorful. The anime-inspired character designs are rich in detail, and definitely on par with the rest of the game's visuals.

Square Gets Reel Creative
Unlimited SaGa's main draw is the innovative Reel system created by the team to alter the many ways the game can be played, and as a result, become so much more detailed and immersive. The Reel system plays a much more integral role to US than what first meets the eye, and it's this engine that will make this SaGa seem so Unlimited.

Gameplay - Just the overall effect in US will alter depending on how you play; you'll never play the same game twice.

Combat - How combat is done affects not only the melee combat itself with a variety of combos depending on how the combat is approached, but also how the same fight can be approached differently later on for a better (or worse) outcome.

Story - Unlimited SaGa's storyline will alter depending on how you play the game. There are numerous possible ways for the story to unfold, in not just the endings, but throughout the game in it's entirety.

A Nice Combo
Fantastic gameplay innovations, mixed with excellent graphics, stylish strategy elements and seven playable characters, Unlimited SaGa looks to be a true stand-out in the overcrowded RPG market. Whether or not the formula works remains to be seen, but there is a ton of untapped potential here, and as of now, we can't doubt Square's direction. As more info becomes available closer to release, GWX will be the first to fill you in.

Preview by Brendon Hivner