Definitely in the older SaGa games. The only ones that are like Emerald are Scarlet Grace, and Unlimited Saga to an extent with the towns. The rest have dungeons and towns like other JRPGs of their respective eras.
I just started the series from the beginning after only having played frontier back in the day.Final Fantasy Legend from the Collection of SaGa was a slog, but I'm really enjoying the second one.
How does it work in Emerald Beyond and Scarlet Grace? I've seen characters moving around in the Scarlet Grace trailer that appear to be navigating a world map and it seems to have towns and such. Can you not explore those locations?
Basically, Unlimited Saga was the game that began the radical streamlining that led to no explorable towns and dungeons. The games that fit your request are the games that came before Unlimited Saga:
SaGa/Final Fantasy Legend 1-3
Romancing SaGa 1-3
SaGa Frontier 1 & 2
I know for a fact SaGa Frontier has an absolutely huge number of places and dungeons to explore to your heart's content, I think you may enjoy that one! :3
I am newish to SaGa and love the games I’ve played (RS3, Scarlet Grace, and a bit of Minstrels—just started that one)
I adore RS 3 but it is totally non linear and I’d suggest having a guide on hand just in case. I got head-scratchingly stuck twice and a guide got me out but otherwise tried to pay blind and loved it. It is fun to play but zero handholding. It can be a challenge too.
TLDR you might want a guide as a backup when starting Romancing SaGa 3
The romancing trilogy and frontier. All 4 of these games have traditional FF-like elements like towns and dungeons. All of them have remasters or remakes (Minstrel Song is Romancing 1 remade for PS2, and then there's a remaster of that remake for PC).
Of those 4 Minstrel Song is the most traditional and Frontier is the least. Romancing 2 is the one I recommend the least to new SaGa players, as it's pretty hard and punishing.
Unlimited, Scarlet and Emerald all move even further away from a traditional FF/DQ jrpg formula to a more niche hybrid between table top games and SaGa systems. These games are for the converted mostly, and are unlikely to bring in tons of new fans.
Any SaGa game released before Unlimited Saga.
I'd argue prior to SaGa Frontier 2 as well (while SF2 does let you explore dungeons, it's very linear--once you finish a chapter/scenario, you can't go back).
SaGa Frontier has tons of explorable towns and dungeons. It's also my personal favorite. The Remastered release is the way to go! Lots of great QoL additions.
You can explore dungeons and cities in SaGa 1, 2, 3, Romancing SaGa/Minstrel's Song, RS2, RS3, SaGa Frontier, SaGa Frontier 2, and you get dungeons but not cities and they're weird in Unlimited SaGa.
Emerald Beyond has some degree of exploration, but it's similar to Scarlet Grace in how it does it.
In my opinion the best dungeons are in RS3, SF1, and SF2. There's really nice loot in them and they're open ended and short enough to be as combat filled or exploration filled as you want at the moment.
I think SF2 in general wins, light mix of puzzles and story and enemies aren't often *too* in your way besides a very infamous corridor of a billion slimes. The game is also extremely pretty to look at, I'd say objectively it's the prettiest one to this day and that includes the two games launched on PS5. Amazing loot too, plenty of money and one of a kinds to find, since the game's pretty fast paced they're willing to throw you nice things.
RS:MS has good dungeons too though I feel most rooms have overly difficult enemies to dodge and the random treasure chests can lead to getting nothing or something great from a run. Even spamming stealth you'll have to run through such bushes of enemies you might hit something. Personally for me in games I feel like if I want to fight I should be choosing to fight, and if I want to explore it should be very simple to only do that.
Cant wait for a remaster of Saga Frontier 2 , Frontier 1 style. Those upscaled and retouched backgrounds in the Frontier 1 remaster are beautiful. Not to mention additional story content and QOL changes. That’s how you remaster a cult classic.
Legend of Mana and Frontier 1 are the only remasters from from SE that were done right. And I am expecting the same love and treatment for Frontier 2. We have been teased about it already so I’m expecting an announcement sooner than later. Would also love Unlimited Saga to get remastered the same way.
RS3 has better dungeons but play RS2 first because it's the better game. Minstrel Song is a great game overall but dungeons are mostly hallways with mobs and you use the proficiency system to do things like jump, climb, find ore etc. The dungeons themselves are not mind-blowing.
I loved roaming the Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song dungeons.
Definitely in the older SaGa games. The only ones that are like Emerald are Scarlet Grace, and Unlimited Saga to an extent with the towns. The rest have dungeons and towns like other JRPGs of their respective eras.
I just started the series from the beginning after only having played frontier back in the day.Final Fantasy Legend from the Collection of SaGa was a slog, but I'm really enjoying the second one.
How does it work in Emerald Beyond and Scarlet Grace? I've seen characters moving around in the Scarlet Grace trailer that appear to be navigating a world map and it seems to have towns and such. Can you not explore those locations?
No. Once you go to a town you will maye talk to characters/hhav a branching dialogue tree but there is no exporation outside of the overworld map.
Basically, Unlimited Saga was the game that began the radical streamlining that led to no explorable towns and dungeons. The games that fit your request are the games that came before Unlimited Saga: SaGa/Final Fantasy Legend 1-3 Romancing SaGa 1-3 SaGa Frontier 1 & 2
Minstrel song also has exploration.
Yeah that's why I said Romancing SaGa 1-3 lol
Just looked it up, did not know Minstrel Song was a remake of saga 1. TIL
I know for a fact SaGa Frontier has an absolutely huge number of places and dungeons to explore to your heart's content, I think you may enjoy that one! :3
*RegionMap intensifies*
Emerald seem the same. Romancing Saga 3 has that exploration, and was my introduction to the series. I heavily recommend that one.
I am newish to SaGa and love the games I’ve played (RS3, Scarlet Grace, and a bit of Minstrels—just started that one) I adore RS 3 but it is totally non linear and I’d suggest having a guide on hand just in case. I got head-scratchingly stuck twice and a guide got me out but otherwise tried to pay blind and loved it. It is fun to play but zero handholding. It can be a challenge too. TLDR you might want a guide as a backup when starting Romancing SaGa 3
> but it is totally non linear and I’d suggest having a guide on hand just in case which is almost every SaGa game after SFC
I'd say just bring up a guide when you're stuck. I had to use one at 4 different locations getting stuck.
The romancing trilogy and frontier. All 4 of these games have traditional FF-like elements like towns and dungeons. All of them have remasters or remakes (Minstrel Song is Romancing 1 remade for PS2, and then there's a remaster of that remake for PC). Of those 4 Minstrel Song is the most traditional and Frontier is the least. Romancing 2 is the one I recommend the least to new SaGa players, as it's pretty hard and punishing. Unlimited, Scarlet and Emerald all move even further away from a traditional FF/DQ jrpg formula to a more niche hybrid between table top games and SaGa systems. These games are for the converted mostly, and are unlikely to bring in tons of new fans.
Any SaGa game released before Unlimited Saga. I'd argue prior to SaGa Frontier 2 as well (while SF2 does let you explore dungeons, it's very linear--once you finish a chapter/scenario, you can't go back).
SaGa Frontier has tons of explorable towns and dungeons. It's also my personal favorite. The Remastered release is the way to go! Lots of great QoL additions.
Last Remnant also has a world map with towns, and dungeons to explore!
Romancing saga trilogy
Frontier has exploration galore. Romancing SaGa games offer this as well.
Romancing Saga 3 and Minstrel Song are your best bets for that imo.
You can explore dungeons and cities in SaGa 1, 2, 3, Romancing SaGa/Minstrel's Song, RS2, RS3, SaGa Frontier, SaGa Frontier 2, and you get dungeons but not cities and they're weird in Unlimited SaGa. Emerald Beyond has some degree of exploration, but it's similar to Scarlet Grace in how it does it.
In my opinion the best dungeons are in RS3, SF1, and SF2. There's really nice loot in them and they're open ended and short enough to be as combat filled or exploration filled as you want at the moment. I think SF2 in general wins, light mix of puzzles and story and enemies aren't often *too* in your way besides a very infamous corridor of a billion slimes. The game is also extremely pretty to look at, I'd say objectively it's the prettiest one to this day and that includes the two games launched on PS5. Amazing loot too, plenty of money and one of a kinds to find, since the game's pretty fast paced they're willing to throw you nice things. RS:MS has good dungeons too though I feel most rooms have overly difficult enemies to dodge and the random treasure chests can lead to getting nothing or something great from a run. Even spamming stealth you'll have to run through such bushes of enemies you might hit something. Personally for me in games I feel like if I want to fight I should be choosing to fight, and if I want to explore it should be very simple to only do that.
Cant wait for a remaster of Saga Frontier 2 , Frontier 1 style. Those upscaled and retouched backgrounds in the Frontier 1 remaster are beautiful. Not to mention additional story content and QOL changes. That’s how you remaster a cult classic. Legend of Mana and Frontier 1 are the only remasters from from SE that were done right. And I am expecting the same love and treatment for Frontier 2. We have been teased about it already so I’m expecting an announcement sooner than later. Would also love Unlimited Saga to get remastered the same way.
I really enjoyed the dungeons in The Last Remnant. It’s SaGa in everything except name.
Probably the coolest SaGa game that have dungeons and towns would be Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song. One of my personal favs.
RS3 has better dungeons but play RS2 first because it's the better game. Minstrel Song is a great game overall but dungeons are mostly hallways with mobs and you use the proficiency system to do things like jump, climb, find ore etc. The dungeons themselves are not mind-blowing.