7th Saga was a unique experience for fans. Who remembers the strong 8-Bit finale that Enix gave us as they wrote off the Nintendo Entertainment System? They gave gamers ALL four Dragon Warrior games. In Japan these games were called Dragon Quest. In recent years Square Enix has resurrected them under that name on mobile platforms. Anyhow, when the Super Nintendo came along, we were excited for new role-playing game adventures. I with a lot of other gamers I am sure, was excited to see Dragon Warrior V release. I remember reading in magazines of the time about the Japanese release of DQV and how cool it looked. 

When it all started for me

Then they started covering this new game, Elnard in Japan but 7^th Saga in the United States. I was not going to hold it not being Dragon Warrior V against it. I was a little disappointed in it not being the fifth installment of that venerable series though. My early RPG experiences were Dragon Warrior games on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

7th Saga battles were unique

7^th Saga featured a battle system that was quite a departure from the Dragon Warrior series. First, when you are travelling around the over world and encounter enemies, the perspective shifts using Mode 7 effects. It is a gimmick that actually works and doesn’t drag on like most gimmicks do.

All about choices

When starting out you have your choice of seven different characters. Pick one and as you play through 7^th Saga you will eventually encounter the other six characters. The story is decent and worthy of playing through and paying attention as you go. I won’t waste your time recounting it here as it is quite long and could be filled with spoilers.

7th Saga was last of a dying breed

Enix, prior to the merger with Square, was a unique publisher who took chances. 7^th Saga being one of them. It was not a commercial success or anywhere near a runaway success but there is a cult following for it.

Missed out on 7^th Saga? Check out Ebay or Amazon and grab a copy and pop it in your Super Nintendo. Check out these other role playing games for more fantasy fun.

Carl Williams

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