Famitsu is useless for real info on the SaGa 2 remake for DS

Last night, I posted a tool-assisted speedrun for Square’s Final Fantasy Legend, the first game in what would eventually become the SaGa series. Like I mentioned last night, I know virtually nothing about Square’s early exploits on the Gameboy or SaGa. When reader Gen Eric Gui mentioned that Square was remaking SaGa 2 for the DS (known as Final Fantasy Legend II in North America), I was intrigued: I had no idea Square was doing another remake (although I shouldn’t be surprised), and it seems like the game had slipped right under Destructoid’s radar.

Imagine my delight, then, when some new images from the DS version of Final Fantasy Legend II popped up in Weekly Famitsu. I can’t decipher Japanese, so I have no idea what’s actually going on in these pictures, except that seem to focus primarily on the game’s enemies. However, I can give you some general information about the game.

It was announced in 2009 and is being directed by Akitoshi Kawazu, the same guy who designed the original. The game has been in the planning process since 2002, when Kawazu and his team finished re-making the original SaGa (Final Fantasy Legend) for the WonderSwan Color. The game will sport full-3D, cel-shaded sprites, designed by Gen Kobayashi (of The World Ends With You fame).

While the game will keep the original’s story and ten-hour playtime (!!), there have been a few changes. Battles are no longer random, but have been re-designed to fall more in line with later SaGa games. Now, enemies appear in the field and battles are triggered on contact. Character growth has also been re-vamped, but I hope they haven’t taken out the whole cannibalize-your-enemies-and-gain-their-strength mechanic.

The DS remake of SaGa 2: Goddess of Destiny will also get a snazzy DSi bundle, and will be released on the 17th of September, to coincide with the 20 year anniversary of the SaGa series.

I’ve also emedded the trailer after the fold. If it tickles your fancy, don’t hold your breath: the game hasn’t been announced for North American release yet.

[Via Gamekyo]