Highlights

  • SaGa Emerald Beyond, the latest installment in the beloved RPG franchise, was announced in the latest Nintendo Direct, sparking excitement among fans.
  • The game promises an expansive narrative, strategic turn-based combat, and a free-form scenario system, which are defining features of the SaGa series.
  • With a multiplatform release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, PC, and mobile devices, SaGa Emerald Beyond aims to attract a wider audience and secure the franchise's legacy.

SaGa Emerald Beyond, a new installment in the beloved franchise, was announced in the latest Nintendo Direct, igniting enthusiasm among the long-standing fan base of the series. Known for its well-crafted storylines, strategic turn-based combat, and a free-form scenario system, the SaGa franchise has captivated gamers for years.

The series, initiated in 1989 for the Game Boy, has been a prominent name in the RPG genre for more than three decades. With its 30th Anniversary celebrated in 2020 and the success of recent SaGa remasters, anticipation for a new installment has been mounting. The reveal during a Nintendo Direct stream is noteworthy, given Nintendo's reputation as a major platform for RPGs.

RELATED: Square Enix May Be in Serious Trouble Following Final Fantasy 16 Launch

During the recent Nintendo Direct, Square Enix pulled back the curtain on SaGa Emerald Beyond, billed as an all-new original adventure that aims to elevate the franchise's already-high standards. According to the game's description in the Nintendo eShop, the title will feature a varied cast of heroes and five separate story arcs. Moreover, the game promises 17 unique worlds and an even more advanced free-form scenario system that branches based on player choices and actions.

SaGa Emerald Beyond appears set to consolidate the best elements of the SaGa franchise, offering both familiar gameplay mechanics and fresh innovations. The description states it will have "the greatest number of branching plots of any game in the SaGa series," emphasizing the dynamic nature of the upcoming title's narrative.

Although initially revealed in a Nintendo-focused event, Square Enix later confirmed that SaGa Emerald Beyond is scheduled for a digital release on a broad range of platforms – PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, and Android – in early 2024.

The announcement of SaGa Emerald Beyond is a defining moment not just for the franchise but for Square Enix as a whole. Designed to be the epitome of what makes the SaGa series unique, this installment seems poised to offer an expansive narrative and branching storylines, encapsulating the essence of what fans love about these games.

Square Enix is clearly taking ambitious steps with this new chapter, intending to offer perhaps the most comprehensive and nuanced SaGa experience yet. By opting for a multiplatform launch, including mobile devices, the company is broadening the reach of the franchise by not limiting it to a single platform, something Square Enix is known for and which fans appreciate. This move could potentially attract a wider audience, broadening the franchise's appeal and securing its legacy for years to come.

SaGa Emerald Beyond launches in early 2024 on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and mobile devices.

MORE: The Best Turn-Based RPGs on PS4 (That You Can Also Play on PS5)