Square Enix released an official interview with SaGa General Director and SaGa Emerald Beyond Director Akitoshi Kawazu and SaGa Localization Director Neil Broadley about the new game. In particular, it goes over its cast and gameplay. When discussing the foundation for it, Kawazu talked about the SaGa Emerald Beyond character creation process and noted Tsunanori Mido was the first hero created.
Back when Square Enix first announced SaGa Emerald Beyond at the September 2023 Nintendo Direct, it revealed we will follow six folks on their journey. These are Ameya the witch, Bonnie the cop, Diva No.5 the songstress mech, Formina the cop, Siugnas the Dismal King, and Tsunanori Mido the Kugutsu Puppetmaster. Kawazu explained in the interview that all of these characters can see something called the emerald vision. He noted he made Mido first, then built up others around him to add new elements.
Here’s Kawazu’s exact statement:
We had the idea that the protagonists would have been born with the innate ability to see the emerald vision – that was the starting point. But I’d also been wanting to tell a story that draws more heavily from ancient and classical Japanese concepts of fantasy narratives.
Kawazu to Square Enix
And so, somewhat unusually for me, I created Tsunanori Mido, the more “Japanese” protagonist first. From there, I expanded out and tried to think of other protagonists who would bring something different to the table.
Kawazu also brought up after that how players will choose which worlds they go to with each SaGa Emerald Beyond character, as well as how that will shape the story. Specifically, he noted, “Each protagonist has a different motivation for setting out on their adventure, but the one thing I’m conscious of at all times is to guide the narrative in such a way that any situation can be approached in a positive way”
SaGa Emerald Beyond is in development and will head to the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices sometime in 2024.
