Side quests in most RPGs act as little more than filler to pad out the playtime, rewarding you with stock items and experience that you would have gotten from grinding anyway. A good RPG foregoes that design and makes side questsrewarding, compelling missionsin themselves.
One such game is Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven, whose side quests lead to you unlocking new character classes. There are over 30 character classes in the game, and to explore it thoroughly you need to unlock a good bunch of them through side quests. Besides that, the quests have to be interesting story-wise. Here are the side quests that fulfill all this criteria.
7The Volcano’s Eruption
Class Unlocked: Salamander
To initiate this side quest, you have to conquer Mt. Comroon. It involves your efforts tocalm down a volcanoand assist a salamander chief who refuses to evacuate from the nearby town. You also get to break your way through hardened lava, a cool and novel concept that makes the trip worth it.
This side quest is interesting because it forces you to make a choice: if you complete The Volcano’s Eruption, you’ll unlock the Salamander class at the cost of forsaking the Diviner class.
6Pride Of The Fabri Family
Class Unlocked: Imperial Blacksmith
Romancing Saga 2 has minor base-building elements, where you may sit upon your throne and make decisions about matters of public infrastructure. Invariably, your first building will be a Smithy, and your encounter with the blacksmith is bound to be a memorable one.
She contributes from her own purse to help get the smithy up and running. This side quest requires you to find five pieces of Pure Iron Ore to recruit the blacksmith. Don’t worry, we’ve gota guide to help you find them. Even better, the ore can spawn before the side quest is activated, making it all the more convenient.
5The Corsairs' Dilemma
Class Unlocked: Corsair
Romancing Saga 2 features a wealth of character classes, ranging from cowboy-styled mercenaries to cutlass-wielding pirates. The quest for unlocking the latter involves a good deal of humour, and is unlocked after the first major time skip in the game.
This side quest reaffirms your status as the emperor: you can make the pirate captain surrender and force his crew to serve you. A lot of RPGs get side quests like this wrong - they make your fancy title feel as legitimate as one bought online, and have you act as an errand person. Not so here, as your status means something in this quest chain.
4The Mermaid Quest
Class Unlocked: Nereid, Mole People
Most side quests in Romancing Saga 2 limit themselves to one unlockable character class. The Mermaid Quest, however, doubles up and allows you to unlock both Nereids and Mole People. It also features a lot of exploration and character interaction.
While it’s a very lengthy and entertaining side quest, there’s always the threat of failure due to its specific conditions and the requirement to finish it within a single generation. To avoid failing this quest and missing out on two character classes, it’s best touse a guide.
3The Problem Of Succession
Class Unlocked: Crusader
Compared to other side quests that can force you to reset or lock you out entirely, The Problem Of Succession is quite merciful. It’s also novel in that there are two possible routes to get it done.
However, its mercy is short-lived as this quest also features some intense dungeons and boss fights. There are lots of opportunities for looting, and you get to see one of the coolest side bosses in the game. Crusaders are also a very useful early-game class, so this quest is well worth the investment.
2Tsukijima’s Grimoire Of Eld
Class Unlocked: Diviner
If you lack a proclivity for the Salamander class, you’d be better served to completeTsukijima’s Grimoire of Eld. This side quest allows you to let the volcano explode and watch an entire portion of the map be wiped away. In exchange, you get to set down the Diviner path.
When one door closes, another door opens: a new island emerges, which is quite challenging to navigate, but lets you get Umbrology if you clear it. The Grimoire of Eld item convinces the Diviner to join your retinue.
1Avalon’s Cat Burglar
Class Unlocked: Vagabond
The first side quest is the best one in Romancing Saga 2. This side mission familiarizes you with the mechanics of the extra content: classes are missable, dialogue choices actually matter, and you’re able to be forced to start an entire segment over if you make the wrong decision.
It also ends with your retinue fighting an Eldritch monstrosity that will likely drain your retinue of a few Life Points. Once you conquer South Varennes, however, it’ll be worth it as you’ll unlock the Vagabond character class.
