SaGa: Emerald Beyond

SaGa: Emerald Beyond is a 2024 role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix. An entry in the SaGa series, it was released for Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows. The story follows six protagonists as they traverse multiple worlds connected to a realm called the Beyond. The player explores these worlds in a non-linear order, with each protagonist's storyline progressing by completing quests; depending on a chosen path through the game, the quests or available worlds will change for subsequent playthroughs. Combat uses a turn-based system focusing on timeline manipulation and skill growth dependant on in-game actions. Planning work for Emerald Beyond began in 2016 after completion of SaGa: Scarlet Grace, with full production beginning in 2018. The development team included series creator Akitoshi Kawazu as director and lead writer, lead artist Satoshi Kuramochi, and Kenji Ito returning as composer. Kawazu's aim was to build on the mechanics of Scarlet Grace, expanding the narrative and gameplay elements. It debuted to low sales, and contributed to Square Enix experiencing a fall in revenue. Journalists mostly praised the combat and soundtrack, but comments were mixed about the presentation and story.