Which SaGa Emerald Beyond character should you choose first?
Want help choosing which protagonist to pick first in this innovative new RPG? We’re here to help you make the decision.SaGa Emerald Beyond is a very different RPG.
Unlike many games in the genre, which feature a set protagonist and a fixed narrative, this game lets you choose between five sets of options, each with their own stories, allies, and motivations.
What’s more, depending on the decisions you make during their story, such as the path you choose to follow which leads to different worlds, and the things you do there, the narrative will change to accommodate it. It means that two players who pick the same character could still experience very different adventures!
But perhaps that first decision seems a little daunting to you - with so much choice straight out of the gate, who should you pick as your first protagonist?
The official answer to that question is… any of them. The game is designed in such a way that every character is viable, offers satisfying and strategic combat and plenty of player choice.
Still, we acknowledge that’s not particularly useful advice for anyone who’s come here looking for actual help, so to make your decision easier, we’ve put together a little guide to each of the protagonists. Remember that there are no wrong choices here – so pick the one that sounds the most interesting to you!
Tsunanori Mido
Tsunanori is a young man who lives in Miyako City – a world filled with traditional, old-fashioned city streets and mysteries all around. He’s a master of ‘kugutsu’ - animated puppets imbued with the spirits of people from the past.
His home is going through some unusual times. The last great war destroyed the societal and spiritual order of his world, and since then Miyako City has been plagued with all manner of supernatural phenomena.
To address this crisis, Tsunanori is selected for the mysterious Cathedral Project, and sent to investigate other worlds and locate four elemental spirits to restore normality to his own.
Choose Tsunanori if…
You’re a total newcomer to the SaGa franchise – this is a great way to learn its mechanics
You want a fun and adventurous tone - Tsunanori’s quick wit and everyman outlook makes for a good time.
You want to get into the action quickly - this story doesn’t waste time getting you to new worlds and into battle.
You have a taste for the supernatural - Tsunanori’s tale and ability deals with spirits and other such shenanigans!
Ameya Aisling
You think your school exams were stressful? Try doing your witchterms!
Ameya Aisling is a magic user who hails from Pulchra - a world ruled by witches. As part of her witchterm exams, she visits Miyako City and assumes the identity of an 11-year-old girl.
As if navigating the social complexities of life in a new school wasn’t difficult enough, she’s suddenly attacked by a mysterious person in strange clothing. In the chaos, her magic is scattered, and she loses her powers.
Saved by a mysterious ‘Goddess’ and aided by her cat familiar LoLo, she explores the worlds to restore her lost powers - and more importantly, pass her exams!
Choose Ameya if…
You like stories about witches and the occult
You enjoy stories about balancing a normal life and a secret identity
You love cats. This story is all about collecting kitties - and filling an adorable cat album!
Diva No. 5
Diva No. 5 is a mech who specializes in singing and dancing. In her homeworld of Avalon, she’s a popular celebrity and loved by many across the city. Such is her popularity, she’s allowed to visit the Royal Museum after hours to research new music and find fresh ways to dazzle the crowds.
But when she inadvertently sings a forbidden song she found, her memory and singing functionality are locked away. Without a purpose, she abandons her humanoid body and joins the National Extradimensional Exploratory Task Force.
Along with a ragtag group of companions from around the worlds, she sets off on journey to find her hope again.
Choose Diva No. 5 if…
You want choice right from the start - Diva’s story gives you lots of options on where to go right from the outset
You want a party of characters of all types, from mechs to monsters - each with their own unique progression systems to explore
You love the soundtracks of SaGa - this series has legendary music and Diva’s path is a great way to discover why!
Bonnie Blair and Formina Franklin
Bonnie and Formina are two rookie police officers thrust together while investigating an assassination attempt on the President of Capitol City.
Bonnie’s a former marine, while Formina’s a renowned sharpshooter, and despite their differences, they quickly have to learn to work together to pursue their main suspect - particularly when the case takes a turn for the… multiversal.
With the claim of a key person of interest in the case that the president is a traitor and a mysterious triangle piece as their only clues, they set off to unravel the case - no matter where it may take them.
Also, there are giant cats.
Choose Bonnie and Formina if…
You want a dynamic duo rather than a solo act as protagonist
You like buddy cop stories - chalk and cheese partners who find friendship together as they solve a case.
Just to reiterate… giant cats!
Siugnas
Siugnas is an immortal vampire who’s known as ‘The Dismal King. He rules Yomi - a world shrouded by darkness… or at least he did.
Without warning, Siugnas is removed from his throne by a mysterious assailant. Waking up, the vampire finds himself in Brighthome - a world where fallen warriors are sent when they fall in battle. But how did a supposedly immortal being end up in such a place?
Before long, he’s recruited into the King’s band of warriors known as the Generals and sent into battle against invaders. Together with his new allies, he embarks on a journey to regain his abilities and his throne.
Choose Siugnas if…
You want to play as an antihero rather than a pure and true champion of justice
You want a diverse and equally morally ambiguous retinue of comrades
You want to experience the enthralling abilities of a vampire - and their powerful Sanguine Arts…
Hopefully this helps you get started on your adventures across the many worlds of SaGa Emerald Beyond. The game is available now for PS5/PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, iOS, and Android:
A demo is also available. It lets you play through the opening of the game as Tsunanori, Ameya or Diva No. 5, depending on the platform. To find out more, check out this article:
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