SaGa Emerald Beyond Uses Square Enix's Own Engine

Published on January 06, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Screenshot from the video game SaGa Emerald Beyond showing a stylized 3D character on a hand-painted watercolor-style background.

SaGa Emerald Beyond Uses Square Enix's Own Engine

Square Enix opts for an in-house technical solution to power its new JRPG. SaGa Emerald Beyond runs on an exclusive development engine, created and maintained by the company. This approach allows the team to tailor the technology to the specific needs of the franchise, from world design to gameplay mechanics. 🎮

The Technical Foundation Behind the Experience

Although Square Enix does not share public technical details, this proprietary engine acts as the foundation upon which the entire project is built. Its in-house nature gives developers total control to optimize and adapt the creation environment, which is key to maintaining the SaGa series' identity.

Key Advantages of Using an In-House Engine:
  • Allows fine-tuning performance and tools for the game's unique mechanics.
  • Facilitates integrating a hybrid art style that cohesively blends 2D and 3D.
  • Provides freedom to implement changes without being limited by a commercial engine.
An in-house engine can be so versatile as to paint one world in watercolor and model the next in 3D, without the player noticing a harsh transition.

A Visual Fusion of Classic and Modern

The game's graphical section stands out for its distinctive visual identity. It combines hand-painted backgrounds, which evoke the texture of watercolor, with stylized three-dimensional character models. This artistic decision prioritizes expression and style over photorealism, creating a unique visual experience. 🖌️

Visual Style Features:
  • 2D backgrounds with an aesthetic reminiscent of traditional paintings.
  • 3D characters with stylized and expressive designs.
  • Minimalist user interface to not compete with the world's art.

Artistic Diversity Through Unique Worlds

The game takes the player through multiple scenarios, each with a radically different aesthetic. From futuristic metropolises to realms ruled by witchcraft, the color palette and lighting adjust to reinforce the atmosphere of each place. This display demonstrates the engine's versatility in housing great visual diversity under a single gaming experience. ✨