The Saturn-exclusive sequel. Bigger armies, more characters, and a strategy RPG that never left Japan.
Dragon Force II was developed by J-Force and published by Sega for Saturn in March 1998 — the sequel to Dragon Force, a tactical RPG that had received an English localization for Saturn in the West. Dragon Force II expanded on the original with more playable monarchs, larger army capacity per battle, and new mechanics including summoning and magic systems. The game was never localized outside Japan, making it inaccessible to Western players who had enjoyed the first Dragon Force. Dragon Force II is considered by fans of the series to be the more complete game, though its Japan exclusivity limited its audience significantly. Collector interest in this title remains high.
About this game
Released in April 1998, Dragon Force II: Kamisarishi Daichi ni is the sequel to one of the Saturn's defining strategy RPGs, expanding the system of conquering territories, recruiting generals, and commanding armies of up to 100 soldiers in real-time battle. Never officially localised outside Japan, it became one of the most sought-after late-Saturn titles for Western collectors — a game that deepened everything its predecessor established, with a new cast of eight monarchs to play through and a score by anime veterans Kohei Tanaka and Hayato Matsuo.
Key Features
Eight playable monarchs each with distinct stories, armies, and magical abilities — full replayability across multiple campaigns; expanded general recruitment roster with over 100 unique characters to find and command; real-time battlefield command of up to 100 soldiers per unit, with formation tactics; territory management system for building and defending a kingdom across a large map; Kohei Tanaka and Hayato Matsuo's orchestral score.
Gallery
The Story Behind
Dragon Force II arrived near the end of the Saturn's commercial lifespan, a period when Sega was already transitioning toward the Dreamcast. Despite this, it represents some of the richest strategy RPG design on the platform — a genre that the Saturn hosted better than almost any other console of its era. Its Japan-only status placed it permanently out of reach for most Western players, fuelling the collector mystique that surrounds late Saturn software.
Tricks & Tales
Dragon Force II's eight-monarch structure meant that completing all stories required enormous time investment — players who wanted to see every narrative thread had to complete the game eight times over. The roster of generals, scattered across the map and sometimes requiring specific conditions to recruit, gave the game a depth of exploration unusual for a strategy title of the era. The commercial soundtrack, released on the same day as the game, featured Kohei Tanaka — known for One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, and Sailor Moon — lending the score a cinematic quality that stood apart from most Saturn games.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Japan exclusive. Never officially released outside Japan. The first Dragon Force was localised for North America by Working Designs in 1996.
Maintenance Tips
The Sega Saturn reads GD-style discs but uses a standard CD-ROM drive, so lens care is the same as any optical drive: keep discs clean, handle them by the edges, and store them in cases. The more well-known maintenance issue is the internal CR2032 battery that backs the SRAM save memory and the real-time clock. This battery was typically rated for one to two years of standby use; on any console manufactured in the 1990s, it has long since expired. The first symptom is the system asking for the date and time at every boot. If that prompt appears, replace the battery promptly — save data corruption or total loss follows shortly. The battery can be swapped while the console is powered on (hot-swap) to avoid losing existing saves.
Going deeper
Explore the machine this game ran on, and what to check before you buy or care for one:
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese Dragon Force II: Kamisarishi Daichi ni copies regularly.
Will this Japanese Sega Saturn disc work on a North American or European Saturn?
No. The Sega Saturn uses BIOS-enforced regional lockout. Japanese discs will not run on Western Saturn consoles without modification — options include a mod chip, a region-free BIOS swap, or an Action Replay cartridge (which bypasses region protection on many titles). A Japanese Sega Saturn is the most straightforward solution. The discs themselves are standard CD-ROM — the incompatibility is software-only.
Does the Sega Saturn require a backup memory cartridge to save this game?
The Saturn has a small internal backup memory (approximately 32KB) maintained by an internal CR2032 battery. This shared memory fills quickly across multiple games. Many Saturn titles — especially RPGs — recommend or require a Saturn Backup Memory cartridge for adequate save space. If the internal CR2032 battery is dead, the console loses all internal saves on power-off. Replacing the battery is a straightforward maintenance task and is strongly recommended for any Saturn that has not had it changed.
How should I inspect and care for a Sega Saturn disc?
Check the data side under light for scratches. Wipe from the center outward in straight radial strokes with a soft lint-free cloth — never circular. The Sega Saturn laser is known to be sensitive as hardware ages; if a disc fails to load despite appearing clean, the console laser may need cleaning or recalibration. Laser failure is one of the most common maintenance issues in Saturn hardware.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy Dragon Force II: Kamisarishi Daichi ni
A short checklist for buying a used Sega Saturn disc wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Check the disc for scratches
Deep scratches on the playing surface cause freezes and read errors. Light surface marks are usually fine.
Ask for a clear photo of the disc's underside. A seller who tested it will confirm it loads and plays through.
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Make sure it fits your console
This is a Japanese Saturn disc. The Saturn is region-locked, so a Japanese disc needs a Japanese console or a region workaround.
Play it on a matching Japanese console or a region-free system, and confirm the listing states the region.
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Saturn saves rely on a console battery
The Saturn keeps internal saves on a CR2032 battery in the console (not the disc). A dead console battery loses internal saves and resets the clock.
This is about your console, not the disc — but worth knowing so saves aren't lost.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
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Rooms this game lives in
Wander deeper — explore the themed rooms where Dragon Force II: Kamisarishi Daichi ni sits alongside its kin.
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