I have quite distinct memories of SNES classicSecret of Mana, despite not playing it too much.
And that’s before you step into the game’s open world.
Visions of Mana preview
It turns out, this artistic callback is deliberate.
It’s clear, then, that Visions of Mana is something of a reset for the series.
Various remasters and remakes of older games have been released in recent years, culminating in 2020’sTrials of Mana.
To take you back, the Mana series began life as an action-RPG spin-off of Final Fantasy.
So why is the series returning now?
Gala area that led towards a boss.
The open area also let me ride pikul: scruffy terrier-like creatures used as mounts.
And mounts are needed in the open world.
Indeed, presentation is where the game excels, complete with its intricate character designs.
The more linear mountain area also introduced some light platforming and puzzling, using Elemental Vessels.
Elemental powers are a staple of the Mana series alongside its monster designs, Oyamada said.
Here, Elemental Vessels are an extension of elemental spirits to allow players to gently impact the environment.
It’s all a bit mechanical without true freedom, but it at least shakes up exploration a little.
Elemental powers also impact combat, the real core of the game.
Over time, characters can unleash some extravagant attacks, like summonable tornados and more.
Elemental affinity also tweaks each character’s class, which in turns changes their primary weapon.
Val generally seemed a powerful character with slow sword swipes, while both Careena and Morley had faster combos.
Still, no matter which character or class I chose, combat on the whole felt stiff and laboured.
And while there are similarities in the two series, they remain separate.
“Thematically they both deal with characters trying to resist their fate in many ways,” said Oyamada.
Simultaneously, Oyamada promised nods to previous games in the series for veterans to find and enjoy.
It’s balancing old and new, then, and embracing a sort of breezy retro simplicity.
