Classic JRPGs are having a moment of sorts. brought new life and a new generation of players to one of the most popular franchises around. More recently gave us the spiritual sequel to Ogre Battle, even the series creator (and director) Yasumi Matsuno. (Final Fantasy Tactics) there is . And later this summer, Square Enix challenged itself by reimagining one of the most beloved SNES titles of all time after more than 15 years. But now I got a chance to play a preview Mana’s visionsit looks like the developers have kept the spirit of the franchise, but in a game that feels more at home in 2024.
is one of the biggest problems for Appearances is a transition from classic 2D sprites to a richer and more expansive 3D world. While there are some visual similarities to recent Dragon Quest games, I think Square Enix did a great job of maintaining the franchise’s identity. The game’s color palette is bright and energetic, recreating many of the pastel shades seen in previous games. Character designs lean towards the more cute and whimsical, as opposed to some of the darker and edgier rivals, which gives the title a fun vibe. The secret of mana it did more than two decades ago.
Another thing that translates quite well is his gameplay. Back in 1993 The secret of mana the ring menu was praised for making it easy to switch between weapons and items (or even characters) without feeling cluttered or cumbersome in combat. With the Mana franchise transitioning to action-oriented gameplay (instead of turn-based) before the main Final Fantasy games, Visions’ assortment of quick combo-based attacks, spells, and class strikes (which are kind of like limit breaks) are a great fit. You can even launch enemies in the sky and land blows while they’re suspended, which is a real treat as I’m a fan of any game with aerial juggling.
The four main characters (Val, Hinna, Careena, and Morley) each have different classes, such as Rune Knight or Oracle, so they all have a unique style and feel in battle. I found myself drawn to thief/catdude Morley, whose katana was extremely fast and fluid. My only minor complaint is that with Square also bringing back the concept of three-man parties, things can get hectic when you’re trying to track down people doing multi-hit combos against large groups of enemies.
The most important addition Appearances is the introduction of Elemental Ships that give you new abilities both in and out of combat. Ships provide important traversal abilities as you simply run around the map, similar to the hook-like elements in Legend of Zelda. For example, Sylphid Bommering lets you create floating platforms so you can cross ravines and cliffs, or summon a gust of wind so you can jump to a far ledge. During combat, you can use the boomerang to trap enemies in mid-air, dealing damage and knocking away nearby enemies that might want to stop your attack. So while this isn’t a groundbreaking feature, I appreciate how it is Appearances uses new mechanics to add an extra layer of depth to various aspects of the game.
Unfortunately, one feature of previous Mana games that hasn’t carried over to Visions is the use of a large roster with branching storylines. This may be a bit confusing for longtime fans, but when asked about this change, Visions of Mana producer Masaru Oyamada told me (through an interpreter) that one of the team’s goals for this installment was a more focused story. So while I didn’t learn much about the game’s plot during the hour-long demo, there’s hope that Visions will still deliver a compelling story.
But my biggest takeaway from the preview is how Oyamada has tried to honor the legacy of such a storied franchise, while still providing fresh and exciting experiences for new and old players alike. “I really thought about the elements I loved when I was a kid, so I leaned into those feelings to decide for the final installment of this series,” Oyamada said.
Also, I like that mechanics like the Ring menu do double duty in this game. Oyamada told me that this system not only acts as a nod to players familiar with the franchise, but also serves as an important accessibility tool that makes it easier to swap out items and plan your attacks in the heat of battle. Meanwhile, to help the series grow and develop, Oyamada said, “We thought of the elemental aspect as something that was underused and underappreciated in previous Mana games.”
And Oyamada who is responsible for the remasters The secret of mana, Mana Trials (While much of the original development team for the series has moved on in recent years (AKA Seiken Densetsu 3) and others, it’s clear that Square Enix has retained a lot of the DNA that made the previous Mana games so great all those years ago.
In some ways, I wish this game was called Spirit of Mana, because that seems like a more appropriate title for a series whose last entry was released in 1995. Mana’s visions it officially goes on sale this summer.
One last note is this Mana’s visions It is scheduled for release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC. Currently, Square Enix says, “While we are working to support Steam Deck compatibility, we cannot confirm at this time as we are still optimizing the game.”
