Visions of Mana Makes a Case for Dragon Quest 12 Retaining Its Iconic Combat

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Visions of Mana Makes a Case for Dragon Quest 12 Retaining Its Iconic Combat

Highlights

  • Visions of Mana is set to be a bold new chapter in the Mana series with fast-paced combat and modernized classic tropes.
  • Dragon Quest 12 should stick to turn-based combat to honor the series’ traditional strengths as a founder of JRPGs.
  • Modern JRPGs like Bravely Default and Persona have shown there’s still plenty of room for innovation in turn-based combat.

As a seasoned JRPG enthusiast with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that 2024 is shaping up to be a truly spectacular year for the genre. The upcoming release of Square Enix’s Visions of Mana has me absolutely giddy with anticipation. After all, it’s been far too long since we last ventured into the magical world of the Mana series, and this new chapter promises fast-paced combat and a modern twist on classic tropes that I can’t wait to dive into.

2024’s designation as “the year for JRPGs” persists with the impending launch of Square Enix’s title, Visions of Mana. This is the initial installment in the Mana series since the 2020 remake of Seiken Densetsu 3 (Trials of Mana). Visions of Mana promises to be a fresh chapter in the franchise, featuring many classic elements that have defined the Mana series. The demo for Visions of Mana has already sparked excitement among fans with its substantial gameplay offering, and its engaging real-time combat offers a glimpse into why the upcoming Dragon Quest 12 might want to maintain its traditional turn-based approach.

First unveiled in 2021 during the celebrations for Dragon Quest‘s 35th anniversary, Dragon Quest 12 is currently shrouded in secrecy. Square Enix has confirmed that it’s still being developed, but details about its storyline, characters, and gameplay mechanics remain scarce. However, series creator Yuji Horii hinted at potential adjustments to the franchise’s classic turn-based combat system, sparking discussions on how significant these changes might be. Given the polarized responses to real-time combat in games like Mana and Final Fantasy, many fans are eagerly anticipating Dragon Quest 12 to stick with its strengths as a familiar and comforting JRPG experience.

Dragon Quest 12 Doesn’t Need to Sacrifice its Series Identity to Reach a Larger Audience

One key point that the demo of “Visions of Mana” underscores is that the newest installment in the “Mana” series could potentially have a similar impact on its franchise as “Persona 5” and “Dragon Quest 11” had on theirs. The “Mana” games have always enjoyed a devoted fanbase in the West, albeit smaller than their popularity in Japan, and “Visions of Mana” appears to be a game that leverages the traditional strengths of the series while making it appealing to a wider, fresh audience. Similarly, “Dragon Quest 12” should strive to carry on in the footsteps of its predecessors, building upon where “Dragon Quest 11” concluded.

An essential part of Dragon Quest 12’s continued success likely comes from its commitment to preserving the elements that made the series iconic in the beginning. It can learn from excellent precedents in both Dragon Quest 11 and Visions of Mana. Following the release of Visions of Mana, Square Enix plans to launch their next significant a remake of Dragon Quest 3 in HD-2D format. This could raise the visibility for a Dragon Quest 12 release date announcement and more details about the game. No matter how Dragon Quest 12 evolves the series’ classic JRPG mechanics, it will likely win over more fans by respecting its roots.

Modern RPGs Show There’s Still Plenty of Room for Innovation in Turn-Based Combat

As a dedicated gamer who’s been hooked on Dragon Quest since day one, I can confidently say that the upcoming Dragon Quest 12 sticking to its classic turn-based combat system doesn’t automatically mean it will feel too safe or familiar. Quite the contrary! The evolution of modern JRPG combat has shown us time and again that there’s still a wealth of innovative ideas waiting to be explored within the realm of turn-based, menu command battles.

In simpler terms, the combat in Dragon Quest 11 is a great example of sticking to the basics but doing them exceptionally well. Visions of Mana’s combat is fun and easy to understand, fitting perfectly within the Mana series while introducing subtle improvements to an established formula. If Dragon Quest 12 follows suit, it could become another reliable and comfortable addition to the JRPG genre that the series is known for over its 38-year history, much like Visions of Mana.

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2024-08-12 04:03