As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming experience under my belt and Secret of Mana etched into the very fabric of my soul, I must say that Visions of Mana has been both a beacon of hope and a challenge to live up to my lofty expectations. This new adventure in the Mana series is reminiscent of old times, but with modern twists that make it appealing to today’s gamers.
Let me make this clear from the outset: Secret of Mana is my all-time favorite game, which means Visions of Mana has a challenging task winning over this particular fan. I have cherished memories of that game, some dating back more than three decades, and it has left an indelible mark on me like no other title since. The Mana series has had its highs and lows throughout the years, and there hasn’t been a new Western entry in over 15 years, aside from compilations and remakes. So, Visions of Mana serves as a glimmer of hope for followers of the franchise, but novices are curious about what all the buzz was about. However, considering the series is accustomed to thriving on past accomplishments, can it measure up to today’s standards and the immense expectations placed upon it?
In this fresh escapade, we accompany Val, a Soul Protector, as he sets off towards the Mana Tree. Every four years, the Soul Protectors guide eight Offerings from different parts of the world on a sacred trek, offering their spirits to the tree to preserve the circulation of Mana and ensure life’s continuity and prosperity for everyone. Each Offering hails from a distinct region governed by a unique elemental force, and our adventure officially begins with Val and Hinna, the Offering of Fire, preparing to commence their noble sacrifice journey.
In this game, you play as Val, exploring the world from a third-person perspective, battling monsters to safeguard your companion, Hinna. As you traverse the land, you’ll encounter groups of enemies in the field. When combat starts, you engage in real-time battles using a mix of swift and heavy attacks, as well as aerial assaults for flying foes. The combat system resembles that of the remake of Trials of Mana, with a battle ring appearing around you during fights, which can be used to retreat if a fight becomes too difficult. Overall, the game is relatively easy, but offers occasional challenges. However, boss fights towards the end of the game can be quite challenging, and wandering into battles against common enemies without being properly leveled up can still lead to trouble, especially for players who don’t engage in frequent combat to earn EXP and level up.
On your adventure, additional characters, known as Alms, will join your team. Eventually, you’ll amass a group of five playable characters, one of whom you can control directly and two others who act as your support. This is where the intricate party customization in Visions of Mana truly shines.
The Elemental Vessels serve multiple functions, including offering alternative movement methods across the game world and assisting with solving dungeon puzzles. For instance, the wind Vessel enables you to glide on updrafts, while the water Vessel allows you to ride water bubbles to ascend and discover new locations. However, they don’t significantly innovate the concept, and by the end, some of them may seem repetitive as they often serve similar purposes like crossing gaps rather than providing complex maneuvers. It would have been exciting to see more creative uses of these vessels or even a combination of them for diverse traversal options later in the game.
One suggestion I’d offer to anyone embarking on Visions of Mana is to practice some patience, and there are two key reasons for this. Initially, the game’s beginning hours might feel a bit disjointed with cutscenes interspersed among your actions. You’ll find yourself moving around, only to pause for story segments or tutorials. It’s a lot to take in, but the vibrant colors and pseudo-cartoon visuals of the game world make these pauses less tedious. However, if you’re eager to dive into exploration and combat, you may feel an urge to rush past this introductory phase so you can truly immerse yourself in the gameplay experience.
A slightly less satisfying reason for patience when playing Visions of Mana is the storyline and character development. Since your party consists solely of Alms, you’re essentially a team of traveling do-gooders determined to save the world. There isn’t much internal conflict or danger within the group during the first part of the game. Careena, the wind Alm, might be the only exception as she initially provides light wit and displays selfish resistance, but even she eventually joins the journey to the Mana tree without question. Fortunately, the character arcs and self-reflections become more complex in the second half of the game, as does the emergence of evil. I wish these elements had been introduced earlier, either through more complex character interactions or hints of the trouble that the group would face. This could have added a sense of foreboding and made the world and cause feel more authentic during the early stages of play.
While Visions of Mana might not match up to some other games when it comes to combat depth or character development, it’s far from a bad game. Its engaging combat system and party customization make it hard to resist progressing, while its stunning, diverse environments accompanied by an evocative soundtrack create a captivating, magical world that’s a pleasure to explore. Granted, the battles aren’t as intense as in Tales of Arise, and the characters could be more fleshed out, but it remains a highly enjoyable addition to the Mana series. Moreover, fans of the franchise will appreciate the central role elementals play in the narrative and the numerous Easter eggs referencing past games that can be discovered.
There’s something about Visions of Mana that makes me ponder its role as a harbinger of the game series’ future. Could this be the blueprint for where the franchise is heading? If so, it seems to tread familiar paths, and while there are novel elements, it doesn’t quite scale the heights of the genre or the series itself. Yet, considering the rollercoaster ride that the series has taken us on, maybe reliable gameplay and consistency are what we crave. I only hope this isn’t the pinnacle of Square Enix’s aspirations for the series; instead, it could serve as a stepping stone towards even greater accomplishments for a series yearning for an iconic sequel since 1993. It might not be the spiritual successor to Secret of Mana I had in mind, but it’s still a worthwhile addition to a series that’s been brewing for over 15 years.
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2024-08-27 15:16