The Manaseries is one that has been cherished by many RPG lovers, but left behind by the times. The legacy of the past titles likeSecret of ManaorTrials of Manacan be felt in any RPG today.Visions of Mana, the first mainline game in the series since 2006, while a bit rough around the edges, can stand side-by-side with its predecessors, as it delivers a quality experience from start to finish.
Revealed at The Game Awards 2023,Visions of Manawas planned to be the first return of the mainlineManaseries in over 17 years, so the stakes were high not only to meet, but to exceed those before it. The game would act as both a return-to-form forManaas well as a welcoming in for newcomers. Square Enix, hot off its heels withFinal Fantasy VII RebirthandFinal Fantasy XVI, let newcomer Ouka Studios develop the title and bring the Manaseries back to life.
Visions of Mana Wears its Nostalgic Heart on its Sleeve
The return of Mana with Visions of Mana looks to be a modern step in the right direction.
Once Upon a Time…
The story ofVisions of Manarevolves around the newly-appointed Soul Guard Val as he brings Alms of various elements to the Mana Tree. Without giving away too much, the journey takes some twists and turns that change the narrative in interesting ways.In our preview, we mentioned that we hoped for risk-taking and the full game does just that. While some may feel a dragged on or cut too short, it adds much-needed intensity to the story. Still,Visions of Manajuggles a variety of genres and takes them on rather well, with all hitting the marks intended. The Teen rating may tone down some of those themes, but they work regardless and add complexity and depth to what would’ve been a cut-and-dry story.
Still,Visions of Manajuggles a variety of genres and takes them on rather well, with all hitting the marks intended.
Of course, the story would be nothing without its characters andVisions of Manadelivers up great ones. The main party, especially, are highly memorable and unique in both their personality and performance. For example, Palamena, a rebellious yet pristine princess speaks with alliterations, commonly having lines where two or more words start the same. Meanwhile, Careena is a loudmouth brash one-winged half-dragon with a Georgia country accent. Yes, they may seem outlandish when read but, in-game, they shine and work great with the group. On that note, the bonding of the Alms in the party is often fun to listen to, with characters like Careena and the Sproutling hippie realist Julei being personal favorites.
The dialogue inVisions of Manacan be rocky, but nothing too off-putting or unremarkable. The same goes for the voice acting, as some characters’ voices don’t match them at all or feel forced. It doesn’t take you out of the experience, but it can be awkward when compared to the main characters, who do a great job in their roles. Special shoutouts go to Stephen Fu’s Val, Kaiji Tang’s Morley, Amber Aviles’s Julei and John Patneaude’s Daelophos.
In the beginning, the gameplay can feel underwhelming, as you only have two attack buttons and one or two magic spells. As you unlock Elemental Vessels (a Class system), gain new party members, and get new weapons and spells, however, it shows its true colors as an RPG. Controlling a battlefield and using you and your party’s skills via the returning Ring Menu make for some grand battles, even if it’s just against common enemies.
Visions of Mana Release Date Continues Great Year for JRPGs
By the end of the summer, you’ll be able to play the next Mana game.
Kicking Into High Gear
Battlegrounds become light shows as you strike, slash, shoot and spellcast your way through foes with style and flair, especially with Class Strikes. While it may feel repetitive when grinding, it hits that sweet spot of combat that’s easy to understand, adaptable, and slick. Even still, the many boss battles you and your party will engage in up the ante and put you to the test, depending on difficulty. They aren’t too complex to strategize for, but they aren’t to be taken lightly either, which helps you think on the fly about party composition and class choice.
On that subject,Visions of Mana’s gameplay shines when you take advantage of your party, whether it’s giving them commands or switching between characters. While you can customize party member’s behaviors, like being stingy with items but going all out on magic buffs/debuffs, you can play as them at the push of the keypad. As each member has a unique fighting style, moving from character to character and using them in battle makes the game feel reminiscent ofFinal Fantasy VII RemakeandTales of Arise, just with a touch more variety.
A lot of demo complaints (and one brought up in our preview) were that the combat felt slow. While it doesn’t start off fast, getting access to new Elemental Vessels and skills gets the ball rolling. Each party member gets three weapons that drastically change how a character plays. For example, Palamena typically stays in the back, using her Flail to hit enemies from a distance and use magic. If she has Boots, however, she can be more up-close and personal, trading defense for offense. They cater to each player’s gameplay style, letting you play as you choose. Plus, with the added benefits of the Elemental Vessels giving you more skills and traits, you can craft the ideal character and party to use.
WhileVisions of Manais not an open-world game, many of its areas are semi-open akin toTales of Arise. Still, many are sprawling and large, giving you that adventurous spirit to explore and get lost in the many nooks and crannies of the locale. I’m not ashamed to admit that I found myself purposefully traveling off the beaten path and seeing what the land has to offer with treasure, enemies and secrets. With that said, the side missions aren’t as diverse, as all of them are fetch quests that are simplistic in nature.
Picture (Almost) Perfect
Despite the gorgeous scenery and environment, some of the graphics and staging forVisions of Manacan seem outdated. While it can be due to the stylistic design of said world, some in-game cutscenes and models can be a touch static. It can be felt strongly when transitioning from regular cutscenes to in-game ones, where it doesn’t seamlessly integrate into each other. The version I played was the Performance Mode on PlayStation 5, but even with Graphics Mode, it still feels prevalent.Visions of Mana, however, does craft great scenes, especially in the later half.
Whenever RPGs are announced, you may usually expect the music to be amazing.Visions of Manais no different. Composers Hiroki Kikuta, Tsuyoshi Sekito and Ryo Yamazaki do a delightful job delivering the brightest tunes in the series. It may not be as great as Secret of Mana in said department, but it does its job spectacularly well, adding depth and vibrato to a world already steeped in rich fantasy.
Personally, the length of the game, around thirty hours, is perfect. Many props go to the team for crafting a story that doesn’t overstay its welcome and gives just enough time for you to fall in love with the world and characters within it. The pacing does feel quick in the beginning, but slows down to a palatable tempo soon after some big events.
Should You Play the Mana Series Before Visions of Mana?
With Visions of Mana on the horizon, do you need to play the previous Mana games beforehand? Let’s answer that question!
Painting with New Yet Familiar Colors
Visions of Manatakes place in a similar world to otherManagames and takes familiar elements that fans will recognize, like monsters and side characters. Despite that, the entry is welcoming to newcomers, as it can be enjoyed without any previous knowledge of the series or lore. Plus, the gameplay is easy to pick up, making it easier for those who want to play something simple without relearning mechanics. For fans of the series, this title, while not directly related to other entries, brings a lot of that same charm and fantastical charisma that they had. Both fans and newcomers can find something to enjoy with the title.
One ofVisions of Mana’s highlights is its art direction. Everything has a stylized flair that just radiates charm. It’s supremely refreshing to have a title as visually stunning and eccentric on the market. It almost has a storybook feel to it, similar to howLegend of Manalooked but modernized. Nothing feels out of place, either, as the characters, enemies, environments and story fit into each other like a delicate jigsaw puzzle. Each locale feels fresh and vibrant and exudes a sense of wonder. Seeing locales like Illystana and Ahrvet’s Pasture and later-game ones are some of the best-realized areas seen sinceFinal Fantasy VII Rebirth.
It’s supremely refreshing to have a title as visually stunning and eccentric on the market.
Visions of Manais fueled by nostalgia. The team behind the game brought back many of the original key staff members like producer Masaru Oyamada, composer Hiroki Kikuta and series creator Koichi Ishii. It feels like a modern-day love letter to theManaseries in the best way possible. Many people hold the series titles close to their hearts with fond memories from childhood.Visions of Mana, in its own way, does the same, as the adventure and fun remain intact.
PAX East 2024: Talking Visions of Mana with Series Producer Masaru Oyamada
As I was thinking about what I enjoyed as a fan was the fact that you could go on a journey that is almost planetary where you’re exploring the world.
Closing Comments:
To say that the wait for a new mainline entry in theManaseries was worth it is an understatement.Visions of Manatakes the best of the series and translates it to modern-day without losing any of its charm or fun. The gameplay is simple yet enjoyable, with anyone being able to pick up and play and utilize the great Elemental Vessel/Class system for new opportunities. The classic elements of theManaseries, from its exploratory areas, lively music and breathtaking scenery live on inVisions of Mana. A few shortcomings with the narrative and graphics do hamper the experience, but it doesn’t dilute the title’s shine. In a way,Visions of Manais a fine wine: it’s sweet, vibrant, lively and gets better over time. In a year full of amazing RPGs,Visions of Manais up there withFinal Fantasy VII RebirthandPersona 3 Reloadas one of the best and brightest action RPGs on the market right now.
Visions of Mana
Version Reviewed: PlayStation 5
Visions of Mana is a brand new title in this series revolving around the sacred sword and mana. The protagonist Val and his childhood friend Hinna, the newly appointed Alm of Fire, set off on a journey to the Mana Tree.
