Initial release date: 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Mode:Â Single-player video game
License:Â proprietary license
Composers: Hiroki Kikuta, Tsuyoshi Sekito, Ryo Yamazaki
Genres: Role-playing video game, Adventure game
Developers: Square Enix, Ouka Studios
Full disclosure: Secret of Mana is my favorite game of all time, so Visions of Mana already has a tough audience in me. I have many pleasant memories of that game, some of which are over three decades old, and it has touched me like no other title since. The Mana series has been up and down over the years, with no new Western entry in over 15 years (excluding collections and remakes). So, while Visions of Mana serves as a beacon of hope for series fans, newbies are left wondering what all the hoopla was about. But, for a series that is used to basking in the glory of the past, will it hold up to today’s standards and the weight of expectations placed on it?
In this new adventure, we follow Val, a Soul Guard, on his trip to the Mana Tree. Every four years, the Soul Guard leads a sacrificial journey of eight Alms from all over the globe to devote their souls to the tree in order to maintain the flow of Mana and ensure the survival and prosperity of mankind. Each Alm comes from a certain location of the world and is protected by a specific elemental, and our trip begins with Val and the Alm of Fire, Hinna, as they prepare to go on their journey of virtuous sacrifice.
With Hinna acting as a non-controlled support character, you start as Val, traversing the countryside in third person, fighting creatures to defend your charge on your path to collect more Alms. adversaries appear in the field in groups, and once combat begins, you fight them in real time using a variety of standard rapid and heavy techniques, as well as aerial attacks for adversaries who have taken flight. It’s somewhat similar to the Trials of Mana remake battle in that a ring appears around you during the fight, which you can usually escape from if the fight becomes too difficult. Although, in general, the game seems to be easy, it does occasionally provide a moderate challenge. That being said, certain boss fights are significantly more difficult, especially near the conclusion of the game, and you can still stroll into grunt encounters that are under-leveled, especially if you don’t engage in combat on a regular basis to collect EXP and level up.
Alms will be added to your roster as you encounter them along the way. You will eventually assemble a playable party of five, from which you can select one primary character to manage and two others to assist you. This is where the fairly extensive party customization in Visions of Mana comes into play. As you go, you will come across Elemental Vessels, which allow each character to convert their class to their elemental counterpart. With eight elements and five characters, there are 40 different classes to unlock, each with unique skills and rewards. You collect Elemental points in the field, and as you level up, you can use them to invest in these various skill branches. It gives you an almost overwhelming level of customisation at first, but it allows you to tune your party to your liking and give your controlling character (who does not have to remain as Val once recruited again) and your two supports the best build to succeed.
The Elemental Vessels also have another purpose: they provide extra traversal options around the globe and aid in the solving of dungeon challenges. They are a welcome addition, with the wind Vessel allowing you to ride updrafts and the water Vessel allowing you to ride water bubbles upwards to new regions. However, they never elevate the concept to anything new, and with eight to locate, the traversal of some appears to overlap a little by the end, with some simply serving as a method to cross a gap rather than anything more complicated. It would have been good to see more of them, or even some combined with other traversal options later in the game.
One piece of advise I would give to anyone playing Visions of Mana is to be patient, for two reasons. First and foremost, the game’s first hour or so is filled with cutscenes. You’ll run somewhere for a while, then watch some story beats or read a tutorial. There’s a lot to take in, but the game world looks fantastic thanks to its bright colors and pseudo-cartoon aesthetic, so watching these moments isn’t a pain. But for those that want to get started, you’ll simply want to get beyond this so you can explore and begin pounding creatures in earnest.
The story and character development in Visions of Mana are another, slightly more frustrating, reason to be patient. Because you decided to make your party out of Alms, you are effectively a collection of traveling do-gooders hellbent on saving the world. For the first half of the game, there is little dispute or group friction, let alone hazard. Careena, the wind Alm, is likely the only exception, offering light witticisms and selfish resistance at first, but she, too, eventually falls in line and focuses solely on the voyage to the Mana Tree. Fortunately, the character arcs and self-reflections improve in the second part of the game, as does the evil that emerges and is revealed to the group. I simply wish this had happened sooner, either through more complex character interactions or early foreshadowing of the evil and hardship the gang would face. It would have increased the sense of foreboding and made the world and cause appear more organic than they do in those early hours.
However, this does not make Visions of Mana a bad game; in fact, just the opposite. The fighting and party customization make it more appealing to continue, and the beautiful, varied surroundings, accompanied by a music that does an excellent job of bringing this fantastical, magical world to life, make adventuring enjoyable. Admittedly, the fighting isn’t as cathartic as in Tales of Arise, and the characters aren’t as well-rounded, but this is still a really pleasant Mana entry. Fans of the franchise will also appreciate the elementals’ prominent part in the tale, as well as the numerous buried connections to earlier games.
Review Overview
Gameplay – 87%
Controls – 85%
Aesthetics – 90%
Content – 88%
Accessibility – 82%
Value – 89%
Overall Rating – 87%
VERY GOOD!
Summary: “Visions of Mana” delivers a nostalgic yet fresh experience for fans of classic JRPGs. The game masterfully blends traditional turn-based combat with modern mechanics, offering a deep and engaging gameplay experience. The enchanting world is beautifully crafted, with vibrant landscapes and detailed character designs that evoke the magic of the original series. The story, while familiar, is filled with emotional moments and memorable characters. However, some pacing issues and a lack of innovation in certain areas prevent it from reaching its full potential. Overall, “Visions of Mana” is a heartfelt homage that both old and new fans will appreciate.