September 4th 2024.
Visions Of Mana was a highly anticipated game that promised to revive the magic of the beloved SNES classic, Secret Of Mana. As a fan of the Mana series, I couldn't wait to dive into this new adventure. However, after playing it, I couldn't help but feel that something was missing. Square Enix had done a great job recreating the vibe of the SNES games, with its beautiful art style and exciting combat. But there was one crucial element that was missing - the option to play with friends.
It's a shame that Visions Of Mana was released as a single-player game only. Co-op was one of the key features that made the SNES games so enjoyable, and its absence in this new entry is disappointing. It's especially surprising considering how the Mana series has always been action-based and perfect for multiplayer.
Despite its lack of co-op, Visions Of Mana still manages to capture the essence of Secret Of Mana and its sequel, Trials Of Mana. The game follows a classic quest structure, where you play as Val, a soul guard tasked with protecting the alms chosen by the different elementals. These alms must make a perilous journey to the Mana Tree, where they will be sacrificed to sustain the world. Along the way, Val must face various challenges and enemies, including the temptation to defy fate and save the alms from their ultimate fate.
The story may be straightforward, but the battle system in Visions Of Mana is excellent. It's reminiscent of the original games, but with added depth and modern features. The real-time combat is fast-paced and encourages players to chain attacks, specials, and dodges. One of the most exciting aspects of the battle system is the ability to change your party members' fighting styles by equipping them with different elemental affinities. This adds a strategic element to the game, as you must choose the right party members for each battle.
As you progress through the game, you'll encounter different environments that require the use of elements to navigate. From jumping on water bubbles to flying on a fireball, the game's environmental design is impressive. The world itself is vibrant and full of hidden treasures and mini-battle arenas. There are also side quests to complete, some more interesting than others. The cities in the game are also well-designed, and you'll encounter many unique characters along the way.
Despite all of its positives, Visions Of Mana is ultimately let down by its lack of co-op. It's hard to overlook this flaw, especially when it was such an integral part of the previous games. It's a shame because the game has so many other great features that could have made it a must-play. If you're a fan of the Mana series, then I still recommend giving Visions Of Mana a try. But be prepared for the disappointment of not being able to experience this adventure with your friends.
To summarise, Visions Of Mana is a fun and engaging Japanese role-playing game with beautiful graphics, a great battle system, and clever mechanics. Its world is vibrant and full of secrets to discover. It's a shame that it's missing such a crucial feature, but it's still worth playing for fans of the series. I give it a score of 7/10. Visions Of Mana is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC for £59.99.
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