Visions of Mana is quite a long time coming. The latest entry in Square Enix’s legendary Japanese role-playing game series is the first mainline title since 2006’s Dawn of Mana, which was released three console cycles ago for the PlayStation 2. Many veterans have returned for the game, which does a great job of still feeling like a Mana game while being a modern release.
The Mana series has always leaned into action, with the first title (called Final Fantasy Adventure in North America) practically playing like a Zelda game, and Visions is no exception. You can dodge, run, and even double jump during combat, allowing weaker enemies to be defeated by simply mashing the attack button and unleashing basic combos. There’s a lot of fluidity to the action, with spells and items being picked in a menu or via shortcuts. Battles are fought with a party of three, so players don’t always have to play as the protagonist, Val, and all three have the ability to change elemental classes giving them each plenty of versatility and players lots of options at their disposal.
Its boss battles against larger enemies where the combat system is really given a chance to shine. For example, an early battle against a giant octopus on a ship uses the location to its advantage while also forcing the player to dodge the area-of-effect attacks. Bosses all have weak points, too, which you’ll want to target to get critical hits. While it’s not quite a character action game in terms of combat depth, there’s still a lot to do during battles, which are all quite engaging.
However, what’s most interesting about Visions of Mana is its story. The main character is a soul guard who is in charge of protecting sacrifices from various villages as they make their way to the Tree of Mana. This results in plenty of conversations about the role of tradition in society and a general heaviness as the people you’re bonding with are meant to be sacrificed at the end of the journey. It still feels very much like a JRPG, so you’ll get plenty of jokes and lighthearted moments along the way, but it occupies an interesting thematic space and winds up being quite rewarding as a result.
Another aspect that shines in Visions of Mana is the ability to truly explore a world. While you can simply run from point A to point B to continue the story, the world is quite large, and there is plenty of reason to explore with items, chests, and more strewn throughout the land. You can use the elements you gain throughout the game to access new areas, and it becomes quite rewarding to look in nooks and crannies. I fully recommend players take their time and look around areas as additional enemy encounters will keep them leveled appropriately, and you’ll find plenty of items you’d otherwise have to buy at stores.
The JRPG is also a great entry point for both those new to the series and action RPGs in general. There are four difficulty options to choose from, ranging from beginner to hard, and they can be swapped on the fly in-game. This allows players to find a difficulty they find enjoyable and is a smart decision, as too often RPGs lock the player into one after choosing.
Visions of Mana Review: Final Verdict
Visions of Mana is a long time coming and was worth the wait. The latest entry in the legendary series stays true to its roots while also moving the franchise forward. It’s not hard to imagine that its story about tradition and sacrifice came from the development team grappling with the pressure of making another Mana game after many years without a new entry, but the end result is a proper continuation of its legacy.
SCORE: 8.5/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a digital PS5 copy for our Visions of Mana review. Reviewed on version 1.002.000.
