Visions of Mana Review – Modern Brilliance Mixed With Nostalgia

Salal Awan September 14, 2024

I have always been a fan of traditional JRPGs and have particularly enjoyed the Mana series, including the recent release of Legend of Mana. So, when Visions of Mana was officially announced, I was eager to experience it. After playing the game, I can confidently say that it did not disappoint. This is one of the most enjoyable JRPGs I have played in recent years, staying true to a design rarely seen today, without trying to modernize it unnecessarily.

Visions of Mana is the fifth main entry in the beloved Mana franchise. To express how long fans have waited for a new mainline title is difficult, but to put it into perspective, the last new Mana game was released on the PS2. While fans have had the chance to enjoy various spin-offs, remasters, and re-releases of earlier games, the release of an entirely new game set in the Mana universe is a major event—at least for me. The long wait has been worth it. While there are some design limitations, the technical aspects of the game are nearly flawless, making it one of the most enjoyable Mana games available on modern platforms.

Visions of Mana begins with a captivating scene involving two strangers seemingly on the run. One of them is revealed to be an Alm, a being destined to sacrifice themselves to renew the flow of Mana in the world. The story then shifts focus to Val, a young swordsman tasked with escorting Alms on a pilgrimage to the Mana Tree. While the story is simple, it is told beautifully, supported by solid character development and a deep, yet easy-to-understand, combat system.

The opening sequence gave me a sense of déjà vu, reminding me of Tales of Arise, which also had a similar opening and was an action-based JRPG. However, credit must be given to the development team for the game’s stunning visuals. Although not cutting-edge in terms of technology, the art style is what makes the game visually appealing. The cutscenes are beautifully animated, though they do suffer from performance drops, with frame rates dipping to 30 FPS even on PC, causing some noticeable stuttering.

The combat system in Visions of Mana is straightforward and enjoyable. Combos are performed through timed button presses, where the timing and delay between presses can lead to different combo paths. It is satisfying to juggle enemies and unleash special moves. Character movement feels smooth, both in combat and during exploration. You can run and jump freely around the environment, with minimal restrictions, and later in the game, faster methods of travel become available. The game also supports fast travel, which is particularly convenient when moving between distant locations.

Fans of the Mana series will recognize many familiar elements, such as iconic enemies like Rabites and the elementals that accompany the Alms on their journey to the Mana Tree. Numerous references to earlier games are deeply tied to the series’ lore, offering an added layer of enjoyment for long-time fans. Given that many of the developers involved are veterans of the series, it is no surprise that they have successfully preserved much of what makes Mana so appealing.

Despite the high praise I have for Visions of Mana, there were some issues I encountered. While the main story was enjoyable, offering engaging narratives for the lead characters, the side content felt noticeably lacking. In an open-world game like this, side content is crucial, and the lack of thoughtful design in this area was hard to overlook. Much of the side content involves repetitive tasks, which can make the game feel monotonous at times. However, the combat system is its saving grace, adding fun even to these otherwise mundane activities.

The character class system deserves special recognition for its diversity, which helps keep combat fresh and evolving as the game progresses. It is highly satisfying to build a team that suits your playstyle. Exploring the open world is also a highlight, thanks to its stunning beauty. The vibrant vistas, colorful flower fields, and expansive grassy hills are filled with threats, including various monsters and boss fights. Boss encounters are particularly enjoyable, seemingly designed with newcomers in mind, offering a challenge without being overly difficult. There is also a difficulty option available at the start, allowing players to tailor the challenge to their preference.

I honestly cannot find much to criticize about how Visions of Mana was designed. Aside from the somewhat mediocre side content, the story and characters are engaging, and the visuals are stunning. The PC port supports high frame rates and includes upscaling solutions, which was a pleasant surprise. However, I did notice the absence of a widescreen option, and there are not many graphical settings to tweak. While it would have been nice to have these features, they are not essential.

The pacing might require some patience, as the game frequently interrupts gameplay with cutscenes, especially early on. During the opening, it often feels like we are just moving from one cutscene to another with minimal interaction. Additionally, the lack of co-op options is a missed opportunity. Playing with a partner or friend could have been a fun experience, even if it posed technical challenges. The possibility of offline co-op, in particular, would have been exciting.

Visions of Mana Game Information

Price: $49.99
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Platform: PC (Reviewed)
Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

Score

Summary

Visions of Mana masterfully captures the heart of traditional JRPGs with classic elements and stunning visual artistry. The main storyline and combat system shine with engaging characters and smooth gameplay, but the lack of meaningful side content and occasional performance issues hold it back from perfection.