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Visions of Mana review

August 27, 2024

Visions of Mana, developed by Ouka Studios and published by Square Enix, marks the return of the Mana series. After a long hiatus since 2006, this new entry aims to attract both longtime fans and new players. The Mana franchise has a rich history, known for its engaging storytelling and vibrant worlds. With over 30 years of legacy, fans, including myself, have high expectations for this latest installment.

In Visions of Mana, you play as Val, a Soul Guard who must protect the chosen Alm on their sacred journey to the Mana tree. This journey is filled with themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggle between tradition and personal desires. Along the way, you meet a variety of characters, each with their own special skills and stories.

Visions of Mana offers a mix of classic action RPG gameplay with fresh new features. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this game a standout title in the RPG genre.

Visions of Mana details

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PC
Developer(s): Ouka Studios
Publisher(s): Square Enix
Genre: Action RPG
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

A journey of sacrifice and growth

Visions of Mana tells a story about love, sacrifice, and the struggle between tradition and personal desires. As Val, a soul guard, your duty is to protect Hinna, the chosen Alm, and embark on a journey to the Tree of Mana. This journey is filled with emotional moments that highlight the importance of relationships and the lengths people go to for those they care about.

The game does a great job of showing the bond between Val and Hinna, making you feel invested in their fate. When Val and Hinna face the reality of her being chosen as the Alm, it really hits home. Val’s strong determination to protect Hinna shows just how deep their bond is, especially as he deals with what her sacrifice means. Their honest conversations bring out their hopes and worries, letting you really feel their emotional journey. This connection makes you care about what happens to them, as you see how their love pushes back against the traditions that shape their lives.

While Visions of Mana has some powerful themes, its story can surprisingly feel a bit shallow at times. The beginning of the game moves slowly, and there isn’t much conflict between the characters. This makes it tough to really feel the importance of their journey. As the story goes on, the characters do develop more, but it would have been great to see some tension earlier. Introducing more challenges or disagreements within the group could have made the story more interesting right from the start.

Overall, Visions of Mana tells a touching story that I was able to easily connect and relate with the many characters in the game.

Classic action RPG gameplay with fresh and unique additions

Visions of Mana combines classic action RPG gameplay with a fresh and unique elemental class system, making it stand out in a crowded genre. This mix not only keeps the gameplay exciting but also allows for a lot of creativity in how you approach battles. The combat is fast-paced and demands quick thinking, so you’ll need to stay on your toes to outsmart your enemies. As you progress, you can select from a variety of weapons and magic abilities that correspond to the elements you choose to equip, giving you the freedom to customize your character’s fighting style. This level of personalization means you can experiment with different strategies and find what works best for you, adding depth to the overall experience.

One of Visions of Mana’s gameplay features that I really liked is the ultimate move mechanic. As you fight, you build up a meter that allows you to unleash powerful attacks. These moves can change the tide of battle, especially against tough enemies. The game also has a well-balanced progression system. You can customize Val’s abilities through skill trees, allowing you to tailor your playstyle.

However, there are some adjustments that I think the game could benefit from. First, the side quests in the game often consist of basic fetch tasks, which can feel aimless. Second, while the combat and customization are interesting, the pacing could use some adjustment. Overall, Visions of Mana has solid gameplay but could benefit from more variety and depth.

Stunning visuals and sounds

Visions of Mana has bright colourful beautiful graphics with a world that feels alive. This vibrant art style invites you in and pulls you right into the adventure. And, I instantly fell in love with its charming art style. Each area in the game is beautifully designed, making exploration enjoyable. The cartoonish aesthetic adds a nostalgic touch, reminiscent of classic Saturday morning cartoons.

The soundtrack of Visions of Mana mixes orchestral and ambient music, which really adds to the overall experience. The music changes to match different situations, setting the right mood for each scene. During epic moments, you’ll hear grand orchestral pieces, while quieter scenes have softer, more calming tracks. This careful attention to sound design makes the game feel immersive and engaging.

However, the voice acting in Visions of Mana is a mixed bag. Some characters, like Val and Hinna, deliver strong performances that add depth to their roles. Their subtle performances help you relate to the story and its themes. On the other hand, some characters, like Karina, can come off as over-the-top. This inconsistency can interrupt important conversations and reduce their emotional impact.

In the end, the presentation plays a big role in what makes Visions of Mana so enjoyable. I feel that the game really stands out with its visuals and sound design. The art style and music come together to create an engaging experience that makes your journey even better. Although the voice acting varies in quality, it doesn’t take away from the game’s many strengths.

Visions of Mana captures the spirit of the series with a mix of action and strategy that new and returns fans will enjoy

Visions of Mana marks a welcome return to the iconic JRPG series. The game features a lively world packed with colourful settings and charming characters. The combat system is fun and lets you customize your party while trying out different elemental abilities. This adds a lot of depth to the gameplay and keeps the battles interesting.

Mana’s soundtrack is another highlight, featuring beautiful orchestral and ambient music that adds to your overall experience. It adapts to different situations, making epic moments feel grand and quieter scenes more intimate.

However, the game does have its drawbacks. The story can feel generic at times, following familiar JRPG tropes without much innovation. While the characters have their moments, some voice acting can be hit or miss, which can disrupt the emotional flow of important scenes. Additionally, the side quests often feel repetitive and lack depth, making exploration feel less rewarding.

Despite these issues, Visions of Mana is still a fun introduction to RPGs for players of all ages. It successfully captures the spirit of the series while appealing to both new and returning fans. While it may not reach the heights of its predecessors, it offers a solid experience that is enjoyable and engaging. If you’re looking for a colorful adventure with a mix of action and strategy, Visions of Mana is right up your alley.

Pros	Cons
Enjoyable combat that brings new synergies and challenges.	Some voice acting performances are inconsistent.
Deep party customization, allowing you to tailor your characters to your playstyle.	There is a lot of backtracking, which can make the gameplay feel repetitive and drawn out.
The story and world-building are really well done, pulling you into a thoughtfully created adventure.