Visions of Mana has a lot on its shoulders. It’s the first new mainline entry in the long-running JRPG series since 2006, so there are stakes to see if the Mana series can stand to the current juggernauts of the genre. And, while the spin-offs of Mana have continued in some fashion on mobile, they have never garnered the attention of the masses like Secret of Mana or Legends of Mana. Thankfully, there is enough evolution in Visions of Mana to help the series regain some lost ground.
Visions of Mana follows Val, the newly appointed soul guard and prominent protagonist of the game, as Val journeys around the world with his rag-tag companions, the Alms. A group of specifically select beings from each elemental town in the world must travel to the Mana tree to sacrifice themselves for balance to remain between the elements that hold the world together. There is a lot of focus on what someone will do for the people they care about, dealing with loss, and second-guessing tradition throughout Val’s journey.
When you look at it as a whole, it follows a very generic JRPG story path. However, even still, I found myself enthralled in the world, especially the middle third; as relationships change, truths unfold, and we get introduced to the main bad guy, whose journey is compelling and mirrors the parties. And, up until the credits rolled, I was second-guessing how it would all play out.
That being said, the game, while it does have a significant “final boss,” feels like it just kind of ends, leading to the player needing to watch the credits to fully understand the outcome of their journey in a post-credits epilogue. While this isn’t new to games, it would have been nice to see the end of their journey fully before the credits with a tease of what the after-effect was after the credits.
“The gameplay in Visions of Mana blends traditional action RPG mechanics and an innovative elemental class system that sets it apart from its peers.”
Visually, Visions of Mana can be both a splendour and, at times, off. Running around the open areas is visually striking, partly due to Visions of Mana being a vibrant, colourful experience; it really lets the environments come to life in a way that isn’t possible in other, more modern JRPGs. This helps elevate almost every vista the player encounters; it feels like a breath of fresh air and is an inspiration to finish the journey.
The downside comes in the form of the game’s dungeons that feel very dreary and mundane. It’s a shame because the overworld has something special going for it. Not to mention, the animations, while smooth, during cutscenes seem to be off, especially when looking at how characters animate when they speak and move around.
The sound design in Visions of Mana complements its visuals and gameplay perfectly. The game features a richly layered soundtrack that blends orchestral and ambient music to create an immersive auditory experience. The music adapts to different situations, with sweeping orchestral pieces for epic moments and more subdued tracks for quieter, introspective scenes.
“Thankfully, there is enough evolution in Visions of Mana to help the series regain some lost ground.”
Voice acting in Visions of Mana is a mixed bag. Characters like Val, Motrea, and Hina deliver nuanced performances that add depth and subtlety to their roles. In contrast, some characters, such as Karina and others who appear later in the story, tend to be more over-the-top and can be pretty grating. This disparity in performance styles sometimes undermines the impact of extended scenes where the group engages in meaningful dialogue. The presence of these more irritating characters can disrupt the flow and diminish the emotional weight of crucial conversations.
The gameplay in Visions of Mana blends traditional action RPG mechanics and an innovative elemental class system that sets it apart from its peers. The combat system is a highlight, offering a fluid and dynamic experience requiring tactical thinking and quick reflexes. Players can choose from various weapons and magic abilities, each with strengths and playstyles depending on which element they equip.
The combat system allows for a high degree of customization. Players can equip themselves with different elements to determine which weapon and magic they can use. Magic abilities are also crucial in combat, with spells ranging from offensive fireballs to inflicting enemies with status ailments.
One of the standout features of the combat system is its ultimate move mechanic. Players, over time, build up a meter, and once the meter is full, it allows them to unleash the element that they have equipped for ultimate movement. This ranges from AOE damage, team healing, or status-effecting attacks. During my time with Visions of Mana, these moves could turn the tide of battle, especially if you find yourself against a particularly tough enemy later in the game.
“Visions of Mana excels in several areas. Its narrative and world-building are particularly impressive, with a rich story and a well-crafted world that will draw” players in.”
The progression system in Visions of Mana is well-balanced and rewarding. Skill trees allow for further customization of the protagonist’s abilities, letting players tailor their playstyle to their preferences. This progression system ensures that players feel a sense of growth and accomplishment as they advance through the game. Having the abilities tied into whichever element the player has equipped does lead to some favouritism, as halfway through the game, I found my favourite three and kept my party and elements locked in through the rest of the game.
Exploration is another critical aspect of the gameplay. Elaria is filled with hidden secrets, side quests, and collectibles that encourage players to explore every corner of the world. While the main storyline is compelling, the side quests tend to be monotonous, making them feel aimless and just an excuse to make the player revisit locations. The side quests tend to be fetch quests by collecting items on the world map or defeating certain monsters that drop quest-specific items.
Overall, the combat system in Visions of Mana is engaging and offers a high degree of customization, while the art design and sound contribute to a captivating experience. Visions of Mana excels in several areas. Its narrative and world-building are particularly impressive, with a rich story and a well-crafted world that will draw players in.
You can buy Visions of Mana on PS5 for $59.99 USD ($79.99 CAD).
