Fans of Square Enix’s Mana series have been eating well lately, and the looming release of Visions of Mana is bound to be no exception to that. With a stunning graphical presentation, more fluid gameplay, and an all-new story, brace yourself for another unforgettable adventure.
Gameplay
Visions of Mana is an action JRPG, as the series has always been. For fans who played the 2020 remake of Trials of Mana, the gameplay will look very familiar. However, it does seem that Visions of Mana will feature smoother combat and better controls. Where Trials could sometimes feel a little unwieldy, Visions looks to be much more fluid, and no fans will say no to a game that feels better to play.
Additionally, for the first time, players can swap between party members. In previous entries, the player had a fixed party, or in the case of Trials, they could choose three characters at the beginning of the game, but could not later switch them. Visions of Mana will feature a party of five different characters, any two of which can accompany Val at any time. This represents a huge step forward in the series, and is hopefully more the norm going forward.
A class change feature was showcased for Visions of Mana. They can change or advance their class by using power from one of the elemental spirits that form a throughline in the Mana series. Mechanically, this is done by equipping characters with one of eight elemental vessels found throughout the adventure. Any character can equip any of the spirit vessels, with each bestowing a different class to each character. What’s more, these can also be used in the overworld for exploration.
Story
Visions of Mana is the first mainline title, barring remakes, since the unfortunate Dawn of Mana in 2006. As such, there’s a lot riding on it. However, from what we can glean from the trailer, it seems pretty promising. The core setup of the plot is that Val becomes a Soul Guard for Hinna, a girl chosen to be the “alm” who undertakes a pilgrimage to keep mana flowing to the Mana Tree. From the trailer, this pilgrimage is meant to culminate with the alm sacrificing themself. This story sounds as though it contains shades of Tale of Symphonia or Final Fantasy X, both of which are beloved classics.
Similar to the Final Fantasy series, there are shared elements across the various Mana titles. However, there are no other connections. This means that players are able to jump into the series at any point without having played any other titles. Having played earlier entries may help players understand some of the conventions of the series, but that’s the extent of it. Therefore, if you are new to the Mana series, you should still give Visions of Mana a look.
In addition to the series staples of the eight elemental spirits (Gnome, Undine, Salamander, Wisp, Dryad, Jinn, Shade, and Luna), there are other familiar faces returning to the new title. Vuscav, the giant turtle-like creature that ports the party across the ocean at breakneck speeds can be spotted in the trailer. Flammie, the fluffy white dragon creature that functions as the party’s airship, is also present and accounted for.
Release and Final Thoughts
Visions of Mana is set to release August 29, 2024, right at the end of the summer. It will be released on PS4, PS5, XBOX Series X/S, and Windows. The Switch is conspicuously missing from the lineup most likely due to its significantly lower graphical capabilities, which some players may find an encouraging indicator of visual spectacle. Nonetheless, it is a pity that the series that began on Nintendo won’t be continuing on Nintendo, at least for now.
With the Switch 2 just over the horizon, all things are possible, so we can’t rule out a port yet. While it’s sure to not be everybody’s cup of tea, as no game really is, Visions of Mana is looking like a solid addition to the legendary franchise.
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