Saga Mana, known as Seiken Densetsu in Japanese lands, has been around for over 30 yearscovering a wide range of titles from core titles to secondary titles. All of these have made it popular among gamers in recent years, especially after the release of the acclaimed Trials of Mana remake and Legend of Mana remaster, both of which increased interest in the series among Western gamers.
Late last year, Visions of Mana was confirmed to be in development, a new title that is confirmed as the fifth installment in the main series, thus breaking the 15-plus year time span since the last installment. is to be Dawn of Mana that was released in Japan and the US on the PlayStation 2.
The story of the game puts us in the place of Val, a young swordsman chosen as a quality guardian of souls and with the duty of accompanying the votive offerings of the various elements of mana (fire, wind, moon, water, earth, wood, light, and darkness) to bless the land and prevent the many predicted disasters they have been trying to avoid since generations ago. Together with their childhood friend Hina, chosen as a sacrifice to the fire, the two will embark on an adventure that will take them through the vast world of the game, meeting new allies with whom they can complete their mission, although it will not be easy.
It should be highlighted at the very beginning a large area that is in each of the areas of the game. In addition to its more than considerable width, it is also worth emphasizing its diversity, as it can show meadows, snow-covered areas, deserts and even forests. It also provides a great incentive to explore secrets, even going so far as to use a raid different heights in specific cases. At the same time, each city offers quite interesting details, and in some cases, they have exciting and exciting designs.
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In each area you can find different items that will help you throughout the adventure. Besides safeswhich will include both objects useful in battle and equipment, different elementary crystals which will require their respective relics to be able to activate them and gain elemental points. On the other hand, spheres a syrup ursidorange in color, can be collected and exchanged from dealers in each city for different objects, increasing the availability and choice of objects throughout the adventure.
They can also be placed increposas and increposasbutterflies of different colors, which when caught, interacting with them by pressing a button, will offer an increase in the winning of Lucre (game currency) and earned experience, respectively, for a limited time, indicated by a counter that will appear at the top of the screen. These effects can also be applied to consume items such as different types of incense or cookies which will mean increasing the percentage and duration if possible. They can be used from the game’s main menu or through the wheel menu.
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Battles take place in real time with controls a maximum group of three characters to toggle using the buttons on the controller’s numeric keypad. Each character will be able to use basic attacks and special moves, as well as dodge and jump to offer some versatility in combat against normal and aerial enemies. The behavior of uncontrollable characters can be adjusted via an option Tactics from the main menu, being able to choose between the various options available to make your combat activities more efficient. Hina, for her part and as a group companion, will not be controlled, but will be able to support the group using her healing abilities.
There will be boss fights somewhat more complicatedas it is necessary to exploit his weak points and avoid his attacks until his health bar is completely reduced. There is an option to change which part to attack, as well as the ability to see the areas of effect of each technique. In some cases, they will even use movements interrupt the flow of combat or summon hordes of enemies minors to increase the challenge, which is appreciated if possible.
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To use the technique, it will be necessary to equip the seeds of skillwhich are various benefits to the character such as improving their physique or increasing their attack power but also be able to use offensive techniques or magic spells. They can be found in chests scattered around different areas of the game or cities, as well as in some shops where they can be exchanged for other objects. Each character will have two slots that can be equipped with seeds, and the maximum number can be increased to ten by using specific items for each character.
Throughout the adventure you will receive elemental relics which will be imbued with the power of each of the mana elements of the game world. Its use in the game is quite extensive and has several effects, although the most important is the equipment for each character, which will lead to changing character class. From the beginning, each character will have a basic starting class, for example Val will be a Guardian, with specific attack and weapon characteristics. By equipping one of the relics, the character will transform by changing their clothes and equipped weapons, in turn changing the parameters of the character and using the skills that the said relic possesses, which must be activated beforehand. In battle, his effect will allow you to use an elemental discharge while holding down the R2 button, making the effect devastating to enemies.
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In the field you can use your power solve obstacles for example, using the power of the wind to move rocks and open paths in the air or using currents, using water bubbles to solve different heights and climb, using the power of the moon to slow down time and move between ice blocks, or using the power of salamanders to swim and fly over certain areas for limited time.
On the other hand, using it will also allow you to use it basic shelterswhich will activate challenges where groups of enemies must be defeated within a set time limit, receiving a reward at the end of the encounter. Each map has several available vaults that can be accessed once completed higher problems in which various effects will be activated with great challenge and also receive higher level rewards.
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Each relic will have a corresponding ability that can be activated via an option elementary boardin which you can invest the elemental points earned by each character to unlock both passive abilities and special moves that can be used in battle via the elemental wheel accessible via the digital crosshair in battle or, failing that, assign them to shortcuts via equipment menu. As you progress through the board, you’ll find different limitations for each character that you can overcome when using them specific objects.
Basically, the game part is distinctive, standing out with an exploration component that encourages you to find secrets in different areas, and a combat system that, besides being quite easy to learn, thanks to the class system allows you to take advantage of playing with roles provided by elemental relics for each character, making the possibilities vast.
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In terms of graphics, the game stands out for the landscapes it offers, as well as the design of cities and main characters. It should be noted that this aspect is the biggest Achilles heelspecific decelerations and the delay in loading items, although not that severe or affecting the quality of the game, is worth noting.
Finally, in the sound section, The game offers a wide selection of tracks with different compositions that will enliven different moments of the game. The options offered by the game allow you to choose between English and Japanese, as well as select subtitles in different languages.
Visions of Mana turns out to be an interesting experience, which stands out mainly because it is a game with a simple base, like the classics of the genre, which goes from smaller to bigger, offering interesting moments in its development thanks to its cast of interesting and charming characters. Likewise, its combat system, with its wide range of possibilities thanks to the versatility offered by the class system to personalize the experience and increase the effectiveness of combat and exploration of its areas, means that we have a game that fans of the genre will enjoy. .
The best
- The breadth of areas that the game offers, with a large exploration component, as well as their variety.
- The cast of characters is diverse and has an interesting past.
- A story that gains interest as you progress through the game.
- The combat system has a lot of possibilities through the class system and their balance during confrontations.
Worse
- Some slowdowns and loading textures at certain times.
- Technically, it’s not surprising.
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