AT2k Design BBS Message Area
Casually read the BBS message area using an easy to use interface. Messages are categorized exactly like they are on the BBS. You may post new messages or reply to existing messages!

You are not logged in. Login here for full access privileges.

Previous Message | Next Message | Back to Engadget is a web magazine with...  <--  <--- Return to Home Page
   Local Database  Engadget is a web magazine with...   [88 / 100] RSS
 From   To   Subject   Date/Time 
Message   VRSS    All   Visions of Mana preview: A faithful reimagination of a classic   March 28, 2024
 8:00 AM  

Feed: Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Feed Link: https://www.engadget.com/
---

Title: Visions of Mana preview: A faithful reimagination of a classic

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:00:22 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/visions-of-mana-prev...

Classic JRPGs are sort of having a moment. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has
brought new life and a new generation of gamers to one of the most iconic
franchises around. More recently Unicorn Overlord has given us a spiritual
sequel to Ogre Battle thatΓÇÖs so good even series creator Yasumi Matsuno
(and director of Final Fantasy Tactics) has been telling people to play it.
And later this summer, Square Enix has challenged itself with reimagining one
of the most beloved SNES titles of all time after more than 15 years. But now
IΓÇÖve had the chance to play a preview of Visions of Mana, it feels like the
developers have retained the spirit of the franchise but in a game that feels
much more at home in 2024.

One of the biggest challenges for Visions is the transition from classic 2D
sprites to a much richer and more expansive 3D world. And while there are
some visual similarities to recent Dragon Quest games, I think Square Enix
has done a wonderful job of maintaining the franchiseΓÇÖs identity. The
gameΓÇÖs color palette is bright and energetic, recreating many of the pastel
hues seen in previous games. Character designs skew more towards cute and
adorable unlike some of its darker and edgier rivals, which gives the title a
playful vibe, just like Secret of Mana did more than two decades ago.

In combat, the Sylphid Boomerang can be used to trap enemies, deal damage and
knock away foes outside of the tornado. Square Enix

Another thing that has translated quite well is its gameplay. Back in 1993,
Secret of ManaΓÇÖs ring menu was lauded for making it easy to switch between
weapons and items (or even characters) without making combat feel stilted or
clunky. And with the Mana franchise having made the jump to action-orientated
gameplay (instead of turn-based) way before mainline Final Fantasy games did,
VisionsΓÇÖ assortment of speedy combo-based attacks, spells and class strikes
(which are sort of like limit breaks) are a great fit. You can even launch
enemies in the sky and rain down blows while theyΓÇÖre suspended, which is a
real treat as IΓÇÖm a sucker for any game with air juggles.

Each of the four main characters (Val, Hinna, Careena and Morley) also have
distinct classes like Rune Knight or Oracle, so they all have a unique style
and feel in combat. I found myself gravitating towards the thief/catdude
Morley, whose katana felt extremely fast and fluid. My only small complaint
is that with Square also bringing back the concept of three-person parties,
things can get kind of hectic when youΓÇÖre trying to keep tabs on people
performing multi-hit combos against large groups of foes.

Pikuls are friendly creatures that characters in Visions of Mana can ride to
speed up travel. Square Enix

The most important addition to Visions is the introduction of Elemental
Vessels, which give you new abilities both in and out of combat. When
youΓÇÖre simply running around the map, similar to items like the hookshot in
Legend of Zelda, vessels provide important traversal abilities. For example,
the Sylphid Bommering allows you to create floating platforms so you can
cross valleys and chasms or summon gusts of wind so you can jump to a faraway
ledge. Meanwhile in battle, you can use the boomerang to trap enemies in the
air, deal damage and blow away surrounding foes that might want to interrupt
your attack. So while itΓÇÖs not a groundbreaking feature, I appreciate how
Visions is using new mechanics to add an extra layer of depth to multiple
facets of the game.

Unfortunately, one trait of previous Mana games that hasnΓÇÖt carried over to
Visions is the use of a big roster with branching storylines. For longtime
fans, this might be a bit of a bummer, but when asked about this change,
Visions of Mana producer Masaru Oyamada told me (via an interpreter) that one
of the teamΓÇÖs goals for this installment was a more focused story. So while
I couldnΓÇÖt glean much about the gameΓÇÖs plot during my one-hour demo,
thereΓÇÖs still hope that Visions will still deliver an engaging narrative.

Square Enix

But my biggest takeaway from the preview is how Oyamada is trying to respect
the legacy of such a storied franchise while also delivering fresh and
exciting experiences for new and old players alike. Oyamada said ΓÇ£I really
thought about the elements that I loved when I was a child, so I leaned into
those feelings in order to drive decision making for the latest installment
in this series.ΓÇ¥

On top of that, I like how mechanics like the Ring menu are pulling double
duty in this game. Oyamada told me that not only does this system act as a
nod toward players familiar with the franchise, it also serves as an
important accessibility tool that makes it easy to switch items and plan your
attacks in the heat of battle. Meanwhile, to help the series grow and evolve,
Oyamada said ΓÇ£We thought about the elemental aspect as something that was
kind of under-utilized and under-appreciated in previous Mana games.ΓÇ¥

Square Enix

And with Oyamada having been in charge of the remasters for Secret of Mana,
Trials of Mana (AKA Seiken Densetsu 3) and others in recent years, even
though much of the original development team for the series has moved on,
itΓÇÖs clear Square Enix has preserved a lot of the DNA that made previous
Mana games so great all those years ago.

In some ways, I wish this game was called Spirit of Mana, as that feels like
a more appropriate title for a series whose last entry was released in 1995.
Regardless, I canΓÇÖt wait to play more when Visions of Mana officially goes
on sale sometime this summer.

One final note is that Visions of Mana is slated to be available on
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X and PC. Currently, Square Enix
says that while "We are looking to support Steam Deck compatibility, we
cannot confirm at this time as we are still optimizing the game."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/visions-of-mana-prev...
a-classic-130022297.html?src=rss

---
VRSS v2.1.180528
  Show ANSI Codes | Hide BBCodes | Show Color Codes | Hide Encoding | Hide HTML Tags | Hide Routing
Previous Message | Next Message | Back to Engadget is a web magazine with...  <--  <--- Return to Home Page

VADV-PHP
Execution Time: 0.0151 seconds

If you experience any problems with this website or need help, contact the webmaster.
VADV-PHP Copyright © 2002-2024 Steve Winn, Aspect Technologies. All Rights Reserved.
Virtual Advanced Copyright © 1995-1997 Roland De Graaf.
v2.1.220106