Visions of Mana Reviews
As a nostalgia-driven retread of the classic Mana adventure, Visions of Mana is rock solid - but it struggles to be anything more than a reminder of how magical those old RPGs could be. If you can look beyond the game's monotonous storytelling and tragically bland characters, the essence of an old-school excursion is here, in the exploration of wonderful environments and in battles against burly boss monsters.
Although the new class system has undoubtedly helped to rejuvenate the formula of the product a little, Square Enix's new "vision" continues to be too anchored to the traditions of the long-lived Japanese saga, which this year celebrated its thirty-third anniversary.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It's clear that Visions of Mana is the best game in the series. The title is able to look back at its past and bring back the series' signature elements in a way that everyone can appreciate. While it's not without its issues, it's still a must-play experience for fans, and I hope this installment marks the return of Mana.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Unfortunately, the beautiful graphics and the successful gameplay of Visions of Mana don't completely distract from the boring story.
Review in German | Read full review
Visions of Mana features an impactful story, well-written characters, fun combat, and a gorgeous world to get lost in with very few problems.
Visions of Mana is the first mainline Mana game in nearly two decades and, despite some issues, is a great step forward for the series.
A wonderful return to form for the Mana series. Visions of Mana will have longtime fans grinning from ear-to-ear.
Visions is an excellent addition to Square Enix's Mana series and fans of the series will be excited with changes presented with the title. That said, the gameplay plays it safe at times, and can be a bit stale at times. Still, if you like the series, you'll enjoy Visions of Mana.
Visions of Mana feels like the RPG equivalent of being young and visiting a park in the summer. It's picturesque, warm and full of hope, inviting you to set out and explore and maybe come home with a couple scratches or bruises but always rewarding the effort with a new adventure or discovery. There's a fantastic balance of old and new ideas here, enough to satisfy patient series fans and newcomers alike, a hugely-enjoyable main story, stunning environments and satisfying combat going a long way to make up for some annoying technical and mechanical foibles.
Visions of Mana marks a solid return to the series, featuring an emotionally engaging storyline and striking visuals. However, the side quests and voice acting may turn some players off.
Visions of Mana aims to bring players back to a classic RPG experience reminiscent of the 1990s. Accepting these conditions, you'll still find a pleasant, colorful action RPG that can entertain you for a good number of hours-nothing more, nothing less.
Review in Italian | Read full review
From the stunning, emotion-filled prologue to when the credits roll, Visions of Mana is a spectacular journey that is more than just a visual delight. Understanding the magic system and switching mana elements once obtained is not hard for newcomers to the series to understand. The captivating story is elevated with the memorable soundtrack, and all the characters were likeable. It has its flaws, especially post-game, but overall it is a great introduction to the legendary series and without doubt will lead newer fans to explore older titles, and hope for a new one in the future.
A fun romp through a fairytale world, one that does not necessarily excel in any one aspect but nonetheless manages to produce a cohesive whole that is a joy to play.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Visions of Mana perfectly introduces the Mana franchise to the modern format of the gaming industry, while still conveying the feel of a classic JRPG. This game is one of those fun role-playing games that can immerse you for hours in its beautiful fantasy world and charming characters, and at the same time, it doesn't try to appear too complicated.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Visions of Mana is a return to an old game series with an acceptable and visually appealing impact. It’s always heartwarming when even newcomers to the series can enjoy the new game. In Visions of Mana, you take on the roles of various heroes embarking on a journey toward the Mana Tree. Sometimes, you’ll engage in battles with diverse creatures, other times you’ll find pleasure in listening to the conversations of accompanying characters, and occasionally you’ll explore the environment to discover items. The game’s somewhat dated design for side quests and its failure to fully utilize the open-world gameplay potential, alongside other shortcomings, hinder Square Enix’s product from achieving its full potential. However, for those who love many classic Japanese role-playing games and seek a simple, soothing narrative experience, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy Visions of Mana. Especially noteworthy is how the game occasionally surpasses expectations, such as through its excellent class system, which makes combat with various playable characters exciting and varied. By the way, even after hours of playing Visions of Mana, I never grew tired of admiring its eye-catching visuals and listening to its captivating music. Cheers to a good JRPG experience!
Review in Persian | Read full review
It’s a bigger game than I was expecting. At around 50-60 hours at a reasonable pace, working through everything, it’s by far the largest Mana game ever produced. The fact that it doesn’t stop being a highly playable joy from the start right through to the end should be a good indication of just how beloved this one is set to become – it may even just unseat Secret of Mana itself. Visions of Mana might not be quite so genre-refining as that classic, but otherwise, this is the perfect representation of what Mana has always meant to represent.
Visions of Mana is extremely close to greatness. The core combat system is a lot of fun, and I'd adore seeing it come back in a more polished form in a future game. The graphics tend to look amazing, and it captures the tone and feel of a Mana title well. A lackluster main plot and a seriously rushed second half tend to drag down the experience, and some of the technical hitches are disruptive. Despite this, I'd argue that Visions of Mana is probably one of the best titles in the franchise and should be a fun time for Mana fans.
Visions of Mana has a great gift: it's a game that understood perfectly what it was meant to be: an adventure faithful to the franchise. So the developers went to the roots of Seiken Densetsu to understand exactly what it was that made it such a beloved series in the Super Famicom years. In doing so, they created an adventure that expresses feelings of nostalgia, but at the same time reminds us that the medium has come on leaps and bounds in the last 30 years.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Visions of Mana is an excellent JRPG and the purest definition of a comfortable game. With functional and very fun gameplay, a simple story, but with a reflection to deliver and very well executed, make it, quite easily, one of the best (if not the best) games in the series so far.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Visions of Mana is a whimsical adventure that's filled with character and beautiful sights. I took great pleasure in traversing its colourful world and even though it doesn't do anything particularly revolutionary, it's sure to melt your heart as you play. 🐇