Visions of Mana Reviews
Ouka Studios final game with Visions of Mana will go down as one of the most... neutral Mana games ever released.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Visions of Mana is a wonderful RPG that really shows just how special the Mana series can be (and that it deserves more new entries). Whilst the story can be guilty of being a bit predictable, the combat is exciting, the diversity of classes gives players plenty of cool ways to experiment, whilst the world looks gorgeous and brings with it an array of astounding things to discover on your journey. It is guilty of playing things a bit too safe at times and it’s a shame that it doesn’t do more with its puzzles across the world, but these are small issues in what is otherwise an enthralling experience. I really, really hope it sells well, because I’d love to see what future adventures Square Enix could bring to the Mana series.
Visions of Mana, the latest installment of the Seiken Densetsu franchise, offers us a solid action RPG with quite a few strong points, although with some aspects that could have been improved. The narrative and exploration, while competent, don't reach their full potential, and technical performance can impact the gameplay experience. However, the depth of the combat, the artistic design and the soundtrack make it a highly recommended title for fans of the saga and lovers of the action RPG genre.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A beautiful JRPG that invites us to live a new adventure that revolves around the mana tree and that will make us have very fun and entertaining times.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Visions of Mana does a brilliant job of rebooting the classic series for the modern age. Just enough nostalgia, innovating on previous systems with real-time battle mechanics to appeal to those who find turn-based systems a tad too dull. With a story full of sacrifice and duty, it provides an interesting backdrop to the action. While the pacing is a tad off at times and the voice acting is a little contentious, this game shines in its combat, customization, and presentation.
The game starts with Lyza and Eoren: two lovers with a task. She must sacrifice herself at the Mana tree and he must protect her while she does this. Each area completes this task every four years. However, a number of things go wrong in Lyza's year. In the next round, Val and Hinna get to try again. Will they succeed in saving their village? During the story you will come across different areas, seasons and environments. Each beautifully developed and very beautiful to look at. The opponents change constantly and are varied. All in all, this new part is a long-awaited treat for many fans.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Visions of Mana brings the Mana formula to the modern day, providing a beautiful game that is a blast to play. Some slight problems keep it from being a truly amazing game, though.
I definitely did not hate my time with Visions of Mana, but it’s also not a game that feels like it’ll garner much mass appeal either. If you’re like me, and have fond memories of Mana games prior, then it’s worth checking out. For everyone else, there are plenty of RPG’s on the market that are more worth your time.
"Visions of Mana is a JRPG set in a beautiful world that encourages exploration, with plenty to discover in the fields. The battles can get chaotic with all the enemies and magical attacks, but experimenting with different classes and moves keeps them fun. While the story isn’t groundbreaking, it’s more intriguing than the demo suggests, and the game is definitely worth playing despite a few minor flaws."
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Visions of Mana is an adventure that honors and expands the legacy of the Mana series by maintaining its characteristic accessibility and charm, but it ends up stumbling in its execution. The game presents a visually charming world and fast-paced battles, but the lack of boldness and superficiality of several aspects prevent the experience from standing out. Although the combat is dynamic and the exploration is engaging, the lack of significant challenges and the repetition of common elements weaken the potential of the journey. Still, the game is an interesting evolution for the series, and is recommended for those looking for a light and nostalgic experience. Despite the problems, Visions of Mana manages to capture the essence of the franchise, delivering a lush and charismatic universe. It is clear that the series has potential, however, it may need a little more boldness for future titles to truly shine.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Visions of Mana is absolutely worth the wait as it offers a substantial gameplay experience. Fans of the series or those seeking an exciting and engaging role-playing game will likely find what they’re searching for in Visions of Mana. I highly recommend this game to anyone new to the series and like action role-playing games. The graphics are eye-catching, and the combat is highly customizable, making for an enjoyable gaming experience. The gameplay involves exploring extensive open areas, ensuring you get your money’s worth in content and playtime. Visions of Mana is a great choice if you seek a game that combines elements of the past with those of the present.
Visions of Mana is a strong entry that effectively revitalizes the lore of the series and keeps it more alive than ever. With dancing merchants, the ring system, and cute creatures such as Sproutlings, the game includes many staples of the series at their best, with Elemental Vessels being a magnificent addition.
Visions of Mana marks a triumphant return for the Mana series, offering a richly detailed world with deep lore, an intricate combat system, and robust customization options. While the early pacing may deter some players, those who persist will find a rewarding RPG experience filled with compelling characters, challenging gameplay, and a wealth of content, including a post-game chapter and a New Game Plus mode. Visions of Mana successfully blends classic RPG elements with modern innovations, making it a standout title in Square Enix's lineup.
Despite my few nitpicks I had a great time with Visions of Mana. The story is fantastic and watching these characters grow as the adventure went on was pure joy. The world felt full and there were lots of hidden things to find while exploring each map. The combat is fun and having all the different classes for each character gave it lots of variety. While it took me around 30 hours to complete the main quest I left a lot undone with this one. There were plenty of upgrades, monsters and even a post story that I still need to get to. I feel this one is well worth the $59.99 price tag to fans of the series and newcomers alike.
Visions of Mana scores above all with its charming look and loveable characters. The new elemental powers are also quite impressive. Although various facets prevent the action RPG from unleashing its full potential, the return of the legendary game series is a success overall.
Review in German | Read full review
This may sound a bit strange, but Visions of Mana is a game that you shouldn't expect too much from. The game doesn't do anything new at all. Just like your favorite meal or that one music album that you can't get enough of, this can be an advantage. Visions of Mana takes that old familiar and gives it just enough modern polish to not make it feel too dated. Just like Dragon Quest XI. If this is the future of the series, then I'm at least hopeful for the next installment, because one thing is for sure, it was simply a joy to explore the world in this game.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
It's not hard to imagine that its story about tradition and sacrifice came from the development team grappling with the pressure of making another Mana game after many years without a new entry, but the end result is a proper continuation of its legacy.
Visions of Mana is the first new Mana game in nearly two decades, bringing the series into a new generation. While some overgrown roots need a trim in the future—the various improvements to the combat, the level design, and the world are better than ever.
Visions of Mana plays and looks wonderfully – except for it's stiff character animations. The story is exciting, the battle system offers plenty of variety and the world invites you to explore. Unfortunately, it takes a long time to get there. The story and gameplay suffer from inconsistent pacing. By the time I'm let off the leash, more than half the story is over. For fans of the “Mana” series and Japanese role-playing games in general, “Visions of Mana” is a must-play despite its weaknesses. I still enjoyed my 25 hours or so in the world around the Mana tree. I'm used to Japanese role-playing games always taking a little longer. If you can live with that, I can recommend the game to you.
Review in German | Read full review
Visions of Mana is a welcome entry in the long-running and beloved series, providing an entertaining and fun time for newcomers and fans alike. Surprisingly, one of its strongest points is its compelling story, and while it was simply a journey to the Mana Tree on the surface, the rest of the adventure is one to look out for. Previous-gen console players beware because the playthrough is not as smooth. The number of bugs we experienced on a PS4 was not enjoyable, and while the PS5 version was a lot smoother, caution is advised.