Secret of Mana HD Reviews
While there's plenty to love about the original Secret of Mana, this remake manages to kill off most the game's charm while failing to modernize the parts of the game that actually need updating. Awkward animations, impenetrable menus, slow combat, and repeated random crashes add up to a game that, with 25 years of technological improvements under its belt, may actually be worse than the original.
A bewildering assortment of bad updates and very few good ones makes this an unnecessary and disappointing remake of a beloved SNES classic
This new version of Secret of Mana doesn't add anything important to this timeless classic, presenting the same strenghts and weaknesses of 25 years ago. It can still be fun with a couple fo friends on the same couch, but we won't recommend it over the Snes Classic Mini version of the original.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Essentially just a new coat of paint, a rookie soundtrack remastering, and a few voice actors.
Yet, despite Secret of Mana's technical blunders, this new version is a faithful re-creation with a lot of reverence for its source material. For those who may have missed out on Secret of Mana the first time around, it also serves as a solid introduction to a classic from the Golden Age. At a time when local co-op is difficult to find on most current-gen consoles, it gives a fresh option for those wanting to play with others. Secret of Mana'sremasteroffers a magical, vivid tale for the current-gen library.
As the era of remakes continues on and on, with the recent confirmation of the original Shenmue games finally receiving their long-awaited remaster later this year, this is not a good example to look to for what's in store. If this is indicative of what to expect, the Final Fantasy VII faithful are right to be concerned for what their upcoming drastically different remake has in store. Somehow, it manages to take the original and, honestly, it makes it worse… The same story and the same game are still here at its heart, but it's hidden away under so many layers of imperfections and issues that it's almost indistinguishable. Frankly, it's a better idea to grab a SNES mini and enjoy the original instead. Horribly disappointing.
Remake of 25 years old game is not very convincing. It is just for biggest fans of the Mana series.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
It's better to play an SNES version and forget about this poorly executed so-called remake.
Review in Russian | Read full review
As a fan of Mana series, this remake is a huge opportunity to try the old title in a new fashion. But as a fan of RPG genre, few players can survive this lengthy, shallow experience.
Review in Persian | Read full review
This won't be remembered as a particularly good remake, and it's tragic, because by itself, outside of the shadow of the game it's a remaster of, Secret of Mana has its charms.
Secret of Mana HD has retained its charm after all these years however some of its dated gameplay needs to be overhauled in order to make it one of the better remakes released by Square Enix.
Secret of Mana's biggest drawback is the changes where it didn't have to, and what needed an update, was preserved. The remake could be more refined and longtime fans probably share the same feeling. It is a Japanese RPG that rescues classic aspects of the genre, but should only contemplate new players without any reference to the original product.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Even if it doesn't look as good as the original, the Secret of Mana remake is a fun and exciting game. By taking the best of its source material and making some adjustments, Square Enix brings us the most accessible version of the beloved Action RPG.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
While it retains some of the annoying quirks of the SNES original (and brings a few new ones to the table), the Secret of Mana remake is still a rollicking good time for old-school RPG fans.
Ultimately, Secret of Mana is a letdown that the series doesn’t deserve, and nor does its fans. The remake has lost some of the charm that made the original have such a cult following since 1993, due to its bland transition into 3D and certain gameplay mishaps. The experience isn’t entirely for naught, but it’s sure to rub some fans the wrong way. For newcomers, it’s best to steer clear and stick with the classic version, especially for the steep asking price of $39.99. Perhaps it’s best to keep the remake a secret and pretend it didn’t happen.
This Secret of Mana remake is a solid new way to relive the classic although the original is clearly the better of the two options.
Secret of Mana presents great environments with a traditional history when it comes to JRPGs. However, it feels like a lost opportunity to present a different experience, due to the lack of new elements and relying too much on the original material. For fans of the saga, it is surely an acquisition to consider, however there are better options on the market for those who simply want to spend a few hours playing an action JRPG.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Secret of Mana remake is a faithful recreation of a highly beloved classic, that Square Enix has modernised visually to get it in the hands of as many new generation gamers that may have missed the original 1993 release.
A couple of additions are nice, but the original game is easy to play via digital sources today and delivers mostly the same experience.
Secret of Mana was a groundbreaking game in the 90's. But considering the advances even in top-down RPGs in the recent years, the game had so much potential. What has been made feels like a quick cash grab that seems to lose the appeal of a port and disappoints, as a remake. This is definitely a game to wait for a drop in price, or spend a little more money on an SNES classic and enjoy the original alongside more titles.