Secret of Mana HD Reviews

Secret of Mana HD is ranked in the 20th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
GameMAG
OkaRin
Top Critic
6 / 10
Mar 2, 2018

Secret of Mana was an amazing game in 1993 and is a "must play" for all JRPG fans. It features diverse world, memorable bosses, dynamic combat system, great atmosphere and a simple, but interesting plot. And it's really sad that remake turned out not so good. Strange innovations, cheap three-dimensional graphics and bugs spoil the final impression. You can still buy it, but at half price or so.

Review in Russian | Read full review

5 / 10
Feb 28, 2018

Those attempting to play for the first time are going to be dealing with the archaic systems on top of a presentation that feels more like a mobile port than a full-fledged console release. On the other hand, returning players will probably find themselves disappointed with the remixed soundtrack and lack of any work done to polish the rough edges. Nostalgic gamers should just stick to the SNES original, newcomers really don’t even need to bother.

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Emma Schaefer
Top Critic
5 / 10.0
Feb 27, 2018

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.

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3.6 / 5.0
Feb 26, 2018

While largely entrenched in the past with few mechanical changes, the Secret of Mana remake contains new audiovisual elements that are inconsistent yet enjoyable. With its added dialogue, new voices, and arranged music, the remake is a serviceable if somewhat dated take on a classic title.

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4 / 10
Feb 26, 2018

The original Secret of Mana was a charming, imaginative adventure that made a considerable impact on a lot of gamers' lives. Any attempt to reinvent that experience implies two things: that the original game had room for improvement, and that modern technology and design can bring about such improvements. Sadly, while the original Secret of Mana was by no means a flawless experience, the remake's attempt to improve upon the formula has resulted in a game that's markedly inferior by comparison.

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Feb 26, 2018

Unfortunately, everything is wrong with this remake of the classic SNES game. From shoddy voice work and pedestrian graphics to janky combat, the experience is nearly ruined, and a classic game's reputation is forever soiled.

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7.5 / 10.0
Feb 25, 2018

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.

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7 / 10.0
Feb 25, 2018

Looking to remake a classic like Secret of Mana was certainly a tall task, with Square Enix succeeding in some ways and disappointing in others. While overhauling too much might have seemed blasphemous, the lack of any real non-superficial changes gives you less reason to play this remake of Secret of Mana versus just pulling out the original and playing it instead, even if this is a solid remake overall.

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60 / 100
Feb 24, 2018

Why on Earth would you keep the gameplay totally intact when it's so terribly flawed?

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BaziCenter
ماکان علیخانی
Top Critic
6 / 10
Feb 24, 2018

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

5 / 10
Feb 23, 2018

Unwanted and unasked for, Secret of Mana does the bare minimum you'd expect from a remake, and when you consider the original's beloved status, the fact that it's been given such a lacklustre treatment is stupefying.

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5 / 10.0
Feb 22, 2018

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.

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6.5 / 10.0
Feb 22, 2018

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

6 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2018

Curiously lean on the magic that made Secret of Mana a seminal classic, this remake is serviceable in a pinch, but revisiting the original is probably a better use of time.

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6 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2018

A bewildering assortment of bad updates and very few good ones makes this an unnecessary and disappointing remake of a beloved SNES classic

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Unscored
Feb 21, 2018

When breaking down a product such as this remake it's important to look at the game through the lens of the two different audiences. If you're an established fan then this remake is a mixed bag, it refines and improves the game in some ways, but is a backwards step in others. If you're new, then you're a small purchase away from experiencing one of the truly great JRPGs of all time, not carrying the baggage that others bring with them.

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7 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2018

A remake only makes sense when it truly enhances the original game. Guess what? This is not the case. For lack of a better option, it's best played on a Super Nintendo Classic Mini. The best way to describe this remake is "unnecessary", and it could be worth your time only if you don't have any other way to play the original.

Review in Italian | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2018

Secret of Mana's remake doesn't fix everything wrong with the original game, but it's still a charming adventure that's worth your time.

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5.7 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2018

Secret of Mana's remake doesn't add as much as it could and, if anything, removes some of the magic of the original.

Review in Italian | Read full review

5 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2018

Secret of Mana is an entirely skippable remake of a game that was the progenitor for a number of JRPG conventions. That's a shame. The greater failing, however, is what happens when fans will inevitably pick this title up in the hopes of recapturing some of the feelings of grandeur the original game contained so much of. They, like me, might end up realizing that a game they had placed on a pedestal for decades is actually rather ordinary by today's standards, and any magic that made it a lasting impression on those who played it has long since been left behind by the cruel, inexorable march of time.

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