Visions of Mana is the fifth game in the Seiken Densetsu series from Japan. For fans of the series, this is a big deal, and it’s got me ready to buy Xbox games just to dive into this latest chapter. It’s a chance to see how far the series has come while still holding onto its roots. If you’re into epic adventures, this one’s definitely worth checking out! This series has been around forever, making it super easy to know which game you’re diving into. The series has had its ups and downs with remakes, spin-offs, and mobile stuff, but Visions of Mana is trying to bring back the vibe of the classic Super Nintendo hits, Secret of Mana and Trials of Mana. They totally skipped a remaster of Dawn of Mana, the fourth game from the PS2 era, which was kinda hit or miss with fans because it was too focused on showing off its Havok physics engine, turning it into more of a tech demo than a solid game. The game follows Val and his squad, the chosen ones of the elemental spirits, and it totally nails the fairy-tale vibes that fans love. It’s perfect for younger gamers but doesn’t feel basic or pointless. Like a lot of Japanese RPGs, Visions of Mana takes its time with the story, which might seem like classic hero stuff at first, but it really flexes its narrative chops. It flips the script on traditional themes and dives deep into the main characters’ beliefs. The balance between story and gameplay is on point, so you’re never left feeling like you’re stuck in a weird, out-of-place narrative.
Shift to More Linear Gameplay
The combat in Visions of Mana is straightforward but pretty enjoyable. It could use a bit more variety, but it gets the job done well. With the extensive customization options and diverse cast, it’s arguably the best combat system in the Mana series. That said, if you’re itching for combat systems that truly push boundaries, it might be the perfect time to buy cheap PS5 games —there are plenty of titles out there that take experimentation and variety to the next level. Boss fights are engaging and fun, though the default difficulty is a bit easy. If you’re seasoned in action RPGs, I’d suggest cranking it up to Hard—otherwise, you might find your character overpowering enemies way too easily. When it comes to activities outside of combat, there isn’t a ton to do. You’ll explore field areas with hidden challenges and items, tackle straightforward dungeons with elemental vessel gimmicks, and visit towns to buy stuff and take on side-quests for extra cash and ability seeds. The adventure is pretty simple, but as you collect more elemental vessels, you can revisit earlier areas to unlock new items and secrets. The game’s structure feels like it runs out of steam later on. The early levels are vast, with open areas and lots of side-quests, but after a certain point, it becomes much more linear. Even new continents just feature one town directly connected to the dungeons you need to explore, and side-quests often boil down to "kill (x) enemies." It doesn’t ruin the game, but the second half feels a bit rushed. There’s also a character who seems like they should be a party member but ends up tagging along as an AI in battles instead.
Smooth Combat in Performance Mode
The whole vibe of Visions of Mana is straight-up magical and fantastical. It’s got this perfect fantasy world vibe, packed with magic, creatures, and lore, all wrapped up in a colorful, cartoony style that just clicks. It’s the kind of game that makes you want to dive into more worlds like it—and if you’re feeling that pull, it’s definitely worth considering buy PS5 games to keep the enchantment going. Even though it’s not open world, there are still huge areas to explore, find items, and battle enemies. You get to use mounts to help you get around, starting with these cute bat-dog creatures called Pikuls that you snag early on. Later, you get more mounts for different terrains, and they’re just as cool and useful. What’s super refreshing is that there are actual towns and villages in the game. It feels like JRPG towns haven’t been the same since 3D became a thing. Here, each village feels unique and real, which really adds to that classic JRPG charm. The game’s Elemental Plot system is where you upgrade classes and unlock skills. It’s like a skill tree where you use elemental points to buy upgrades. Some skills even carry over between classes, which is pretty neat. It’s a simple system but has enough depth to make strategizing fun, especially when facing tougher enemies. The combat is real-time and does its job, but it’s more about customizing your characters than the actual battles. In Performance Mode, the combat is super smooth. I noticed a few frame drops in Graphics Mode, but honestly, I didn’t see a huge boost in detail. One thing that threw me off at first was the backgrounds moving at different frame rates than the characters. It seemed like it might be an artistic choice, but it was a bit distracting, especially during action scenes.