Visions of Mana might be flying under the radar for some folks. When you think of classic JRPGs, the Mana series might not be the first to come to mind. Honestly, a lot of people might not even realize it's its own thing. But for those in the know, this is a great time to buy cheap Xbox games and give this underrated gem a shot. It’s got all the charm and depth that fans of the genre love, and it deserves some serious attention! And who can blame them? We haven't seen many Mana games drop in a while. The last OG Mana game was Dawn of Mana, and that was back in the PS2 days. That's ancient history in gaming terms. Things only started looking up with remakes like Trials of Mana, which brought the series back into the spotlight for a new gen of gamers. But now, with Visions of Mana, it feels like the series is finally getting its due. It’s a fresh start for anyone who hasn’t kept up with the series because of its irregular releases. This game hits the sweet spot of feeling both like a new chapter and a throwback to the classics.
Basic Gameplay Mechanics
The story in Visions of Mana follows Val, the new Soul Guard, as he hauls Alms to the Mana Tree. Without spilling too many beans, the plot has some wild twists that mix things up in a cool way. It’s the kind of narrative that keeps you hooked and might even inspire you to buy cheap PS5 games —there’s a whole library of stories out there just waiting to surprise you in equally epic ways. From our preview, we hoped the game would take some risks, and it totally delivers. Some might think it drags or ends too soon, but it definitely cranks up the intensity. Visions of Mana mixes genres like a pro, hitting all the right notes. Even with the Teen rating toning things down, the story still packs depth and complexity. And let’s talk characters—Visions of Mana has some epic ones. The main crew is super memorable and unique. For example, Palamena is a princess with a rebellious streak who speaks in alliterations, and Careena is a loud, one-winged half-dragon with a Georgia accent. Sounds wild, right? But they’re fire in the game and mesh well with the squad. The way the Alms bond is pretty entertaining, with characters like Careena and the Sproutling hippie Julei being fan favorites. The dialogue can be a bit hit-or-miss, but it’s nothing too cringy. The voice acting’s a mixed bag too; some voices don’t quite fit or feel forced, but it doesn’t ruin the vibe. The main cast, though, nails their roles. Shoutout to Stephen Fu as Val, Kaiji Tang as Morley, Amber Aviles as Julei, and John Patneaude as Daelophos. At first, the gameplay might seem meh with just a couple attack buttons and spells. But as you unlock Elemental Vessels, get new party members, and pick up fresh weapons and spells, the game really starts to shine as an RPG. Using the Ring Menu to control the battlefield and your team’s skills makes even basic battles feel epic.
Constantly Evolving Character Development
Riding across the grassy plains on your steed or flying through the sky is always a visual treat, but I rarely felt that intense sense of adventure and discovery kick in. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful, but if you’re chasing that next-level exploration vibe, it might be worth it to buy PS5 games —some titles out there are designed to make every moment of discovery feel absolutely electrifying. It’s a bummer since the game’s world is insanely gorgeous, but I didn’t feel super motivated to explore beyond the main story. On the flip side, the combat is where Visions Of Mana really shines. It mixes real-time action with a touch of turn-based gameplay, kinda like the Final Fantasy VII remakes but way simpler and probably more newbie-friendly. At first, battles are pretty straightforward—just mash light and heavy attacks, dodge, and use the occasional spell. But soon you’re juggling different characters with their own unique moves, abilities, and weapons. You’ll go up against some epic bosses, figuring out their weak spots and equipping the best spells for the job. The combat system evolves pretty quickly, and there’s a plot twist that ramps things up about a quarter of the way through, making the game even more exciting. Visions Of Mana also gets major props for its class system. Unlike Xenoblade Chronicles 3, it doesn’t lock you into one class or play style. Instead, you can experiment with a ton of different builds for each character whenever you want.
Fresh Combat Mechanics
It’s a clever move that keeps the combat feeling fresh, with new mechanics popping up all the time. I loved using the ability to freeze enemies mid-fight with a temporal bomb, and the boomerang that could create insane gusts was pretty epic. You can also use these abilities outside of battle to access new areas, but sadly, Visions Of Mana doesn’t do anything groundbreaking with them for puzzles or dungeon exploration. Overall, Visions Of Mana is just more proof that Square Enix is still top-tier when it comes to crafting quality RPGs. It’s a grand, emotional journey with a memorable cast, set in a gorgeous world with engaging combat and cool features. Definitely a must-play for 2024.