Visions of Mana is an action RPG from Square Enix, set to be released on August 29, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PC platforms.
This latest installment celebrates the 33rd anniversary of the series and is characterized by its theme of ‘returning to the origins,’ reinterpreting the existing world and characters in a modern context.
Visions of Mana – The world and story surrounding the power of Mana
This work is set in a world where various races, including humans, beasts, spirits, and goddesses, coexist.
They rely on the power of Mana to sustain their daily lives, with this power facilitating the natural cycle that maintains the world.
However, there is an important rule: every four years, a chosen child must offer their soul to the Tree of Mana to avert disaster.
At the center of this system are the protagonists, Val and Hina, chosen as the Guardian of Souls and a Fairy, respectively, who embark on a journey to the Tree of Mana.
However, this journey is marked by unsettling signs that differ from the usual, leading to unexpected events.
As a result, the cycle of Mana is disrupted, and the protagonists and their companions set out on an adventure to resolve the turmoil
Visions of Mana, Semi-Open Field: Free Exploration and a Vast World
Visions of Mana features a semi-open field that allows players to freely explore expansive areas.
The fields have unique geographical characteristics, enabling exploration of various environments such as grasslands, deserts, and cliff regions.
Each area is spacious and densely packed with opportunities for exploration, including various treasure chests, mechanics, and spirit stones.
Hints are displayed alongside the mini-map, reducing confusion during exploration and allowing for a more efficient gameplay experience.
Additionally, players can use a mount called Pickle to aid in exploration, and a ‘fast travel’ feature lets them quickly return to regions encountered during the game, enhancing overall enjoyment.
Visions of Mana – Spirit Arts and Class Change System
A core system in this work is the Spirit Arts.
Spirit Arts play a crucial role in combat and significantly influence the weapons and skills used by the player’s character.
Each Spirit Art possesses a specific element (such as fire, water, wind, etc.), allowing players to change classes and alter their combat style.
For instance, the protagonist Val typically wields a sword, but by changing to the wind-element Rune Knight, he becomes capable of using a great sword.
The class change utilizing Spirit Arts enables players to devise various combat strategies. Additionally, Spirit Arts are also essential for field exploration.
Using Spirit Arts in specific areas allows players to overcome obstacles or discover hidden elements, adding to the fun of exploration.
Visions of Mana – Diverse Combat System and Companion AI
The combat system in this work primarily revolves around melee combat, allowing players to engage enemies with various weapons such as swords, spears, and great swords.
Players can execute flashy techniques by using Spirit Arts to lift enemies into the air or unleash fire attacks with fire Spirit Arts.
This blend of refreshing combat and visual enjoyment provides players with a thrilling experience.
Players can set their companion AI to participate automatically in battles, and companions demonstrate exceptional efficiency in handling regular enemies.
However, in challenging battles, such as boss fights, players can directly issue commands for healing or support to guide the fight in their favor.
Visions of Mana – Various Enhancement Elements and Challenges
Visions of Mana, leveling up is relatively easy, but there are also various enhancement points, allowing players to continually develop their characters.
Players can earn bonuses based on combat outcomes or gain additional rewards by clearing challenges like battles with named monsters or ‘Trials of the Spirits.’
These elements increase the tension in combat and offer opportunities to strengthen characters through diverse challenges.
Visions of Mana – Exploration and Puzzle Elements Utilizing Spirit Arts
Visions of Mana, and Spirit Arts play a significant role not only in combat but also in exploration.
Throughout the field, various mechanisms can be activated with Spirit Arts, helping players find hidden treasures or expand their exploration points.
For example, the wind Spirit Art enables large jumps, while the water Spirit Art is used to solve challenges related to crossing water.
Thanks to the utility of Spirit Arts, players can return to previously visited locations to discover new rewards.
As players acquire new Spirit Arts, the scope for exploration continually broadens, allowing players to enjoy the thrill of discovery.
Visions of Mana – Warm Graphics and Unique Visuals of the Visions of Mana
Visions of Mana offers players visual delight with its warm and unique graphic style.
The characters and landscapes evoke a fairy-tale atmosphere, especially the nature-rich fields, leaving a picturesque impression.
Unlike recent games focusing on realism, it possesses a distinctive charm that enhances the series’ unique emotional resonance.
Visions of Mana – The Journey Towards the Tree of Mana: Mysteries and the Fate of the World
The Tree of Mana and Spirit system play vital roles in this work, forming the backbone of the story, and allowing players to make significant choices that can alter the fate of the world.
The existence of the Sacred Sword, not introduced in the early parts of the story, is gradually revealed through the player’s journey, unraveling various mysteries along the way.
Discovering the identity of this Sacred Sword and the truths intertwined with the Tree of Mana is one of the game’s key objectives.
These elements convey the unique world of the Visions of Mana series to players, enhancing the game’s tension and immersion.
Summary: A New Evolution of Classic Action RPGs
Visions of Mana retains the traditions of the series while being reinterpreted with modern systems and graphics.
Spirit Arts and the class change system, semi-open field exploration, diverse combat, and challenges provide typical enjoyment of action RPGs while offering fresh experiences to players.
As the latest work boasting 33 years of history in the Visions of Mana series, it evokes nostalgia for fans while introducing an attractive world to new players, solidifying its place as a royal road action RPG.
*The image is sourced from the Bandai-Namco website (https://www.bandainamcoent.asia/ko-KR/games/Visions-of-Mana)
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