Visions of Mana
MSRP
$59.99
“Visions of Mana isn’t the most sophisticated RPG, but it’s good comfort food for genre fans.”
Pros
- Fun combat and class system
- Great character development
- Gorgeous art direction
- Flawless performance
Cons
- Predictable story
- Dull sidequests
- Average open world
Whenever it’s late at night and I’m feeling a bit hungry, I always go to my local Taco Bell drive-through to pick up a Build Your Own Cravings Box: Crunchwrap Supreme, Crunchy Taco, Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes, and a medium Diet Pepsi. It may not be the healthiest choice, but it’s satisfying comfort food!
Playing Visions of Mana felt similar to enjoying comfort food. It offers familiar elements like good combat, a flexible class system, great art direction, and engaging characters. While it may not be the most innovative RPG out there, it still provides a satisfying experience for genre fans. Despite the predictable story and dull sidequests, there’s a charm in its simplicity.
Breaking the cycle
In Visions of Mana, the world revolves around sending individuals to sacrifice themselves to the Mana Tree every four years to avert disaster. These individuals, known as Alms, must be protected on their pilgrimage by the Soul Guard, Val. The story sets an intriguing premise, although it tends to follow predictable paths similar to other RPGs.
It’s almost like playing an old-school Final Fantasy game.
The game’s connection to the Mana series and its portrayal of elemental spirits bring a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic Final Fantasy games. While the story may lack depth, the characters, especially Careena, stand out with their personal growth and development throughout the journey.
The character arcs and interactions in Visions of Mana make up for its shortcomings, creating engaging and emotional moments for players. Despite the linear storytelling, the characters’ journey is what drives the game forward.
Changing elements
Visions of Mana introduces a unique real-time combat system with class-switching mechanics. The elemental vessels and Ability Seeds enhance the customization and depth of the combat system, allowing for strategic gameplay and diverse abilities.
Each character’s unique skills and the Ability Seeds system add layers to combat, providing players with options to tailor their party members to their playstyle. The simplicity of weapon selection and the deep customization options make combat enjoyable and engaging.
The diverse character classes and unique abilities add depth to the gameplay, allowing players to experiment and optimize their party setup. The straightforward nature of the combat system makes it accessible to all players, enhancing the overall experience.
It feels safe and familiar.
The art direction of Visions of Mana shines with its colorful and vibrant world design, reminiscent of classic RPG aesthetics. The variety of environments and elemental themes add depth to the game world, despite the lack of hyperrealism.
While the open world may lack depth compared to other RPGs, its visual style and performance on platforms like PlayStation 5 are flawless. The sidequests, though not the most engaging, offer valuable rewards and easy access through fast travel points.
Visions of Mana may not reinvent the RPG genre, but it provides a familiar and enjoyable experience for fans of the genre. Its mix of comfort and engaging gameplay elements makes it a suitable choice for players looking for a light RPG experience.
Visions of Mana was tested on a PlayStation 5.
