Secret of Mana Reviews

Secret of Mana is a broken game that I will always love. Playing through the recent remake forced me to reckon with why that is.

There is a lot wrong with this remake and a lot of missed opportunities in terms of updating a game for the modern age, but at its core, it is still Secret of Mana and that is a game that everyone should play at least once.

Secret of Mana really shines in the soundtrack department, as the remake lets players switch between the original soundtrack and the remastered one on the fly. I’ve always thought that Secret of Mana has a stunning soundtrack, and hearing it once again, both the original and the remasters, has proven this belief to be true. There’s so much emotion in the soundtrack, from somber, reflective tracks to the high-energy, unrelenting boss fight song. Even if you aren’t fond of the game, you have to admit that the soundtrack is nothing short of exceptional.

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.

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.

Nostalgia is a funny thing. At a glance, it is that longing for the days-gone-by; a desire to relive those moments that our subconscious deems joyous and special. Going deeper, nostalgia is a feeling of loss, of distance, and, in some ways, of grief. You may get the feeling of nostalgia when thinking about a lost grandparent or pet. You experience nostalgia when hearing songs you associate with a prominent event in your life, such as a wedding (or break-up). You get the feeling when rememberi...

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

Secret of Mana is the ideal candidate for a remake. The original Super Nintendo game was groundbreaking and, rightfully, beloved to this day, but it hasn’t aged as well as some of its 16-bit contemporaries like Chrono Trigger, Phantasy Star IV, or Final Fantasy VI. Some quirks players gamely put up with back in 1993 are hard to overlook in 2018. Fans have been begging Square Enix to revisit Secret of Mana for years, and finally, their wishes have come true.

After its predecessor received a full 3D remake, we can finally enjoy a modern interpretation of Square's classic action RPG Seiken Densetsu 2. Invite a couple friends over and let's go on a magic-filled adventure!

A disappointing RPG remake for PC.

History does not repeat itself. Contrary to popular belief, it’s hardly ever true that two points in time occurred in exactly the same way. Such is the case with the 25-year-old JRPG cult classic Secret of Mana and its recently released remake. While a fresh coat of paint may not always be a bad thing, the latter doubts the greatness that the series is known for.

This transition from 2D to 3D feels clunky and uninspired, but it still has a few bright spots.

Trouble in paradise.

As with other well-regarded classic games that have come to the Virtual Console, it would be easy to continue to sing Secret of Mana's praises for many more pages -- there are many more reasons it's been named to the Top 100 Games of All Time, so many times, over the years. But the important point to make is that Secret of Mana is well worth your notice, and your investment of 800 Wii Points. For just eight bucks, you can rediscover (or experience for the first time) one of Squaresoft's most loved 16-bit SNES classics. And, better still, you can play it in an improved form -- it's easier to experience the incredible multiplayer capability of this game through its VC version than it ever was on the SNES. So grab two friends, put down your cash, and enjoy. You'll love finding out just what Mana's secret really is.

Although the storyline isn't quite as epic as Square's Final Fantasy series of games, it still offers a fairly long and engaging quest that should keep rpg fans busy for awhile. Secret of Mana manages to take the action-rpg stylings of Legend of Zelda, and add that trademark Square feel to it. Even though this is an action-rpg, it somehow manages to feel a little like a standard rpg due to the increased strategetic elements that are carefully injected into the game. The action combat stylings of this game may take some gamers a little time to get used to, but in the end what you're left with is a great action-rpg that will leave you feeling quite satisfied when you've finished it. If you're an rpg fan, you absolutely don't want to miss this one.