Visions of Mana Reviews
Check out Visions of Mana Review Scores from trusted Critics below. With 32 reviews on CriticDB, Visions of Mana has a score of:
For all its faults, I think Visions of Mana is a pretty good game. It went down easy and there was a lot to do. Likewise, the visuals and music make it the modern Mana game that’s precisely what’s required to become invested in the series. Unfortunately, especially in a year stacked with great RPGs already out, Visions of Mana doesn’t quite make the cut.
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Visions of Mana is a gorgeous looking action RPG with a highly customizable and enjoyable combat system and an unfortunately simple storyline bolstered by a stellar cast of characters.
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Visions of Mana is a wonderful continuation of the series that completely understands the strengths and appeal of the series while knowing what to modernize and what to keep classic. The themes, structure, mechanics, and art all feel explicitly Mana to the point you could swear new main entries never stopped coming out for over a decade. While there are some technical issues, it's nothing that affected my enjoyment of the game. With the closure of Ouka Studio, the basis for what could have be...
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Visions of Mana brings the Mana formula to the modern day, providing a beautiful game that is a blast to play. Some slight problems keep it from being a truly amazing game, though.
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Visions of Mana is a great entry for newcomers as well as a refreshing trip down memory lane for those familiar with the classic releases. While the pacing is a tad off at times, the game shines in its combat, customization, and presentation.
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The first original Mana series game in over a decade and a half is a pleasant romp through a visually stellar fantasy world. Fun combat quirks such as class switching and malleable builds offer plenty of customization, too, that’s all really quite easy to understand. Unfortunately, some stiffer elements of movement and a story that doesn’t quite realize its full potential have Visions of Mana falling short.
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Playing Visions of Mana almost feels like playing an old JRPG. Its setting was inspired by the Super Nintendo’s Secret of Mana, after all, and you can really feel it when making your way through its wondrous world. However, too much reliance on classic elements also means that the game’s story feels a little too straightforward and as if it, too, is being sacrificed for the sake of reviving the series.
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Screen Rant was given advance access to Visions of Mana ahead of its release, leaving plenty of time to explore the world, learn about its characters, and experiment heavily with its action-RPG combat. The story, which won't be spoiled here, should be enjoyable for longtime Mana fans, but it also works just fine for newcomers to the series. And this is all by design - in many ways, Visions of Mana is an attempt to get back to the series' roots and create a comeback for an IP that's had quite a few middling releases and missteps in recent memory.
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The areas between towns and major points of interest are large zones that you can freely explore, fighting random creatures and collecting treasures. You’ll spot various collectible items and shiny areas to interact with for loot. Chest locations appear on the map, which makes some of the exploration feel more like a checklist than rather, well, an exploration. In general, the explicit barrage of items tossed into the open areas felt more like busywork than an encouragement to explore, and I even found myself passing up on some of the loot in the later portions of the game. I would...
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Visions is an excellent addition to Square Enix’s Mana series and fans of the series will be excited with changes presented with the title. That said, the gameplay plays it safe at times and can be a bit stale at times. Still, if you like the series, you’ll enjoy Visions of Mana.
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It’s a shame nothing else in Visions lives up to its gorgeous presentation. While it’s a joy to look at, I found it dull to trudge through, with too many undercooked systems bogging down what’s otherwise extremely simplistic gameplay. Even that wouldn’t be a dealbreaker if its story and characters were good enough, but alas, no luck there either. As someone with a soft spot in my heart for Secret of Mana, I keep hoping that the series will see another truly great game again someday. Unfortunately, Visions of Mana isn’t it.
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Barring a successful remake of the third Mana title in the series, it’s been seventeen years since Square-Enix brought a new title to the console masses (the last entry was a mobile and PlayStation Vita exclusive in Japan). As Square-Enix continues to revive franchises from the vault, it’s refreshing to see them pay homage to a series that has persisted since the original Nintendo GameBoy. Visions of Mana is the first of the series to make its way onto PlayStation 5, but does it feel like a proper next-gen adventure?
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Visions of Mana is the first mainline Mana game in nearly two decades and, despite some issues, is a great step forward for the series.
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Visions of Mana is the first brand new Mana mainline title in over 15 years. The protagonist Val and his childhood friend Hinna, the newly appointed Alm of Fire, set off on a journey to the Mana Tree. PS5 version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes.
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Visions of Mana comes to revitalize a beloved franchise with its superb story. A triumphant return will take players to the Mana Tree in an astounding world that features several staples of the series.
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Visions of Mana is a rollercoaster of emotions. The team under Square Enix has made a beautiful game with a solid mechanical foundation. But the balance of the game has been somewhat out of whack. What’s here is not bad, just unpolished and a bit lacking. Visions of Mana is worth your time if the issues mentioned with combat and story won’t be an issue for you. Maybe try it on a harder setting. At the very least, I recommend trying the free demo on every platform as that will give you a feel for how the game controls and...
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Square Enix’s latest entry in the beloved Mana series, Visions of Mana, marks a significant return to the franchise’s roots while embracing modern gaming sensibilities. This review delves into the game’s strengths and weaknesses, exploring how it balances nostalgia with fresh ideas.
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Visions of Mana is an incredibly hand-holdy, laid-back adventure game where you can't go two minutes without watching a short film.
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It's been almost 2 decades since we got a new entry in the series but Visions of Mana is here and it's one great role-playing adventure.
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I get the sense that Visions of Mana is a big deal for Square Enix. This is a franchise that’s been around since the 90s, but Visions is only the 5th game in the core mainline series (the 4th, Dawn of Mana, came out in 2007 for the PS2). I was hesitant going in since Square’s previous attempt to revive a long-dormant franchise didn’t go so well. Thankfully, Visions of Mana is a success story in that it is exactly the kind of RPG I’m into. You’ve got delicious mechanical systems, lus...
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Visions of Mana isn't perfect, nor will it revolutionize the JRPG genre with its approach to combat or storytelling. But for the right player, these issues won't matter, because Visions of Mana has an undeniable charm and allure to it. Its breathtaking visuals, satisfying combat, and likable characters combine for a comforting, stock-standard JRPG, and if you're in the market for that, then Visions of Mana is an easy buy.
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“Visions of Mana isn't the most sophisticated RPG, but it's good comfort food for genre fans.”
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Visions of Mana is a bold new step for the series and manages to almost totally stick the landing in the process. The DNA of the series is still here for legacy fans to enjoy, and yet it stands as a remarkably approachable and digestible RPG that can be enjoyed by those looking to dip their toes into this genre. A visually stunning, heartfelt and lovingly crafted world awaits those who jump into this new entry and I'm surprised by just how much it resonated with me in the long-term, despite some pacing issues and some small cut corners.
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A weak story and frustrating pacing combine into a disappointing entry in a venerated series.
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To say that the wait for a new mainline entry in the Mana series was worth it is an understatement. Visions of Mana takes the best of the series and translates it to modern-day without losing any of its charm or fun. The gameplay is simple yet enjoyable, with anyone being able to pick up and play and utilize the great Elemental Vessel/Class system for new opportunities. The classic elements of the Mana series, from its exploratory areas, lively music and breathtaking scenery live on in Visions of Mana. A few shortcomings with the narrative and graphics do hamper the...
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There's a great game hidden somewhere in Visions of Mana. It's a blast to play so long as you focus on the gameplay, and its more cartoonish aesthetic helps it stand out from the pack of more realistically rendered JRPG fare. It's just a shame the story is handled as poorly as it is, and that so much of the game is dedicated to its narrative by virtue of it being a story-driven JRPG.
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With all of its ups and downs, Visions of Mana is a very competent title in delivering exactly what it promises. A light, predictable but enjoyable story with compelling combat mechanics is way better than being too ambitious for its own good. The pilgrimage for the Mana Tree may not be the most magnificent journey out there, but it’s still worth taking.
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Visions of Mana marks a solid return to the series, featuring an emotionally engaging storyline and striking visuals. However, the side quests and voice acting may turn some players off.
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Having been a fan of the Mana series since I was a kid, I was more than thrilled to get a chance to receive an advance copy of Visions of Mana. I have fond memories of Secret of Mana from my childhood, and recently enjoyed playing the remaster with my family. While Trials of Mana received a re-release with the Collection of Mana and a complete remake in 2020, Visions of Mana is a brand new entry in the series.
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Visions of Mana features an impactful story, well-written characters, fun combat, and a gorgeous world to get lost in with very few problems.
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