Who knew that 2024 was going to be an interesting year for gaming? So many new games were announced! While many were known, no one knew of this new JRPG that holds a special place in my heart, from Square Enix. A few months ago we had an announcement about a new Mana game in development, Visions of Mana. I am looking forward to it, especially since it is the series that threw me into the pool of JRPGs. Visions of Mana is the first mainline title in over 15 years. It still blows my mind that the last Mana game I played was Trials of Mana and Collection of Mana. During Pax East 2024, I had the lifetime opportunity to check out a hands-on preview of Visions of Mana.
Exploration is The Key
Visions of Mana is a semi-open world JRPG that is very captivating. This means there will be a few regions you can visit, and each region will have its own sets of monsters and exploration. Exploration is key! Exploration is a crucial element in the game as it enables players to uncover hidden paths, and secret items, and even come across bosses. Each region holds its own secrets, which may include hidden paths or elite bosses to challenge. You never know what secrets lie in wait, so it is essential to explore every nook and cranny. I spent most of my time looking at the world and finding spots to get a vantage view of what is around me. While the world is vast and expansive, you might find yourself wondering, “Do I have to travel by foot?” It’s a good thing there is a travel companion, Pikuls. Riding on the back of your new friends is so relaxing as you explore the world. You can summon your adorable new friends by using a Beckon Bell. Pikuls can trample and damage any enemies you run across while riding them. So, get ready to embark on an exciting journey, discover new regions, and make new friends in Visions of Mana.
Combat Moves and Classes
While I was exploring the vibrant world of Visions of Mana I encountered many enemies along the way. During my time, I did battle slimes and other enemies and with any JRPG the further you get into the game the tougher and more unique creatures will spawn. I have to say that the fast-action combat is my type of gameplay. What I mean by this, is that the combat in Visions of Mana is incredibly fast-paced, characterized by its real-time action and constant movement. Unlike turn-based combat where you take turns with enemies, in real-time combat, every moment matters as you’re constantly engaged in battles where you need to think and react quickly. This dynamic gameplay keeps you fully immersed in the action, providing a fun time for those new to the game. I remember playing the older Mana games and it felt a bit similar. That said, nothing can compare to the fast animation moves and sequences in Visions of Mana. The Elemental Vessels are so important for both combat and exploration that each vessel contains mana for different elements. What are Elemental Vessels? They are mystical artifacts that contain mana which can hold different elements that can be used for battles and exploration.
Vessel of Wind
One of the vessels we got to try out was the Vessel of Wind which is also known as Sylphid Boomerang. With the power of the Sylphid Boomerang, I get to control air currents. These elements can be used for exploration, and to reach paths that were previously inaccessible. As you progress through the game, there are secrets to be found. These vessels can aid you in discovering hidden areas and progressing further.
Vessel of Moon
The other vessel which is the Vessel of the Moon is called Luna Globe which can manipulate the flow of time. Using this power we get to slow down enemy movement speed in the bubble. However if my character or my ally entered the bubble, it reduce casting time for our magic spells. With the power to manipulate the flow of time, it does have an effect during the exploration part of Visions of Mana in which if we have to cross a frozen rapids or specific area we can revert time to the state where it was in the past. It can be used to clear the path or safely cross paths that weren’t there before.
Certain elemental powers you get can be used for specific classes, with different weapons, unique skills, and stats. Even though I was only allowed to use two different elemental vessels during the demo, I will say I enjoyed using the Vessel of Wind class. One class for each character won’t be their main class, but you can have various classes, which can be switched out at any time. All of them felt equal.
The combat was my favorite section of my time with the Visions of Mana demo. I got to whip up so many different unique skills during combat that it doesn’t feel slow or too fast, but just perfect enough to do combos and still have time to plan your next move. In the end, depending on what vessel of elements you use, will make a big difference when it comes to the battle. This is especially true if you are fighting a tough enemy.
Now, let’s talk about the controls. In order to enhance the combat experience, I had the opportunity to play this game on the PS5, which was a new experience for me because I generally play on PC using an Xbox controller or via an Xbox console. However, during my time playing this game, holding the PS5 controller felt very natural in my hands, even with the UI informing me of what each button does. This made it easy for me to understand the controls, despite being new to using a PS5 controller for gaming.
Another unique feature of the elemental vessels is the use of “Triggers” which are used during exploration. Throughout the land, you will spot these glowing magical orbs which you can harness the power of your vessel to open pathways or even find hidden items on the map. Keep in mind whenever you find a new vessel it is probably wise to revisit areas you have visited already. With the power of the wind vessel as an example, you can create a gust of wind and be able to reach high places on certain parts of the map.
Two New Regions
While exploring the demo, I got to explore two different regions. Both regions are so different that they give you a different gameplay experience while exploring them.
Fallow Steppe
The First region, which I believe is a semi-open world, is where we saw many teasers and screenshots on social media and YouTube. Fallow Steppe is where I got to do a lot of exploration and I got to meet many of the game’s enemies. There I avoided high-level enemies, found hidden treasure chests, and picked up a few side quests. This is by far my favorite region because I felt like I was at peace even though I am surrounded by enemies, who can’t resist a nice view where you get to see the ocean? If you ever played Trials of Mana on the Nintendo Switch before, you have the same sense of nature where it is a vibrant beautiful world.
Mt Gala Region
The next region I explored was Mt. Gala, which I thought was more of a linear approach region. There were a few explorations but nothing too long. There were also hidden treasures on the side of cliffs and in hard-to-reach places. Mt. Gala is the region where I got to test out the Vessel of Wind to reach new areas. This is also one of my favorite regions because there is snow. I always love to see how snow looks in any game, and this game’s portrayal is beautiful.
Worth The Wait?
With Visions of Mana expected to come out soon in 2024, is it worth the wait? I say yes, because of what I have experienced so far in the demo. I am looking forward to the story, the vibrant world and just reliving my childhood memories of playing another Mana game. Fans have been waiting for a long time, and for someone who grew up loving JRPGs, Visions of Mana has that nostalgic feeling. It brings so much joy to my heart! Even if you are new to the series, I think playing Visions of Mana will make for a great entry point. It may even convince you to play the other Mana games. Even though the stories are different from game to game, the world is almost similar in the way that you are on a magical journey.
Visions of Mana will be released in the Summer of 2024 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Windows/Steam PC. To stay up to date with news about the game, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.
