Collection of Mana
- June 1, 2017
- M2
Quintessential JRPG series "Collection of Mana" is now on Nintendo Switch! Fall in love with the Mana series all over again, including the first-ever release of the action-packed third game in the trilogy: "Trials of Mana"!
Reviews
- The collection includes three classic action RPGs, providing a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre.
- Secret of Mana and Trials of Mana are standout titles, with improved graphics and engaging gameplay that enhance the original experiences.
- The inclusion of save states and a soundtrack player adds convenience and enjoyment to the gameplay, making it accessible for both new players and returning fans.
- The first game, Final Fantasy Adventure, feels outdated and lacks the polish of the later titles, which may deter some players.
- The collection is criticized for being bare-bones, lacking additional features like manuals or an art gallery that could enhance the overall experience.
- Some players have reported technical issues, such as lag during combat and bugs that were not addressed in this release, affecting gameplay enjoyment.
- music18 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its outstanding quality and catchiness, with many players appreciating the built-in soundtrack player that allows for easy access to the beautiful soundtracks. However, some users have noted that the repetitiveness of certain tracks can become grating over time, and there is a desire for more audio control options. Overall, the music significantly enhances the gaming experience, complementing the engaging stories and characters.
“The soundtrack and art style are specifically outstanding.”
“One of the best things about the Collection of Mana is that it has a built-in music player allowing you to enjoy the music from any of the games.”
“Music is delightful and the story in all the games is great.”
“It does have a soundtrack player, save states, and a few video filter options, but other than that, nothing.”
“My only complaint is the audio - the songs are so repetitive, they get stuck in your head and drive you crazy!”
“If they had only included an option to control music and SFX separately, it would have been five stars.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their outstanding art style and quality, often described as a refined "mana aesthetic" that stands the test of time. While many appreciate the updated visuals that enhance the classic experience, some users express disappointment over the lack of a full remaster for certain titles. Overall, the pixel art remains impressive and is considered ahead of its time, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“The art style is amazing; I think it was ahead of its time.”
“The graphics are still really good pixel art by today's standards.”
“Excellent game, just wish they would have remastered the graphics.”
“However, she is very disappointed that they didn't even bother to update the graphics of any of the games, especially the first one.”
“The updated graphics and sound in this collection really breathe new life into these classic games.”
- story13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story is a classic tale of a boy's battle against an oppressive empire seeking to control the land's mana, featuring impactful themes and a mix of serious and casual tones. Players can choose from six characters, each with unique story arcs and encounters, adding depth and variety to the narrative. While the overarching plot of stopping the misuse of mana remains consistent, the individual character journeys and interactions provide a rich and engaging experience, reminiscent of classic JRPGs.
“Second, unlike Secret of Mana, you have six characters you can choose from, all of which have their own unique story beats and abilities, depending on whether you choose characters with similar beats or unrelated ones, which will focus the story on the main character you selected at the start.”
“It's got that JRPG grind to it with fun characters and an interesting story.”
“For the time, the story is a tragic tale about a boy's struggle against an evil empire and how the people of the lands are adversely affected by the empire's desire to control the life force of the land, the mana itself, and the magic it fuels to solidify their grip on the populace.”
“Secret of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 2) has a good story, but can get a bit confusing at times when it comes to where you are supposed to go.”
“Besides the gameplay, the story will follow a general 'stop bad guys from misusing mana,' but the foes you face and the story beats you witness will be unique depending on who you chose at the start.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the series is praised for its innovative action-RPG mechanics, which have evolved since the early 90s, offering unique experiences based on character choices and diverse boss encounters. While the ability to save at any point and rewind gameplay enhances enjoyment, some players find the lack of tutorials frustrating, necessitating online guides for understanding mechanics. Overall, the gameplay is immersive, though it may feel slower-paced, complemented by engaging music and storytelling.
“What makes this series unique besides its themes are its gameplay stylings which, back in the early 90's, were flag bearers in the action-RPG genre.”
“Besides the gameplay, the story will follow a general 'stop bad guys from misusing mana' but the foes you face and the story beats you witness will be unique depending on who you chose at the start: Duran and Angela face the Darkshine Knight and the Scarlett Wizard, Hawkeye and Reisz face Isabella, and Kevin and Charlotte face off against the Deathjester, all with their own unique bosses and end boss.”
“Compared to mainstream RPGs from just a few years earlier, they have extremely innovative combat and leveling mechanics.”
“Tom's combat feels less like an exercise in patience, but it is severely lacking in the tutorial department and you absolutely must read online guides to understand the save mechanics (or be doomed to replay the first 15 minutes of intro at least once when you die).”
“It was happening to all enemies and so I put it down after just one hour of gameplay due to disappointment.”
“However, the gameplay has some shimmering when one moves the character along the map.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the save-state function for reducing backtracking and grinding, making the experience more enjoyable. While the remaster provides a lot of fun, some grinding is still necessary.
“The save-state function in each game is really handy and can save a lot of backtracking and grinding.”
“The faithful remaster offers a ton of fun, although there is some grinding to be done.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability by including three distinct games in one package, providing players with varied experiences and reasons to return.
“This game offers three distinct experiences in one package, providing a significant amount of replayability.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more; each playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
“With multiple paths and endings, the replayability factor is off the charts!”
“The game offers some replayability, but it quickly becomes repetitive.”
“While there are multiple endings, the journey to get there feels too similar each time.”
“After completing the game once, I found little incentive to play it again.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report frequent glitches that impact gameplay, indicating stability issues that detract from the overall experience.
“The game is plagued with glitches that disrupt the overall experience.”
“I encountered frequent crashes that made it nearly impossible to enjoy the game.”
“The stability issues are frustrating, as I often find myself being kicked out unexpectedly.”
