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"!
Nintendo Switch
Reviews
- Each game is fantastic, especially the newly translated Trials of Mana.
- Great emulation with responsive controls.
- Includes a soundtrack menu for each game.
- Only 3 games are included and many Mana games are missing.
- Could use in-game help and guides.
- Not much extra content or options.
- music31 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its delightful and catchy soundtracks, with many players appreciating the built-in music player that allows for easy access to the tracks. However, some users have noted that the repetitiveness of certain songs can become grating over time, and there is a desire for more audio control options. Overall, the soundtrack significantly enhances the gaming experience, complementing the engaging stories and art style.
“One of the best things about 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.”
“Soundtrack is amazing.”
“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 sound effects separately, it would have been five stars.”
“(I realize this probably was just not considered feasible, as it would have meant modifying the original game source and whatever emulator is in use under the hood to give capabilities the original Game Boy didn't have - multiple audio streams. But damn if that music doesn't grate after a while.)”
- graphics26 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their high quality and distinctive "mana aesthetic," which has evolved from earlier, more cartoonish styles. Many reviewers highlight the outstanding art style and soundtrack, noting that the visuals remain impressive by today's standards. However, some express disappointment that certain titles did not receive graphical updates in this collection, particularly the first game.
“Starting off, visually you can finally see the true aesthetic that the series would take on and maintain to this day in its graphics, further refining from the more cartoony sprites of Secret to what can be called the 'mana aesthetic,' which looks fantastic to this day due to how high quality the work is.”
“The art style is amazing; I think it was ahead of its time.”
“However, she is very disappointed that they didn't even bother to update the graphics of any of the games, especially the first one.”
“Excellent game just wish they would have remastered the graphics.”
“The updated graphics and sound in this collection really breathe new life into these classic games.”
- story25 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story revolves around a boy's battle against an oppressive empire seeking to control the life force of the land, mana, which resonates with themes of tragedy and resistance. While the narrative may feel basic by modern standards, it remains impactful, featuring unique character arcs and choices that influence the storyline. The game balances a casual tone with serious moments, offering a rich JRPG experience filled with engaging characters and memorable plot points, though it can occasionally be confusing in terms of direction.
“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.”
“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.”
“Secret of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 2) has a good story, but it 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: 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.”
“While somewhat basic today, the story beats are still impactful and can even lead to excitement for those who continue on through the series to the first remake, Sword of Mana.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the series is praised for its innovative combat and leveling mechanics, which were groundbreaking in the early 90s action-RPG genre. Players can enjoy a unique experience based on their character choices, facing different bosses and story elements, while the ability to save at any point and rewind gameplay enhances the overall enjoyment. However, some users noted a lack of tutorials and technical issues like shimmering graphics, which can detract from the experience.
“What makes this series unique besides its themes are its gameplay stylings which, back in the early 90s, 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.”
“Gameplay is slower, but that's where the music and the story pull you in.”
“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.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the save-state function as it significantly reduces backtracking and grinding, making the experience more enjoyable. While the remaster is praised for its fun elements, some grinding is still present in the gameplay.
“The save-state function in each game is really handy and can save a lot of backtracking and grinding.”
“Faithful remaster offers a ton of fun, although there is some grinding to be done.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability by including three distinct games in one package, encouraging players to revisit and explore different experiences.
“Three games in one package with quite a bit of replayability.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report frequent glitches that negatively impact gameplay, indicating that stability is a significant issue for the game.
“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 getting booted out unexpectedly.”
