Visions of Mana

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,094 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Visions of Mana Game Cover
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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"Visions of Mana" is an action RPG that lets players explore a vast world and experience the rich lore of the Mana series. Pre-ordering the game grants a special weapon for Val, while early purchases include a unique outfit and starter pack. The Digital Deluxe Edition offers 24-hour early access, as well as costumes from various Mana series games. However, no release date information is available.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,094 reviews
story232 positive mentions
optimization28 negative mentions
  • Visually stunning with vibrant graphics and beautiful environments.
  • Engaging combat system with a variety of classes and abilities to customize characters.
  • Charming characters and a lighthearted story that evokes nostalgia for the Mana series.
  • Repetitive side quests that often feel like busywork and lack meaningful rewards.
  • The story can be predictable and lacks depth, with some character arcs feeling rushed.
  • AI companions can be frustratingly unresponsive during combat, leading to unnecessary difficulty spikes.
  • story937 mentions

    The story of "Visions of Mana" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it predictable and simplistic, often likening it to typical JRPG tropes. While some appreciate its charming characters and emotional moments, others criticize the writing as childish and the plot as lacking depth, particularly in the second half. Overall, the narrative is seen as a blend of familiar themes with a few unexpected twists, but it struggles to fully engage players seeking a more complex or mature storyline.

    • “The story is rich and deep, and there’s a beautiful narrative driving it forward that really pulls you in.”
    • “The game’s storyline dives into a rich lore of mystical creatures, elemental spirits, and ancient conflicts, making each quest feel like a step deeper into an enchanting saga.”
    • “The characters are highly relatable, each with their own strengths and flaws, coupled with a tear-jerking story of loyalty, heroism, loss, and sacrifice, set behind mature and provoking themes.”
    • “The story is short, I finished the main line in about 60 hours and I did a lot of side quests in the meantime (not every however).”
    • “The best description I can think of is that the writers had the story almost completed and then a couple of days before time to turn it in for final edits the game lead came and said 'the story isn't dark enough, make it so the alms have to be sacrificed at the end of their journey.' This isn't a spoiler since you learn this in the prologue.”
    • “The story feels like it was written for kids, which is, I guess, fine for some but really boring for most.”
  • gameplay253 mentions

    The gameplay of "Visions of Mana" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging combat mechanics, character customization, and dynamic exploration elements. Players appreciate the nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic RPGs, though some criticize the repetitive nature of combat and the pacing of gameplay mechanics, which can feel slow or tedious at times. Overall, while the game offers a fun and visually appealing experience, it may not satisfy those seeking deeper or more challenging gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is super fun and engaging!”
    • “Visions of Mana brilliantly combines complex mechanics with a story that resonates, making it a must-play for fans of fantasy RPGs.”
    • “The mechanics are smooth, the controls intuitive, and the overall experience is just as rewarding for newcomers to the series as it is for longtime fans.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, repetitive, and ultimately more than a bit grindy (even at normal difficulty); and feels more like an online RPG from the early 2010s rather than a single-player experience.”
    • “The gameplay: here's where the game falls apart fast, the combat feels like the Tom remake, but slower.”
    • “The gameplay is the high point of this game.”
  • graphics253 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and vibrant art style, often described as some of the best in the mana series. While many players appreciate the beautiful environments and character designs, some have noted issues with pixelated textures and performance inconsistencies, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the game's aesthetic successfully captures the charm of classic titles while modernizing the experience, making it a visual delight despite some minor flaws.

    • “The graphics are stunning and the story has been great so far.”
    • “The visuals are amazing, bright and colorful, the characters are likable, the music is superb!”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and the exploring and action are fun.”
    • “I would not suggest this as someone's first entry into the Mana series, nor for anyone who is unwilling to compromise visuals.”
    • “The game started off kind of strong but everything in the game feels undercooked and there's not a single ounce of imagination save for the visuals.”
    • “While the game does look great, it doesn't seem like it's that much more graphically demanding than other games that perform much better.”
  • music192 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its beauty and ability to enhance the atmosphere, particularly in immersive environments. While some tracks are noted for their charm and nostalgia, reminiscent of classic RPG soundtracks, others are criticized for being forgettable or lacking the memorability of previous titles in the series. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight for many players, contributing significantly to the game's appeal despite some inconsistencies in quality.

    • “The music is so beautiful.”
    • “The music is brilliant and fits the scenes and locations very well.”
    • “A wonderful take on the mana series with gorgeous environments, a brilliant soundtrack, and lots of old school charm.”
    • “While I thought this was neat, none of the tracks really hit me like Secret's soundtrack did.”
    • “I thought the music was lackluster compared to the previous two games before it, Secret of Mana (2018) and Trials of Mana.”
    • “Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about the music.”
  • optimization83 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly on dual-monitor setups and lower-end hardware. While some users experienced smooth gameplay at high settings, others noted that the game struggles with frame drops and requires mods for improved performance. Overall, there is a consensus that the game is not well-optimized, leading to frustration among players, especially given the high expectations for a new release.

    • “Optimize technical performance: address dual-monitor issues and ensure smoother performance in all setups.”
    • “Great performance / no stuttering - 4k @ 120 Hz with a RTX 3080.”
    • “The maps are huge, the combat seems a lot better and more optimized than the demo, and the world is beautiful, that I started enjoying the game.”
    • “My first concern was the actual performance of the game; I had already seen that people had to install mods for this game to run with less stutters and glitches, which is never a good sign for a new release.”
    • “This game is not optimized, and this could be for several possible reasons, but it looks terrible at low resolution and makes my computer fans roar at high resolution.”
    • “Shame on this unoptimized mess.”
  • emotional43 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its heartfelt moments and emotional resonance, while others criticize the lack of depth and rushed character arcs that diminish the impact of key events. Although the narrative features intriguing ideas and some touching scenes, many feel that character development is insufficient, leading to a disconnect that prevents players from fully engaging with the story. Overall, while the game has the potential for emotional engagement, it often falls short due to simplistic storytelling and inconsistent character portrayals.

    • “The colorful world clashes with the mature themes of the story, and more than once it got to me emotionally.”
    • “The story in combination with the music is full of twists, heartfelt moments, and some surprises.”
    • “I've only been playing for an hour, but I'm already in love with Visions of Mana; it already made me cry in the first 5 minutes, and I would straight up die if anything happens to any of the characters.”
  • grinding41 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with numerous side quests and exploration tasks that feel shallow and unfulfilling. While some appreciate the lack of mandatory grinding for progression, many criticize the gameplay for its monotonous nature and excessive busywork, leading to a sense of fatigue rather than enjoyment. The game's pacing suffers as a result, with players often feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tedious tasks required to fully engage with the content.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Also, there's no farming random map items like in Xenoblade.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, repetitive, and ultimately more than a bit grindy (even at normal difficulty); and feels more like an online RPG from the early 2010s rather than a single-player experience.”
    • “There are 100+ side quests and they are tedious, shallow, worthless, and a pain to complete.”
    • “While the gameplay is enjoyable at times, the quasi-open world feels empty and lifeless, filled with tedious busywork and repetitive side quests that amount to little more than 'kill that' or fetch quests.”
  • character development38 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while character designs are visually appealing and varied, the depth and growth of the characters themselves are often lacking. Critics point to uninspired side quests and a shallow narrative that fails to engage emotionally, leading to a sense of disappointment compared to previous titles in the series. Overall, while some appreciate the unique class-based designs, the consensus is that character development feels rushed and underwhelming.

    • “The character designs are fun, and every single character has a unique class based on each element, making for tons of different outfits and abilities.”
    • “The difference here is that the characters are deeper than all the other mana games and there is more character development and morals learned.”
    • “This is one of the best games I've played in the past 2 years, and I've played other SE games like FF16, FF7 Rebirth, FF14 Dawntrail, etc. The story is great, the character development is awesome, and the class system is fun.”
    • “The only noticeable downside is the terrible side content, among the most uninspired fetch quests I've ever seen in a game: no character development, no sub-story ... just go there, collect 6 things/go bring this to that block.”
    • “I wanted character development from that plot but got nothing.”
    • “Yet, some may feel that the character development is rushed, particularly when it comes to resolving personal struggles.”
  • stability24 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant glitches and bugs, particularly during critical moments like boss battles, which can lead to frustrating freezes and loss of progress. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly on certain platforms, others highlighted the need for mods to improve performance and reduce stutters. Overall, the consensus indicates that while the game has potential, its stability issues detract from the overall experience.

    • “It runs great on the Steam Deck OLED; it has no stutters, pauses, or even crashes. It just works like a dream so far.”
    • “After setting this up, pretty much all the issues with the port are resolved, and everything looks and runs great.”
    • “Fantastic graphics, and it runs great. It has a shader compilation step to avoid common UE4 issues.”
    • “My first concern was the actual performance of the game; I had already seen that people had to install mods for this game to run with fewer stutters and glitches, which is never a good sign for a new release.”
    • “Well, I start fighting the boss, get it down to 20% HP remaining, and then it freezes in place before blinking out of existence.”
    • “It's horrifically buggy.”
  • atmosphere19 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning art direction, immersive music, and dynamic environmental elements like weather and day-night cycles, which enhance gameplay. Reviewers highlight the nostalgic charm reminiscent of classic RPGs while also appreciating the modern feel, making it a captivating experience for fans of fantasy and adventure. Overall, the game successfully creates a chill yet vibrant atmosphere that keeps players engaged and immersed.

    • “The dynamic weather and day-night cycles also enhance the immersion, adding atmosphere to each environment and influencing gameplay in subtle ways.”
    • “If you love exploring vast, breathtaking worlds, experimenting with character builds, and immersing yourself in a game with a powerful atmosphere, 'Visions of Mana' is an experience you won’t want to miss.”
    • “The music, the visuals, and the atmosphere all perfectly capture the nostalgic charm of those classic games while still feeling fresh and modern.”
    • “The atmosphere within the game is truly remarkable.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game and the fighting system is awesome.”
    • “If you love exploring vast, breathtaking worlds, experimenting with character builds, and immersing yourself in a game with a powerful atmosphere, Visions of Mana is an experience you won’t want to miss.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players noting limited incentives to replay due to predictable endings and a lack of post-game content, while others appreciate the deep battle system and character customization that encourage multiple playstyles. Suggestions for improvement include adding new game+ modes and alternate endings to enhance replay value. While some find replayability lacking compared to titles like Trials of Mana, others enjoy the variety offered by the class system and engaging combat mechanics.

    • “Vom has a deep and sophisticated battle system boasting smooth mechanics, seamless transitions, and a one-of-a-kind character class customization system that greatly increases replay value.”
    • “The story is lighthearted and engaging enough to the end, and with an additional post-game chapter and new game+ allows for replayability.”
    • “A lot of customization to your characters with classes which gives replay value, great world building with semi-open world maps that have enough content in them.”
    • “With predictable endings and no major incentives to replay, the game doesn’t offer much replay value.”
    • “Replayability is non-existent.”
    • “There isn't as much replayability as trials due to having access to all party members, but there's enough different playstyles that you may consider coming back for a second venture.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny and enjoyable, particularly through character interactions and quirky accents. While some moments are described as hilarious, others note that the overall comedic impact may not be strong enough to elevate the game significantly. Despite its flaws, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the experience, making it more engaging.

    • “A great game that isn't too serious has some pretty funny bits and overall, just fun.”
    • “Still the characters are great in this game they all feel lively and full of personality, the way they all bounce off each other can be hilarious.”
    • “I enjoy the funny voices and personalities they pick for the characters a lot.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The game is perceived as a $60 cash grab, lacking microtransactions and additional monetization features, which some players find refreshing. However, there are concerns about the game's length and pacing, as it falls short of the advertised 30-hour RPG experience.

    • “No microtransactions, no annoying online services, no built-in shops with skins, characters, or missions, etc. – sounds like a gamer’s heaven, right?”
    • “The game respects my time and money, offering a complete experience without pushing for additional purchases.”
    • “I appreciate that the monetization model is fair and doesn't disrupt the gameplay experience.”
    • “It's sad that this game is literally just a $60 cash grab.”
    • “The advertising kept claiming it's a 30-hour RPG, yet I'm 22 hours in and still haven't unlocked the last party member.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

Buy Visions of Mana

Play time

23hMedian play time
24hAverage play time
8-45hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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