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Visions of Mana

Visions of Mana features an impactful story, well-written characters, fun combat, and a gorgeous world to get lost in with very few problems.
81%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
optimization, grinding
85% User Score Based on 4,267 reviews
Critic Score 79%Based on 36 reviews

Platforms

PCPCPlaystation 4Playstation 4Playstation 5Playstation 5WindowsWindowsXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SCloudCloudPlayStationPlayStationXboxXboxXbox Cloud GamingXbox Cloud GamingXbox Game PassXbox Game Pass
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About

"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.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Visions of Mana screenshot
Visions of Mana screenshot
Visions of Mana screenshot
Visions of Mana screenshot
Visions of Mana screenshot
Visions of Mana screenshot
Visions of Mana screenshot

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,158 reviews
story455 positive mentions
optimization55 negative mentions
  • Visually stunning with vibrant colors and beautifully crafted environments.
  • Engaging combat system with a variety of classes and abilities to customize characters.
  • Charming characters and a lighthearted story that evokes nostalgia for fans of the 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.
  • Technical issues such as frame drops, bugs, and a lack of optimization for PC.
  • story
    1,833 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Visions of Mana" has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its engaging themes of sacrifice and character development, while others criticize it for being predictable and lacking depth. Many found the narrative to be a blend of familiar JRPG tropes, with a few unexpected twists, but noted that the pacing suffers due to an abundance of tedious side quests. Overall, while the story has its moments of charm and emotional weight, it often feels overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and repetitive content.

    • “Vision of Mana is an absolute gem that blends immersive storytelling, dynamic gameplay, and unparalleled customization.”
    • “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 surprisingly good.”
    • “Just finished the game and had to leave a review because the story of this game is jaw-droppingly bad.”
    • “The story is mediocre, the plot feels rushed, and the writing is poor.”
    • “The story feels like it was written for kids which is, I guess, fine for some but really boring for most.”
  • gameplay
    497 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Visions of Mana" is characterized by its engaging combat system, deep class customization, and fluid mechanics, making it a nostalgic yet modern experience for fans of the series. While many players appreciate the dynamic battle mechanics and exploration elements, some criticize the repetitive nature of combat and the simplicity of certain mechanics, which can lead to a grindy experience. Overall, the game offers a solid action RPG experience, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking more complexity or challenge.

    • “Vision of Mana is an absolute gem that blends immersive storytelling, dynamic gameplay, and unparalleled customization.”
    • “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 gameplay is super fun and engaging!”
    • “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 remake, but slower.”
    • “But as a gameplay space, it’s extremely boring and lifeless.”
  • graphics
    488 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Visions of Mana" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and vibrant art style, which effectively capture the charm of the classic mana series. Many players appreciate the detailed environments and character designs, although some have noted performance issues and occasional texture quality concerns. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful aesthetics, making it a visually appealing experience that enhances the gameplay.

    • “Visions of mana is a captivating entry in the action RPG genre that expertly combines a beautiful, hand-painted art style with an immersive fantasy world.”
    • “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 have tried this game with 2 different graphics cards and still would get black screens then crashing.”
    • “The game started off kinda strong but everything in the game feels undercooked and there's not a single ounce of imagination save for the visuals.”
    • “I thought square learned some of their lessons on this, but the graphics options are just not enough for a modern-day full price PC release.”
  • music
    371 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its beautiful and nostalgic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, reminiscent of classic titles like Secret of Mana. While some tracks are described as captivating and immersive, others feel they lack memorability and variety, often blending into the background. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight for many players, contributing significantly to the game's charm and atmosphere.

    • “The music is wonderful, similar to Trials of Mana; the game produces some great soundtracks and the sound effects complement the game quite nicely.”
    • “The soundtrack is outstanding, absolutely the best part of the game.”
    • “The music alone is worth the journey, a true highlight of the game.”
    • “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.”
    • “The soundtrack, usually one of the highlights of this series, is incredibly forgettable this time.”
  • optimization
    166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems and during graphically intensive scenes. While some users have managed to achieve smooth performance with high-end hardware, others have noted the necessity of mods to alleviate stuttering and improve load times. Overall, the game appears to require further optimization to enhance the experience across various setups, especially for those using dual monitors or lower-spec machines.

    • “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.”
    • “Lot of progression systems, game seems pretty well optimized, can do borderless window at 4k 120fps max settings.”
    • “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 poorly optimized, and they couldn't even get the screen settings right (windowed and windowed full screen modes don't work).”
    • “Wanting sixty dollars for a game this badly optimized and forcing modders to take care of the mess is downright cocky, but hey, it's Square Enix, so nothing new.”
  • emotional
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Visions of Mana" is characterized by a mix of heartfelt moments and simplistic storytelling, leading to varied player experiences. While some players found the game capable of evoking strong feelings and nostalgia, others criticized the lack of depth in character development and rushed arcs that diminished emotional impact. Overall, the game successfully delivers emotional resonance through key narrative moments, though it struggles with consistency in character engagement and plot complexity.

    • “That said, the game's charm and emotional resonance shine through, particularly in key narrative moments and character interactions.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding
    78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the abundance of shallow side quests and monotonous gameplay mechanics. While some appreciate the lack of mandatory grinding for progression, others feel that the overall experience is marred by a lack of engaging content and poor pacing, leading to a sense of boredom. Overall, the game is seen as requiring a significant time investment for those who wish to complete all side quests, which may not be rewarding for everyone.

    • “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 development
    71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it shallow and rushed, particularly in resolving personal struggles, while others appreciate the depth compared to previous titles in the series. Many reviewers noted that despite appealing character designs and a vibrant art style, the overall character growth lacks emotional investment and complexity, leading to a less engaging narrative experience. While some players enjoyed the unique classes and abilities of characters, the repetitive gameplay and uninspired side quests detracted from the potential for meaningful character development.

    • “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.”
    • “[Fun combat and class system, great character development, gorgeous art direction, flawless performance].”
    • “I wanted character development from that plot but got nothing.”
    • “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.”
    • “Yet, some may feel that the character development is rushed, particularly when it comes to resolving personal struggles.”
  • stability
    46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that detract from the experience, such as freezing during boss fights and issues with quest markers. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly on certain platforms like the Steam Deck, others experienced crashes and inadequate autosave functionality, leading to lost progress. Overall, the game appears to be plagued by stability issues, despite some players enjoying its performance under specific conditions.

    • “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 stuff 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 less stutters and glitches. That is never a good sign for a new release.”
    • “I'm at the end; I can beat the first stage of the boss battle, but the second stage... the boss freezes and so do my characters.”
    • “It's horrifically buggy.”
  • atmosphere
    35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Vision of Mana" is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by dynamic weather, day-night cycles, and stunning visuals. Players appreciate the nostalgic charm, vibrant environments, and atmospheric music that create a captivating experience, making it a standout RPG for fans of fantasy and adventure. Overall, the game successfully combines engaging gameplay with a remarkable atmosphere that resonates with both new players and long-time fans of the series.

    • “The atmosphere within the game is truly remarkable.”
    • “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 of this game and the fighting system is awesome.”
    • “The flavor is more in the combat system and atmosphere.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the deep battle system, character class customization, and engaging story that encourage multiple playthroughs, others find the replay value limited due to predictable endings and a lack of significant incentives. The presence of a new game+ mode and post-game content offers some additional replayability, but opinions vary widely, with some rating it as high as 8/10 and others as low as 4/10. Overall, the game provides enough variety for those interested in exploring different playstyles, but it may not satisfy everyone seeking extensive replay options.

    • “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.”
    • “Replayability is non-existent.”
    • “With predictable endings and no major incentives to replay, the game doesn’t offer much replay value.”
    • “Expand replayability: add post-game content, alternate endings, or new game+ modes to encourage replays.”
  • humor
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny through character interactions and quirky accents, while others feel the overall experience is mediocre. Notable moments of humor arise from character dynamics and occasional bugs that add a comedic touch, despite the game's darker themes. Overall, the lively personalities and humorous exchanges contribute positively to the game's charm, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate lighthearted moments.

    • “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, and the way they all bounce off each other can be hilarious.”
    • “I was worried at first that the characters would fall flat, but as new characters join your party and interact with story NPCs, their personalities shine through and allow for some humor despite the dark undertones of the story.”
  • monetization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's monetization model is straightforward, with a one-time purchase of $60 and no microtransactions or additional in-game purchases, which some players appreciate as a return to traditional gaming. However, there are concerns that the game feels like a cash grab, especially given discrepancies between advertised and actual gameplay length.

    • “No microtransactions, no annoying online services, no built-in shops with skins/characters/missions, etc. – sounds like a gamer’s heaven, huh?”
    • “It's sad though that this game is literally just a good $60 cash grab.”
    • “Also, all the advertising kept talking about how it's a 30-hour RPG, yet I'm 22 hours in and have yet to get the last party member.”

79%Critics’ scoreBased on 37 critic reviews

Buy Visions of Mana

23h Median play time
24h Average play time
8-45h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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