Support NeoGAF

[Andyliini]

Title: Legend of Mana (remaster)
Developer: M2 (from Square original)
Publisher: Square-Enix
Platform: Windows, PS4, Switch (physical version exclusive to Asia region)
Genre: RPG


Overview
Set off on a journey to find the mystical Mana Tree seen in a dream, before discovering... the world map is empty!
During your travels, you’ll acquire special artifacts; place these wherever you’d like on the map to bring towns and dungeons to life and advance the story.
Meet a colourful cast of characters, square off against fearsome monsters, and complete quests in the vast world of Fa’Diel. Not only has the music been rearranged for this remaster, you can also alternate between the new and original soundtrack.
Other features have also been added, including the ability to turn off enemy encounters. The game includes "Ring Ring Land", a mini game never before released in the West.

What's new?
Legend of mana remaster includes several updated to the original game, including remastered soundtrack, gallery and music mode, switch off enemy encounters and autosave.

Characters

Bud:


Lisa:


Escad:


Lady Blackpearl:


Elazul:


Pearl:


Sandra:


Matilda:


Reviews:

Metacritic: 74
Opencritic: 72

IGN: 7/10

The Legend of Mana of 2021 is as close to the original version as you could hope for while still bringing this classic original PlayStation JRPG into the modern era. The sprite work is timeless, and the newly redrawn widescreen backgrounds are just perfect. Legend of Mana is a game I just want to look at and absorb into my eyes as much as I want to play it… maybe even moreso, because while combat holds up, the old-school structure of its story makes it a little tougher to recommend unless you’re going to play with a walkthrough guide open on your phone the whole time. I enjoyed my time with Legend of Mana, don't get me wrong, but wandering through its world from one unconnected quest to the next makes reaching the end feel like a very long guessing game – and there’s little or nothing that can be done to remedy that without fundamentally altering the DNA of Legend of Mana.

NintendoLife: 6/10

It’s easy to see why this was such a polarizing title upon release. There’s a lot to love here, but Legend of Mana can be tiring in how much it likes to play ‘hard to get’. All the ingredients and individual pieces of a strong, impressively innovative RPG are present, but it feels like the developers simply tossed all these ideas in a bag and shook it vigorously, rather than taking the time to lay out all those ideas in a coherent and curated fashion. We’d give this one a recommendation, but only to fans of the genre, specifically those who prefer more experimental titles. If that doesn’t describe you, there’s still a good chance you’ll find something to like about Legend of Mana, but just be aware it may be more of a mixed bag.

Destructoid: 8/10

All these years later it’s a treat to revisit the world of Legend of Mana in any form, much less through an HD modern lens. It’s still unlike just about anything else out there. Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.

Media

Announcement trailer:


Opening Cinematic

 

[PumpkinPie]

I loved this game. I only have an xbone though

 

[SkylineRKR]

I should buy this and beat it for the third time. And perhaps finally try some of the crafting and raising. I never bothered with that shit. This is a great game, with an excellent atmosphere and one of the best OST's ever.

Story is kinda non existent but there are some plotlines that are decent such as the jewel people. There was also some stuff with the elemental stats. Wasn't is so that if you place dungeons closer to your home, the enemies would be weaker?

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

I should buy this and beat it for the third time. And perhaps finally try some of the crafting and raising. I never bothered with that shit. This is a great game, with an excellent atmosphere and one of the best OST's ever.

Story is kinda non existent but there are some plotlines that are decent such as the jewel people. There was also some stuff with the elemental stats. Wasn't is so that if you place dungeons closer to your home, the enemies would be weaker?

There were lots of (completely unexplained) mechanics for the way the map works. Distance from home and mana levels both make some differences. I know they can determine which elemental spirits you encounter, which materials you can get, even some quests that have certain conditions to unlock. I’m sure there’s a guide at GameFAQs with all the details.

 

[Andyliini]

This will my first time playing this, as this was not released in Europe back in the day. I played all games from Collection of Mana back to back some time ago, so I'm ready for this. The reviews say that this game is quite different than the main series.

Anyway, Square seems to be on a roll lately with Mana, so hopefully more remasters will come in the future.

 

[Toots]

I remember having a magazine with pics of it and i was in awe of a specific one, a sasquatch-like boss, whose sprite seemed so huge and detailed my twelve year old self was persuaded no game could ever look better.

 

[SkylineRKR]

I bought it and the game is really excellent still. When it came out in 2000 I was sort of disappointed it wasn't like SoM and SD3 but since then I think this is my favourite Seiken game anyway. Its the only one I beat more than once. And then I didn't even touch the crafting yet.

The backgrounds look amazingly good. The OST is god tier. Its like one of the best OST ever made even better but if the arrange isn't your thing you can revert it to the original. There is an in game music player also.

Dunno if I am going to use a guide for everything. For now I'm having fun just playing through.

There were lots of (completely unexplained) mechanics for the way the map works. Distance from home and mana levels both make some differences. I know they can determine which elemental spirits you encounter, which materials you can get, even some quests that have certain conditions to unlock. I’m sure there’s a guide at GameFAQs with all the details.

Yep, It had to do with placements of artifacts etc. The generally considered best spot of the land was one with 2 blocks of water. Its typical classic era Square, near impossible to do it all without consulting a guide.

 

[a multicultural team of v]

The backgrounds look amazingly good. The OST is god tier. Its like one of the best OST ever made even better but if the arrange isn't your thing you can revert it to the original. There is an in game music player also.

Yoko Shimomura got no respect in that poll thread, she is greatly underated (though I will fully admit that there are similar sounds and themes in a lot of her songs).

Related to the game, LoM was a gem and if I didn't have a bunch other to play would be picking this up. Looking forward to replaying it in the future. Hopefully Parasite Eve is next!

 

[jshackles]

I forgot this was coming out today! I loved the PS1 game - I remember pre-ordering it at my local Babbages. Since we didn't get the third game stateside, this was the first Mana game I played after playing Secret of Mana.

I was pretty disappointed initially, because I thought it would be a more linear RPG like Secret of Mana was. But I eventually learned to appreciate this for what it is. I only ever beat the game once though, it might be time to replay this since it's been 20 years.

 

[Andyliini]

If this does well enough, I wonder if they would remaster Sword of Mana next, or would they jump directly to Dawn of Mana. If I understood correctly, Legend of Mana is not a numbered title, but a spin-off or something.

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

Any opinions on favorite weapons? Back in the day I remember bows being OP as hell with their final special move. I’m trying out spears right now.

 

[Pejo]

God damn I forgot this came out today. Already bought Scarlet Nexus, may wait until I play through that to pick this up. Looks very clean. Too bad we didn't get this as a remake using the Trials of Mana engine. For a remaster though, it looks great.

 

[kunonabi]

Loved the PS1 game but if they didnt fix the multiplayer I see no reason to double dip.

 

[SpiceRacz]

Glad to see the game getting a 2nd chance. LoM deserves to be played by more people.

 

[SkylineRKR]

It hit me why this is my fave Mana game.

This is a SaGa game thats actually accessible and easy.

 

[IbizaPocholo]

Legend of Mana reviewed on Nintendo Switch by Seth Macy. Also available on PlayStation.

The Legend of Mana of 2021 is as close to the original version as you could hope for while still bringing this classic original PlayStation JRPG into the modern era. The sprite work is timeless, and the newly redrawn widescreen backgrounds are just perfect. Legend of Mana is a game I just want to look at and absorb into my eyes as much as I want to play it... maybe even moreso, because while combat holds up, the old-school structure of its story makes it a little tougher to recommend unless you're going to play with a walkthrough guide open on your phone the whole time. I enjoyed my time with Legend of Mana, don't get me wrong, but wandering through its world from one unconnected quest to the next makes reaching the end feel like a very long guessing game - and there's little or nothing that can be done to remedy that without fundamentally altering the DNA of Legend of Mana.

 

[SkylineRKR]

I'm about halfway through I think. And I decided to play with guide this time. Not a bad choice since I'm fairly positive I already did some events I never saw before. Mostly I do is looking at the placement of the artifacts, and the mission order. The rest I just play.

The story of this game is in fact pretty good. I'd wager its the best in the franchise even. But you need to look for it, you will likely miss a lot going in blind and then scenes you stumble upon absolutely don't make sense. If you do it all though, the Irwin/Escad arc, the Jumi arc are really good stuff.

Gameplay isn't half bad either. There are quite a bit of moves and skills and you can string it all together to unlock even more. Its just too easy, and thats even without tempering your loadout. But its a typical new millenium era Square game ie. buy our guide or sign up to playonline. I think M2 also could've updated the cactus to auto fill in the diary.

 

[RoboFu]

I may pick this up on steam, but again why not on Xbox square?

 

[Northeastmonk]

The backgrounds are beautiful. Really well done art. I am a couple hours into it. I forgot you could turn off enemy encounters, so it lets you sit back and just enjoy the level design. The music has to be one of the game’s strong points. I notice you can basically stun attack bosses by pressing the attack without going into the combo. It works until they go into a major attack animation. I fought a few bosses at level 2 and 3 wondering how that was possible. I actually find the way each area is its own episodic mission enjoyable. It’s break from the big overhanging plot the series originally has.

 

[Elbow Identity Shallow]

I've not bought this but I have to admit that I'm impressed with what they've done with this as a remaster, it's exactly what I would want from this game. If only they would have done the same with the two Legend of Mana/Seiken Densetsu remasteres they released.

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

Bah I just restarted my game because apparently I missed out on the opportunity to get a Forbidden Ring early on. (This is an item that shares XP with your party members, otherwise you just have to hope they randomly pick up experience crystals).

 

[Dr Bass]

Anyone know if the PS4 and Switch versions are noticeably different?

 

[Captain Toad]

If only they would have done the same with the two Legend of Mana/Seiken Densetsu remasteres they released.

They actually did remakes for all three (Adventure/Secret/Trials), but I agree. The pixel art is better than those remakes.

 

[Horatius]

man i just bought this and i dont know what the fuck is happening lmao

it made me make like eight different important seeming choices before the game even started and then was just like "ok here you go" and left me to it

digging it

 

[SkylineRKR]

lol even with guide I missed a single quest. If you happen to interact with Niccolo, accept and do the mission right away. If you decline its gone forever apparently. I hate this kind of old school shit of permanently missable stuff. Will probably blitz through again someday. Ain't gonna go for all trophies anyway, they suck.

 

[bender]

Is this getting a physical release (Switch)?

 

[Captain Toad]

Ain't gonna go for all trophies anyway, they suck.

Do they? I wanted to see how they were before choosing between PS5 and Switch.

 

[Elbow Identity Shallow]

They actually did remakes for all three (Adventure/Secret/Trials), but I agree. The pixel art is better than those remakes.

Yes, they're the ones that I mentioned.
The difficulty with redrawing 2D graphics is simply that it's really expensive to do and replaccing them 3D is just a lot simpler and quicker to do. I can't imagine that 2D remakes would happen, especially now that they've got the 3D versions, maybe at some point though.

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

I still love this game but man does it have some weird ass gameplay mechanics. Just the way it handles XP is so dumb:

- you don’t just gain XP from battles like in any normal-ass JRPG, instead you have to pick up XP crystals

- XP only goes to the one who picked it up. So if you want your NPC/pet to level up, you have to hope they randomly wander into some crystals before they disappear.

- golems don’t gain XP or levels, but they can still pick up XP crystals and thus deprive your other party members of XP

- pets only gain stats (aside from HP) if they gain a level by grazing and eating food (which you have to refill after every level) . So you DONT want them to get XP while in your party. You want to have them grazing and revisit the stable after every level to feed them.

- there’s an accessory that makes you split XP with party members, but then you end up giving 1/3 or 1/2 of your XP to your golem (which can’t even fucking gain XP) or your pet (which can gain XP but it’s disadvantageous to do so).

What the fuck, 90s Squaresoft.

 

[Guileless]

The 90s were a strange time.

 

[Trumpets]

I played through this when it first came out and even I'm completely baffled by it in 2021. God knows what a brand new player makes of it...

That said with the new backgrounds and fully orchestrated score it's a solid remake of a very esoteric game.

 

[SkylineRKR]

I beat the game, and a lot of mechanics are indeed silly by todays standards. I liked it though, but you can dismiss a fair bit of quests where are really shitty and just send you accross the world for reasons. Like all Gilbert quests, and Niccolo, and the ones with the Cactus. Those are useless and not fun. I did them all anyway. But the Jumi storyline is perhaps the best storyline in the Mana franchise. And the funny thing is, I missed quite a bit of it on PS1. I even missed some areas, some were brand new to me. This is a Kawazu game so yeah, without guide you won't even see some locations at all. Pretty sure I missed Norn Peaks and the White Forest earlier. I can't remember those. Golden Seed was new to me as well.

I also dabbled a bit with the crafting, created a 2h sword with 3x Cleric cards, carrying damage over 200. This makes an already easy game just ridiculous. I one shot every single boss encounter with my super moves. This is clearly only useful for No Future mode. You can go to 999 but why.

There is a good battle system in here with quite some moves, abilities and the possibility to string it without ending your combo. But its no use against these ridiculously easy enemies. The gameplay and partner AI of the old Mana games usually pisses me off halfway through, at least this game isn't frustrating.

The soundtrack however, is perfection.

 

[Trumpets]

...

The soundtrack however, is perfection.

Isn't it just? I've just finished the Jumi questline and the newly orchestrated music in the last quest is fantastic.

In fact the whole game has been a joy to play through again. The way you get to know all the different characters as you help them out in their individual stories, without a big cliched 'save the world from evil' plot is so refreshing.

This felt like a fairly minor release for Square when it first came out but they were at their peak on the PS1 and it's crazy how fast they churned out so many amazing games.

 

[OblongYellow]

GOTTA TRY THIS! Played this years back and I enjoyed it

 

[Andyliini]

I recently got the physical edition for this game. I don't think this was mentioned anywhere, but the game has reversible covers and stickers also included. Haven't found time to play the game yet, but will soon.

 

[DGrayson]

I remember the hype for this game was huge before it first came out. Although 3D RPGs were the rage, there was definitely an excitement around a new Mana game and the graphics looked incredible.

I remember being super let down when I saw reviews in EGM and I never bothered to try the game.