Difference between revisions of "Secret of Mana"

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(Created page with "thumb|256x256px|North American box art. '''''Secret of Mana''''' is an action adventure role-playing game by Square released on...")
 
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[[Image:Secret of Mana - SNES - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|North American box art.]]
 
[[Image:Secret of Mana - SNES - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|North American box art.]]
  
'''''Secret of Mana''''' is an action adventure role-playing game by [[Square]] released on the [[SNES]] on 1993-08-06. It was later ported to [[Android]] and [[iOS]] and emulated on several platforms. It is the second game in the [[Mana (universe)|Mana series]]. In the game, you play a group of children whose world is being torn apart by the strange disappearance of mana. It is your destiny to figure out why and stop it. The game allows for up to 3 players to play simultaneously.
+
'''''Secret of Mana''''' is an action adventure role-playing game by [[Square]] released on the [[SNES]] on 1993-08-06. It was later ported to [[Android]] and [[iOS]] and emulated on several platforms. It is the second game in the [[Mana (universe)|''Mana'' series]]. In the game, you play a group of children whose world is being torn apart by the strange disappearance of mana. It is your destiny to figure out why and stop it. The game allows for up to 3 players to play simultaneously.
  
I first saw ''Secret of Mana'' at the house of a middle school friend. He had rented the game and already played through a lot of the intro, so he already had the girl and the sprite. I played with him as the second player and, together, we made it through almost the entire game. He even kept the game a couple days later in an attempt to beat it, but he eventually had to return it. Not too long after, another friend of mine bought the game, and he and I played it together. I watched him beat the final boss, but I never beat it myself. Years later, bought a used copy at FuncoLand and played it all the way to the end, but I wanted to max out my characters before beating the end boss. I ended up getting bored, and didn't bother to finish the game. Several years later, I finally beat the end boss and beat the game.
+
I first saw ''Secret of Mana'' at the house of a middle school friend. He had rented the game and already played through a lot of the intro, so he already had the girl and the sprite. I played with him as the second player and, together, we made it through almost the entire game. He even kept the game a couple days later in an attempt to beat it, but he eventually had to return it. Not too long after, another friend of mine bought the game, and he and I played it together. I watched him beat the final boss, but I never beat it myself. Years later, bought a used copy at [[FuncoLand]] and played it all the way to the end, but I wanted to max out my characters before beating the end boss. I ended up getting bored, and didn't bother to finish the game. Several years later, I finally beat the end boss and beat the game.
  
 
I later played ''[[Final Fantasy Adventure]]'' and was a bit surprised at how much of the game's design had originated in the [[Game Boy]] title.
 
I later played ''[[Final Fantasy Adventure]]'' and was a bit surprised at how much of the game's design had originated in the [[Game Boy]] title.
  
This is, by far, my favorite title in the [[Mana (universe)|Mana series]], but also one of my favorite [[SNES]] games, and one of my favorite video games over all.
+
This is, by far, my favorite title in the ''Mana'' series, but also one of my favorite SNES games, and one of my favorite video games over all.
  
 
==Status==
 
==Status==
Line 19: Line 19:
  
 
===Good===
 
===Good===
 
+
* The game is enormous. There are dozens of maps, monsters, NPCs, spells, items, etc., and most of them are highly detailed and unique.
 +
* The game art is phenomenal, some of the best for the entire platform. The backgrounds are gorgeously drawn, and very colorful. All of the character and monsters are beautifully animated, especially the bosses, and some even have extra funny animations. The item and spell effects are enjoyable to watch (especially the high level ones), as are the weapon power-ups.
 +
* I adore [[Hiroki Kikuta]]'s soundtrack. There are a nice variety of catchy happy songs, sad emotional songs, and upbeat action songs.
 +
* Unlike most RPGs, there isn't just a variety of weapons in name only, but each weapon has a different attack form, animation, and special ability.
 +
* The game's story is pretty good. A lot of the game's characters are fleshed-out, even the enemy bosses have their own motives.
 +
* The icon-based ring inventory system is efficient, attractive, and inventive.
 +
* I like how pretty much everything in the game can be leveled up. The characters, their ability with weapons, the weapons themselves, and spell abilities all gradually progress during the game which always gives you a sense of growth.
 +
* The funny names given to the enemies are hilarious.
 +
* I like that you can adjust the AI when your party is computer controlled by choosing how close they should get to enemies, how aggressive they should attack, and to what level they should charge up their attacks.
 +
* The game comes with a fantastic manual and map.
  
 
===Bad===
 
===Bad===
 
+
* Although I like the weapon power-ups, I never really found them to be useful in the game. They're so slow to charge up, the amount of damage you can do with ordinary attacks is generally greater than the charged attack. Also, if you're hit during the charging process, you lose your charge, making them risky to use.
 +
* A lot the girl's spells aren't very useful like the sabres, the stat buffs (speed up, defender, etc.), and such. I usually just use her for Cure Water, Analyzer, and occasionally her attack magic when the sprite is tapped out of mana.
 +
* Some of the weapons are objectively superior to the others making the inferior ones rather pointless. Also, while I like that the weapons have special abilities (like poison or strong against insects), they usually only keep the ability for a single short-lived upgrade. With the amount of weapons and upgrade levels, you will often never even notice the special ability at work or even bother taking advantage of it.
  
 
===Ugly===
 
===Ugly===
* Nothing.
+
* There is a serious exploit where you can chain spells together to effectively shut down an enemy, even a boss, until you run out of mana. And, even then, a faerie walnut will let you continue. It's not uncommon to stumble upon this tactic during a boss fight, and then, most bosses become as easy as simple to defeat as an ordinary monster. This is a shame because so many of the bosses have really great battle tactics. A simple magic cool down would have solved this problem.
  
 
==Media==
 
==Media==
 
===Box Art===
 
===Box Art===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 +
Secret of Mana - SNES - Japan.jpg|The Japanese box uses a gorgeous painting of the three heroes standing at the foot of the massive mana tree. This is my favorite box. My only complaint is the rather boring title text.
 +
Secret of Mana - SNES - USA.jpg|The North American box uses the same painting, but zooms in on heroes. The cropped art isn't as good, but it almost makes it seem larger because you have to imagine the rest. I still love this box, and I prefer this title text.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
===Documentation===
 
===Documentation===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 +
Secret of Mana - SNES - Japan - Manual - Digital.pdf|Manual, Japan (digital).
 +
Secret of Mana - SNES - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual, USA.
 +
Secret of Mana - SNES - Poster.jpg|Poster.
 +
Secret of Mana - SNES - Art.jpg|Better quality, but partial cover.
 +
Secret of Mana - SNES - Germany - Ad.jpg|Ad, Germany.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
===Maps===
 
===Maps===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 +
Secret of Mana - SNES - Map - Overworld.png|Overworld.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
===Screenshots===
+
* [https://www.vgmaps.com/Atlas/SuperNES/index.htm#SecretOfMana vgmaps.com/Atlas/SuperNES/index.htm#SecretOfMana] - Maps.
<gallery>
+
 
</gallery>
+
===Graphics===
 +
* [https://www.spriters-resource.com/snes/secretofmanaseikendensetsu2 spriters-resource.com/snes/secretofmanaseikendensetsu2] - Sprite sheets.
  
 
===Fan Art===
 
===Fan Art===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 +
Secret of Mana - SNES - Fan Art - Brian Nedrouhard.jpg|Fan art by Brian Nedrouhard.
 +
Secret of Mana - SNES - Fan Art - Mandy Mo.jpg|Fan art by Mandy Mo.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  

Revision as of 14:04, 22 May 2019

North American box art.

Secret of Mana is an action adventure role-playing game by Square released on the SNES on 1993-08-06. It was later ported to Android and iOS and emulated on several platforms. It is the second game in the Mana series. In the game, you play a group of children whose world is being torn apart by the strange disappearance of mana. It is your destiny to figure out why and stop it. The game allows for up to 3 players to play simultaneously.

I first saw Secret of Mana at the house of a middle school friend. He had rented the game and already played through a lot of the intro, so he already had the girl and the sprite. I played with him as the second player and, together, we made it through almost the entire game. He even kept the game a couple days later in an attempt to beat it, but he eventually had to return it. Not too long after, another friend of mine bought the game, and he and I played it together. I watched him beat the final boss, but I never beat it myself. Years later, bought a used copy at FuncoLand and played it all the way to the end, but I wanted to max out my characters before beating the end boss. I ended up getting bored, and didn't bother to finish the game. Several years later, I finally beat the end boss and beat the game.

I later played Final Fantasy Adventure and was a bit surprised at how much of the game's design had originated in the Game Boy title.

This is, by far, my favorite title in the Mana series, but also one of my favorite SNES games, and one of my favorite video games over all.

Status

I own this game and have beaten it and have leveled my characters well-beyond what is necessary to finish the game.

Review

  • Overall: 9/10
  • Best Version: SNES

— This section contains spoilers! —

Good

  • The game is enormous. There are dozens of maps, monsters, NPCs, spells, items, etc., and most of them are highly detailed and unique.
  • The game art is phenomenal, some of the best for the entire platform. The backgrounds are gorgeously drawn, and very colorful. All of the character and monsters are beautifully animated, especially the bosses, and some even have extra funny animations. The item and spell effects are enjoyable to watch (especially the high level ones), as are the weapon power-ups.
  • I adore Hiroki Kikuta's soundtrack. There are a nice variety of catchy happy songs, sad emotional songs, and upbeat action songs.
  • Unlike most RPGs, there isn't just a variety of weapons in name only, but each weapon has a different attack form, animation, and special ability.
  • The game's story is pretty good. A lot of the game's characters are fleshed-out, even the enemy bosses have their own motives.
  • The icon-based ring inventory system is efficient, attractive, and inventive.
  • I like how pretty much everything in the game can be leveled up. The characters, their ability with weapons, the weapons themselves, and spell abilities all gradually progress during the game which always gives you a sense of growth.
  • The funny names given to the enemies are hilarious.
  • I like that you can adjust the AI when your party is computer controlled by choosing how close they should get to enemies, how aggressive they should attack, and to what level they should charge up their attacks.
  • The game comes with a fantastic manual and map.

Bad

  • Although I like the weapon power-ups, I never really found them to be useful in the game. They're so slow to charge up, the amount of damage you can do with ordinary attacks is generally greater than the charged attack. Also, if you're hit during the charging process, you lose your charge, making them risky to use.
  • A lot the girl's spells aren't very useful like the sabres, the stat buffs (speed up, defender, etc.), and such. I usually just use her for Cure Water, Analyzer, and occasionally her attack magic when the sprite is tapped out of mana.
  • Some of the weapons are objectively superior to the others making the inferior ones rather pointless. Also, while I like that the weapons have special abilities (like poison or strong against insects), they usually only keep the ability for a single short-lived upgrade. With the amount of weapons and upgrade levels, you will often never even notice the special ability at work or even bother taking advantage of it.

Ugly

  • There is a serious exploit where you can chain spells together to effectively shut down an enemy, even a boss, until you run out of mana. And, even then, a faerie walnut will let you continue. It's not uncommon to stumble upon this tactic during a boss fight, and then, most bosses become as easy as simple to defeat as an ordinary monster. This is a shame because so many of the bosses have really great battle tactics. A simple magic cool down would have solved this problem.

Media

Box Art

Documentation

Maps

Graphics

Fan Art

Videos

Titles

Language Native Transliteration Translation
English Secret of Mana
Japanese 聖剣伝説2 Seiken Densetsu 2 The Legend of the Sacred Sword 2

Links

Link-MobyGames.png  Link-Wikipedia.png  Link-StrategyWiki.png  Link-GameFAQs.png  Link-VGMPF.png  Link-TCRF.png  Link-TVTropes.png