Square Enix has shared a new gameplay reveal trailer for Visions of Mana, and with it comes a few new details about the first mainline Mana game in over 15 years from series producer Masaru Oyamada and series creator Koichi Ishii. Visions of Mana was originally unveiled during last month’s The Game Awards show, and while a 2024 release window had already been teased at the time, Mana fans can now rest assured that it’ll be available this summer.
Newly announced features:
- Aerial combat system, enabling physical and magic attacks to be casted mid-air
- Elementals (Mana Spirits) make a return, assisting players with unique effects
- Explore the world on a “pikul,” a new animal companion partially inspired by mythology
- Vision of Mana soundtrack will feature 100 tracks at launch
- Adaptive music system for more seamless transitions between maps and battles
Platforms and availability:
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X|S
- Windows PC
- Steam
- Summer 2024
Gameplay reveal and new screenshots:
Story description:
In Tianeea, the Fire Village, everyone is preparing to celebrate the coming of the Faerie and the naming of an “alm.” Every four years, alms from around the world are chosen to travel to the Tree of Mana and rejuvenate the flow of mana power. A soul guard is also chosen to ensure the alms’ safe pilgrimage. Val is one such guard.
On the day of the Faerie’s arrival, Val brings his childhood friend to the festival. As the sun falls beneath the skyline, all the spectators wait with bated breath, hoping to be chosen as an alm. The Faerie finally descends before Val’s friend, appointing her the Alm of Fire.
The villagers bid them both farewell, praying for their success as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Press release:
The new gameplay and behind-the-scenes footage provides fans and newcomers alike with a closer look at some of the latest gameplay features, monsters and creatures in Visions of Mana. Mana Series Producer, Masaru Oyamada, revealed new details about Visions of Mana’s combat, including the new addition of the aerial combat system, which will take players to new heights during battle and enable physical attacks with weapons and magic attacks mid-air. Fans can also expect to see the return of series staple, the Elementals. These assist players during battle in the form of specialized items, with each weapon producing a different effect in combat according to its respective element, allowing for a fast-paced, flexible fighting style.
Players were also introduced to a new companion they can expect to encounter in Visions of Mana called the “pikuls.” Designed by Mana Series Creator, Koichi Ishii, the adorable new companion takes inspiration from animals and mythology and will help players traverse the game’s expansive ground map as they explore the vibrant world in Visions of Mana.
SQUARE ENIX also revealed that the Visions of Mana soundtrack will feature a track list of 100 songs at launch, all of which have been composed or received contributions from musical creators who lent their talents to previous Mana titles, including Hiroki Kikuta, Tsuyoshi Sekito and Ryo Yamazaki. Visions of Mana will also feature a new adaptive music system, which will allow players to seamlessly transition from map exploration into battles and heighten their sense of urgency through the arrangement of background music which will change the moment players enter or leave combat.
Since the series’ debut in 1993 as MYSTIC QUEST, a spin-off of the FINAL FANTASY series, Mana games have immersed players in bright vibrant worlds, breathtaking environments, heartwarming characters and high fantasy storylines across many genres and platforms. Based on 30 years of legacy, Mana Series Producer, Masaru Oyamada, and his team are incorporating everything they have learned from the last 17 Mana games to ensure that Visions of Mana is a faithful addition to the series that fans know and love, while also offerings fans and newcomers a fresh new experience with an all-new story, characters and gameplay mechanics.
Source: Square Enix