Released in the US on October 3rd, 1993, Secret of Mana is one of many esteemed RPG's of the SNES era. Unlike many turn-based RPG's of its time though, this game featured very action oriented real-time battles with a stylish and unique menu system that would pause the action for critical decision making. And if you happened to have the Super Multitap accessory for the SNES and three controllers, this epic adventure could be enjoyed as a three-player cooperative experience, of which the game centers around three main characters: A young boy who finds a mystical sword and inadvertently calls forth looming threats to the world; A young girl who defies her father's attempted arranged marriage and sets off to find / protect her love (a warrior sent on a mission by the king); And lastly a small sprite child who lost his memories and makes a living scamming travelers. Together, these three characters' roles will intersect as they embark on a journey to protect the world's life energy / mana from an empire bent on obtaining such for themselves and resurrecting a powerful warship known as the Mana Fortress.
Each character in the game is also given a unique attribute and focus to stand apart during battles. The boy excels with weapons and will level up faster with such, while the girl and sprite can each command elemental magic with each elemental spirit rescued during the journey. The girl's magic is more defensive focused, while the sprite's magic focuses on offensive attacks. On top of this, each weapon found in the game have unique play styles, some of which can be used with the environment in unique ways for traversal. As characters use weapons more throughout the game, each can be leveled up and upgraded, allowing for variations in charged attacks. Since the game features an action-oriented combat system, players must deploy careful maneuvering to dodge and when to strike, as each weapon needs to recharge after use for any sort of effective damage. And did I mention how cool the menu system is, how it circles and zooms through various options? So mesmorizing. Combined with its rich and captivating story, many unique and sprawling landscapes, and an absolutely superb soundtrack, Secret of Mana makes for quite the lengthy and grand experience.
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| Later in the game, players can fly around the world map, which makes use of the Mode 7 graphics mode on the SNES. |
This stunning game can be enjoyed on the SNES and Wii's Virtual console. And in Japan, they have the great fortune of enjoying a trilogy collection including this game for the Nintendo Switch. Cross your fingers such may someday be released for the US, but it may be difficult as the 3rd entry of this series has never been translated for western audiences. With that said, don't let this classic pass you by, especially if you have the means to enjoy such with a group of three. Let me tell you, growing up with two other siblings, this felt like a game made just for us. There may have been times during the adventure where the action was a bit grinding as we fought many an enemy to level up, but it still remains a memorable experience that won't soon be forgotten.
Fun Fact: The Mana series (or known as Seiken Densetsu / "Legend of the Sacred Sword" in Japan) began as a Final Fantasy spin-off with the Gameboy game Final Fantasy Adventure. The Final Fantasy elements were later removed as it became its own series with the second installment that is The Secret of Mana.
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