Xbox and Square Enix publicly confirmed their patchwork last summer, and just to show that the publisher is definitely more than angry with the brand, it made a surprise appearance at the Xbox conference to talk about Mana’s vision.
Mana Vision will be released on Xbox this summer
It’s a strong signal to the Japanese public that Xbox is sending today by unveiling new gameplay for Visions of Mana, which was announced during the Game Awards last December.
As a reminder, the new game returns to its action-RPG roots for an adventure described as “vast and dynamic” through a semi-open world. Masaru Oyamada, creator of Secret of Mana, prepared a speech for the occasion to remind people that this new opus is the first in the franchise to offer such a vast 3D world and the freedom to explore it.
As a reminder, Visions of Mana is a single-player game that puts you in the shoes of Val, a curious and carefree young man, but also a seasoned fighter. One eventful night, her childhood friend is chosen as a Bhiksha – someone who must travel to the Mana Tree and revive the flow of Mana Shakti. Val joins her as a spirit guardian to protect her on her journey, and an epic adventure begins.
As Val, you will explore vast territories, battle monsters, find allies and uncover the many mysteries of this vast world. And what a world! As you can see from the screenshots and trailer, it’s a beautifully dynamic game with rich colors and expressive characters.
This beauty translates into equally engaging combat. Aerial combat allows for physical and magical attacks in mid-air, and the majestic and mystical powers of untamed spirits can aid players in the form of special weapons.
Rest assured, each Mana game is its own standalone adventure, with its own characters, its own stories, and its own gameplay mechanics. There is rarely a narrative connection between them – instead they are linked by elements such as monsters.