Players Can Now Revisit the Classic SNES RPG Secret of Mana
Square Enix’s Secret of Mana Remake is now available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and PC.
Back in 1993, most RPGs were utilizing the turn-based combat system. Then Secret of Mana hit with real-time battles, co-op for up to three players, and characters with “moderate amounts of cleavage.” It was a memorable experience that was pretty innovative at the time. Both the gameplay and soundtrack received critical praise, earning it a spot alongside other SNES classics.
The new version retains much of what made the original a classic. However, Square Enix made numerous additions to entice players to give the game another go. These include high-definition 3D visuals, new narrative scenes, and voice-overs. Additional gameplay adjustments include auto-saving and improved AI controls.
The game is a part of Square Enix’s plan to bbring modern updates to old games, the most anticipated being Final Fantasy VII.
“We will revitalize some of our strong IPs in ways that meet the needs of the modern gaming market,” they said in a 2015 annual report. “For example, we will take an IP developed for earlier generations of game consoles and recreate it for the latest consoles, while also proactively developing versions for play on smart devices.”
Secret of Mana follows Randi, Primm, and Popoi as they fight an evil empire in order to take back the power of Mana and restore order to the world. Real-time battles use a power bar mechanic and a Ring Command menu system that allow players to pause and make decisions mid-battle. The system would influence other action-based RPGs that came after, including 1996’s Star Ocean.
The Secret of Mana Remake is only available on the PlayStation 4, Vita, and PC. However, the original game has been ported to the Wii, Wii U, mobile devices, and SNES Classic Edition.