Growing up, we always had PlayStations. My first console was the first PlayStation, so I never got to experience the NES or SNES. Of course, I was born in 1992 so I pretty much missed the window anyway, but I still always felt like I missed a huge part of history. When I stumbled upon the Collection of Mana for the Nintendo Switch, I knew this was my opportunity to experience one of the best RPGs of all time. I had always heard nothing but good things about Secret of Mana (1993). Now that I have played this title, I can see why.
Like most RPGs of its time, The Secret of Mana is displayed in a top-down perspective and you move your characters through panels of environments. The 16-bit graphics are absolutely gorgeous in this title, like most 16-bit games. It’s no wonder why modern titles like Octopath Traveler and Stardew Valley still use this art style.
The battle system of this game is in real time but the strategy behind this game’s battle system is unique and refreshing. It’s odd for me to consider a game from 1993 as refreshing, but it absolutely is.
There are only three characters, each with their own set of spells, abilities, and weapons. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses, and you can take control of whichever character you’d like. The main hero has the highest strength skill, and no access to magic. The sprite has access to powerful attack and debuff magic. The girl is the party’s healer and buffer. All three together create the perfect RPG party.
Essentially, the hero and his two companions are on a quest to recharge the Mana Sword with the help of Mana Seeds and stop Thanatos from wielding the Mana Fortress for himself. The Mana Fortress was originally used as a weapon in the past, until a hero wielding the Mana Sword destroyed it. With Thanatos trying to do this again, it’s up to the hero and his friends to stop this villain.
There’s so much more of a deeper story here though. How the characters grow and interact with each other is one of the most appealing things about this game. I grew attached to each one which made the ending very difficult for me.
For me, Secret of Mana is one of my all time favorite RPGs. I can see how it defined the RPG genre and set the bar for everything afterwards. It was so exciting to explore the fantasy world it took place in.
Between the art style, music and gameplay, I felt fully immersed in this world. Each area was unique too, offering a new change in scenery with every new location. One of the most exciting things about this game for me is when you gain control of Flammie and fly over the whole map.
Hours and hours into my play through this game was still taking my breath away. I think for me, that was one of things that made this game stand out. With some long RPGs things can begin to feel repetitive, but here I was constantly engaged in the story and the relationships between the three main characters and who they met along their journey.
From character progression, to discovering new areas, Secret of Mana captured my heart. There aren’t too many RPGs, let alone games in general, that can do that. I love almost every video game I play, but for every single thing to fall into place like it did with this title is rare for me.
In some ways, I wish they had continued the Mana series, but in a lot of ways I feel like since they didn’t, it’s made it that much more special. When I look at the Final Fantasy series, each title is wonderful, but different. And the more modern titles tend to leave fans wanting the older games structure to return.
With Secret of Mana, there isn’t anything else like it. There are no future titles to take away the magic from the first one. There is Trials of Mana, and then that’s it. I think that as much as I would like to have a new addition in the franchise, it would really just end up diminishing what’s already here.
I am extremely happy that they brought this classic forward to the Switch. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to experience it. I think the SNES is full of classic, history-making games that I am eager to explore. I also think that there’s a magic here in this particular time period for games that really can’t completely be created.
Editor’s note: A faithful 3-D Remake of Secret of Mana was released on the PlayStation 4 in 2018.
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One of THE most overrated games ever. It’s barely got any story or RPG elements, and it has really basic, and pretty crap combat. Throw in a ton of backtracking, and this modern fad of trying to paint it as a “great” is laughable. Even as a kid it ranked way below the better RPGs of the era. It shows how much the writer of this peice actually payed attention to the game, by posting a pic of Seiken Densetsu 3, not Secret of Mana