Square Enix
The Secret of Mana is one in every of my favourite video games of all time.
Square’s mix of conventional RPG components with real-time motion was exceptional, and the story of unlikely allies forging bonds and taking over an empire is equal elements epic, heartfelt, and hilarious. It was the second title within the Final Fantasy spinoff sequence that is called Seiken Densetsu in Japan, and it turned the hit that spawned over a dozen video games and thousands and thousands of copies bought. Despite that success, the sequence has laid dormant for 15 years, with no new mainline entry launched in that point. That modifications this 12 months with Visions of Mana.
At PAX East 2024, I spoke with Mana sequence producer Masaru Oyamada concerning the upcoming RPG — and rather more. Our free-flowing dialog centered on the legacy of Mana, advances in fashionable video games, and the way Visions of Mana seems to be to unite each to create an bold new title that seeks to recapture the magic that put the sequence on the map.
So, simply to start out off: What do you need to accomplish by returning to the Mana sequence?
It has been 15 years because the newest mainline sport launched beforehand. We hope that his sport is one thing that many longtime followers of the sequence will be capable to decide up and love. As for newer followers, we do hope that it is a sport that after they decide up and begin taking part in that they’ll additionally be capable to actually perceive instantly what the core attraction of the sequence is and be capable to perceive that to the total extent. And in order that’s type of our largest hope.
How do you determine what makes one thing a ‘Mana’ sport?
In phrases of having the ability to retain that core id of the Mana sequence, we felt that having the ability to categorical and seize the sensation of the Mana Tree was necessary, as nicely understand the graphics for the expansive really feel that’s launched on this sport. And what actually turned a guiding issue for us was really the paintings that was featured for the quilt for Secret of Mana, which is illustrated by Hiroo Isono and is mainly an outline of the Mana Tree. The know-how has superior in addition to, there’s been many developments made by way of {hardware} specs. We felt that it could be potential to really create gameplay that includes that.
Square Enix
And, you understand, it was actually by means of that course of that we kind of created the sphere and the landscapes of the world. But inside that, we additionally wished to guarantee that on this world, you’ll be able to actually really feel the breadth of the fundamental spirits that reside inside it. Being capable of actually respect and cling to that component of the lore felt [like it] would actually be necessary to retaining the core id of the Mana sequence.
The second I actually felt that this newest installment is true to what the essence of the Mana sequence is was after we introduced in our character designer Haccan. When we had been capable of recreate his character designs with our 3D fashions, that was actually the second that I knew that this sport was worthy of the newest and latest installment on this sequence.
What components do you are feeling wanted to be up to date essentially the most?
You know, the Mana Series initially is regarded as an motion RPG. But the unique idea of this sequence was to have the ability to create a seamless [turn-based] RPG expertise as an motion RPG. When you consider the truth that there’s been so many developments made within the {hardware}, and simply the truth that, usually, inside the market, there was a better variety of video games which are launched that mix the motion RPG components collectively, I did really feel that it was necessary that the Mana sequence additionally wanted to be akin to these video games, whereas nonetheless retaining what I discussed because the core id of the sequence general.
From an motion perspective, we wished to guarantee that gamers can transfer round and play the sport in a approach that feels pure. But we additionally wished to include issues just like the ring instructions and command inputs, which we felt had been kind of the core components of the RPG facet of the sequence. We felt that by doing that we are able to retain the core id of the sport that has been inherited and seen in previous video games too.
Square Enix
Something within the sequence that at all times stood out to me has been the humor. There’s plenty of comedy all through the sequence, along with the journey and the motion. Is is that one thing that we are able to anticipate to see as we play by means of this story
You know, simply as one other large fan of the sequence, it actually does really feel as if everybody who’s a fan of the Mana sequence has that very same kind of opinion, is on the identical wavelength.
This sport inside the Mana sequence has essentially the most expansive and largest world ever offered.
In phrases of the story, there’s going to be components and themes which have been explored previously video games, which actually delves into the idea of assembly and encountering new folks whereas additionally having to bid farewell and half methods with others. And there are going to be thematic components that type of cope with grappling with carrying a heavy destiny if you’ll, but additionally as you’re type of exploring that, having the ability to see the characters themselves nonetheless residing very vibrant, blissful, energetic lives. So that’s one thing that we undoubtedly wished to include with this sport too
Unfortunately I can’t share an excessive amount of concerning the story at this present stage, however I hope you anticipate finding extra concerning the story, in addition to the extra gameplay info that we’re hoping to [share] very very quickly.
When you may have a world the place it’s large and there’s so much to discover and there are lots of sidequests, it could really feel overwhelming. Obviously, we solely noticed a small a part of it, however what actually struck me was the sensation of curiosity of what’s over the subsequent hill. How do you method constructing that curiosity for the participant?
This sport inside the Mana sequence has the costliest and largest world ever offered but on this sequence, however as a extremely longtime fan of the sequence myself, I’ve at all times actually had an ambition of eager to make a sport that explored this complete large, big world.
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And with the intention to actually seize that feeling of curiosity within the journey, we actually need it to have the ability to seize simply the distinctive traits of every of the areas that the gamers will encounter, in addition to capturing the sensation of nature being ample inside every of these traits I offered. Through these, we actually wished to have the ability to draw out the curiosity and curiosity that the customers may need.
And inside that surroundings, we wished to include gimmicks the place you’ll be able to really feel the ability of the fundamental spirits, in addition to scattering concerning the acquainted monsters which are distinctive to the sequence too. And by doing so, we actually felt that we will create a sport that feels at its core like a real Mana sequence sport and preserve that whereas nonetheless type of having an expertise that will be enjoyable and gratifying for anyone.
Can we speak a little bit bit about how weapon upgrades probably work?
We have a system the place there’s a number of completely different weapons inside one class. A one-handed sword, for instance. There’ll be separate variations of many various iterations of one-handed swords you can decide up and get higher and higher ones as you go alongside your journey.
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These weapons are one thing that you simply’d be capable to encounter by means of your discipline explorations, or perhaps come throughout in sure retailers, however they’re scattered all through the sport for you to have the ability to encounter. The approach we deal with it on this sport is it’s of 1 the methods to vary your parameters and stats, however it’s simply one in every of many various methods you can customise and construct and develop your character. There are many extra options that we hope to disclose very, very quickly that can type of dive into the main points for this additional.
Visions of Mana is deliberate to launch in summer season 2024 on PlayStation 4, PS5, Windows, and Xbox Series consoles.
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