Visions of Mana (PS5) review: A nostalgic JRPG adventure that misses the mark

Playing Square Enix’s Visions of Mana on the PlayStation 5 was a bit of a mixed bag for me. It’s a commendable revitalisation effort by the Japanese publisher of a beloved JRPG franchise, and the game tries hard to capture the magic of its predecessors, with many familiar elements and a colourful, nostalgic art style that immediately drew me in. However, while the visuals are enchanting, the game itself feels like it’s trying to do too much without quite nailing any of it.

From the moment I started exploring, I was struck by how beautiful the in-game world is. Visions of Mana features a wide range of environments, from lush forests to expansive deserts, all brought to life with vibrant colours and a distinct style that feels like a storybook come to life. It’s clear a lot of love went into crafting these settings. But as I wandered through these visually stunning landscapes, I began to feel like they were more like backdrops than actual places to explore. The various zones are large and inviting, but they often feel empty and devoid of meaningful content. The NPCs I encountered were forgettable, rarely offering anything more than a one-liner or a fetch quest that didn’t add much to the experience.

Visions of Mana’s story also left me feeling a bit cold. The main plot follows Val and Hinna on their pilgrimage to the Mana Tree, a setup that seemed ripe with potential for emotional storytelling and deep character arcs. However, I found that the narrative often felt rushed, with character development that seemed to skim over the surface rather than dig deep. For instance, Morley, one of the early characters, has a fascinating backstory filled with tragedy, but his personal growth is resolved almost as quickly as it begins. I kept waiting for the game to slow down and give me a chance to connect with these characters, but it felt like I was constantly being pushed forward, not allowed to linger or really feel the weight of the story​.

Combat is another area where Visions of Mana shows promise but ultimately falls short for me. The real-time action-RPG mechanics and the class-based system initially seemed like they’d add a lot of variety and depth, allowing me to switch up my playstyle and experiment with different combinations of elemental attacks. However, I quickly found that the combat can feel repetitive. The basic two-button combos get old fast, and while elemental abilities like tornadoes or fire rushes add some visual flair, they don’t significantly change the gameplay. There’s not much incentive to explore different strategies, and the lack of synergy between the elements means that the combat quickly settles into a predictable pattern​.

The targeting system is a real frustration. I often found myself struggling to lock onto enemies, with the camera swinging wildly and making it hard to keep track of what was happening on screen. During intense battles, the screen would become cluttered with damage numbers, effects, and UI elements, adding to the chaos rather than enhancing the experience. Swapping between characters should have added another layer of strategy, but instead, it often felt more like a chore than a tactical choice. I wanted to enjoy the action, but too often, I found myself fighting the game’s controls as much as the enemies​.

When it comes to exploration, I have to admit I was disappointed. The game offers expansive zones that are visually appealing, but they often feel empty, lacking the sense of discovery I crave in a good RPG. Most of my time was spent roaming through areas with little to find beyond basic collectibles or the occasional elite monster. The lack of indoor areas and varied environments made the exploration feel repetitive and less engaging than it could have been. I wanted more moments of surprise, more hidden secrets, but the game didn’t deliver on that front​.

The soundtrack, too, is somewhat of a letdown. I’ve always loved the music in the Mana series, with its memorable, hummable tunes that stay with you long after you’ve put down the controller. But in Visions of Mana, the music mostly blends into the background. It fits the game’s tone, but it lacks that special something that made previous entries so memorable. I kept waiting for a track that would really stand out, but it never quite came​.

All in all, Visions of Mana left me feeling torn. There are moments when the game hints at greatness, when the nostalgic visuals and classic gameplay elements come together in a way that reminds me why I fell in love with the series in the first place. But those moments are too often overshadowed by shallow mechanics, an underdeveloped narrative, and frustrating technical issues. It’s a game that seems to be reaching for the stars but falls short of its potential.