My Played Video Games Review: Secret of Mana for the Super Nintendo

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Secret of Mana, known as Seiken Densetsu 2 in Japan, is an action role-playing game from 1993. Square (now Square Enix) developed and published it for the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom. It serves as the follow-up to the 1991 game Seiken Densetsu, which was released in North America as Final Fantasy Adventure and in Europe as Mystic Quest. Notably, Secret of Mana marks the first time the Seiken Densetsu series was promoted as part of the Mana series, set apart from the Final Fantasy series.

This was the best 2 player action-RPG available on 16-bit consoles during the early 1990s. It could even include a 3rd player as the 3rd party member if you got another extra controller and a Multi-tap accessory.

Japan only Super Famicom box cover art. The game is called "Seiken Densetsu 2" over there. (Image source)

The Story

Within the universe, a singular force, known as the Tree of Mana, maintains a delicate balance between good and evil. However, this equilibrium is disrupted when a magic sword deceives a young warrior, causing malevolence to spread across the land. To fix the situation, the warrior embarks on a dangerous quest to locate the long-concealed seeds of the Mana tree, safeguarded for ages. Only through this journey can perfect harmony be restored. Yet, be prepared for a great adventure, as the world appears to be turned inside out, and it's your assistance that the warrior needs to set things right. Solving the damn Secret of Mana holds the key to success.

Box, manual and cartridge of the game. (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

The graphics are great. The game effectively captures the essence of various locations using the SNES' hardware. The initial areas near Gaea's Navel are teeming with lush greenery, while a later forest section ingeniously represents all four seasons across its screens. Personally, I found the Spring screen particularly enchanting with its surreal pink trees and inviting ambiance.

The characters, of whom you eventually control three, are nicely designed and detailed, although I must admit they appear a bit small. As for the enemies, they give a sense of nostalgia with their classic charm, ranging from the hopping Rhobite to the menacing Buzz Bees in Gaea's Navel. The bosses, too, are well-crafted and visually appealing. However, as the game progresses, some of the foes and bosses are repeated with slight variations in name, strength, and color palette, which brought back memories of the NES gaming era.

The music in this game is truly outstanding. Specifically, in certain areas like the ice stage, it is perfectly composed to heighten the overall atmosphere and mood, adding a captivating touch to the gameplay. Additionally, players have a wide variety of weapons to choose from, and the accompanying sound effects, such as the crack of a whip or the draw of a bow, are well-executed. This particular aspect might be considered the most exceptional and best feature of the Mana game.

Gameplay video sample of Secret of Mana in 2 player mode. Watch in 360p for near TV resolution of that time.

The Gameplay

In this game, you take control of three characters and go on a journey to uncover the mysteries plaguing the world. Along the way, you and your companions get both healing and attack magic, featuring eight different elements each. Additionally, you'll possess eight distinct weapons that can be upgraded up to eight (sometimes even nine) levels. This depth is quite remarkable for an adventure game, and you can further enhance your magical abilities and weapon proficiency by engaging in frequent battles with enemies.

This leveling process becomes important for progressing through the game. Although it may occasionally feel damn repetitive, it doesn't reach an unbearable level. The game maintains a brisk pace and offers a challenging experience, particularly for experienced RPG players. However, its well-designed mechanics smoothly blend action elements, making it an enjoyable and thoughtfully crafted gaming adventure.

The game's controls are good and easy to use. You can switch between characters using the Select button, which is nice to see. When you control one character, you can choose how aggressive the other two characters will be, and the computer does a decent job of helping you out. The menus on the screen are in a circle shape and are very easy to use. They make this complex game simple to understand and navigate. You have to try them yourself to see how effective and user-friendly they are.

In terms of replay value, there isn't much, but you can still challenge yourself by attempting to complete the game getting the secrets and using weaker weapons like Gloves or Javelin instead of the more powerful Spear, Sword, and Axe. This adds a new level of difficulty and variety to the gameplay, giving you a reason to revisit the game with different strategies and approaches.

My Verdict

Secret of Mana is a very well-made game, and it's unique and mixes different gameplay elements in a fantastic way. When it came out, it was groundbreaking, and not many other games could match its magic.

Play it on the beloved Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a revered emulator. Try to play it with two other friends.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!