| Introduction:
Using the power of Mana a civilization had grown strong. In time Mana
was used to create the ultimate weapon: The Mana Fortress... This
angered the gods. They sent their beasts to destroy the fortress. A
Violent war rocked the world, and Mana seemed to disappear... Before
all was, a hero with the Mana Sword smashed the fortress... Though the
civilization had been destroyed, the world was peacful again...
...but time flows like a river...and history repeats...
That is the opening story for the game. It picks up several hundred
years later..following a boy (you have to name him) who finds the Mana
Sword. Secret of Mana is an Action/RPG. Mean that instead of using a
turn based style of fighting (Like in Final Fantasy) You can dodge and
attack as you wish. (Sort-of like Zelda)
This is a very unique Role-playing game, made by Square-Soft (Final
Fantasy developers)
Graphics [9/10]:
The graphics in this game are pretty good. There's three characters
that you can play as, that are pretty well drawn. A huge variety of
enemies, make the game even more enjoyable. Every weapon has a
different look to it. Also a different power up move, which are pretty
neat. There are several magics that two of the characters can use.
Those effects are awsome, fire shooting at an ememy, a wave of
darkness engulfing your enemy, it's simply amazing. The levels are all
done in an over-view , that follows the characters, not true 3-D, but
it gives you freedom to explore. The backrounds are done to fit the
tone of the game, they can be bright and cheerful, or dark and sinister.
Music and Sound [10/10]:
The music is what I've come to expect in a game from Square-Soft. The
music is always pleasent. It never gets boring or repeatative. The
music is beautifully arranged, and it almost sounds like a CD. I know
that Square-Soft did make a CD sound-track, but I can't find it any
where. The end-boss music is so cool that they could just play that
over and over.
The sound is exellently done as well. It's not as breath taking as the
Music, but it's would still deserve a perfect score. The Spells each
have they're own sound effect, along with the weapons. You can hear
the Whip crack, the Axe hack, and the Boom-a-Rang woosh!
Game Play [10/10]:
The best game that I've played, for a very long time. It's set up is
simple, but that doesn't mean that the game is easy. There are three
characters you play as the boy, the girl, and the farie. (You have to
name them) You can even play multi-player, with up to three players
(using the multi player adapter) each player will control a character.
There are eight weapons that anyone in your party can use, the sword,
axe, whip, spear, boomarang, gloves, bow, and javalin. Through out
the game 8-9 energy orbs can be collected for each of the weapons to
upgrade them. For instance the sword can be upgraded to the Broad
Sword, Excalibur, and so on. A character can also learn how to use a
certain weapon better by using it in battle enough.
The girl and farie can learn magic from elements of ice, fire, earth,
wind, darkness, lunar, mana, and light. The more they use a certain
spell group, like fire, the higher in level it rises and the stronger
the magic becomes.
There is a variety of items that can be purchased to help beat the
game. There are dozens of towns, with Inns, Item shops and weapons
shops, all over the world of Secret of Mana.
Later in the game there is a way to go anywhere you want to in the
world, but I won't spoil that for you.
Challenge and Replay [10/10]:
There are so many secrets and things to do in this game..I don't think
that many people will ever get them all done or found. The bosses can
be tough, but even tougher is the stong 'minor' enemies, strung
through-out the game...but one of the most challenging things in this
game is trying to navigate around the map...(This is the only
frustating thing in the game..but it's not that bad..only once in a
while.)
This game has a three way multi-player mode! That means more fun,
after you've beaten it...each player takes command of one of the
characters, giving them full control. Even if you don't have a multi
player adapter, you can still play two players, and leave one
character to alternate to!
Conclussion/Overall [9.7/10]:
This is probably my second favorite game. (Final Fantasy III is the
best, in my book!) This is the first game that the now very popular
Moogles(Marshmellow, type animals) appear in. There is only a couple
flaws in Secret of Mana, too few to mention. I did find two spots that
the game slowed down a bit, but the screen was totally loaded with
things happening. The Multi-Player feature is a huge PLUS to the
entire game. If your an RPG fan or and Action game fan, this game will
probably satisfy you. My advice is..if you can still find this
game..no matter what it comes with. BUY IT!
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