The Mana series has been afond franchise of Square ever since it was formerly connected to the Final Fantasy series in the early 90s. The basic premise of the franchise follows the adventures of many young heroes and their mission to protect the Mana Tree with the special Mana Sword.
Like the Final Fantasy series, many of the installments of the Mana series can be enjoyed out of release order. They can diverge in tone, style, gameplay, and musical presentation, with some minor elements that carry throughout the games. Despite the differences, their plots still revolve around the world’s different magical elements and the Mana Tree.
10Legend Of Mana
The fourth installment of the Mana series, Legend of Mana is set in Fa’Diel and has a very loose attachment to its storyline due to the unique gameplay choice. Legend of Mana introduces the ability to shape the world the way that you want it, which generates all kinds of randomized layouts and quests.
Because of this non-linear way of engaging in the world, there is little going on in the main plotline aside from what’s established. Your enjoyment of the game depends on how much you like building your own world and exploring its procedurally generated elements from different NPCs and unique enemy encounters.
9Dawn Of Mana
Dawn of Mana is a PS2 exclusive that came out as the first part of the World of Mana miniseries. The story acts as the origin of the entire series and follows Keldric, a young hero on a journey to save the Tree of Mana from a portal to the land of Darkness. The World of Mana miniseries is meant to be an experimental period in the series that combines different game mechanics with the Mana franchise.
Dawn of Mana does this by focusing more on action-adventure gameplay in a full 3D world. Combat focuses on having you grab and throw things to startle enemies before attacking them with a sword and magic. Keldric has a vine attached to his arm that can morph into either a sword, a slingshot, or a whip to throw items and enemies, knocking them down and making them vulnerable for a while.
8Heroes Of Mana
Another installment of the World of Mana miniseries, Heroes of Mana for the Nintendo DS is confirmed to be the direct prequel to the Trials of Mana storyline. The story follows a young soldier named Roget on a journey to defend several nations from the conquests of Pedda in a series of battles that require tactical planning.
Heroes of Mana diverges from the known gameplay of the series up to this point by being a real-time strategy game with limited RPG elements used for unlocking skills and different equipment. This is similar to other RTS/RPG hybrid games like Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics.
Heroes of Mana takes advantage of the Nintendo DS double-screen for the map on top and the actual gameplay on the bottom. Units that you’re able to control in battle can span from the main characters and their allies to monsters that can be summoned.
7Children Of Mana
Released after the successful reconstruction of the Mana series with Sword of Mana, Children of Mana is a DS-exclusive installment that can be considered a much simpler and easier way to experience the action elements of the Mana series. The story follows one of four young heroes as they combat an invasion of monsters.
Unlike previous installments in the Mana series, Children of Mana plays more like a Dungeon Crawler in the vein of the older Legend of Zelda games. A majority of your time takes place in selected locations rather than navigating an Overworld. The combat is also very reminiscent of the older games, with diverse options for each of the four heroes. Each hero can wield any of the four weapons available: sword, flail, bow, and hammer.
6Secret Of Mana
Secret of Mana is the second game in the series but the first to use Mana as the title of the game. Secret of the Mana was originally released on the Super Nintendo in 1993. It was re-released as part of the Collection of Mana port on the Switch with Final Fantasy Adventure and Trials of Mana.
The combat system is real-time instead of turn-based and is reminiscent of the first three flagship Final Fantasy installments. It also inspired the system for Chrono Trigger. This is the first installment where the popular Ring menu is utilized, allowing you to pause the action and strategize stress-free with your teams and their many abilities.
5Trials Of Mana (1995)
It is one of the best major RPG games released on the Super Famicom console. It was never localized during its original release in 1995 until it came with the Collection of Mana 2017. Trials of Mana builds on many of the established systems from Secret of Mana and improves on them with some new ideas. The story begins when Mana begins to fade and peace in the world has ended. It’s up to our heroes to restore the power of the Mana Tree and stop them.
An interesting element in Trials of Mana is that of the six possible characters you follow, only three can be selected as playable party members, while the rest become supporting NPCs. This makes each story you follow unique and interesting, with several combinations you can make between the characters. Other games, like Octopath Traveler, tried to emulate this but were not as successful.
4Final Fantasy Adventure/Adventures Of Mana
The first true installment in the Mana series, Final Fantasy Adventures, was the first game that introduces the plot revolving around Mana Tree and the heroes that aspire to protect it from the Dark Lord of Glaive. Final Fantasy Adventure later had two remakes; one is Sword of Mana in 2003 for Game Boy Advance, and the other is Adventures of Mana for iOS, PS Vita, and Android.
The chief differences between the two versions include graphics, removing the Final Fantasy elements, and several of the stylized designs of characters and monsters. Several RPG elements that became popular in the Mana series are introduced here and have become a part of the franchise as it branched away from Final Fantasy.
3Sword Of Mana
Sword of Mana is the first enhanced remake of Final Fantasy Adventure. The game was released for the Game Boy Advance, and many of the Final Fantasy elements were removed from the original while adding elements exclusive to the Mana Saga that have since been a part of the series for years. The main plot of Sword of Mana is modified so that you can follow the parallel perspective of the two protagonists with deeper backstory and dialogue added for more story context.
The gameplay ofSword of Manais a modified version of Final Fantasy Adventure. The major differences are in the much more colorful, dynamic presentation thanks to a more defined style for the series. With the addition of a link cable, a fun little accessory that connects two different Game Boy consoles together, you’re able to grant other players special abilities and powers to use.
2Visions Of Mana
Visions of Mana is considered the fifth mainline installment of the Mana series and is considered a tribute/return to many of the classic elements of the Mana games. Many of its designs for characters and enemies evoke the styles and look of the classic games. The story follows Val as he escorts a group of Alms on a pilgrimage to restore flow into the Mana Tree.
The combat combines many classic elements, and you can play one of three members of your party as you take on battles whenever you encounter foes during exploration.There are only five playable characters, but they each have nine element-focused classes that can change the way they fight and play. This keeps thediversity and strategies of battle fresh and interesting since even the characters you don’t directly control can be directed to bring the most in battle.
1Trials Of Mana (2020)
This is the 3D graphical remake of the original Trials of Mana, worked from the ground up due to popular demand. It’s released for more consoles, PC, and is accessible anywhere along with other recent releases from the Mana series.The remake made several tweaks and changes while still keeping the overall feel and experience faithful to the classic form of the game.
Additions to the remake include a new post-game chapter and a new unlockable class you can get after the story. Aesthetic changes to the remake include the 3D reworked graphics and design of the environments and characters/creatures. Music has been reworked with a modernized redo of the soundtrack as well and players have full control of the camera. A new addition to the RPG setups for your character’s levels is the “Ability” system, which are moves and passive buffs that are unlocked through the Training system.
Trials of Mana (2024)
WHERE TO PLAY
Trials of Mana is a full remake of the SNES classic RPG, as six heroes from different backgrounds seek the fabled Mana Sword. It reworks everything from the graphics to the control system, adding new mechanics to freshen up the action.
