Legend of Mana (1999, PS1/PSX Gameplay 2020)
2Legend of Mana is the 4th Action Rpg game in the Secret of Mana series. The game was released in 1999, published by JP: Square, and NA: Square Electronic Arts, and it was developed by Square.
This 4th game of the series changed everything for the Mana series, whilst the game's gorgeous had drawn graphics were very much praised by critics and fans the game itself left many people feeling the story was very disjointed with no real main story-line; it felt more like a game built up of mini-stories.
Personally, I like the game, it's different from the other 3 that had came before it BUT that's not to say the game was without it's issues. The most annoying issue is the movement and placement of the character when in battles, you can only attack left or right, and after three swipes of your weapon you are clearly wide open for attacks. The use of your tactical skills are often lagged and end up missing monsters, that's if the skill activates at all.
The game's world is a placement of items to pop the location, each of these locations have 1 quest but can have up to three quests depending on the location and placement rating on the world map. The placement rating is also called Presence of Mana, this would give ratings 0 = no presence, 3 = strong presence. the higher the presence this would result in magic of that element to be stronger in that Land, and sometimes more quests.
Whilst you can also take part in gardening from the huge tree in you house garden you can also take part in crafting, making your weapons stronger, item combining, and even pet raising. This game had many features that the previous 3 did not have what so ever, it certainly changed things up.
SO! would I recommend playing this today? i'm not sure.. if you're a Mana series fan then yeah, why not play it? but as a stand alone game and for someone looking to play a retro RPG game.. there's better out there, i'd give this one a miss.. not only that, you will most certainly find yourself looking for guide for the game because its so weirdly built you will find yourself frustrated that you don't know what to do next or where to go.
Here is a great site with a guide on how to get max best location spots, weapon upgrades, best shops, best pets, all events, etc. https://legendofmana.info/walkthrough/maps/
Have you played this game? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.
Don't forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe to my Channel guys!!
Thanks!