-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Secret of Mana 20th Anniversary Thread
- Thread starter ElectricKaibutsu
- Start date
I would love a bugfixed version of this game with new sound programming. One of the most regrettable things about Secret of Mana is that the code for determining which sound channels are least important is messed up. It cuts out melody channels rather than less important channels to play combat sound efffects, and it has always bugged me immensely. I always figured it was the result of the move from the SNES CD addon to a cartridge game.
ElectricKaibutsu
Member
If only it was co-op :/. I was shocked to hear it wasn't.
Yeah, I've not tried that version and I do keep thinking about it but ideally It would be a proper remaster and I'd be using my Hori fighting Commander on the PS3.
Yeah, me too. I can only assume they were too busy/underfunded/lazy to do the coding to have two ipads talk.
Great OP!
Ahh, Secret of Mana. One of my most replayed SNES games. And one of the few games that I could play with my mum as a child because it wasn't too complex for her. I absolutely adore it because of its fantastic music, addictive combat and the multiplayer option. I also loved the way in which most of game world is connected in real time without map screens etc.
I still need to try Secret of Mana 2 / Seiken Densetsu 3 for real unfortunately, which you can buy on a reproduction cart that includes English text these days from places like Timewalkgames. The parts I did try out before were somewhat disappointing though as the combat somehow felt less enjoyable. But maybe this was just a bad first impression.
If only Squenix would release a modern take on Secret of Mana that didn't deviate too far into other genres or gimmicks, or rerelease Seiken 3 in English on the Wii U e-shop at least. Wishful thinking for sure, but still...
Ahh, Secret of Mana. One of my most replayed SNES games. And one of the few games that I could play with my mum as a child because it wasn't too complex for her. I absolutely adore it because of its fantastic music, addictive combat and the multiplayer option. I also loved the way in which most of game world is connected in real time without map screens etc.
I still need to try Secret of Mana 2 / Seiken Densetsu 3 for real unfortunately, which you can buy on a reproduction cart that includes English text these days from places like Timewalkgames. The parts I did try out before were somewhat disappointing though as the combat somehow felt less enjoyable. But maybe this was just a bad first impression.
If only Squenix would release a modern take on Secret of Mana that didn't deviate too far into other genres or gimmicks, or rerelease Seiken 3 in English on the Wii U e-shop at least. Wishful thinking for sure, but still...
Because Chrono Trigger didn't come out in the UK for about a year after the US release i bought it assuming it was a Secret of Mana sequel. Based on the pretty much sprite swaps with 2 of the main characters and the fact that there weren't any UK reviews out for it when i imported it.
Was in for a bit of a shock as had never played turn based before but thank god i did.
I still prefer 3 player Secret of Mana to just about any game i have ever played though.
Was in for a bit of a shock as had never played turn based before but thank god i did.
I still prefer 3 player Secret of Mana to just about any game i have ever played though.
I find it puzzling how Square never managed to make another good 3 player action RPG like this. The formula seemed simple enough to build on but the later games all seemed lacking something. I've played them all but none have been as enjoyable as this and no that's not nostalgia talking, as I only played through it recently.
I would absolutely love a remake of this with a revamped battle system.
I would absolutely love a remake of this with a revamped battle system.
sixteen-bit
Member
I played SoM for the first time earlier this year. I loved it!
I bought the soundtrack some time later too, lol
I bought the soundtrack some time later too, lol
Such a great, if...unpolished game. I remember when I first played it, some weird glitch with the castle below Pandora prevented me from continuing. Came back later after starting a new game and finished it.
Always loved Into the Thick of It and the song when you fly around with Flammie before the sky gets dark. So good.
I'm glad I got the iOS version though. The controls kinda suck, but not to the point where you can't play it. It's great to have around.
Always loved Into the Thick of It and the song when you fly around with Flammie before the sky gets dark. So good.
I'm glad I got the iOS version though. The controls kinda suck, but not to the point where you can't play it. It's great to have around.
cyberheater
PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 Xbone PS4 PS4
Great game. Completed it twice. Nice OP.
prodystopian
Member
One of my favorite games and soundtracks of all time. Also one of only a handful of titles I've played more than once. I'm probably about due for another replay.
WeAreStarStuff
Member
I have so many fond memories of the game. Even the box art is magical.
Aw c'mon, it wasn't that bad.
Awright, I yield. It was. 
At least we got the amazing guide and a humongous box instead of some shoddy manual and a standard-sized box. That counts for something.
tehrik-e-insaaf
Member
one of the best games of all time
truly had an emotional bond with my character - really hated the asshole villagers who freaking threw an orphaned kid out to fend for himself - made me want to finish the game on that basis alone
i'm hoping one day nintendo bankrolls ishii/grezzo to make a spiritual successor to secret of mana...
EDIT: and as long as we're linking music
prophecy (orchestra) (first 1:33)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9NQ-0MQZcg
truly had an emotional bond with my character - really hated the asshole villagers who freaking threw an orphaned kid out to fend for himself - made me want to finish the game on that basis alone
i'm hoping one day nintendo bankrolls ishii/grezzo to make a spiritual successor to secret of mana...
EDIT: and as long as we're linking music
prophecy (orchestra) (first 1:33)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9NQ-0MQZcg
ElectricKaibutsu
Member
This is a beautiful, beautiful picture...
Such a bummer that Dawn of Mana was so terrible... it was SOOoooooo pretty! like one of the best LOOKING ps2 games.
If only SE would make a new one using the art direction from SD2, SD3 and DoM... with the gameplay of Seiken Densetsu 2 and 3... with and engine like whatever Vanillaware is using for Dragons Crown... i would buy it... i would probably buy 10.
(but Dawn of Mana is still nice to look at... although it will make you sad too)
If only SE would make a new one using the art direction from SD2, SD3 and DoM... with the gameplay of Seiken Densetsu 2 and 3... with and engine like whatever Vanillaware is using for Dragons Crown... i would buy it... i would probably buy 10.
(but Dawn of Mana is still nice to look at... although it will make you sad too)
ElectricKaibutsu
Member
Wow, amazing.Such a bummer that Dawn of Mana was so terrible... it was SOOoooooo pretty! like one of the best LOOKING ps2 games.
If only SE would make a new one using the art direction from SD2, SD3 and DoM... with the gameplay of Seiken Densetsu 2 and 3... with and engine like whatever Vanillaware is using for Dragons Crown... i would buy it... i would probably buy 10.
(but Dawn of Mana is still nice to look at... although it will make you sad too)
Portugeezer
Member
This game deserves to be a "3D classic" on the eShop.
The contrast between these two interviews is cracking me up. We've come a long way!
Fine Ham Abounds
Member
Good lord, I'm old.
One of the best OSTs of all time. Easily my most played SNES RPG.
I didn't find out who Nasir was until years later, interesting story there.
One of the best OSTs of all time. Easily my most played SNES RPG.
I didn't find out who Nasir was until years later, interesting story there.
darkjedi187
Member
Wonderful OP!! Love this game to bits. This, LttP and Super Metroid were my favorite games when I was young.
Well, in the other had it feels like a live orchestra in a theatrical event where the music goes along the action.
---
I don't get the hate for the AI. Remember this was the 16-bit era. What other action game had AI controlled partners? None. The game is ground breaking in this regard.
Taking Chrono Trigger as an example: the game was intended to be more like an action-rpg, yet the programmer couldn't get all things running at once; hence the "semi action system" of that game.
Yet, Secret of Mana programmers achieved seamless battles with multiple enemies!
Also this game is a 16-bit cartridge, while SD3 and Chrono Trigger are 24-bit, hence the less palettes swaps and "better graphics" in those games.
I'm not sure why this is such an achievement. They achieved seamless battles with multiple enemies on the Gameboy, too.
Digital-Hero
Member
I played this game to death in 1993/94. Good memories during my middle school era.
I hope I wasn't the only one who called the Sprite "Squirt".
Digital-Hero
Member
I always called the girl: SHANON and the sprite, SPRITE. Not exactly creative haha.
This is a beautiful, beautiful picture...
Yes, but I like this one better.
You know what I mean.
------
More gifs:
Nor was SoM the first big action RPG for the system since Soul Blazer came out a few years before and Illusion of Gaia was released just 3 months later.
Co-op was a first thought.
Aw c'mon, it wasn't that bad.
Awright, I yield. It was.
At least we got the amazing guide and a humongous box instead of some shoddy manual and a standard-sized box. That counts for something.
this and the guy wearing shades pretending to be "Heino" - ugh! all of my hate!
but the big box art + guide was pretty sweet. :3
Mitsurux
Member
I'll never forget going over to my friends house and he was playing a game that sorta look like the legend of Zelda..... then he said, pick up a controller.... (i was blown away).. a multiplayer co-op action rpg on SNES...
just a great game
The title screen music still gets me to this day
just a great game
The title screen music still gets me to this day
ElectricKaibutsu
Member
The Japanese title screen is better, huh. I added all these gifs to the OP. Thanks!Yes, but I like this one better.
You know what I mean.
------
More gifs:
FlashbladeGAF
Member
I hate to nitpick over something that had such an impact when I was younger, but after looking at the comparisons....
...was there a reason why the US version got the equivalent of a low resolution image compared to the JPN title screen?
I'd say they just zoomed in a bit, but the JPN version has pixel detail not seen in the US version. It's like they zoomed in and softened up, making it look worse in comparison
US
JPN
...was there a reason why the US version got the equivalent of a low resolution image compared to the JPN title screen?
I'd say they just zoomed in a bit, but the JPN version has pixel detail not seen in the US version. It's like they zoomed in and softened up, making it look worse in comparison
US
JPN
HELL YES!!
I remember hooking up a multitap and me,my brother and cousin all played it during a 4 day weekend and beat it. One of my best memories as a gamer growing up.
PS> Chiming in for the "Damn I feel old" crowd.
ElectricKaibutsu
Member
Yeah, that is weird. I wonder if it's because they think Americans don't like feeling small and insignificant? It reminds me of the amazing Ico boxart from Japan and EU which America didn't get:I hate to nitpick over something that had such an impact when I was younger, but after looking at the comparisons....
...was there a reason why the US version got the equivalent of a low resolution image compared to the JPN title screen?
I'd say they just zoomed in a bit, but the JPN version has pixel detail not seen in the US version. It's like they zoomed in and softened up, making it look worse in comparison
US
JPN
Man, Secret of Mana really is one of my fondest gaming memories. I still have my SNES copy (although only the cartridge has survived these 20 years) and have replayed it more times than I can count. It's a blast alone and magical with the right friends. I'm terribly biased but I'm just soo in love with every aspect of this game, even the grinding for magic levels is a fond memory for me
To think that Square went from Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI to their latest offerings. For shame.
To think that Square went from Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI to their latest offerings. For shame.
I love the game to death, but playing it again recently I realized how nonsensical the story is. If you can just accept you need to get the mana seeds because reasons then it doesn't really matter. Gameplay is fun, magic is fun, beautiful game and great music more than make up for the silly non story.
I love equally as much secret of evermore too. Soe had some great humor actually and amazing music. Alchemy wasn't bad either.
SD3 didn't really resonate with me for some reason. The game play feels way less smooth than the other two games. Yes it has some very nice pixel art but outside that I didn't enjoy it as much as the others.
I love equally as much secret of evermore too. Soe had some great humor actually and amazing music. Alchemy wasn't bad either.
SD3 didn't really resonate with me for some reason. The game play feels way less smooth than the other two games. Yes it has some very nice pixel art but outside that I didn't enjoy it as much as the others.