Visions of Mana Isn't Open World, But It Does Have 'Vast' Semi-Open Areas

It's a lot better than a boring open world just to follow a trend. I'd rather have a tight semi-linear game than an dull open world like Hogwart's Legacy or AC Valhalla.

I’m fine with more semi-open world areas instead of a vastly open space. I think more games should focus on being constrained and tight experiences; not every game, mind you, but a lot.

So like Ni-No Kuni then cool

@Rhaoulos I agree with you, except please don't put Hogwarts Legacy with AC Valhalla! Hogwarts was miles better than ACV in every way, the way its open world was denser and more interesting just one of them (and I say that as a huge fan of the AC franchise since the first game, while being very mildly interested with the Harry Potter franchise...)

Also : +1 pour la référence à Raoul!

There's a lot of jrpgs with vast open areas without being open world with the best example of this probably being the Xenoblade series

Not a fan of the mc design but this is for sure going on the wishlist

if this is the Tales of Arise-ing of the Mana series, then I'm all for it.
looks different enough but still retains that whimsical nature of the Mana series.
The most recent Trials of Mana remake is a fun romp. I'm all for this. 2024 is gonna just continue the good/great trend of JRPGs!

@Rhaoulos I think that depends on the open world, how big it is, how you traverse it and how much there is to do in it. A huge open map with a lot of nothing to do and a lot of walking to get across it is definitely not good. But some games have a smaller open world which keeps you busy and has multiple ways traverse the map are OK in my opinion.

Looking pretty promising. Not the most exciting looking JRPG coming out next year, but if it comes out around a time with little else I'll probably get it (and if not then, most definitely even later on when it eventually goes on sale).

Weirdly as I’m ageing I’m getting more and more into JRPG’s than ever before. And I was the guy playing FF7/8/9 on the PS1 back in the late 90s 💥. Really enjoyed my time with Octopath Traveller 2 recently aswell and I’m more than ready for another one. I’m also enjoying the new direction that the main FF series has taken in terms of gameplay. It’s good to have both an actionJRPG and turn-based I think. But that’s just me

I’ll be checking this one out when it releases

Open-world doesn't always mean the game will be great. In fact, JRPG works well if they're not fully open-world, but rather, with large open areas. Case in point, DQ11, Ni No Kuni and Xenoblade

I'm all for this and will definitely get Visions of Mana once released.

better than having an open world just for the sake of it.
large open worlds are fun the first time you travel around, then you just skip and fast travel.

Hope it builds upon the Trials of Mana Remake gameplay. Most fun I had with a Mana game.

I've never played a Mana game actually before but this one did look good in the trailer. I might have to give it a go. I just don't don't know when I'm going to be able to though, next year is so jam-packed already!

I actually thought the main character was a girl. Lol

I’ll be there on Day-1. I’ve always enjoyed the Mana series and am thrilled to see a new entry!

A new mana game I'll be there day one

Are the Mana games any good now? Haven't played since Secret aha

@EchoRange

The Trials of Mana Remake is really good. And I played the gimped version on Switch. The base game is good enough to carry it despite that version’s problems (bad load times and half the framerate of the PS4 version)

@Meowmixes98 I initially thought that as well. Val seems to be the Marth of the Mana series in this respect. 🙂
Game looks awesome. I loved Secret of Mana on SNES as a kid. I also thought the Trials of Mana remake on Switch was great.

Something like Evil Within 2 did it well. Had some linear bits but also had some parts where the area was roughly a square but not oversized. Had secrets and quests sprinkled around and even weapons. And doing the quests also helped earn you some good stuff.

@Rhaoulos To be honest, an open world game does not have to be boring, I think the elder scrolls and Breath of the wild are good examples of that.

However I think that making an open world mana game seems like the wrong way to go. Mainly because building an open world with enough things to do in it that doesn't get boring is a huge and expensive undertaking that Square Enix have never been great at, their best attempt is probably Final Fantasy XV and many people see that game as a failure.

I think building worlds a bit more like Final Fantasy XVI and Dragon Quest XI is probably the better alternative for Square Enix.