Sword of Mana

With such an illustrious pedigree you'd expect a lot from Sword of Mana and at first you won't be disappointed: the graphics are gorgeous and the sword- and magic-based combat is immediately engaging. However it soon becomes clear that the game lacks the variety of Zelda and instead replaces it with Square Enix's usual finicky role-playing elements. More problematic is the complete stupidity of the various computer-controlled characters that are supposed to help you out throughout the game, but instead just get in your way. Neither element is enough to ruin the game, which is still a superior action RPG--but they do make it fall a little short of the portable classic it could've been. --David Jenkins

This game combines the graphical quality, the easy to use menu system and magic from SoM, with the memorable, wonderful music and story of Mystic Quest.

In fact it appears to simply BE Mystic Quest (Final Fantasy Adventure), remade using Secret of Mana's gameplay style.

It's not as deep as SoM, and lacks the replayability of it (I forget how many time I've played Secret of Mana over and over again) but if you were a fan of Mystic Quest on the GameBoy, give it a try. Although you'd already know most of the story and plotline!

Having the choice of 2 characters is good, seeing where their roles cross - but every time you want to start playing from the begining again, you have to sit through a tediously long (8 minutes) of introduction before you can kill your first Rabite!


A crucial disappointment   January 29, 2005
Simon J. Whight (Manchester)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

The SNES had many a 'classic' games with the likes of Street Fighter II, Mario Kart and whatnot, but there were always two that I returned to more than most. Zelda and Secret Of Mana. Both were as about as perfect as could be.

So immense joy years later when the SNES Zelda and the superb Minish Cap are present in handheld form on the GBA. What better to complement it than Sword of Mana? Well for one, perhaps porting the SNES Secret of Mana across instead of this effort.

The main problem with Sword of Mana is sadly the gameplay mechanic. Secret of Mana had a decent three party character system, a nice magic system, a great gameplay structure. Sword of Mana seems to completely lack these. No real control over your computer controlled 2nd player and their development, the magic system is really a bit poor compared to the nicely meaty spells of Secret, and the story doesn't really compel you to get to the next stage to see what happens.

A major disappointment for me in the end, especially after waiting so long for it to finally surface. Trust me I really tried to like this (being a bit of a Square fan).

On the plus sides you've got nice graphics and decent music. Perhaps someone else will be able to get into this and wring some joy from the game where I couldn't. For me, well, the game has already gone from the collection, into some other budding gamers hands. I'm waiting on the Final Fantasy Dawn Of Souls collection and am more than happy getting through the challenges of the Minish Cap instead.


Just OK.   December 15, 2004
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Not the best RPG i've ever played, it's way too easy, so much so that you are never given an incentive to level up your characters' stats and equipment. For example a boss will go down in about 6 sword hits, I found myself really disappointed at the "challenge". This game is also relatively short compared to any Zelda game. Hindsight being a wonderful thing and all I wouldn't have bought this game but a Square-Enix title is usually a quality purchase. Final Fantasy Tactics is much better if you want a decent RPG.


Love it   March 16, 2004
S. miah (UK)
4 out of 12 found this review helpful

This game is excellent. if you enjoyed secret of mana then you will love this. there are two characters so once you completed it with one you could start with the other my only real grip about this game is the fact that it is too short and i really hope the rerelease secret of mana 1 and 2 oh and front mission which is another cool squaresoft game that never say the light of day here