Secret of Mana HD Reviews
The Secret of Mana Remake is an overpriced and carelessly implemented remaster of a timeless classic with a terrible art style and soundtrack selection. If you wanna enjoy the best version of this classic, get a SNES Classic Mini.
Review in German | Read full review
The magic of Secret of Mana seems to have faded during its transition to HD assets. Beyond a graphical upgrade that will certainly not please everyone, it is especially the old rhythm of the combat and lack of difficulty that make the adventure much more bland than the original. If you played the original, I would advise not to tarnish your memories with this so-called upgrade.
When breaking down a product such as this remake it's important to look at the game through the lens of the two different audiences. If you're an established fan then this remake is a mixed bag, it refines and improves the game in some ways, but is a backwards step in others. If you're new, then you're a small purchase away from experiencing one of the truly great JRPGs of all time, not carrying the baggage that others bring with them.
Looking to remake a classic like Secret of Mana was certainly a tall task, with Square Enix succeeding in some ways and disappointing in others. While overhauling too much might have seemed blasphemous, the lack of any real non-superficial changes gives you less reason to play this remake of Secret of Mana versus just pulling out the original and playing it instead, even if this is a solid remake overall.
While largely entrenched in the past with few mechanical changes, the Secret of Mana remake contains new audiovisual elements that are inconsistent yet enjoyable. With its added dialogue, new voices, and arranged music, the remake is a serviceable if somewhat dated take on a classic title.
Those attempting to play for the first time are going to be dealing with the archaic systems on top of a presentation that feels more like a mobile port than a full-fledged console release. On the other hand, returning players will probably find themselves disappointed with the remixed soundtrack and lack of any work done to polish the rough edges. Nostalgic gamers should just stick to the SNES original, newcomers really don’t even need to bother.
Secret of Mana has a lot of good ideas that are neutered by the shocking abundance of technical issues and bugs that make this remake almost unplayable. Though the visuals and sound are fantastic, those who want to experience this classic are much better off playing the original game.
Ultimately, Secret of Mana is a letdown that the series doesn’t deserve, and nor does its fans. The remake has lost some of the charm that made the original have such a cult following since 1993, due to its bland transition into 3D and certain gameplay mishaps. The experience isn’t entirely for naught, but it’s sure to rub some fans the wrong way. For newcomers, it’s best to steer clear and stick with the classic version, especially for the steep asking price of $39.99. Perhaps it’s best to keep the remake a secret and pretend it didn’t happen.
This isn’t a bad remake, per se. The game functions without crashing, and it’s a close approximation of what the original Secret of Mana had on offer. The problem is that in recreating the game, Square Enix forgot what the point of a remake is. Very little in this remake can have a serious claim to being “better” than the original, and in some cases, it’s arguably worse. Once the nostalgia wears off for returning players, your enjoyment with it will go downhill fairly quickly. It’s also hard to recommend to anyone that hasn’t played Secret of Mana before since there isn’t anything noteworthy you would get out of this version that you couldn’t experience in the original.
Secret of Mana is a careless and disappointing remake with awful visuals. The soundtrack has been demolished along with the beautiful art style the original had. Not recommended to anyone.
Secret of Mana was a groundbreaking game in the 90's. But considering the advances even in top-down RPGs in the recent years, the game had so much potential. What has been made feels like a quick cash grab that seems to lose the appeal of a port and disappoints, as a remake. This is definitely a game to wait for a drop in price, or spend a little more money on an SNES classic and enjoy the original alongside more titles.
A couple of additions are nice, but the original game is easy to play via digital sources today and delivers mostly the same experience.
Secret of Mana remake is a faithful recreation of a highly beloved classic, that Square Enix has modernised visually to get it in the hands of as many new generation gamers that may have missed the original 1993 release.
Secret of Mana presents great environments with a traditional history when it comes to JRPGs. However, it feels like a lost opportunity to present a different experience, due to the lack of new elements and relying too much on the original material. For fans of the saga, it is surely an acquisition to consider, however there are better options on the market for those who simply want to spend a few hours playing an action JRPG.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
This Secret of Mana remake is a solid new way to relive the classic although the original is clearly the better of the two options.
While it retains some of the annoying quirks of the SNES original (and brings a few new ones to the table), the Secret of Mana remake is still a rollicking good time for old-school RPG fans.
Even if it doesn't look as good as the original, the Secret of Mana remake is a fun and exciting game. By taking the best of its source material and making some adjustments, Square Enix brings us the most accessible version of the beloved Action RPG.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Secret of Mana's biggest drawback is the changes where it didn't have to, and what needed an update, was preserved. The remake could be more refined and longtime fans probably share the same feeling. It is a Japanese RPG that rescues classic aspects of the genre, but should only contemplate new players without any reference to the original product.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Secret of Mana HD has retained its charm after all these years however some of its dated gameplay needs to be overhauled in order to make it one of the better remakes released by Square Enix.
This won't be remembered as a particularly good remake, and it's tragic, because by itself, outside of the shadow of the game it's a remaster of, Secret of Mana has its charms.