Let´s Just Talk About Legend of Mana

[Average_Samurai]

I´m talking about the one for PSone. I don´t really know where I´m going with this, I just want to talk about it.

[Chris]

http://www.allrpg.com/games/legendofmana/logo.jpg

Okay then lets talk:

Legend of Mana is the fourth game in the Seiken Densetsu series. In the U.S., it is the successor to the highly acclaimed Secret of Mana. In the beginning, the player is offered a choice between two different characters, a male and female sprite. The two characters each have a separate quest to complete. In addition, a decision has to be made on the player's primary weapon.

The selection ranges from melee weapons such as battle-axes and swords to bows and spears. Choose wisely -- the statistics of your character will be shaped by the primary weapon. By choosing a warrior's weapon, such as a sword, your level of strength will increase throughout the game. If you pick a staff, the character will become a more powerful magic user. Also, each weapon possesses a special, extra-powerful attack. By holding down the attack button, the special attack can be charged.

The magic system of the game is unique. In Legend of Mana, the traditional idea of Magic Points does not exist. Instead, the spells are cast through the use of musical instruments. Each character will be able to choose from a number of different instruments. The magic is also influenced by the presence of the eight elements. The elements, such as Wind or Fire, will designate the type of spell to be cast.

The gameplay is a throwback to the old mechanics of the series. Basically, you set out on a quest to save the world. Along the way, you will run into a number of evil characters. By choosing from a number of weapons and spells, you can wipe out the evil that has plagued the land. Unlike a traditional RPG, Legend of Mana takes place in real-time. In other words, you do not simply choose an attack and wait for the game to deliver the blow. Instead, you'll have to guide the battles on your own.

One addition to the series is the land creation system. In the beginning, the world of the Legend of Mana has yet to be shaped. Through the quest of the character, you will find a number of sacred artifacts. In essence, you use the items to create the surrounding world. By combining the artifacts with the eight elements, you can actually shape the landscape of the game. As the story progresses, the world will continue to be guided by your actions in a non-linear fashion.

Like its predecessor, Legend of Mana is a multi-player game; two people can combine their efforts to save the world. The player can also choose from a number of pets to assist in the fighting and meet over ten different characters. The game also supports both the Dual Shock Analog Controller and the memory card.

[Endless]

Say what you want to talk about then, and maybe we'll avoid copy/pasting descriptions from online stores.

[Chris]

Say what you want to talk about then, and maybe we'll avoid copy/pasting descriptions from online stores.

:D

[Average_Samurai]

Hahaha. Alright, then let´s start with how completely awesome the battle system is. How come there haven´t been more good action RPGs. I can´t think of any besides the Seiken Densetsu series, and maybe Gauntlet Legends (if you consider that a true RPG).

Oh yeah, and Tales of Symphonia. They really need to make more multiplayer RPGs.

[kikimm]

I've never played it. I've never really been tempted to buy it, either. True, I don't know too much about it, but as of now, I'm not too interested. The thing I care about most, though---does it have a good storyline? Good characters? Basically, is it worth the pricetag?


:D

[Necronopticous]

It's a pretty specialized game, either you'll get into it or you'll hate it. I am fond of the games myself.

[edczxcvbnm]

The game has a story? Its like 70 side quests that you can do in pretty much any order you want. Some of the side quests link to form a mini story.

The battle system is what this game is all about. Best in the series. So many weapons and moves to learn and not to mention the way to make new weapons and magics. So much customization and its very simple to grasp. New game plus could actually be a challenge as the enemies really did get a lot harder.

Its just a really fun and overall a fantasic game.

[HunterFlamebrow]

I'm about midway (I think) through the game -- I've got maybe a little less than 20 artifacts, and I'm pretty sure there's 26.

Why is the battle system so great? AI for NPC's and pets is awful, and even so, the battles are ridiculouly easy. If you get beat in a random (or maybe even boss) battle, you get the option to try again? Whatever happened to loading a previouly saved game? And boss battles are easy too -- I went through one where I didn't get hit once.

However, I love Shimomura's score. From the slightly sinister beginning, to the tune that plays in some dungeons (Junkyard and the one lake, where Tote is, are two examples). I love the customization, but the whole game is frustratingly unstructured. There is no 'point' to it. Why am I creating towns out of seashells and blocks? I dunno, cause I feel like it?

[Endless]

If you find the game too easy, play a new game+ in no future or nightmare mode, or use less powerful weapons. The fun is not in the difficulty, but in using all the different movements you can learn, the special techniques (200 or so), the spells. You can breed pets (<3 my air dragon), make golems, forge weapons (<3 my mana spear, If I unleash blue dragon, almost any boss is toast) and instruments.

As for the story, what most people fail to realize is that it's not your story, it's the story of all the people around you. Every character has his own little story, and they merge into bigger stories (example: Irwin, Matilda, Escad, Daena). You are not really the hero, they are.

[HunterFlamebrow]

I guess I'm not that far into the game, out of those four, I've only seen Daena, and she never joined my party. The jewel thief seems to be a big story, and the story of Pearl and Elazul (poor Pearl . . . always getting lost :()