Though Square Enix is best known for its iconic 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Final Fantasy seriꦅes, there are a number of other RPG gems the studio has crafted as wel꧙l.
One of them comes in the form of the lesser-known, but similarly memorable ARPG series - originating as an FF spinoff for Game Boy decades ago. Known as Seiken Densetsu in Japan, the Mana franchise saw its peak in the mid-90s, with the charming SNES game, Secret of Mana.
This franchise has recently seen a renaissance with a ground-up remake of the sequel. The original game, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Trials of Mana, had only ever seen the light of day in the Land of the Rising Sun, before its Western release as part of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Collection of Mana. Like th🍌e '95 original, the 2020 remake blends thrilling, swift combat with the depth and majesty of an RPG - sprucing up the visuals in the process
Various other RPGs have taken this more arcade-style approach, while decorating the scene with a colorful aesthetic. Let's take a look at 10 of the best examples that Mana fans should enjoy.
10 Xenogears
Before the epic 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Xenoblade Chronicles, game designer Tetsuya Takahashi was captivating gamers on the PlayStation with the innovative Xenogears.
Though it's unrelated to Xenoblade in everything but name♒, the game has a similar sense of bombast and majesty, with a blend of fantasy and sci-fi elements. The combat is also a f🧸usion of styles - with the brisk pace of an action game coupled with the depth and strategy of turn-based fights.
This unique battle system, known as "Active Time Battles," as well as its tech-heavy premise, has made Xenogears a fan-favorite.
9 Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King ✨
The Mana games tend to draw from classic Zelda titles; specifically A Link to the Past, with its fantastical settings and arcade-style combat. Castle Pixel's Blossom Tales similarly adheres to this overhead, ARPG format.
The game emphasizes fighting, exploration, and dungeon crawling comprising over 15 hours. With these traits, Blossom Tales offers a charming alternative to 16-bit Zelda, much like Secret of Mana did in the early 90s.
It stresses action more than most on this list, but nonetheless captures that same Mana feel.
8 ꦐ Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
This offbeat take on Final Fantasy recieved mixed reception among fans with its unique mechanics and restrictive movement - forcing players to carry a vessel. Still, many Nintendo fans were overjoyed to see a return of the class🌸ic series on GamꦓeCube in 2003.
And while it's not exactl🔥y the most popular in the series, ARPG fans shoulꦬd still get a kick out of this more action-oriented journey.
Fans will get a chance to experience a slickened revamp of this adventure when a Switch and PS4 remaster hi🤡ts in 2020.
7 Grandia
To this day, Game Arts' Grandia - and its more cinematic sequel - are still regarded as having one of the most satisfying, inventive 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:combat systems in the gౠenre. This is thanks to its unique system that balances🐼 action with tactical moves.
With a scrolling meter representing the timing of opponents' moves, players are tasked with knocking back foes at given times and disrupting their assaults. This is enhanced with a plethora of rewarding abili﷽ties throughout. The result is a fun endeavor that must be thought through but is also accessible.
The game's isometric perspective allows the game to do a lot with a little graphically. But like the Mana series, the game excels in i𒅌ts fantasy charm and art style over flashy visuals
6 Ni N🉐o Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
If the Mana series puts an action-laced spin on FF games, then Level-5's 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Ni no Kuni is the Pokémon equivalent to this.
As a humble boy named Oliver, players will be venturing across lush, vibrant worlds to save their mother, while taming and fighting with "familiars." In this sense, the battle system plays out like Pokémon, but emphasizes more exciting fast-paced combat♐ in a 3D space.
Mana fans should also enjoy the game's similar colorful, ꦰwhimsical aesthไetic.
5 🗹 ✤Octopath Traveler
Mana fans should recognize a similar retro-meets-modern sensibility when exploring the grand HD-2D worlds of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Octopath Traveler.
Despite adhering to more tra🦄ditional turn-based ba﷽ttles, Square Enix keeps the combat interesting. They do this with a diversity of abilities tied to unique classes, along with an inventive "Boost Point" system, allowing players to stockpile power and tactically counter foes.
Like Trials of Mana, the game also stresses memorable dialogue exchanges amongst a slew of playable 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:characters, each of which brings their own dynamic.
4 🐠 Xenoblade Chronicles 2
gamers looking for an ARPG to compliment Trials of Mana need look no further than Monolith Soft's Xenoblade sequel. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 somehow manages to dwarf the Mana games with an open-world epic capable of ไenticing gamers for months on end.
Like Trials of Mana, battles are both thrilling ♚and fairly deep. Still, this game takes things to the next level with a multi-tiered system of combos, elemental moves, and timed hits. This, coupled with the unique Blades system, makes each fight fun and distinct, even after 50 hours of gameplay.
The colorful, diverse lands of Alrest are reminiscent of Mana's lavish landscapes, too.
3 ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ Tales of Symphonia
One could make the argument that most of the Tales games from Bandai Namco greatly overlap with Mana. After all, there's typically a similar style of combat that borders on hack 'n' slash, majestic wor🌱lds, and charming characters.
Yet, 2003's Symphonia deserves a special mention on account of its quality - and an experience that closely resembles Mana. The narratives ar🎃e comparable, as is the emphasis on magic and high fantasy throughout.
2 Final Fantaဣsy XII 📖
Similar to ToM, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Final Fantasy XII feels like a rare callback to Square Enix's FF Adventure roots dating all the way back to 1991. While most mainline FF games inject loa𒆙ds of cinematic flair and cutscenes, this underrated romp emphasizes pure gameplay.
Along with the FF Adventure influences, this RPG stresses open-world gameplay, deep political plots, and fast-paced fights in a 3D space. These elements should draw fans of both Mana as well as WRPGs.
1 Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana 𓂃
The fact that this obscure title makes the number one spot may raise an eyebrow or two. Yet, this underappreciated series really does closely resemble Mana, particularly this '16 sequel.
Though this series never saw much recognition outside Japan, Ys VIII has garnered some real attention for this long-running IP. This is thanks to its delightful island setting and focus on exploration, item-gathering, and thrilling combat. These are all areas where Trials - and the Mana series as a whole - excel in.
What's more, is that fans have noted that this serves as a great entry point 🌠in the franchise. Thus, new❀comers need not worry about getting "up to speed."