Square-Enix hasannounced some details and a release datefor the 3-D remasteredSecret of Mana, one of the most popular role-playing games ever made. The new version, with improved visuals, online multiplayer, upgraded gameplay, and an enhanced musical score, will be available soon for PlayStation 4, Vita, and Steam users.
The originalSecret of Manais included as one of thegames in the Super NES Classic, but the new version will launch in February 2018, just in time for the game’s 25th anniversary.
Any dedicated gamer’s list ofbest Super NES gameswill undoubtedly includeSecret of Manaamong the top ten. The beloved 16-bit role-playing game, released in 1993, was a huge hit for Nintendo and spawned a raft of sequels. It followed the adventures of Randi, Primm, and Popoi (although the characters didn’t have names in the original SNES release) in a quest to defeat the evil Thantos in the flying Mana fortress.
Fitting somewhere in the fracturedFinal Fantasy family tree,Secret of Manawas actually a follow-up to a spinoff namedFinal Fantasy Adventurefor the original Game Boy. A 3-D remake,Adventures of Mana, madea surprise appearance on PS Vitalast year.
TheSecret of Manasequel was never released in the U.S., although the recent Japanese launch of theMana trilogy collection for the Nintendo Switchhas fans hopeful for a localized version.
The game was originally developed as a launch title for the SNES-CD peripheral, but after the deal between Nintendo and Sony fell apart,parts of the storyline and graphics were cut outdue to space limitations on the SNES cartridge. Many of the featured introduces in Mana, such as real-time battles, were later expanded and used in landmark RPGs likeChrono TriggerandSecret of Evermore.
If you’re a dedicated Square-Enix fan, there will also be aCollector’s Edition available in Japanfor the PlayStation version. In addition to the game, theSecret of Mana Collector’s Editionincludes a pop-up storybook, three figures, and the soundtrack.
