Early access: Episode 113 - Secret of Mana

The fact that SoM offered a multiplayer, mostly-linear story-based action-RPG experience allows me to forgive pretty much all its flaws. I've done fewer complete play-throughs of this game than most of the other SNES RPGs I've owned. There's always a point (usually during the Jehk/Johk line of quests) where I burn out on grinding.

Dave Dalrymple

I have a funny experience with Secret of Mana. My SNES-owning friends got the import, and sure, it's was a gorgeous action-RPG, multiplayer, and the ring inventory UI was very neat. I borrowed the SNES later and played the game with a friend up until a point, where the dragon swoops in to rescue the party and at that point (perhaps due to exhaustion of playing it so much), we decided this turn of events was super lame and quit. I played the game through later on my own, but never thought it was as good as its reputation. I guess I never really "got" the game!

Eino Keskitalo

Lovely episode. I'm a bit surprised hearing how FFA doesn't hold up, I played much of it pretty recently and got a lot of enjoyment out of it (should pick it back up too). Maybe emulating it on the N-Gage just put me in the right mindset..

Eino Keskitalo

pretty sure that track uses an actual sample of Balinese music!

This Town Is Doomed, LLC

Haven't played SoM in decades, but this is making me want to give it another go. Also, that boss music is very clearly inspired by this wonderful thing: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI6bFCd8SlM" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI6bFCd8SlM</a>

Just replayed through Secret of Mana, love it, but definitely noticed more of its flaws this time around.

Elliot Long

I like Legend of Mana a lot, so I say that the game deserves a full episode. I also think its soundtrack deserves a full episode. What I am saying is that Legend of Mana deserves two full episodes: one for the game and another for the soundtrack.

K-S-O

Great episode, as always. Have you heard Secret of Santa? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIJmzuhN_Jk" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIJmzuhN_Jk</a>

Will Oliver

The only Mana game I've ever played (and still own) is Dawn of Mana. This episode made me feel like I should be ashamed of this fact. I've made up for this by buying the Final Fantasy Adventure remake on Vita, and will be trying to get a hold of Secret of Mana as quickly as I can.

Phazonmasher

Another excellent episode. As someone who never owned an SNES I look forward to finally playing Secret of Mana on SNES Mini next month (yes, I managed to preorder one). Also, thanks for the pro tip on how to level up the magic powers!

Kormakur Gardarsson

Should have used past tense. I think he blew all his executive currency on Unlimited Saga....

Jeremy Parish

Speaking about the intro segment, I don't think the 'Kawazu is able to get his games localized through executive influence' argument is true, because it really doesn't explain why Saga 2 for DS didn't come over. I think the mobile component is the key determinator here. Both Adventures and Secret of Mana got elaborate new translations for their mobile ports. It's only a matter of time before SD3 in English is due on smartphones, as much as I would personally prefer a Switch version. At least it's something I guess....

Galbana

As always, thank you for all the hard work you put into these discussions. Recently got to revisit SD2 with friends after a quarter-century... and it's every bit as charming an experience now as I remembered it being then.

Daniel Greenberg (Winterion Game Studios)