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Children Of Mana is a rare hope for a series
that has seemingly lost its way.
 Once again reinforcing
SquareEnix’s love affair with the NintendoDS – alongside the likes
of the first-ever European release of
Final Fantasy III,
Mario Slam Basketball and, of
course, the announcement that Dragon Quest IX will be a
NintendoDS exclusive – the Mana series has elected the
NintendoDS are the platform to resurrect it’s wares.
While having seen its’ pinnacle in the early nineties
on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the offerings that have
reached UK shores since have been average at best. Both the Game
Boy Advance and PlayStation releases failed to capture the spirit
of Secret Of Mana.
Children Of Mana aims to establish
the series, while offering a palatable, handheld iteration of the
classic Real-Time Role-Playing Game.
The title bends the rules of the series dramatically
in-order to adapt it’s playability to the handheld format, and, for
the best part, it’s successful. The sweeping story is not dulled by
the seeming distancing that been established between player and
on-screen avatar. The player begins by selecting their character’s
sex, followed by Class. While the options for customisation are
limited, they suit the proceedings well.
Upon being plunged into the game world, the player is immediately
subjected to the first of many dungeon crawls. The A Button
executes attacks with your Primary Weapon, whilst a Secondary can
be equipped to the X Button also; the B Buttons summons your
selected Spirit – a limitation that is likely to confuse fans of
previous releases – whilst a Recovery Item may be equipped to the Y
Button. The combat is well-balanced, and feels weighted, whereas
the summoning abilities will probably take a back seat with most
gamers’ playing styles. The limited abilities of Levelling-Up
magical attacks will be disappointing for many, but the variety in
the combat Weapons available more than makes-up for it. With four
Weapon Options; Hammer, Flail, Bow and Sword, and many different
varieties within each, the options are many.
A new addition to the formula is that of Gems. Your character is
equipped with a Gem Frame, upon which you can fit Gems of varying
effect; increased power, defence and additional power variants
within attacks. As you progress through the game, your Gem Frame
will be upgraded, allow for greater options. Also, you have the
ability to Fuse Gems, and combine their special attributes, often
with additional effects.
As further progression is made, a wide variety of locations become
available, as well as Randomly Generated re-playable dungeon quests
and the option to replay the location’s Story Mission.
Unfortunately, the game is limited to a HUB and the dungeon
locations, and doesn’t have Free-Roaming access of any kind. This
is probably the greatest acknowledgement of the title’s chosen
platform, allowing for quests and Save Points in equivalent to
reasonable travelling times; palatable portions of dungeon crawling
Role-Playing Adventure.
The title’s wireless options are well balanced; allowing for
players to team-up on anyone’s game, regardless of their progress
so far. Players can easily dip in-and-out of each others games and
aid progress whenever needed, or available. The title handles very
well, with no options dulled; however, a minor amount of slowdown
slightly hinders the experience.
The title’s graphics are welcomingly drawn, 2D Sprites. Vivid
characters and well-defined locations create a fantastic world. The
animation of the main characters clearly is more defined than that
of HUB characters and enemies, but only in their excellence. The
titles sound is reminiscent of that of its predecessors, only
emphasising its heritage.
While Children Of Mana maybe a disappointment to those
expecting a direct sequel to Secret Of Mana, as has been the
case with the series so far, will probably be disappointed. But
those welcoming change, adapting to the handheld Role-Playing Game,
and those coming to the fray without any pre-conditioned
expectations of the title will be thrilled by the vast world
awaiting exploration, and the abilities available to do so. The
NintendoDS hasn’t had the benefit of a series of amazing
Role-Playing Game releases; hopefully Children Of Mana is
the start of something good.
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