Visions of Mana Review: A Glorious Return! (PS5) | Backlog Battle

[@mindblockandroid]

You nailed the feeling of the combat in this game. I am your case study 😂. I recently started playing Tales of Arise, and it is a bit overwhelming for my 42 year old reflexes. It’s this huge uncontrollable flashy chaos a lot of the time! But when playing the Visions of Mana demo, I always felt in control, and had time to take strategic decisions!

[@BacklogBattle]

The Ring menu gives you a lot of control with its sheer simplicity! It’s pretty incredible!

[@jeddpires]

@@mindblockandroid the day I will be unable to play action oriented games, especially games like Monster Hunter, will be a sad day for me indeed. Fortunately, I do like my turn based RPGs, so I can at least still get my dose of videogames

[@mindblockandroid]

@@jeddpires if you are not 28 yet, don’t fret 🤣 that is the age when the decrepitude starts creeping in 😅. From 40 on, it’s free fall 😂😂🥲

[@jeddpires]

@@mindblockandroid im waaaay past 28

[@BacklogBattle]

@@jeddpires fortunately for all of us, devs are getting smarter about designing action games so they still have depth and isn’t reliant on fast reflexes!

[@LarkandLegend]

Thank you so much for this video! I’ve been going back and forth on this one after playing the demo, and your video helped me make up my mind. The only thing that struck me as eh in the demo was the vocal inflections of dialogue not always matching up with the tone of the other folks in the conversation. But that’s such a small thing next to the enjoyable combat and beautiful world. I haven’t played a Mana game since Children of Mana, so I’m now super pumped and hopeful about this one. Also, love your review style, and your cadence and voice are both super enjoyable to listen to!

[@kevinhardisty6465]

Just wanted to say that your difficulty level discussion coupled with the game’s appeal to turn based players (me) was extremely helpful. This game will be perfect for me. So many reviews skip over difficulty. Thanks

[@BacklogBattle]

@@kevinhardisty6465 you’re welcome! I’m always on the lookout for games that help people try out different genres!

[@kevinhardisty6465]

@@BacklogBattle I’m going to buy it now

[@KuronDarkly]

@@kevinhardisty6465 where did he mention difficulty

[@MaximumSpank]

FF10 mix with YS8 is all i needed to hear... That sounds like a dream come true

[@HanaNoMaude]

Great review, appreciate your take as always! Looking forward to a new Mana adventure as my comfort JRPG of the fall, can’t wait!

[@BacklogBattle]

I wouldn’t say it’s that comfortable! The first big twist will make you cry 😭

[@HanaNoMaude]

@@BacklogBattle as someone whose favorite game of all time is FFX, that’s all fine by me 😆 a modern day classic JRPG is like a welcome homecoming even if it hits right in the feels 🥲

[@IamYasha10]

Finally. An ARPG that I can sink my time. Trials of Mana on switch was the last Mana game I've played. Plus the fact that you described it as YS8 and FF10 made me even more excited to play it. Thank you for the wonderful review.

[@BacklogBattle]

@@IamYasha10 you’re welcome! I hope you enjoy the game!

[@vongvatka]

Thank you for this being spoiler-free! :)

[@BacklogBattle]

No problem!

[@sikevillain]

Thanks for the review 🔥 my friend was playing it on stream and it looked quite good. I might have to pick this up. 🎮

[@000585677]

Thanks for a great detailed review. I'm searching for my next open world fix and this sounds like it just might do the trick

[@BacklogBattle]

Glad you found it helpful! It really is an underrated gem of the year!

[@bestgamer-1st73]

After completing the game and preparing to upload my analysis of it, I believe this review is the best and closest to my opinion. This game is absolutely revolutionary in terms of action RPGs and has many creative ideas, and without a doubt, it's underrated for me.

[@BacklogBattle]

That is such a huge compliment! I'm just happy that you and so many others gave the game a chance and saw its unique vision and charm!

[@bestgamer-1st73]

@BacklogBattle Most reviewers seem to play the first few hours and drop it, unfortunately. From my experience with the Mana games, I believe it deserves an 85-90, not 74. Everything feels like an upgrade from the Trails remake. By the way, how did you find the soundtracks overall? Would you rate them as standard, good, or incredible?

[@BacklogBattle]

I mentioned it on another comment, but I think the soundtrack is standard. There are standout tracks but those are few.

[@MrDingaling007]

@@bestgamer-1st73 I will say above good. Kikuta from earlier Mana games has done a fair part of the music for this game, I think for the cinematics from what i read.

[@sombrego2260]

it's been so long since I saw a JRPG where I genuinely love all the designs. I often find the main protagonist boring to death and I quite like Val in general. Same goes for the damsel in distress that you have to carry around she seems to have her own personality and the Yuna parallels are interesting (I still find it super bizarre that she's not a regular party member despite being an Alm like the other party members). It's not fan-service-y to the extreme, they have bolder choices with Morley, Palamena and Julei, crazy outfits, colorful combinations and it just works. I'm so excited to discover all 45 outfits and mix and match my teams on the fly!

[@BacklogBattle]

I’m curious to see which classes will wind up being your favorites!

[@makasete30]

It’s interesting you compared it to Ys 8 since I got the physical recently and visions of mana comes tomorrow. Cool comparison! I think this review reassured me that Visions is just what I’m looking for.

[@AlexMuchacho]

Hello Alex ..my name is also Alex...and thanks to you, I started playing Trials of Mana and bought Visions of Mana. My backlog is out of control! Really glad I found your channel!

[@BacklogBattle]

@@AlexMuchacho thank you Alex! Glad you found my channel too! Hope you enjoy Trials of Mana! It’s fantastic!

[@trashcangoblin420]

wow you got me with Ys 8 - I love that game so much. I actually love really twitchy action combat games, but I dont mind a slightly slower/chill vibe. this game's combat just looks super fun and enjoyable. real smooth-brain relax good times.

[@pixelbrolee]

Amazing review, brother! I was hesitant, but I respect your opinion, so I was excited to see what you said!

[@BacklogBattle]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@Weremole]

No timed blocking or perfect dodge feature? Hell yeah.

[@iciclesword7631]

what does that mean? If someone attacks you can not dodge and will get hit regardless?

[@ruffethereal1904]

@@iciclesword7631 It means that dodging is binary: you get hit, or it misses you entirely. There is no benefit to timing blocks aside from avoiding damage, nothing like Bayonetta's "Witch Time" or the posture breaks from Sekiro. the game rewards aggression and learning your animation frames, instead.

[@iciclesword7631]

@@ruffethereal1904 so let's say an attack is coming to me. And I hit dodge. Does that not guarantee that I evade the attack? Is it like once attacks have ben launched there is a fixed chance for it to hit or dodge regardless of how well I try to avoid getting hit?

[@lzap_CZ]

@@iciclesword7631 it means he is old. So am I!

[@ruffethereal1904]

@@iciclesword7631 No auto attack RNG, you're in the hurtbox and attack frames or you're not. No invincibility on dodge, either.

[@iveybullard8988]

I am really enjoying this game so far. The class system is really neat imo. Cant wait to see where to story goes, im in chapter 4 now.

[@cloverraven]

This game is going to look great for a long time

[@jds1421]

Looks like I should pick this up. Excellent preview.

[@shaneevans7641]

Hell yeah! Perfect timing on my commute to work :D

[@Sylentmana]

Ys 8 is one of the most memorable and enjoyable JRPGs I’ve ever played so a comparison to that game is setting the bar really high.

[@BacklogBattle]

I don’t mention it lightly either!

[@HybridAngelZero]

While, due to IRL issues outside my control, I won't be able to nab Visions day one, I am so excited for when I finally get to it. Hey, maybe I'll have a little Mana marathon and catch up on the rest of the series while I wait... and maybe I'll put some time into Ys VIII, too xD

[@Rohan_Trishan]

Haven't played the game but I do like the visuals, the cell shade type graphics, the vivid colors and symbols, and the character and armor design. Seems cool.

[@Sheamu5]

Picked it up and enjoying the heck out of it. Combat and movement is fun, double jump and unlimited dash make collecting syrup a fun diversion while heading towards the next story beat. Only qualm is the story is a bit lackluster so far, but maybe there'll be a twist coming soon.

[@NeonBanshee00]

I just seen this game on the ps store while randomly taking a look. You are the first video I've seen on the game. And they need to pay you. I just bought the game due to your review

[@BacklogBattle]

Thank you! That’s quite the compliment! It would’ve been nice if I was paid for it haha

[@JagerLionhunter]

Just the look and feel of this game is a no brainer day 1 purchase for JRPG players. Thanks for another great review Alex Edit: Whoa you're almost at 50k subs! Congrats

[@BacklogBattle]

Thank you! I honestly can’t believe 50k is close!

[@HectorGalvan]

Thanks for the insight. I wantthis game so bad. You make such good, on point reviews

[@BacklogBattle]

I appreciate that!

[@joebarrett29]

Yea this review sold me. Man there has been so many good games this year. The backlog is intimidating at this point

[@Bowflex2480]

nice review Alex! i will definitely pick vom up one day! i think all if not most of the nitpicks you mentioned will be fixed over time. but yeah this game looks absolutely stunning and i can't wait to jump in later.

[@DayFul]

10 hours in and I'm loving it, The environments are very nice to explore and I'm enjoying the characters a lot (Careena has that spiky Yuffie type energy which is always a win with me).

[@grr3467]

Thank you for this amazing review!

[@Pantaro2007]

The best compliment i could possible give is i feel like i haven't seen a proper review for a game in the last like 10 years and than Backlog battle was like hold my beer lol reviews and previews of games for so long it feels like have been just one big joke to me, i don't really take any of them seriously at all. You effectively pretty much blew up and destroyed what i thought i knew and felt when i tried the demo! most action combat games especially JRPG's just feel like a button mashing fest to me i really hate them. But when you started talking about the classes and all the mechanics associated with them, it really highlighted for me things i love in one of my favorite genres CRPG's. So yea i really need to give this game more of a chance it seems. i mean i did play secret of mana in it's day being part of the 40+ club! 👍

[@Artursamvelyan-ny9zk]

So far its prety awesome. Simple and old school feel with modern graphics. Story heard complaints but not too bad

[@Josh-hi7tc]

I wasn’t really going to bother with this one and then you just had to compare it to Final Fantasy X. I’ll definitely keep an eye out now.

[@cappachino20]

I haven't gotten into the series yet (been meaning to, backlog is wild) so I'm definitely going to get this eventually. But I find the lack of those twitch reflex features actually a negative for me, which is fascinating! I've always loved perfect dodges, blocks, and parry's, so having those gone in a game that would normally have it feels so off. I'm sure it balances out, but man am I going to have a hard time not just wanting more defensive mechanics.

[@BacklogBattle]

In the larger pantheon of action RPGs, I totally agree! The Mana series has never had that though, stubbornly enough! But the depth you get with the class system (again, 45 DIFFERENT classes!) and the skills you can mix and match are nothing to sneeze at!

[@cappachino20]

@@BacklogBattle Oh I'm sure! I guess I shouldn't call it a "Negative", more an adjustment. I'm sure the ring system will evolve into the snap reflex choices I'm used to once I find a rhythm for each character and what my plan is for them (45 classes is a LOT to Lab out). All in all I'm still very excited to get my hands on this (whenever that is 😭)

[@TheSomberGamer]

Dude you NAILED the analogies. Was literally just thinking the same 7 hours in!

[@BacklogBattle]

Glad you’re seeing it too!

[@callmedd3494]

Very thorough review. I think I'll be picking this up.

[@barrier2616]

I'm also playing in graphics mode and this game is the best looking jrpg surpassing tales of arise and granblue .. I will add one more game to your analogy.. Ys 8, FFX, and.. Xenoblade chronicles 3!

[@rafaelrodriguez9371]

Maybe they will update the font size, but then again that was my biggest grip in star ocean divine force

[@youtubeviewer8063]

I've been enjoying this game! Shame that Oaku studios has been shutdown.

[@MrDarksol]

That's why these upcoming months is going to suck because not only is this game coming out this week but it's also coming out on the exact same day as another game that I've been anticipating but more so and that's gundam breaker 4. So because of that I'm gonna hold off on this until maybe a few months but it does make me happy that we are back to having RPGS that have color again and not try to be Games of Thrones or something. I can definitely see the comparisons between the 2 games that you made though I would argue that YS8 would flow a lot better than this in terms of the game play but at the same time again I do see the comparison between that and FF10. Again I am pretty happy that square is remembering that they have more than just Kingdom Hearts and final fantasy to fall back on and are starting to go back into some specific franchises that they still have. Soild review of the game as always Alex!

[@sydneys207]

I just love the big floofy mount.

[@lukasfogel7892]

I had been trying to articulate why the demo felt bad to me and you hit it on the head. That lazy camera is such a pain after I'm coming off Elden Rings super snappy one. I'll give it another shot and see if I can work with it!

[@BacklogBattle]

Don’t forget to map the reset camera button to something more convenient!

[@KanameYuuki]

I'm currently playing Trials and having a great time, tried the demo of Visions and it was pretty rough, still going to buy it, love those visuals, art style and char designs, kinda want to wait for a Switch 2 release.

[@gnoclaude7945]

Game is amazing. The only things i noticed are the floaty platforming, input delay in combat, and lack of ultrawide support. I bought it on xbox as you get the PC version for free with it. It doesnt run as good as I want on deck so it was a no brainer. If your a jrpg fan this is the best one in many years. Grab it for sure.

[@sor3999]

9:10 Frame drops and slow down are two different things though. I actually prefer slowdown than making everything choppy, it almost makes it feel like as things get more hectic the game goes into "bullet time". Dropped frames will make it harder to see what's going on in all the melee. However, game reviewers still panned any game that had slowdown, I've never actually heard of any kid having a problem with it.

[@laniston]

I really liked the demo and will definitely be grabbing this when I'm able. Also with this review dropping and seeing a trailer for a trails in the sky remake I'm on a jrpg high today.

[@Soulsworth69]

I like how this game looks a lot more compared to Trials of Mana. Trials was fun and a pretty decent game but I just felt it was way too easy, and I was playing on hard if I recall. I'm hoping Visions of Mana is a little more challenging, because the gameplay looks relatively fun. I think I will still be getting the game either way though. Thanks for another awesome Alex!

[@Spenerico]

Great review! Was trying my best not to buy this with so much coming out but.. I gotta! Glad to see how well your channel is doing! This always felt like a quality, established channel that was just missing the exposure.

[@BacklogBattle]

Hello sir! Been a hot minute! Thank you thank you for hanging out and watching the video :) Try out the demo if you haven't yet!

[@Spenerico]

@@BacklogBattle Tried it out I REALLY enjoyed the boss battle with the FF XIV like floor mechanics so i'm definitely gonna grab it!

[@petermertens8839]

How long did it take for you to finish it? I heard everything from 20 to 70 hours. Btw: best review i`ve seen !

[@BacklogBattle]

@@petermertens8839 I finished it around 40 hours! And thank you!

[@BozenaZhrozena]

Finally some great jrpg after long time 🔥 the last great jrpg was tales of arise and after that nothing much…of course ff7 rebirth is 10/10 but i dont count it as casual jrpg….so definitelly going to buy this one plus the characters looks like from nino kuni 2 and i also liked that one as well…great review 🔥

[@TaeWolf]

Karina has a very specific regional accent in japanese too. Whoever decided she should have an accent in english too probably did this to make it like the japanese version.

[@BacklogBattle]

I get that. A lot of games back in the early to mid-2000s would literally ask voice actors to do a redneck accent for any character who has a Kansai accent. But this is 2024, and I’d like to believe that we’ve gotten more sophisticated with how we choose to portray characters.

[@Sheamu5]

I can see both sides, she's not bothering me 12h in. But I wish they had gone with a less common or more subtle accent.

[@Savage80]

I just hope it gets future patches

[@BacklogBattle]

Fingers crossed!

[@DanielSantosAnalysis]

This game sounds like a blast to play!

[@Roanix1]

I am super hyped for this

[@immortal846]

This looks so beautiful. That palamena goes too hard

[@jonbar]

Even been a JRPG veteran, the mana (and saga) franchise are the obe I never managed to get into It seems that visions might change this sentiment :)

[@horizon92lee]

Can’t wait for it to arrive. Bought the collectors edition

[@BacklogBattle]

@@horizon92lee the collector’s edition looks great!

[@Longhalloween511]

Great review! I might have missed it, but did you mention game length?

[@BacklogBattle]

@@Longhalloween511 I forgot! I was playing on Normal mode and 40 hours, with roughly 10 of that sidequesting!

[@Longhalloween511]

@@BacklogBattle No worries! Thanks again for the great content!

[@jayt2917]

I would like to know your opinion on the music which i think you didn’t mention in the video .

[@BacklogBattle]

Let’s put it this way: if I didn’t mention it, it probably wasn’t important to me lol That said, I think it has a good mix of good tracks and forgettable tracks. The backing song in the review is my FAVORITE though!

[@tylermatthews5440]

Worth full price? I typically wait for at least a 20% discount even for games I’m very interested in. Unless its a 10/10. Just starting Unicorn Overlord so I have time till Im ready to play visions anyway.

[@BacklogBattle]

I think so! It checks every box that I was looking for as I said in the video!

[@tylermatthews5440]

@@BacklogBattle awesome. I played demo and was happy with what I experienced. Wish it had a co-op mode. Wonder if they could add that in a future patch/dlc?

[@SuperRamos619]

The game can still be a 10/10 in your heart, even if other people say it's a 7.

[@tylermatthews5440]

@@SuperRamos619 That's the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me, Thank you!

[@GhostEmblem]

Sounds like they took a page out of Genshins book with their action elemental system and I'm all for it.

[@cloverraven]

Played the demo for 5 minutes and was like YEP! Uninstalled it and pre ordered. It’s time

[@kohiek]

I really enjoyed Trials of Mana. The 2 issues I had were the end game dungeon and the voice acting. I am glad to hear that this game isn't a downgrade. Pre-ordering it today probably. :)

[@brandonhardin9713]

I know you spoke about its accessibility, but are there good options for people that want to up the challenge?

[@BacklogBattle]

There's Hard mode ;)

[@ldcgfx8710]

am I seeing a "mission/objective tracker"? can you suggest any other jrpg with that feature?

[@Sairento-kun]

Good review, my doubts are quite solved. Game looks ok but have some issues, I will not like (maybe I've played too many games or I'm too old) and I will wait for a sale. I will rather but Metaphor for now (not enough time to play everything xD)

[@BacklogBattle]

You’re older than me? (45)

[@Sairento-kun]

@@BacklogBattle No but not everyone has same excitment for the games. Maybe its because of the job and lack of time, I kinda feel like I burnt out with the games and I need something that will rly click with my taste

[@BacklogBattle]

@@Sairento-kun just to share my personal experience, I play a lot of games, and one of the biggest saving graces for my enjoyment of the medium happens to be sitting down and forcing myself to examine my experience with them! Think of it like a postmortem, and a way to force yourself to slow down and really relish on the whole thing! Makes you appreciate each game more!

[@Sairento-kun]

@@BacklogBattle when I finish my project, it will be time for it :p. I rly just wanted to thank you for your review, with your honest review, that its ok for me to wait with Vision and not just throw away an idea to buy it ^^

[@Rienli]

The demo made me wary of wanting to pre-order it after playing through trials of mana. I might give it another try but, wait for it to go on sale first.

[@BacklogBattle]

As someone who loved Trials of Mana, the expanded exploration in Visions of Mana and the class system was everything! Trials of Mana seems small by comparison

[@Rienli]

@@BacklogBattle I did like the open exploration of Visions compared to Trials. I am hoping the game does more justice mechanically than the demo did. Also, I noticed you mentioned Ys8 alot. Have you ever played Ys: Ark of Napishtim?

[@BacklogBattle]

@@Rienli I sadly have not, but I have it in my backlog! Mechanically, the different Elements, in conjunction with the Ability Seeds, adds a good bit of customization to the game. I go over it in detail in the video, so I highly recommend checking that out again!

[@camma12]

You had me at Ys 8 😂

[@Subroutine403]

Combat lock-on / targeting is terrible in the game. That's my only gripe and I'm 33 hours in. 8.5/10 for me.

[@bryan8638]

The opposite combat feeling of elden ring? I'll take it!

[@punkrachmaninoff]

So happy for the Mana team. Looks like good reviews across the board. Hope it is the best RPG of 2024.

[@Sairento-kun]

Rather hard to achieve, when Metaphor is right behind the corner

[@mitch20003]

Gamepot gave it a 5, ign gave it a 8

[@mitch20003]

Looks solid. Not sure why Gamespot gave it a 5.

[@Sairento-kun]

@@mitch20003 5 is solid/mid game, scale is 1-10, game doesnt look top

[@SamiNasri-s3u]

It is a real good game

[@TheAnimatedGamer]

Yeah the demo was just a huge turn off for me. Trails of mana combat wasn't playing like a straight up action game or anything but it didn't feel as slow as visions did for me. Really sucks with all the new options it gives you comparatively so it's a hard pass

[@antiquecardboard]

Agree. Trials of Mana Remake is vastly superior in the gameplay department. Vision's Demo was a huge disappointment.

[@jumbounotomines3915]

Morley's story is so ffX

[@sor3999]

8:27 It might be because she has an accent in the Japanese. I have no idea why this is a particular problem anyway.

[@BacklogBattle]

Kansai, yes. I addressed it in another comment. This is a problem because the translation is lost in English. The equivalency isn’t 1:1 and this framing goes as far back as the early 2000s and outdated.

[@AlastorShadow0]

I'm really glad they didn't go the Trials route, and make half (or more) of the main characters blonde. A bit WAY too much if you ask me.

[@uchennaobi5985]

Palemenia staying permanent in my party😍😍

[@BacklogBattle]

Her whip and scythe classes are my favorites! Not so much on the kicks…

[@TheSpawnfan]

@@BacklogBattle scythe and whip, you say? She's never leaving the main group.

[@Exialyser]

no time dodge and block feature mechanics is a good choice by the dev by the way, i mean, you have tons of build you can do, why you want to play the game depends on this 2 feature? its good only for limited or fewer skill character like ys 8 and black myth wukong

[@Dave_McKee]

My concern is how is the AI of your party members quite a few of late the party members are dumb as a bag of rocks. They never try get out of a enemys attack which they can clearly see is coming and just continue to stay put.

[@BacklogBattle]

I’ve only had problems twice and that’s because my Strategy settings weren’t set properly

[@Dave_McKee]

TYVM for the quick answer.

[@Ulieq]

Is the towns generic still like other games, or is it modern?

[@BacklogBattle]

@@Ulieq if you’re asking if they’re all designed differently, the answer is yes! No cookie cutter towns here

[@Ulieq]

@@BacklogBattle another thing is weapon systems how does it work In all secret games you basically get a new weapon every town and that's how you increase death it's extremely basic

[@BacklogBattle]

@@Ulieq it’s the same. I feel like that’s a staple of RPGs in general

[@Ulieq]

@@BacklogBattle In secret games you get one weapon in every town and that's the only way to upgrade other RPGs have it as monster drops or secrets in the game

[@BacklogBattle]

@@Ulieq I’ve mostly played ones that do both, and that’s a lot of the more recent games

[@DaitylSword]

Ys 8 and FF10 you say.

[@jorosssnake6776]

the game design is very similar to trials of mana remake

[@BacklogBattle]

Yes and no. Trials of Mana’s level design is far more cramped especially when compared to Visions. I think it’s more appropriate to say that Visions of Mana expands on what Trials had!

[@cwavygaming6615]

Is this game like grand blue fantasy? Cause that game I was very excited for it was my first entry in the series and I found it very boring

[@BacklogBattle]

Not at all. Relink is focused on multiplayer. This one doesn’t have that

[@cwavygaming6615]

@@BacklogBattle I’m on the fence about grabbing this I love action rpgs but I keep hearing mixed things and I’ve played a few mana games and I didn’t really like them

[@BacklogBattle]

@@cwavygaming6615 well, like I said in the review, it’s targeting a very specific kind of gamer, so a lot of its design revolves around that. Chances are, if you haven’t liked a Mana game before, there’s a good chance that you may not like this one. That said, I don’t really know your preferences, so I recommend watching this again and paying attention to certain parts of it that you may care about more and see if that’s enough for you to try it. Additionally, you can also try the demo

[@Boss_Fight_Index_muki]

How's this compared to Zelda BotW?

[@BacklogBattle]

@@Boss_Fight_Index_muki totally different games. This is a straight up action RPG with leveling. Zelda is more action adventure and have the freedom to do things in any order you want. This one is more linear, at least at the start.

[@thelibra101219]

It saddens me how the Mana series have stepped away from couch multiplayer.... There was a time, centuries ago, while I was still in high school, when I spent good time with my dad and friends playing Legend of Mana together. Now very few games do that... heck, it won't even allow online multiplayer....