Taking a shot at SNES Secret of Mana

[SlowCoder]

First time I've ever tried my hand at that genre of game. Something like a cross between a Sierra adventure and a dungeon crawler. After my first hour of play, it's kind of interesting. Sort of like watching a cartoon.

 

I'm hoping a bit that there's more fighting, rather than just walking around and kill 1 "rabite" at a time.

 

Who else has played this game? What did you think of it?

 

Whoever owned this game before me must really have enjoyed it. All 4 of the saves are maxed out, game completed.

[HuckleCat]

This probably belongs in the Classic Gaming forum instead of here, as SoM was never released for any computer.

 

However, it is one excellent game. I had it when it first came out for the SNES, and in my opinion, it was probably the best JRPG that came out for the system. It was games like Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger that gave SquareSoft the reputation that they have today. They did so much more than just Final Fantasy back then, and it seemed that all of the titles were gold. If you're into emulation at all, try grabbing Live A Live or Bahamut Lagoon along with the translation patches.

 

 

It picks up, and soon you'll be fighting enemies way crazier than Rabbites.

[madmax2069]

I absolutely loved SoM, in my eyes that and Chrono Trigger (as stated by HuckleCat) was probably the best JRPG's i have played on the SNES. I would still have it today if it and other games and my system wasn't stolen. Just thinking about it chaps my hide.

Edited December 13, 2011 by madmax2069

[The Usotsuki]

I hear it was one of the last games Nasir Gebelli coded.

[moycon]

Loved this game back in the day and if I remember correctly played through twice that gen.

Really well done. Only complaint I think I recall was there wasn't much finding secret stuff. Hidden entrances, items scattered around, etc....

This was something I always enjoyed in RPGs of the time and SoM is missing this key element (if I'm recalling correctly) other than that a true classic with sweet graphics and great soundtrack.

[SlowCoder]

This probably belongs in the Classic Gaming forum instead of here, as SoM was never released for any computer.

Yeah, I meant to put it there. I posted using my phone, so I must have just hit the wrong link.

 

I'm glad to hear you guys liked it so much. Hopefully, round #2 tonight.

[Chris Leach]

if you rreally want to play some square enix roots titles....after you are done with Secret of Mana jump back and grab Soul Blazer or the suppose to be sequel, Illusion of Gaia....plenty of secrets to find and awesome graphics to go along with gameplay or you could find Robotrek! Awesome game reminds me of Earthbound.....but with a kid who gets a robot!

[NE146]

I bought and beat SoM at launch.. and while I did enjoy it, I ultimately felt it was a little too linear. i.e. just follow the path to get to the end kind of thing. Chrono Trigger on the other hand you could do all sorts of different stuff as you saw fit.

 

But that was my opinion nearly 20 years ago.. I haven't touched it since then

[SoulBlazer]

if you rreally want to play some square enix roots titles....after you are done with Secret of Mana jump back and grab Soul Blazer or the suppose to be sequel, Illusion of Gaia....plenty of secrets to find and awesome graphics to go along with gameplay or you could find Robotrek! Awesome game reminds me of Earthbound.....but with a kid who gets a robot!

 

Nice to have my namesake game mentioned.

[SlowCoder]

if you rreally want to play some square enix roots titles....after you are done with Secret of Mana jump back and grab Soul Blazer or the suppose to be sequel, Illusion of Gaia ...

I happen to have Illusion of Gaia. Might have to grab a copy of Soul Blazer, which I've heard good things about.

[StanJr]

Could not get into SoM. I didn't really get the whole magic system and that first tiger "boss" kept ripping me to shreds, so I pretty much gave up. Sounds like the majority loves it though, so I guess I missed out.

 

Now Sword of Mana on the GBA is amazing!

[Chris Leach]

And then there was Robotrek....such a brilliant game that no one seems to know of...? This game left you as a kid with a robot..I think your grandpa or someone left it for you and you take the robot on a journey fighting along the way..using the robot for fights made the game sweet! You could eventually get up to three robots to help you on your journey if I recall right....def played like earthbound....

[Chris Leach]

has anyone pointed out that Secret of Mana utilizes the Four player adapter ability? u can play with 3 peeps!

[DemonoidTentacle]

Now Sword of Mana on the GBA is amazing!

 

Are you aware that it's a remake of a GB game? I like them both.

 

And Secret of Mana is flippin' awesome! Easily in my top 3 SNES games (Secret of Mana, Super Mario World, and Super Metroid) and I love everything about it. Sure the game was cut short after being initially for the CD system Nintendo was developing with Sony (the Playstation) but I'm not sure if the things cut would've even made it a better game. It probably would've made it a longer game, but I think the overall length of how it is it great. I enjoy playing it with friends. I plan on giving it a runthrough in a few months with a couple of new housemates that I'll be getting.

[Austin]

This is a personal favorite of mine on the system. I agree that the length is just about right, and I can't imagine it going any longer than it does.

 

I can see how some won't enjoy it, but I've always felt that the combat system especially takes some getting used to. For instance, waiting for your meter to hit 100% after each attack in order to do any damage. Many people I have known in the past had the tendency to keep mashing the attack button, which doesn't do much in this game. Naturally, they were the ones that couldn't understand the appeal of the game initially (most of them did eventually adapt though). It's about disciplined, timed attacks (waiting for the metter to hit 100% by default). Also, some enemies require you to wait before attacking them again, otherwise the hit won't count. Some enemies, attacks can be stacked. You have to figure out how each enemy reacts that way.

 

Got to love the magic system, too! Spamming certain spells so you get 999 damage on enemies in one swoop before they can attack is fun. Plus, you are helping to level-up your spells in the process.

 

I love the story implementation in this game as well. You meet a lot of interesting people, and you visit a lot of crazy, astonishing and creepy locations.

 

I never could get into any of the Mana games after this one. I felt this one perfected the formula and it didn't need the changes that the later games implemented. But that's just me.

[+thegoldenband]

I have very fond memories of Secret of Mana -- great gameplay and graphics, engaging story. I especially remember the music which is incredibly haunting and nostalgic -- only Chrono Trigger exceeds its mark, at least among RPGs on the SNES. I covered the first main theme (aka "The Boy Aims For Wild Fields") some years back, with a couple friends. The gamelan-style music that shows up late in the game is wonderfully creepy!

 

I'm planning to play through it with my girlfriend sometime, maybe next year, though we've got a few things ahead of it in the queue.

 

BTW, I've been intrigued by Robotrek for a while! It looked very promising when I tried it out for 20-30 minutes some years back. The translation has a bad reputation, but what I heard of the music was really nice. (Can you tell that the SNES's music is one of my favorite things about the console?)

[DemonoidTentacle]

The music is incredible! Or maybe that's nostalgia talking? Nah...

 

And I only heard of Robotrek about 10 years ago. I don't think it got a PAL release, and the only reason I heard of it was because a mate was playing it on an emulator.

[mbd30]

This is in my top two or three games of all time. I've played through it multiple times (both on the actual console and via emulation).

 

One thing that sets SNES apart from the Genesis is re-playability, at least for me. The best titles such as "Super Metroid" and "Secret of Mana" are an _experience_. The beautiful graphics and music pull me in, and I can play through them over and over. While I love eg. "Revenge of Shinobi" on the Genesis, now that I've beaten it, I've never had the urge to play it again.

[StanJr]

Now Sword of Mana on the GBA is amazing!

 

Are you aware that it's a remake of a GB game? I like them both.

 

 

Yeah, I found that out after playing it on the GBA, but I've not played it yet.

 

 

with all of this talk of SoM being so great, I guess I need to give it another try.

[SlowCoder]

Well, i've played up to where I have to save the girl (who I've called Amber for her red hair) from 2 wolf-like people. I am now level 6, 98 hit points, and getting my butt beat. I've pretty much gotten used to the attack system, where you should wait until 100% before striking. But these 2 guys are so fast, and if you get knocked down even once, they lay into you while you're down, and you never get up again.

[PsychoKittyNet]

The Japan only sequel, Seiken Densetsu 3 is also awesome, if your into emulating or have a flash cart, I highly reccomend it.

[DemonoidTentacle]

Well, i've played up to where I have to save the girl (who I've called Amber for her red hair) from 2 wolf-like people. I am now level 6, 98 hit points, and getting my butt beat. I've pretty much gotten used to the attack system, where you should wait until 100% before striking. But these 2 guys are so fast, and if you get knocked down even once, they lay into you while you're down, and you never get up again.

 

I hate to say, but it sounds like you've taken what I call the harder route of the game. Early on you do something to effect whether you get the girl or the sprite first in your party. I always found it MUCH easier to get the sprite first, and then get the girl as it makes battling the werewolves so much easier.

 

EDIT: From memory that "something" is talking to the soldiers at the Water Palace or Temple, and getting attacked by goblins. If you did this you will be getting the girl first I think. If you don't do this, you get the sprite first. It's been a while, but I'm sure that's right.

Edited December 20, 2011 by DemonoidTentacle

[SlowCoder]

Well, i've played up to where I have to save the girl (who I've called Amber for her red hair) from 2 wolf-like people. I am now level 6, 98 hit points, and getting my butt beat. I've pretty much gotten used to the attack system, where you should wait until 100% before striking. But these 2 guys are so fast, and if you get knocked down even once, they lay into you while you're down, and you never get up again.

 

I hate to say, but it sounds like you've taken what I call the harder route of the game. Early on you do something to effect whether you get the girl or the sprite first in your party. I always found it MUCH easier to get the sprite first, and then get the girl as it makes battling the werewolves so much easier.

 

EDIT: From memory that "something" is talking to the soldiers at the Water Palace or Temple, and getting attacked by goblins. If you did this you will be getting the girl first I think. If you don't do this, you get the sprite first. It's been a while, but I'm sure that's right.

Yeah, I figured out what I had to do. I ended up restarting the game, and did get the sprite (named Ginger, hehe), then the girl, then made sure I donned appropriate protective gear. Went up to the Haunted Forest and it was MUCH easier.

 

I admit, while this type of game was never really my niche, I find myself being dragged kicking and screaming into it. Getting used to all of the special items I have to buy, and how that system works is a bit of a trick. Definitely fun.

[Austin]

You should also make sure you are grinding a bit. It will make the game a lot easier. Plus, later in the game, it's a way to level-up your weapon charging abilities much faster.

[SlowCoder]

You should also make sure you are grinding a bit. It will make the game a lot easier. Plus, later in the game, it's a way to level-up your weapon charging abilities much faster.

* refrains from using the word "grind" in an inappropriate sentence *

 

What is the meaning of "grind" in relation to this game? Running around killing beasties to build up my hit points?