Info about Visions of Mana:

Official game description:
Visions of Mana Digital Deluxe Edition
======================================
This product is a bundle containing “Visions of Mana Full Game”, “Mana Superstars Costume Set” and “Mana Series BGM Bundle”.  
Digital Deluxe Edition Content:  
“Visions of Mana Full Game”  
“Mana Superstars Costume Set”  
　・FINAL FANTASY ADVENTURE: Sumo Outfit (Val)  
　・Secret of Mana: Popoi Outfit (Julei)  
　・Trials of Mana: Riesz Outfit (Careena)  
　・Legend of Mana: Elazul Outfit (Morley), Lady Blackpearl Outfit (Palamena)  
“Mana Series BGM Bundle” 26 Tracks  
　・FINAL FANTASY ADVENTURE  
　　Endless Battlefield, Battle 1, In Search of the Sword of Mana, Battle 2  
　・Secret of Mana  
　　Into the Thick of It, Leave Time for Love, The Oracle, Meridian Dance  
　・Trials of Mana  
　　Swivel, Powell, Nuclear Fusion, Hightension Wire  
　・Legend of Mana  
　　Pain the Universe, Picturesque Landscape, The Darkness Nova, Bejeweled City in Ruins  
　・Children of Mana  
　　Wavering Tower of Prayer, The Sublime Lord of Lightning  
　・Dawn of Mana  
　　Dark Shrine, Burning Spirits, Reminiscence, Dance of the Fools  
　・Heroes of Mana  
　　As the Heart Wills, Such Cruel Fate  
　・Rise of Mana  
　　The Drip Drip Drip of Memory, The Enemy Appears  
\*After downloading “Mana Superstars Costume Set”, they will become available in Main Menu > Gear/Skills > Gear > Appearance.  
\*After downloading “Mana Series BGM Bundle”, they will become available in Main Menu > Settings > Audio > Change BGM > Customize.  
\*The products included in this bundle are also available to purchase separately. Please be careful to avoid making duplicate purchases.  
\*To use this product, it must be updated to the latest version.
Visions of Mana Demo
====================
Visions of Mana demo  
Experience a section of the story, battles and exploration in this demo of Visions of Mana.  
\*Some content differs from the release version of the game.  
■ Play the demo and receive 3 x weapons in the full game:  
　・Gladius (small sword for Val)  
　・Falx (great sword for Val)  
　・Horn Lance (lance for Val)  
\*These weapons can be claimed by starting a new game and proceeding as far as Chapter 1.  
\*These bonus items can also be acquired by progressing through the game.  
The following weapons will be available to equip as classes unlock in the full game:  
\*The “Gladius” can be equipped once Val becomes playable in Chapter 1.  
\*The “Falx” can be equipped once it becomes possible to change class to the wind class.  
\*The “Horn Lance” can be equipped once it becomes possible to change class to the moon class.  
\*Save data from the demo must be present on the system to claim these items.  
\*The content featured in the demo has been cut down to make a satisfying demo and progress cannot be carried over to the full game.  
\*When claiming these items, please ensure you have the latest update before starting play.
About the Game
==============
Visions of Mana is a brand new title in this series revolving around the sacred sword and mana.  
The protagonist Val and his childhood friend Hinna, the newly appointed Alm of Fire, set off on a journey to the Mana Tree.  
This game’s iconic vibrant and vast semi-open field contains adorable yet ferocious monsters, allowing you to enjoy swift three-dimensional battles using the power of the Elementals.  
Through adventures with friends met along the way, they start to see the truth about the world.  
Must we accept our fates?  
A new “Mana” tale begins here as a classic fantasy series returns to its roots.  
▸Bold graphics full of characteristic “Mana” flair  
The characters journey across a vibrant world alive with spirits.  
▸Exploring the world  
Explore the vast, semi-open world that stretches as far as the eye can see. Traverse the environment quickly and safely with new companions, the “Pikuls".  
▸Harness the power of the Elementals  
In this game, you will fight enemies using weapons that house the power of the Elementals. Change between different classes and characters to suit your playstyle and enjoy combat that has evolved both three-dimensionally and strategically.  
▸ Breathtaking and immersive soundtrack  
Around 100 background music tracks by a talented team of creators who have worked on countless tracks throughout the series. The music in field areas feature interactive music, heightening the mood for adventure.

Release date: Aug 29, 2024

Categories: Action RPG, Character Progression, Exploration, Story-driven Gameplay, Open-World, Class-based Gameplay, JRPG

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 30; verdict: Minor Tweaks Needed; summary: The game shows some level of compatibility with Steam Deck and, by extension, Linux/Proton. However, there are notable performance issues such as unstable FPS and frequent non-fatal bugs, particularly during intense gameplay moments. These issues suggest that while the game can run on Linux/Proton, it may require some tweaking and does not provide a seamless experience.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant performance issues and graphical settings problems when playing on the Steam Deck. While some users had a positive experience, many encountered unstable FPS, non-functional HDR, and resolution selector issues, indicating that the game requires additional tweaking or tools to run smoothly on the Steam Deck.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence consistently suggests that the game is not considered worth its full price by the community. Multiple reviews mention that the game should be purchased on sale, with specific mentions of a 50% discount or a price range of 30-40 euros. This indicates that the community perceives the fair price to be significantly lower than the full price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 35.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 8.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides direct statements about playtime. One reviewer mentions being in chapter two, indicating early-game progress. Another reviewer states they beat the game at roughly 35 hours, which suggests a typical game completion time. A third reviewer mentions spending 34 hours but notes that completing everything could take at least 60 hours, indicating a longer playtime for full completion. Finally, another reviewer mentions playing through all major game content, including post-game chapters and a superboss, over the course of 43 hours, which suggests a comprehensive playthrough including endgame content.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts slow and repetitive but becomes more enjoyable as players unlock new classes and progress further into the story. Initial friction includes grindy combat and repetitive tasks.
  - Stance: Fun after unlocks
  - Anchor: Unlocking new classes
  - Time to anchor: 5h 0m
  - Friction: repetitive combat; grindy tasks; slow pacing
  - Unlock drivers: unlocking new classes; progressing through the mid-game
  - Conditions: appreciation for graphics and soundtrack; patience for initial grind
- Player Archetypes:
  - Nostalgic Mana Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and familiarity with the Mana series.
    - Playstyle: Explorative and appreciative of series-specific elements.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: long time Mana series fan; Mana series fan
    - Reference games: Trials of Mana; Secret of Mana; Seiken Densetsu 3
  - Casual Gamer (sale)
    - Motivation: Relaxation and casual gameplay.
    - Playstyle: Casual and intermittent play sessions.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: casual gamer; newcomer
    - Reference games: DOOM; Resident Evil
  - Critical Connoisseur (deep sale)
    - Motivation: High-quality gaming experiences and critical analysis.
    - Playstyle: Analytical and comparative playstyle.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: hardcore RPG fans; experienced gamer
    - Reference games: SaGa Frontier; Final Fantasy


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Stunning Visuals and Art Style (weight 0.68): The game features beautiful and varied graphics, with vibrant colors and enchanting levels. The art style is visually appealing and captures a fairy tale atmosphere.
- Engaging and Fun Combat (weight 0.5): The combat system is dynamic, smooth, and enjoyable. It offers a fun and engaging experience with a good combat feel and class customization.
- Amazing Soundtrack and Music (weight 0.46): The game features an incredible soundtrack with captivating and wonderful music. The soundtrack is top-notch and adds to the overall experience.
- Enjoyable Gameplay Experience (weight 0.41): The gameplay is fun and engaging, encouraging exploration and skill mixing. It keeps players active and entertained throughout the game.
- Beautiful and Explorable World (weight 0.4): The game world is large, beautiful, and diverse, with richly decorated landscapes and many paths to explore. It is visually stunning and pleasant to navigate.
- Engaging and Emotional Story (weight 0.33): The story is engaging, with emotional moments and interesting twists. It is well-presented and offers a satisfying adventure with charming characters.
- Well-Developed and Charismatic Characters (weight 0.28): The characters are well-developed, memorable, and charismatic. They are likable, endearing, and add to the overall enjoyment of the game.
- Captures Classic Mana Vibe (weight 0.23): The game evokes feelings similar to the classic Mana series, with a nostalgic atmosphere and soundtrack. It follows the spirit of previous Mana games and is great for fans.
- Abundance of Side Quests (weight 0.12): The game offers a large volume of content, including numerous side quests and subquests. This adds to the gameplay experience and provides additional challenges.
- Flexible Class System (weight 0.1): The class system is good and flexible, allowing for class switching and customization. This adds depth to the gameplay and character development.

Common complaints:
- Predictable and boring story (weight 0.73): The story is widely criticized for being predictable, cliché, and boring. Many players find it lacking originality and emotional depth, with unsatisfying developments and unresolved mysteries.
- Boring and repetitive gameplay (weight 0.72): The gameplay is often described as boring and repetitive, with monotonous combat and repetitive side quests. The game's slow pace and lack of depth in gameplay mechanics contribute to this issue.
- Poor character design and development (weight 0.35): Characters are often described as unlikable, generic, and lacking depth. Character design is criticized for being subpar and inconsistent, with shallow development and lack of emotional engagement.
- Outdated and clunky combat mechanics (weight 0.32): The combat system is often described as clunky, outdated, and unsatisfying. Players report issues with combat mechanics, including poor camera control and shallow combat feel.
- Unremarkable music and voice acting (weight 0.25): The music is generally forgettable and does not stand out. Voice acting is criticized for being poor, dry, and sometimes unbearable, detracting from the overall experience.
- Technical issues and poor optimization (weight 0.16): The game suffers from various technical issues, including bugs, crashes, and performance problems. Frequent loading screens and optimization issues are also mentioned.
- Excessive and repetitive cutscenes (weight 0.15): Cutscenes are criticized for being repetitive, excessive, and unskippable. These frequent and pointless cutscenes can drag down the pacing of the game.
- Poor save and fast travel systems (weight 0.15): The save system is criticized for infrequent auto-saves and limited save points. The fast travel system is also described as outdated, cumbersome, and poorly designed.

Gameplay feedback:
- Class system with deep customization (weight 0.5): The game includes a flexible class system with a variety of character classes and elemental advantages. Players can customize their characters' abilities and skills, allowing for diverse and optimal combat strategies.
- Real-time combat with party roles (weight 0.43): The game features a dynamic and engaging real-time combat system that emphasizes party-based roles and strategic action elements. Players enjoy the hack and slash mechanics combined with a job system that allows for varied combat styles.
- Character progression and development (weight 0.25): The game focuses on character growth and progression, allowing players to develop their characters through various builds and achievements. This adds depth to the gameplay and keeps players engaged.
- Repetitive and boring side quests (weight 0.2): The game features numerous side quests that are often repetitive and involve collecting materials. Many players find these quests uninteresting and poorly designed, detracting from the overall experience.
- Fast travel system needs improvement (weight 0.11): The game's fast travel system is considered outdated and cumbersome by some players. While it is convenient, there are usability issues that make navigation less enjoyable.
- New Game+ and post-game content (weight 0.07): The game offers a New Game+ feature and additional post-game content, providing players with more challenges and unlockables after completing the main story.

Performance notes:
- Frequent bugs and glitches (weight 0.2): Players report various bugs including object collision issues, character control problems, and visual glitches. These bugs significantly impact the gameplay experience.
- Performance varies by hardware (weight 0.15): The game's performance varies significantly depending on the hardware. Some players report smooth performance on high-end PCs, while others experience issues on different configurations.
- FPS instability and drops (weight 0.15): The game experiences FPS instability, with occasional frame drops and performance issues. This affects the smoothness of gameplay, especially during combat and in cities.
- Optimization issues and stutters (weight 0.15): The game has optimization issues leading to occasional stutters and performance problems. This affects the overall smoothness and enjoyment of the game.
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.11): Players encounter frequent game crashes, which disrupt the gaming experience. Some users report multiple crashes, while others experience fewer or no crashes.
- Long and frequent loading screens (weight 0.11): Players report frequent and long loading screens, which can be disruptive to the gaming experience. Loading times are a common complaint among users.
- Lack of advanced graphical features (weight 0.09): The game lacks advanced graphical features such as DLSS and has an old version of FSR. Additionally, it does not support ultrawide resolutions and has non-functional HDR.
- Cutscenes locked to 30 FPS (weight 0.08): Cutscenes are locked to 30 FPS, which can be jarring and cause framerate drops. This issue affects the overall visual experience during key story moments.
- Partial controller compatibility (weight 0.07): The game has partial controller compatibility, which can be problematic for players who prefer using controllers. Some users report input lag and unintuitive controls.
- Severe lag and poor optimization (weight 0.06): Players experience severe lag and poor optimization, which significantly impacts gameplay. These issues are more pronounced on certain hardware configurations.
- High system resource usage (weight 0.05): The game uses high system resources, leading to increased fan usage and potential overheating. This can be a concern for players with less powerful hardware.
- Save data and loading issues (weight 0.05): Players encounter issues with saving data and loading times. These issues can disrupt the gaming experience and cause frustration.
- Graphics issues at high settings (weight 0.03): Players report graphics issues when running the game at high settings. These issues can affect the visual quality and performance of the game.
- Shader compilation on first launch (weight 0.03): The game compiles shaders on the first launch, which can lead to longer initial loading times. This is a one-time process but can be inconvenient for players.

Recommendations:
- Wait for Sale (weight 0.47): Many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing the game, indicating that it may not be worth the full price. Discounts are recommended for better value.
- JRPG Fans Recommended (weight 0.33): This game is highly recommended for fans of JRPGs, particularly those who enjoy action-oriented gameplay and visually appealing experiences. It is praised for its modern take on classic JRPG elements.
- Colorful and Comforting Adventure (weight 0.31): The game is recommended for players seeking a colorful and comforting adventure with satisfying action and a world worth exploring. It offers a lighthearted and visually appealing experience.
- Mana Series Fans (weight 0.31): Fans of the Mana series, especially those who enjoyed previous titles like Secret of Mana and Trials of Mana, will find this game appealing. It is seen as a solid entry for series enthusiasts.
- Weak Story Criticism (weight 0.19): The game is not recommended for those seeking a strong story, as it has been criticized for its weak narrative and excessive cutscenes. This aspect may detract from the overall experience.
- Fun and Visually Charming (weight 0.11): The game is recommended for those seeking uncomplicated fun and visually charming experiences. It is praised for being immersive, accessible, and enjoyable.
- Mixed Recommendations (weight 0.1): The game has mixed recommendations, with some reviewers suggesting it might be divisive or only suitable for a particular crowd. It is recommended with reservations.
- Longtime Series Fans (weight 0.09): Longtime fans of the series are likely to enjoy this game, as it is recommended for those who have followed the series and appreciate its evolution.
- Mana Saga Enthusiasts (weight 0.09): The game is recommended for those who like the Mana saga, but it may not be suitable for all fans of the series. It is considered one of the favorites in the Mana series by some reviewers.
- Newcomers Entry Point (weight 0.05): The game is seen as a good entry point for newcomers to the series, offering an accessible experience for those new to the genre.
- Interesting Worldbuilding (weight 0.05): The game is recommended for its interesting worldbuilding and concepts, appealing to fans of Legend of Mana and those who enjoy different worldviews and physics.
- Not Recommended for Older Audiences (weight 0.04): The game is not recommended for older audiences, as it is intended for a younger audience. This may limit its appeal to certain players.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.31): Players are frustrated by a multitude of issues including technical problems such as game crashes, bugs, and performance issues. The combat mechanics are frequently cited as clunky, slow, and repetitive, with poor targeting and camera issues. Additionally, the story and character development are criticized for being weak, predictable, and sometimes illogical, which detracts from the overall experience.
- Joy (weight 0.26): Players express joy due to the game's beautiful visuals, colorful world, and enjoyable combat system. The dynamic and fun combat, along with the variety of classes and character customization, contribute to a positive experience. The nostalgic music and charming character designs also enhance the overall enjoyment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.24): Disappointment stems from the game's lack of innovation and depth in story, characters, and combat mechanics. Players find the story predictable, boring, and sometimes poorly executed, with characters lacking development and charm. The combat system is criticized for being repetitive, simplistic, and lacking challenge, leading to an overall mediocre experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Enjoyment is derived from the game's engaging combat system, beautiful visuals, and enjoyable exploration. Players appreciate the variety of classes, character customization, and the dynamic combat mechanics. The nostalgic atmosphere, good graphics, and enjoyable soundtrack also contribute to the positive experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): Excitement is generated by the game's dynamic and satisfying combat system, beautiful world, and engaging storyline. Players are thrilled by the variety of character customization options, the challenging combat, and the strategic combat planning. The colorful and fun exploration, along with the powerful soundtrack moments during boss battles, add to the excitement.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.04): Nostalgia is evoked by the game's familiar elements, known characters, and old-school vibe that remind players of classic Mana games. The nostalgic music, graphics, and the overall nostalgic experience of playing games similar to those on the SNES contribute to this feeling.
- Boredom (weight 0.04): Boredom arises from the repetitive combat system, large and empty maps, and a lack of exciting gameplay elements. Players find the combat repetitive and unexciting, with little variety in attacks and moves. The story is also criticized for being predictable and unengaging, leading to a tedious gaming experience.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger is caused by frustrating combat mechanics, poorly executed story, and technical issues such as bugs and crashes. Players are annoyed by the lack of autosave feature, unlikable characters, and poorly designed combat systems. Game-breaking bugs and repetitive, uninteresting side content also contribute to the anger.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Satisfaction comes from the enjoyable combat system, good graphics, and engaging story. Players appreciate the smooth controls, satisfying sense of progression, and the variety of character builds. The emotionally engaging story and well-designed characters also contribute to the overall satisfaction.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation is felt for the game's beautiful and colorful visuals, well-realized music and art, and the variety of character builds. Players appreciate the lovable characters, their relationships, and the overall consistency and quality of the game. The vibrant world and the inclusion of classes and weapons from various entries in the series are also appreciated.
- Disappointed (weight 0.02): Players are disappointed by the game's lack of depth and interesting characters, as well as the lackluster difficulty. The plot is criticized for being shallow and rushed, with unlikable protagonists and limited character customization. The poor story and character design, along with the lack of user-friendly systems, contribute to the disappointment.
- Sadness (weight 0.02): Sadness is evoked by emotional moments in the story and the untimely shuttering of the developer studio. Players feel sad about the emotional and touching story, the ending of the story, and the layoffs of developers on the game's release day. The inability to achieve 100% completion due to bugs and the lack of a photomode also contribute to the sadness.
- Frustrated (weight 0.02): Frustration is caused by clunky combat mechanics, unexciting exploration, and technical issues such as bugs and glitches. Players are frustrated by the inconsistent worldview, poor story, and clunky UI. The repetitive exploration and various bugs and glitches also contribute to the frustration.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance stems from repetitive and uninteresting side quests, restrictive class change system, and childish storytelling. Players are annoyed by the combat mechanics and enemy behavior, as well as the lack of depth and challenge in the combat system.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from a weird ending cutscene, strange story elements, and a lack of cohesion in game design. Players find the story elements confusing or unsettling, and the grim and dark story can be difficult to understand.
- Contentment (weight 0.01): Contentment comes from the emotional story and sense of belonging, as well as the game being cute enough for children to enjoy watching. Players feel content with the story and theme fitting the game's concept well, and the overall positive experience.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love is felt for the game's attention to detail, charismatic characters, and the overall positive experience. Players love the game as a love letter to the fans of the Mana series, and the enjoyment of the game's characters, story, and combat.
- Curiosity (weight 0.01): Curiosity is piqued by the exploration of grief and loss through a storybook full of charming characters and bright, airy music. Players are curious about the game's unique take on emotional themes and its charming characters.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is felt for new players enjoying the game and for more PC releases from Square Enix. Players hope that the game will be enjoyed by new players and that Square Enix will continue to release more games on PC.
- Nostalgic (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is evoked by the game's nostalgic appeal and callbacks to previous Mana titles. Players feel nostalgic about the beautiful graphics, good music, and well-designed characters that remind them of classic Mana games.}