Sword of Mana

The legend returns to its beginnings. Sword of Mana is a remake of the game many in the West know as Final Fantasy Adventure, the first installment of the famous Mana series. On the Game Boy Advance it received a complete overhaul and transformed into a beautiful action RPG that combines fast-paced action with a fairytale atmosphere.

Unlike the turn-based RPGs of the time, battles in Sword of Mana take place in real time. You move around the world, slash enemies with a weapon of your choice, and combine attacks with magic and special abilities. The game offers a character upgrade system, blacksmithing crafting and item collecting, plus the series' signature element of interchangeable weapons, each of which also has its own use in the environment for solving puzzles. You can experience the story as either a hero or a heroine, which slightly changes the narrative's point of view.

Behind the game stands Square Enix, and it came out in 2003 as a generous reconstruction of the 1991 original. The developers significantly expanded the story, redid the graphics into the rich and colorful style typical of the GBA era, and filled the world with new characters and content. The music was composed by Kenji Ito, the longtime composing mainstay of the Mana series, whose melodies lend the game a dreamy and melancholic tint.

The Mana series occupies a special place in the world of Japanese RPGs thanks to its emphasis on real-time action and cooperative play, made famous by the later Secret of Mana. Sword of Mana, as a remake of the very first installment, offers a look at where this esteemed line began, while presenting it in a modern and accessible form.

Even though opinions on the difficulty and balance vary among players, Sword of Mana remains a favorite choice for anyone who loves sweeping action RPGs with the lightness of a handheld console. It's a calm, atmospheric journey full of forests, castles and ancient secrets, ideal for slow exploration.

Why play: A charming action RPG and remake of the very first installment of the Mana series, with fast real-time combat and a fairytale atmosphere.