There's both. Scarlet Grace is a new SaGa game for the Vita in development, but S-E also announced that they're bringing a Romancing SaGa 2 remake (2D) to smartphones and Vita this year.
Well, the beginning of this game is awesome. It captures the feeling of the original. Unlike Sword of Mana. Thank god Sword of Mana is no longer the most up to date version of the game. If you're played the beginning of either Adventures of Mana or FFA and you haven't seen Sword of Mana, take a look at this garbage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjf9Fx5AJdk (Note that it's part 2, there's even more unnecessary stuff before that)
I played the original over and over and over in 1991. This brings back so many memories. Sword of Mana had just felt like it was stomping on my memories.
The music is so damn good and makes me feel so nostalgic. It's worth getting just for the music, I'd say. I already thought the music was one of the strongest reasons to play the original, and this sounds like it may even be better.
I'm still getting used to the controls; it's my first mobile game. But it seems fine.
If you liked Secret of Mana, it's at least worth a try. I haven't seen anyone disappointed yet.
Unlike everyone else here, I liked Sword of Mana (especially its artstyle) so I'm a little disappointed by the 3D models of this remake.
Also disappointed that the Mana series is now delegated to mobile.
BUT I am very happy to finally see a new Mana game in English after so many years, as this is at least proof that Square hasn't given up on the series entirely, so I will be getting this. Glad to hear first impressions are positive.
Unlike everyone else here, I liked Sword of Mana (especially its artstyle) so I'm a little disappointed by the 3D models of this remake.
Also disappointed that the Mana series is now delegated to mobile.
BUT I am very happy to finally see a new Mana game in English after so many years, as this is at least proof that Square hasn't given up on the series entirely, so I will be getting this. Glad to hear first impressions are positive.
Don't look at it as a relegation but a promotion. It will get far more players on mobile than anything else. I saw 3 people enjoying it on smartphone on the subway this morning.
I'm really enjoying it, and the graphics are charming and music is top notch. Can't wait to see seiken densetu 2's remake.
Apart from the rather janky combat mechanics and the weird character redesigns (matter of taste, I guess), people mainly hate it for needlessly making the original's plot more complicated. FFA's plot was simple and to the point; it worked and needed no further elaboration. Then Sword of Mana came and added layers upon layers of additional plot and character development and nothing of it really worked. The main plot became needlessly convoluted and obscure and the additional story elements didn't add anything worthwhile to what was originally there. It was all really unnecessary.
Sword of Mana is a reimagining of FF Adventure. Basically, a new game inspired by the old game. It's not meant to be a faithful remake, unlike Adventures of Mana.
UPDATE! We've been hearing a lot of requests for Adventures of Mana on Vita which I've passed onto the development team and they would like to share a special message with you:
==========
Thank you for all of your comments on a PS Vita edition of Adventures of Mana.
We’ve been listening to your feedback and because of your passion for the game, we’re going to look into making a PS Vita version of Adventures of Mana for the west. We can’t guarantee we’ll be able to make this happen but we will see what we can do.
We’ll let you know if we have any news, so watch out for future updates and thank you for your support.
That's great news.
Now I will just wait and see what will happen first.
Me buying a second (Japanese) Vita (TV) or S-E releasing this game in the west.
Played just a bit of the Android version yesterday. It's fun and runs well. It seems to be basically 1:1 with FFA, screen transitions and everything, with polished dialogue and music. It's still the GB game at the core, so for people unfamiliar, don't expect intricate map design or enemy types or storyline and things like that.
I don't take much issue with the touchscreen controls, but then again I typically adapt to varying control schemes readily. I'd probably pick up the Vita version too if they decide to release it. Cool that they are considering it now.
Apart from the rather janky combat mechanics and the weird character redesigns (matter of taste, I guess), people mainly hate it for needlessly making the original's plot more complicated. FFA's plot was simple and to the point; it worked and needed no further elaboration. Then Sword of Mana came and added layers upon layers of additional plot and character development and nothing of it really worked. The main plot became needlessly convoluted and obscure and the additional story elements didn't add anything worthwhile to what was originally there. It was all really unnecessary.
Never been so thankful for Google's refunding system. Huge fan of the original game and it's pretty fresh in my mind since I played through it a couple of years ago. Stuck with it for nearly 2 hours, but between the completely soulless design, the annoyance of walking onto a new map screen and having an enemy literally spawn on top of you, the really stupid menu ring system, and generally just a game that feels like you're slashing away at paper dolls who don't react to anything you're doing to them... Done. £10.49 for this is really taking the piss.
The only good thing was the soundtrack, but even that felt oddly disjointed since it would literally jump from one track to the next without skipping any beats.
I've come away quite impressed with how slick the ring interface is, particularly the physics and animation. Big step up compared with how ugly and soulless interfaces can be in Square Enix's previous titles.
That being said I'm not a huge fan of the visual style. Static, low-fi objects really make the overworld and outdoor areas feel completely dead.
I think Pokemon on DS/3DS and A Link Between Worlds are the gold standard for recreating environments made around retro hardware limitations with richer visuals, but this is a far cry from those with its flat lighting and lack of any animation whatsoever.
The original game might have had static objects and minimal character reactions/animation but keeping that (whether intentional or not) doesn't translate well to high res 3D, instead it loses its charm.
I'm getting 60fps on my old iPhone 5s so it should be fine. I'm glad Square Enix didn't lock the framerate at 30fps like they usually do in some of their games - 60fps also does wonders for the interface here.
Does anyone know what the framerate is like on Vita? Is it 60fps as well?
I was in the desert near Jadd, the slope one screen down and to the right. I was trying to transition to the left screen, but some enemies hit me while climbing the slope. I'm not sure if this is the cause, but I transitioned instead to a complete black screen (supposedly the 1,1 coordinates according to the world map) from which I could not leave... and worst of all, the game quicksaved this transition, meaning reloading this quicksave led me back to the black screen. Thankfully I had another save just prior, but yeah... save often on multiple slots!
(Also, was it just me or weren't we supposed to transition to the second overworld music after
falling from the airship?
There's also a broken bridge leading into the desert I don't recall, requiring you to have the
chocobo
. If memory serves, you could
skip it for this first overworld half
before, so that's mildly new. And it doesn't look like you can just open the desert cave like before either -
doing the 8
didn't do the trick in any case. I just stopped in Jadd to see if there's an additional trigger in there now, like the
This is awesome news! I really really hope it comes out for the Vita. Everyone needs to let them know they want it. The more voices the better. I'll do my part.
I'm playing Adventures with a controller on an iPad and I like it well enough, but it sucks that this is the graphical style they chose for remakes. It could be worse (FFV/VI), but I really feel nothing when I look at the artwork in-game. Sad because the original games - 2 and especially 3 - were beautiful to look at and listen to. Even though this is a decent effort overall by Square Enix, I can't help but feel a sense of missed opportunity.
I quite liked Sword of Mana myself. I played the original and Sword back to back and enjoyed both. Sword feels more like a Mana game honestly.
I consider Sword of Mana the canon "Manaverse" version of the events. It has the Final Fantasy elements removed, replaced with Mana series mainstays like cannon travel, and has the more whimsical artsyle the series is known for. It also felt more similar to Secret of Mana gameplay wise than the original. It's the version that's cut ties with FF and is part of its own series.
The original and this I consider the Final Fantasy version of the events. Before the series cut itself off from FF and became an unrelated series. This version is a Final Fantasy spinoff game.
I quite liked Sword of Mana myself. I played the original and Sword back to back and enjoyed both. Sword feels more like a Mana game honestly.
I consider Sword of Mana the canon "Manaverse" version of the events. It has the Final Fantasy elements removed, replaced with Mana series mainstays like cannon travel, and has the more whimsical artsyle the series is known for. It also felt more similar to Secret of Mana gameplay wise than the original. It's the version that's cut ties with FF and is part of its own series.
The original and this I consider the Final Fantasy version of the events. Before the series cut itself off from FF and became an unrelated series. This version is a Final Fantasy spinoff game.
Errr..... is there a bug on the airship? I don't remember FFA perfectly, but I think I've explored all of the ship and I'm unable to progress. When I get to the jail area at the end, there's.... nothing there? Help!
Errr..... is there a bug on the airship? I don't remember FFA perfectly, but I think I've explored all of the ship and I'm unable to progress. When I get to the jail area at the end, there's.... nothing there? Help!
The path splits at a certain point. You have to first go to the jail area inside and talk to the girl (otherwise she won't be at the window at the end of the level). Your companion then stays behind and you have to backtrack and take the other path, which leads you to the outside of the airship and to said window.
The path splits at a certain point. You have to first go to the jail area inside and talk to the girl (otherwise she won't be at the window at the end of the level). Your companion then stays behind and you have to backtrack and take the other path, which leads you to the outside of the airship and to said window.
They messed up this part in the remake. In the original the right crystal made a sound like a breakable wall when you hit it. The right one is a solitary crystal in a screen where there aren't any enemies.
Anyway, I've just finished the game. Was lvl 56 at the end and it only took roughly 8 hours to beat. It's kind of funny that, for today's standards, it is a rather short game. When I originally played it more than 20 years ago (fuck, I'm old...) I thought it was absolutely massive and epic. Well, back then I was stuck for weeks at that infamous oasis puzzle and only managed to get past it when I came across the solution by coincidence in a gaming magazine. I think that puzzle managed to piss everybody off at that time. "Palm trees and eight"? Fuck you!
Still, someone who has never played it before should get a good 10-15 hours out of it.
I quite liked Sword of Mana myself. I played the original and Sword back to back and enjoyed both. Sword feels more like a Mana game honestly.
I consider Sword of Mana the canon "Manaverse" version of the events. It has the Final Fantasy elements removed, replaced with Mana series mainstays like cannon travel, and has the more whimsical artsyle the series is known for. It also felt more similar to Secret of Mana gameplay wise than the original. It's the version that's cut ties with FF and is part of its own series.
The original and this I consider the Final Fantasy version of the events. Before the series cut itself off from FF and became an unrelated series. This version is a Final Fantasy spinoff game.
They messed up this part in the remake. In the original the right crystal made a sound like a breakable wall when you hit it. The right one is a solitary crystal in a screen where there aren't any enemies.
It's weird. For all the things they translated almost verbatim, including sound design they made the sound you get when hitting an enemy you can't hurt or breakable wall really bland and low key. The original sound was very high pitched and really let you know something was off about the wall/enemy.
One thing they really shouldn't have kept however was the way the inventory works. From the very limited item space to having to equip a key to open a door. Feels very archaic.
I finished the Japanese Vita version today and must say, that the remake unlike Sword of Mana captures both gameplay and atmosphere of the original Mystic Quest (although I preffer the artstyle of SoM).
Although it is basically a 1:1 port with updated graphics, it somehow felt shorter and easier than the original.
For Legend of Mana, the developers thought it a good idea to replace that delightful greedy pink tomcat merchant with the big bag and the bad cat-related puns with a stupid-looking, fat asshole-rabbit-thing. That alone makes the redesign a travesty.
Secret of Mana had the best art design imho, but they should have kept the chocobo, FF lore crossover be damned.
I finished the Japanese Vita version today and must say, that the remake unlike Sword of Mana captures both gameplay and atmosphere of the original Mystic Quest (although I preffer the artstyle of SoM).
Although it is basically a 1:1 port with updated graphics, it somehow felt shorter and easier than the original.
I was super excited when I found out about this. The original was my first gameboy game, not counting Tetris. I had to have been four or five when I got this, when it first came out. When I got my first cell phone, I've had battle 2 (courage and pride from the heart) as my ringtone, and I've used it ever since.
So I'm 3 bosses into the game, and I have to say that I absolutely love this remake. It's pretty much exactly what I wanted. Like others said, this is basically an exact remake, with a better translation. I did not like Sword of Mana remake at all.
The music is fantastic. The overworld theme is fantastic. The art design really matches the game.
As far as cons, it has the same ones as the original game. You can really screw yourself if you don't bring enough keys and mattocks. Even knowing this, I managed to trap myself in Kett's, having to farm monsters for chest drops. You also run out of inventory space fast.
I'm having no problem with the touch screen controls. The remade inventory system is an improvement too.
Yeah, I really don't get why they were adamant on having the same inventory limits along with things like doors locking themselves again. You spend so much time working against these limits and there's really no good reason for it.
Yeah, I really don't get why they were adamant on having the same inventory limits along with things like doors locking themselves again. You spend so much time working against these limits and there's really no good reason for it.
Yeah I think the game tries a bit too hard to be a 1:1 faithful remake. I appreciate them keeping to the original story and pace of the game and not trying to make it something more complex than the game should be, but some of the basic gameplay stuff in the original could very well be improved.
They messed up this part in the remake. In the original the right crystal made a sound like a breakable wall when you hit it. The right one is a solitary crystal in a screen where there aren't any enemies.
Anyway, I've just finished the game. Was lvl 56 at the end and it only took roughly 8 hours to beat. It's kind of funny that, for today's standards, it is a rather short game. When I originally played it more than 20 years ago (fuck, I'm old...) I thought it was absolutely massive and epic. Well, back then I was stuck for weeks at that infamous oasis puzzle and only managed to get past it when I came across the solution by coincidence in a gaming magazine. I think that puzzle managed to piss everybody off at that time. "Palm trees and eight"? Fuck you!
Still, someone who has never played it before should get a good 10-15 hours out of it.
Back in the day, I hit level 99 in the stupid desert and stopped the game until someone explained how to progress. I remember in my very first playthrough, I picked Will on every level up, too, so I'm trying to recapture the magic by picking Sage every time now.
Man, I missed this game. It's so good that I forgive the shoddy touch controls--which I thought I was getting better with until I got the Chain.
. 
