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Children of Mana
Children of Mana (Nintendo DS)
Developer
Next Entertainment
Publisher
Square Enix
Genre
Real Time RPG
Players
4
C3 Score
8
Reader Score (6 Votes)
10
8
10
Posted on 15.01.2007
Posted by Adam Riley (Adam Riley) 
Comments: 15 
Reads: 3302
Tags:
Children of Mana, Next Entertainment, Square Enix, Real Time RPG, Nintendo DS
Posted by Adam Riley (Adam Riley) Comments: 15 Reads: 3302 Tags:
Children of Mana, Next Entertainment, Square Enix, Real Time RPG, Nintendo DS
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The World of Mana is now in full flow over in Japan, but Europe is about to get its first dose of the action with Children of Mana, the d
The Mana part of the title is an integral part of the story for all entries in the franchise, with this particular game focusing on the Sword of Mana and its special power. This time round, the story is set in the past on an island called Illusia that has floated to the surface of the world. In the centre of this new isle is an ancient tree, the Mana Tree. Sadly chaos ensued shortly after until at long last salvation appeared in the form of a boy, girl and the legendary holy sword (very apt give the translation of the Japanese name Seiken Densetsu...). Now things are starting on the road to recovery...or are they?
For those of you with fond memories of the SNES game and people who loved the style of the GBA remake of the original, you are in for a treat with Children of Mana. That hand-drawn, 2D approach that comes full to the brim with rich colours, lively backgrounds and wonderfully animated enemies is not only back, but also far better than ever before. Whilst the Japanese-only Seiken Densetsu 3 may still appear a superior offering, Children of Mana actually takes those graphics and tidied them up a treat to make this one of the most attractive DS games so far.
For those of you with fond memories of the SNES game and people who loved the style of the GBA remake of the original, you are in for a treat with Children of Mana. That hand-drawn, 2D approach that comes full to the brim with rich colours, lively backgrounds and wonderfully animated enemies is not only back, but also far better than ever before. Whilst the Japanese-only Seiken Densetsu 3 may still appear a superior offering, Children of Mana actually takes those graphics and tidied them up a treat to make this one of the most attractive DS games so far.
And again, with the soundtrack, some of the music within is so extremely melodic and memorably that headphones definitely are a must to get the full experience. Sadly, though, not all of the tunes are quite as strong as in previous Mana outings, yet they still manage to keep their head above the majority of competitors on the DS...As for sound effects, well, there are the obligatory grunts and noises that accompany various actions such as opening chests, firing off weapons and unleashing magic
You choose one of three characters and play the game from a main hub-system, which is in the form of the first village you encounter (and a gorgeous looking village it is, complete with such a serene theme that it never grows tiring despite you spending SO much time there!). From here on in you are given missions by the various inhabitants, be they human, animal or of the spirit kind
To move through a 'dungeon', you must locate a special crystal and take it to a warp location. Crystals may be anywhere
Gameplay
9
Unlike other games of this ilk, the dungeon crawling here is broken up expertly enough to ensure nothing becomes boring and is all in fact thoroughly enjoyable right up until the end...
Graphics
9
Whilst it may not have 3D visuals, the artistic 2D style is simply stunning and mixed with batches animated cut-scenes, this is one of the most impressive DS games so far.
Sound
8
The Mana games have always had amazing soundtracks, bustling with tunes that embrace you completely, not letting go
Value
9
The main quest itself is pleasantly time consuming, but mix in the numerous side-quests, multi-player adventuring and the seemingly endless possibilities when it comes to gem fusing, you will at least be looking at thirty hours easily.
8
C3 Score Gamers expecting a game in the same vein as Secret of Mana or Sword of Mana may come away disappointed by the gameplay change, but if you wander in with an open mind you will find that this transformation of the Mana world is fantastic. Dungeon crawling games can wear thin over time, but Children of Mana exudes enough class to last the whole adventure.../10
Please post your comments below.
Buy Children of Mana
Reader Comments
1
Online!
1404
L60 Pikmin
What exactly is dungeon crawling? Is it what is says on the tin?
128
L13 Spore
I have no idea. I'm still waiting for my DS fix of Golden Sun...hey, when is that coming??
Vote 1, Eternal Darkness 2 for Wii
am exciting about Wii-U and Skyward Sword
1867
L68 King Boo
A dungeon crawler ist something like Diablo1. You are running around in dungeons solving mysteries, collectiong things and level up. It's normally an RPG with not that important a story but with lots of quests. I see here, that there is a main quest going on as it seems. But no epic RPG with lots of different locations except the dungeons. Mostly only some villages for spending time, buying and selling.
Am I right?
Am I right?
I find your lack of faith disturbing!
Online!
1404L60 Pikmin
I think I'd prefer that rather than your generic RPGs
really need to sort out my posture. :/
3975
L89 Tom Nook
numerous side-quest
You mean the INFINITE side quests?
I've not played this game in ages....i should.
How far am I - I'm at the bit where Tisu (the girls) gets nabbed by the bad guy?
It's normally an RPG with not that important a story but with lots of quests.
I wouldn't say that...
The story on children of mana is dead intense...you'll never guess...someones trying to destroy the world!!!:eek:
Avoid Games Like the Plague, productivity++
I didn't nope
22263
Moderator
Really dunno what to think of the game... it's average score on Gameranking is rubbish... [/Wii]
One day I will be a real life anime.
One day I will be a real life anime.
really need to sort out my posture. :/
3975L89 Tom Nook
It depends what sort of game you like probably - i thought it was quite good but there weren't that many puzzles as such...mostly slashing enemies down - and it'll probably be a lot more fun in multiplayer (co-op)
Famtisu gave it 10/8/8/10
which is 36/40 or a 9/0
Famtisu gave it 10/8/8/10
which is 36/40 or a 9/0
Avoid Games Like the Plague, productivity++
Operations Director, Senior Editor
Sadly people are split over this and yet will probably go out and buy something like Pok
Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]
Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]
Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
Who the fuck are you when you take that mask away ?
4122
L91 Wario
a stark contrast from GameCentral's 4/10.
Mike Gee of iZINE said, "...The Verve, as he [Richard Ashcroft] promised, had become the greatest band in the world. Most of the critics agreed with him. Most paid due homage. The Verve were no longer the question mark or the cliché. They were the statement and the definition."
Mike Gee of iZINE said, "...The Verve, as he [Richard Ashcroft] promised, had become the greatest band in the world. Most of the critics agreed with him. Most paid due homage. The Verve were no longer the question mark or the cliché. They were the statement and the definition."
Operations Director, Senior Editor
Well, Shining Soul II is a similar game (done by the same people, if I recall correctly) and I rated that an 8/10...and I feel Children of Mana is higher than that, probably an 8.6 or something like that. Definitely closer to a 9/10 in our current rating system than an 8/10.
By the way, the Shining Soul II review is here, for comparison: http://www.cubed3.com/review/168/
GameCentral, that used to be Digitiser didn't it? Kind of lost interest a short while after that...
Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]
Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
By the way, the Shining Soul II review is here, for comparison: http://www.cubed3.com/review/168/
GameCentral, that used to be Digitiser didn't it? Kind of lost interest a short while after that...
Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]
Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
126L13 Spore
Good review!
Personally, my only gripe with this game is that it lacks the "roaming" feel that RPG usually has. As a result it felt repetitive at times. Yet, the gems are great. I got so obsessed with them, you don't know how many hours I've spent questing & earninig money to get a particular combination of gems.
That made the hack & slash fun because I was object-driven to go through them. So, I guess that's how it all balances out. So to all of you who are getting this, I hope you all play it with your personal goal in mind. That really enhances the game play. I think it kind of takes a 'little bit' of effort from player's end, but otherwise well made.
Personally, my only gripe with this game is that it lacks the "roaming" feel that RPG usually has. As a result it felt repetitive at times. Yet, the gems are great. I got so obsessed with them, you don't know how many hours I've spent questing & earninig money to get a particular combination of gems.
That made the hack & slash fun because I was object-driven to go through them. So, I guess that's how it all balances out. So to all of you who are getting this, I hope you all play it with your personal goal in mind. That really enhances the game play. I think it kind of takes a 'little bit' of effort from player's end, but otherwise well made.
Operations Director, Senior Editor
Thanks PW :
The gems aspect is indeed part of the reason why you keep plugging away (after I realised the Dud Bears' missions never bloody end....
Sure it can grow tiresome if you just stick to using the sword and slash your way through blindly, but that's obviously not the aim of the game! Finding extra missions like discovering the key to the haunted house and then following that side-story is a large part of the game - loved it! :-D
Great to see this at least doing very well in Germany and Nintendo UK sent round a special newsletter for its promotion yesterday, so with any luck it'll get pushed a bit more here in the coming weeks...
Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]
Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
The gems aspect is indeed part of the reason why you keep plugging away (after I realised the Dud Bears' missions never bloody end....
Sure it can grow tiresome if you just stick to using the sword and slash your way through blindly, but that's obviously not the aim of the game! Finding extra missions like discovering the key to the haunted house and then following that side-story is a large part of the game - loved it! :-D
Great to see this at least doing very well in Germany and Nintendo UK sent round a special newsletter for its promotion yesterday, so with any luck it'll get pushed a bit more here in the coming weeks...
Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]
Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
Who the fuck are you when you take that mask away ?
4122L91 Wario
What digister?
Gamecentral are probably one of the best reviews anywhere, granted they are a bit harsh
Mike Gee of iZINE said, "...The Verve, as he [Richard Ashcroft] promised, had become the greatest band in the world. Most of the critics agreed with him. Most paid due homage. The Verve were no longer the question mark or the cliché. They were the statement and the definition."
Gamecentral are probably one of the best reviews anywhere, granted they are a bit harsh
Mike Gee of iZINE said, "...The Verve, as he [Richard Ashcroft] promised, had become the greatest band in the world. Most of the critics agreed with him. Most paid due homage. The Verve were no longer the question mark or the cliché. They were the statement and the definition."
Operations Director, Senior Editor
Or is Game Central the one for the BBC? Whatever the case, I think people are being unfairly critical of this. Perhaps they should actually get reviewers that LIKE dungeon-crawlers to look at games such as this! :sarcy:
Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]
Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]
Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
Who the fuck are you when you take that mask away ?
4122L91 Wario
Gamecentral is the Channel 4 teletext really good service.
I am in no way saying your review is wrong, but stating the difference.
Wouldn't disrespect the Raz.
Mike Gee of iZINE said, "...The Verve, as he [Richard Ashcroft] promised, had become the greatest band in the world. Most of the critics agreed with him. Most paid due homage. The Verve were no longer the question mark or the cliché. They were the statement and the definition."
I am in no way saying your review is wrong, but stating the difference.
Wouldn't disrespect the Raz.
Mike Gee of iZINE said, "...The Verve, as he [Richard Ashcroft] promised, had become the greatest band in the world. Most of the critics agreed with him. Most paid due homage. The Verve were no longer the question mark or the cliché. They were the statement and the definition."
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