Xbox Game Pass subscribers on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X at both the Ultimate and Standard tiers have a new Square Enix RPG to check out that offers up to 50 hours of content as part of the second wave of September’s XGP lineup. The RPG in question was just released last year in 2024; however, the series dates back to the days of the SNES and Game Boy. We do not know how long it will be available via the Microsoft subscription service; however, as long as it is available, subscribers can also enjoy an exclusive 20% discount when purchasing it.
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The Square Enix RPG in question is Visions of Mana, which was released by developer Ouka Studios in the summer of 2024 as the fifth mainline installment in the Mana RPG series, which dates back to 1991 and is a spin-off of Final Fantasy. And it was notably the first main installment in the series since 2006’s Dawn of Mana, a PS2 exclusive. Unlike its most immediate predecessor though, it was a multi-platform release.
About the Game
Upon release, the new take on the classic RPG series didn’t overly impress nor did it disappoint, as evident by its 75 on Metacritic, a solid score, but not great. In the game, protgaonist Val, his childhood friend Hinna, and the Alm of Fire all set out on a journey to to Mana tree to renew the flow of Mana to the world. Gameplay wise, Xbox Game Pass subscribers can expect action-focused battles complete with an emphasis on elemental abilities and a large semi-open world to explore.
Should You Check It Out
The Mana series is essentially an anthology, which means most games are standalone with only loose thematic connections. This applies to Visions of Mana. It is a great starting point for fans looking to get into the classic RPG series, however, it is also far from the best representative of the series in terms of quality. So if you want to experience the best of what the series has to offer, you will need to check out older installments. These older installments obviously are dated in many regards though.
It’s also important to note that before determining if this new XGP addition is for you that Visions of Mana is a time commitment. While it isn’t as long as some other modern RPGs, it takes at least 30 hours to mainline, and an additional 20 hours on top of this to complete the RPG.
All of that said, and as always, feel free to leave a comment letting us know what you think or join the conversation over on the ComicBook Forum. Meanwhile, if this new addition does not tickle the fancy, the good news is there are lots more games coming very soon.
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