Gaming

Visions of Mana review: A traditional JRPG with traditional issues

But still plenty to play for

Published

August 28, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

The JRPG genre is easily one of the most divisive segments of the gaming world. It’s a genre wherein one aspect — whether it be graphics, story, or gameplay — can end up as a positive for one gamer but a negative for another. Buoyed by almost twenty years of nostalgia, Visions of Mana, thus, faces a monumental task: appeal to older gamers while attracting newer ones. Is it up to the task?

Visions of Mana is the franchise’s first entry in almost twenty years. Old players might recognize the name as a spinoff from the iconic Final Fantasy franchise. Despite the age of the series, Visions of Mana features a compelling premise that kept me glued to the game until the credits rolled.

Val, a Soul Guard, is tasked with escorting and protecting Hinna, his childhood friend, as she becomes the Alm of Fire. Now, Alms are no joke in this world. Every village must have an Alm to take to the Mana Tree, lest their village suffers disaster.

While this looks like a traditional “chosen one” story, Alms will ultimately have to sacrifice their lives and souls to the Tree. If that sounds ethically wrong, then you’ve found why the story is engrossing. Most of the story is a “will-they-won’t-they”: Will they realize that sacrificing innocents is wrong? Will Val realize his love for Hinna and stop her from sacrificing herself?

Unfortunately, the same reason for the story’s allure is also its downfall. For most of the story, the sacrificial aspect is played as a given. In fact, it’s an honor for most of the characters. While the game addresses the disconnect in a few plot points, you’ll have to go through a lot of hoops to find satisfaction.

Off the bat, Visions of Mana wastes no time in telling you what you’re in for. Though cutesy, the game’s character design belies an intricacy that the eye can’t pick up on first glance. It’s more than cute just for the sake of being cute.

The environments, however, are a different story. Reminiscent of Genshin Impact, the game’s anime-style characters are dropped into a more realistic world. It’s not the most elegant of results, but it stands out among a field of similar-looking JRPGs in the wild.

What does knock this game down, however, is how NPCs feel the same across different villages. Though you’ll get different flavor text per character, each merchant in every village is practically the same. They even do the same weird dance.

One element that emphasizes the character design is the game’s class system. Rather than keeping characters in just one class, characters can equip an elemental item to change their class. Giving the Luna Globe to Val, for example, turns him into a paladin-like character.

With a number of elemental items and characters, there’s a huge variety of mixing and matching to find the perfect synergy for your team. It’s also a treat to discover what certain combinations can turn your characters into, especially since each combination comes with a Pokémon-like transformation scene.

Combat is much more streamlined than the turn-based system typical to the JRPG genre. Monsters are fought in real time. Plus, other members of your team will automatically attack and help you out. If you’re overwhelmed, you can exit out of the bounds of your current fight and escape.

While fighting regular mobs is already fun, fighting bosses in this game is another level. It’s not as difficult as a Dark Souls boss, but it presents an interesting challenge that requires players to maximize every aspect of the JRPG.

It’s a fun system, overall. However, your teammate’s AI suffers from a lack of direction. Leaving them alone in a tough fight will rapidly deplete their HP. It’s practically a requirement to swap places just to keep them alive.

Visions of Mana features a vibrant world with different ecologies. While one shows off a verdant valley, another will expose players to a harsh snowstorm, among others.

Players can easily get themselves lost in all these different locations. However, the game suffers from a lack of meaningful exploration. Yes, there are collectibles, unlockable chests, and challenges. Unfortunately, they rarely translate to anything meaningful for an open-world game.

Most items found out in the world offer only marginal gains to your character. Others, like the Grizzly Syrup, are currencies that require a lot to unlock anything good. It’s an unfortunate grind that comes with every JRPG.

The lack of meaningful exploration only exacerbates how lifeless the world is. There are numerous set pieces in the outer world, but hardly any truly matter. A side character might pop up once in a house outside the village, but there’s no reason for them to be there. It’s not their house; it’s just where they are.

Playing through the game, it doesn’t feel like the exploration matters at all. Sadly, because a JRPG requires a lot of grinding, exploring is a requirement, whether it’s for more EXP, Lucre, or Grizzly Syrup.

Visions of Mana is a traditional JRPG through and through. Especially because of its nostalgia, the game comes with a premise and a combat system that will keep you playing after you boot it up for the first time.

Unfortunately, the traditional JRPG grind and its tedious exploration puts Visions of Mana in the same limbo as its contemporaries: a divisive experience that will appeal to some players while alienating others.

Gaming

IKEA, Xbox launch nine-piece YXSTABY gaming collection

Gaming inspired furniture

Published

November 6, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Gaming setups don’t have to look like dedicated gaming rooms. IKEA and Xbox are making that easier with their new YXSTABY collection.

The nine-piece collection combines IKEA’s furniture design expertise with Xbox’s understanding of gaming. It brings together functional furniture and playful accessories inspired by Xbox controllers.

IKEA launched the collection in the Philippines on November 4 at its Pasay showroom. The event featured interactive room setups that demonstrated how the furniture fits into everyday homes.

The launch also included a cosplay runway inspired by IKEA’s iconic blue and yellow FRAKTA bag. Guests explored immersive gaming stations and experienced the collection firsthand.

Gaming furniture designed for everyday homes

YXSTABY addresses the challenges of fitting gaming setups into shared living spaces. Its furniture supports different gaming positions while keeping accessories organized.

The gaming lounge chair accommodates both forward-leaning gameplay and relaxed reclining positions. A rolling side table keeps gaming accessories within reach.

The collection also includes flexible storage for cables and accessories. Its felt inserts protect stored items, while its foldable design doubles as a laptop stand.

Families can also move their gaming setups between rooms. A TV stand with castors makes it easier to relocate equipment without dedicating an entire room to gaming.

Xbox controller-inspired accessories

Xbox’s influence extends beyond the collection’s gaming furniture. Several accessories take inspiration from familiar controller elements.

The Gaming D-pad cushion recreates the controller’s distinctive directional button. A stainless steel platter also borrows its design from the D-pad.

Another standout is the tilting thumbstick stool, which takes inspiration from an Xbox controller’s analog stick. A mirrored display box gives collectors a dedicated space for controllers and other gaming memorabilia.

Bringing gaming into Filipino homes

IKEA Philippines Sales Leader May Castillo highlighted the collection’s relevance to local households.

She pointed to the Philippines’ strong gaming culture and the country’s high engagement with video games across different devices.

IKEA Philippines Selling Manager Sarah Cox said the collection draws inspiration from Xbox controllers and how gamers actually play. It also incorporates IKEA’s playful approach to furniture design.

The collaboration brings together two brands with different strengths. IKEA understands how people use their living spaces, while Xbox understands what players need from their gaming setups.

The result is furniture that makes gaming more convenient without making the rest of the home feel like a gaming room.

Gaming

The next Elder Scrolls game is called Sentinel

And it will be set in Hammerfell.

Published

November 4, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Can you believe that it’s been over eight years since Bethesda announced The Elder Scrolls VI. Since then, we’ve seen neither hide nor hair of the upcoming title. Today, the studio has mercifully revealed a tiny bit more about the game including its title and setting.

Historically, the Elder Scrolls franchise is not known for its numbering. It’s not The Elder Scrolls III, IV, and V; it’s Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim. Now, we know what The Elder Scrolls VI will be called — Sentinel.

The name is also a huge clue as to where the game will take place. Besides being the name of the game itself, Sentinel is also the capital of Hammerfell, a region in northwest Tamriel. The teaser, which shows a sword being uncovered from a pile of sand, confirms this. After all, the Alik’r Desert is one of the region’s highlights.

Now, Hammerfell is not a new region for players. The region, especially the titular Sentinel, was previously featured in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. Obviously, not a lot of gamers would have played this classic game before, so a return will introduce the region to a lot more modern players.

Unfortunately, despite throwing us a bone with the name and the setting, Bethesda did not reveal when the title is coming. Given that Grand Theft Auto VI is launching very soon, the time is ripe for the launch of another much-awaited title.

Gaming

Wild Rift Patch 7.3, celebrates K/DA comeback

K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER

Published

November 2, 2026

GadgetMatch

Riot Games is celebrating the return of virtual K-pop group K/DA with new music, exclusive skins, and major gameplay updates in League of Legends: Wild Rift Patch 7.3.

After a six-year hiatus, K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER, the group’s newest track and the title track of an EP featuring three additional songs. The release marks a new chapter for the virtual group, which brings its latest musical era to the mobile MOBA through the new HEATBRINGER skinline.

To celebrate the comeback, Riot Games hosted FIRE IT UP: The K/DA Comeback Party in the Philippines. The event brought fans together for a listening party featuring music from across Riot Games’ virtual acts, live Wild Rift gameplay, community activities, and exclusive photo opportunities.

Attendees also experienced live AAA ARAM matches featuring gameplay disruptions and augments inspired by Riot Games’ musical universe, including HEARTSTEEL, Pentakill, and TRUE DAMAGE.

K/DA returns with new HEATBRINGER skins

The K/DA comeback introduces the HEATBRINGER skinline, featuring new looks for the group’s four original members: Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai’Sa.

The skins give the champions a new visual identity inspired by K/DA’s latest musical era, with fiery red and white elements that bring their stage presence to the Rift.

The collection also includes Prestige K/DA HEATBRINGER Evelynn.

The new skins are exclusive to Wild Rift and are scheduled to launch on November 4, 2026.

The comeback extends beyond the cosmetics. With FIRESTARTER and its accompanying EP now available on major music streaming platforms, K/DA’s return brings together Riot Games’ music and gaming communities.

Wild Rift Patch 7.3 overhauls marksmen and item builds

Beyond the K/DA celebration, Patch 7.3 introduces significant gameplay changes that reshape champion builds, jungle strategies, and objective control.

One of the biggest changes targets marksmen, giving critical-strike builds more room to scale. Base critical-strike damage increases from 175% to 200%, while the attack-speed cap rises from 2.5 to 3 attacks per second.

Several marksmen also receive individual adjustments, including Ezreal, Kai’Sa, Twitch, Lucian, Caitlyn, Draven, Miss Fortune, Samira, Zeri, Jinx, Vayne, and Ashe.

The item system gets an overhaul to support these changes. Players can explore new or redesigned options, including Hexoptics, Yun Tal Wildarrows, Fiendhuler Bolts, Stormrazor, Rapid Firecannon, and Immortal Shieldbow.

Lifesteal also receives changes intended to support basic attacks, on-hit damage, and abilities treated as basic attacks.

Support items are part of the update, too. Echoes of Helia is positioned toward offensive supports who want to convert damage into healing, while Ardent Censer, Staff of Flowing Water, and Harmonic Echo also receive changes.

Jungle changes reward efficient farming

Patch 7.3 also changes how junglers approach the early and mid-game.

The updated jungle system rewards consistent camp clearing with bonus gold and introduces a catch-up mechanic for junglers who fall behind. This reduces the pressure to constantly gank and encourages players to balance farming with opportunities to assist their teammates.

Clearing camps also progresses Ecosystem Protection stacks, allowing Smite to scale from 600 to 1,000 and eventually 1,400 true damage.

These changes make efficient farming more important when preparing to secure major objectives such as Baron Nashor, Rift Herald, and Dragons.

Epic monsters also adjust to the pace of each match, scaling according to the average player level rather than simply growing stronger as time passes.

Turrets receive substantial changes as well. Plating now extends to outer, inner, and inhibitor turrets and remains permanently. The new Crystalline Overgrowth mechanic lets turrets accumulate crystals that champions can detonate with their first basic attack.

Together, these changes place greater emphasis on lane pressure, defensive positioning, and coordinated pushes. Winning team fights remains important, but teams must also turn their advantages into meaningful objective damage.

Hwei, Sylas, and Rek’Sai join the roster

Patch 7.3 expands the champion roster with three additions: Hwei, Sylas, and Rek’Sai.

Hwei, the Visionary, brings a flexible set of abilities to the mid lane. His Subject: Disaster, Subject: Serenity, and Subject: Torment ability groups give him tools for dealing damage, supporting allies, and controlling opponents.

Sylas offers explosive damage and crowd control. His kit includes an ability that pulls enemies into a stun-to-knock-up combination, while Kingslayer restores health based on his missing health. His ultimate lets him steal an enemy champion’s ultimate ability.

Rek’Sai brings another approach to initiating team fights. Her Unburrow ability knocks up nearby champions, while her ultimate helps her track nearby enemies before striking.

These additions give players more options for adapting their team compositions and strategies.

Ranked play and game modes get updates

Competitive players also get changes to Ranked and Legendary Ranked.

The S/A and MVP scoring systems now evaluate performance according to a player’s lane and champion role instead of relying on a single universal metric. Strong performances can also yield more Ranked energy.

Legendary Ranked receives adjustments to its seasonal entry requirements for former Grand Masters, alongside a new trial format designed to help top performers advance from Legendary Commander Rank.

Players looking for something different can also try Rift Rumble, a new 3v3 mode played on a symmetrical map. Teams battle for kills and compete to capture ultimate stones that can change how their champions secure eliminations.

Meanwhile, AAA Realm continues to evolve with a music-themed season and new augment cards. These include Sonic Waves, which draws inspiration from Riot Games’ musical acts, including HEARTSTEEL, Pentakill, and TRUE DAMAGE.

A new era for K/DA and Wild Rift

With FIRESTARTER, the HEATBRINGER skins, and a sweeping gameplay update, Patch 7.3 connects Riot Games’ music and gaming communities through a shared celebration.

K/DA’s return gives fans a new soundtrack and fresh looks for their favorite champions, while the gameplay changes introduce new ways to approach champion builds, jungle farming, and map control.

Players can follow Wild Rift Philippines’ official social media channels for updates on the latest patch, champion releases, and in-game content.

K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER.