Gaming

Visions of Mana preview: A classic JRPG for your inner child

Appeals to both JRPG beginners and veterans

Published

on

There’s only one franchise that completely embodies the JRPG genre, and that’s the Final Fantasy series. If you’re a fan of the decades of Final Fantasy games, you might be familiar with its lesser-known spinoff, the Mana series. Originally stemming from a story set within the former’s universe, the Mana series has since grown out of its roots and delivered its own brand of JRPG. Now, after almost a 20-year drought, the series is back with Visions of Mana.

Based solely on its looks, it’s hard to mistake Visions of Mana as anything but a JRPG. However, in the brief preview we’ve played, the game offers a lot for those new to the genre. Unlike a lot of games today, it isn’t difficult to pick up.

From the get-go, Visions of Mana is a simple hack-and-slash. You go around a sprawling map and eliminate monsters piecemeal with swordplay. You also level up, gain more abilities, obtain new elements, and recruit more companions. While the start of the game is an easy stroll, it slowly careens you into the tried-and-tested JRPG formula.

If you’ve played a JRPG in the early 2000s, there’s a lot of nostalgic familiarity with Visions of Mana. Like those old games, it’s easy to bulldoze through easier areas while still giving players a lot of agency to try different combinations of abilities and teams.

As for the game’s story, Visions of Mana offers a less conventional plot. Instead of the conventional chosen-one plot, players find themselves as Val, the bodyguard (or Soul Guard) of the chosen ones. In this universe, the world depends on the continued existence of the Mana Tree. However, the Tree requires Alms: willing sacrifices from each village gloriously appointed by Faeries.

The plot is what I’d call a cutesy version of the Dark Souls universe. So, don’t let the adorable art style fool you; the story gets into interesting depths that should interest even the most seasoned of JRPG players.

Visions of Mana launches on August 29 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox X|S.

Gaming

Dune: Awakening is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

The spice flows to consoles

Published

on

The spice must flow, and this September, it flows into consoles for the very first time. Fresh off its standout feature during PlayStation’s State of Play, the highly anticipated open-world survival epic Dune: Awakening is officially launching on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on September 22.

Funcom also premiered the first PlayStation 5 gameplay footage at Sony’s event, giving players a first look at the console experience ahead of its late-third-quarter launch.

Brought to the region in collaboration with Level Infinite, this major console release promises to deliver an unforgiving, cinematic sci-fi experience directly to your living room.

A full single-player adventure

While Dune: Awakening is set in a massive shared world, solo players won’t be left out in the heat. Players can experience the entire game flawlessly as a deep, single-player journey.

You can choose to survive the brutal desert, build your legacy, and experience the dramatic grand finale of Book One entirely on your own terms.

Step into the cinematic universe

Created in close collaboration with Legendary Entertainment, the game is directly inspired by Denis Villeneuve’s blockbuster films.

Players can expect movie tie-in content right out of the gate, seamlessly blending the film’s distinct aesthetic and massive scale with deep survival gameplay.

The journey continues on the Polar Cap

The journey doesn’t end when the credits roll at launch. Funcom has already promised ongoing massive updates to keep the experience fresh.

A brand-new survival region called The Polar Cap will arrive later this year as a completely free content update, bringing a shifting, icy pole full of hidden secrets to Arrakis.

Additions, improvements

New players on both PC and console will also get to enjoy a refined experience with a massive wave of additions and improvements.

Funcom has fundamentally shifted how the game plays based on community feedback, starting with the introduction of optional PvP.

In multiplayer, the entire game can now be played in full PvE, which extends even to the vast, open Deep Desert and participation in faction-versus-faction conflicts.

The endgame has also received a massive overhaul. The late-game loop has been rebuilt from the ground up to provide a much more balanced, immersive, and content-rich experience.

Moreover, players no longer have to worry about losing their hard work during extended breaks. Thanks to the newly implemented vehicle backup tool and base reconstruction tool, your progress remains safe.

Lastly, rounding out the updates are self-hosted servers for PC players. These allow anyone to host and fully customize their own server without rental fees.

Countless quality-of-life improvements have also been integrated, including character re-customization and the total removal of in-game taxes, making life on Arrakis just a little more manageable.

Continue Reading

Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Revelation arrives in Spring 2027

The journey ends

Published

on

Final Fantasy VII revelation

Square Enix has officially unveiled Final Fantasy VII Revelation, the third and final entry in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. The game launches in Spring 2027 for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox PC.

Revealed at Summer Game Fest Live

The announcement debuted during Summer Game Fest Live. Director Naoki Hamaguchi and Vincent Valentine voice actor Matt Mercer also showcased the game’s first trailer and an extended gameplay presentation.

Revelation picks up as Cloud Strife and his allies race to stop Meteor and prevent the destruction of the planet. Sephiroth stands closer than ever to godhood, while the party takes flight aboard the iconic Highwind airship for the trilogy’s final adventure.

For the first time in the Remake series, players can freely explore the entire world using the Highwind. They can parachute into locations, tackle objectives in different orders, and make decisions that affect parts of their companions’ stories. The hybrid combat system also returns with new playable characters and expanded abilities.

Major locations revealed

The gameplay showcase revealed several major locations, including Wutai, Mideel, and the Northern Continent. Vincent Valentine and Cid Highwind will also join the playable roster. A new FITS system lets players equip outfits that unlock different abilities inspired by classic Final Fantasy jobs such as Black Mage and Warrior.

Producer Yoshinori Kitase described Revelation as the culmination of 30 years of Final Fantasy VII storytelling. Director Naoki Hamaguchi added that the game’s central theme is “resolve” as Cloud and his companions move toward the battle that will decide the planet’s fate.

Remake and Rebirth available in multiple platforms

Players can prepare for the finale by playing Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, both of which are already available across current platforms. Save data from those games will also unlock bonus summon materia in Final Fantasy VII Revelation.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation launches in Spring 2027.

Watch the trailer: 

Continue Reading

Gaming

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH physical Switch 2 edition out now

REBIRTH expands its reach

Published

on

The FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH physical edition for Nintendo Switch 2 is now available in Southeast Asia.

As previously announced, the award-winning, critically acclaimed RPG made its way to the Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC (complete with Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming support).

The new physical release brings the massive adventure to retail shelves across the region.

And with FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE already available on the platform, the physical and digital arrival of REBIRTH means the first two entries in the remake trilogy are now available across all modern platforms.

No matter where they play, fans can catch up and prepare for the third installment — which is currently in production.

To make diving into the massive sequel easier, Square Enix has highlighted the optional “Streamlined Progression” feature. Originally introduced in REMAKE INTERGRADE, this option allows players to focus entirely on the narrative without worrying about the grind.

When toggled, it grants players unlimited HP (hit points), MP (magic points), limit breaks, and a constantly maxed-out ATB gauge during combat.

It also boosts attack power to a flat 9,999 damage and simplifies weapon ability acquisition. For those who want a smoother ride, the feature is also available on the PlayStation 5 and Steam versions via a free update.

Free demo

For players still on the fence, a free playable demo is available on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox. This demo covers Chapters 1 and 2 of the main game.

Players can control a younger Cloud Strife alongside the legendary war hero Sephiroth during the infamous Nibelheim incident in Chapter 1.

Afterwards, Chapter 2 opens up into the expansive Grasslands region, offering several hours of open-world exploration, hidden treasures, side quests, and early matches of the popular Queen’s Blood card mini-game.

Best of all, all progress made in the demo seamlessly carries over to the full game.

Continue Reading

Trending