Gaming

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

Appeals to both JRPG beginners and veterans

Published

August 14, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

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

Kirby and the World Beyond is Kirby’s first open-world game

Kirby and the World Beyond launches in the spring of 2027.

Published

September 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Apple isn’t the only company doing a “One More Thing” today. In today’s Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled its next major project, Kirby and the World Beyond. To celebrate Kirby’s 35^th anniversary next year, the lovable pink blob is getting an open-world game.

In the latest effort to make all of its franchises into open-world games, Nintendo is plopping Kirby into a much larger map. Now, if you’ve seen the trailer, you might have had a pesky thought: “Wow, for an open world game, this one seems… sparse.” After all, Kirby looks like he’s trapped in one small map with King Dedede as the sole boss.

Well, that’s because he is trapped. After an attack sends Kirby cannonballing into the clouds, his squishy exterior busts a literal hole in the sky itself.

Yes, Kirby is in The Truman Show. (Not really, but you get the idea.)

A mystical being appears and gives Kirby a magical sword, which he uses to completely dismantle the fake sky and discover the world beyond. The trailer conveniently cuts off as Kirby begins to explore this whole new world, but we’re beyond excited.

After the hero entered the 3D space in Forgotten Land, Kirby and the World Beyond takes the next step and gives the protagonist a much more massive playground to eat and fight. If Breath of the Wild, Mario Odyssey, and Donkey Kong Bananza are any indication, this should be a worthy addition to your Switch collection.

Kirby and the World Beyond drops on the Switch 2 sometime in the spring of 2027.

Gaming

Metroid finally returns to its 2D roots in new Metroid Ravenous

The new 2D side-scroller comes out next year.

Published

September 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Metroid, the iconic franchise that lent its name to the Metroidvania genre, is finally coming back to its 2D roots. In the latest Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled the series’ latest 2D outing, Metroid Ravenous.

Sapped from her energy, Samus finds herself trapped underground by a group of mysterious kasa-touting beings. She must struggle against treacherous enemies and puzzles in a quest to emerge once again on the surface and face her foes.

But she won’t be powerless. She will have energy-sapping abilities of her own. The trailer even has her pick several creatures and seemingly drain them of their energy. Since this is a classic Metroidvania, this might be how Samus gets abilities to get her across the map.

It’s a unique take on the formula that will surely provide its fair share of epic moments, if the trailer can be believed.

Beyond that, the trailer reveals little more. Thankfully, the wait won’t be long. Metroid Ravenous will be available on the Switch 2 starting January 28.

In the meantime, Metroid Dread is still available on the original Switch and the Switch 2. The Switch 2 version even maximizes the console’s mouse mode.

Gaming

Here’s a list of big games coming to the Switch 2

Prepare for Monster Hunter Wilds, Resident Evil, and Final Fantasy.

Published

September 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Though yesterday’s Nintendo Direct presented the most interesting announcement in the current duology of Directs, there are a lot more to be excited about from today’s event. Though you might not see much of the usual array of hotly anticipated games, you’ll see several unexpected titles coming to the Switch 2.

Here’s a quick list:

Monster Hunter Wilds

Teased earlier this year, Monster Hunter Wilds finally has a release date: December 4. The upcoming port will feature local play, all title updates, and compatibility for the upcoming paid expansion, Ascendance, coming next year.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation

Announced via PlayStation recently, Final Fantasy VII Revelation is also coming to the Switch 2 on April 8. The final entry in the remake trilogy will conclude the refreshed story started from Rebirth years past. In addition, the prequel, Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion is already available on the platform today.

Meccha Chameleon

This year’s most popular “friend slop” game is now available. The multiplayer game pits two teams against each other: one team hides by painting themselves into the background, while the other team hunts for them.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Royal Edition

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the story of Henry of Skalitz as he seeks vengeance for a vicious attack on his hometown and the death of his parents. Tagged as one of the most realistic RPG series, it’s coming to the Switch 2 via a Royal Edition which comes with all the game’s DLCs.

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

The popular puzzle-solving professor is coming back to Nintendo systems in a new game, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. Touting more puzzles than ever, the professor will solve what it’s calling the most compelling mystery to date. It’s coming to Switch 2 on December 10.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Combining two franchises in one, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is coming to the Switch 2 on September 18.

Resident Evil 2 Deluxe + Resident Evil 3 + Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition

The Switch 2 is getting a trio of the classic Resident Evil games. All three titles will get their definitive editions, combining the base games with their DLCs. The trio is coming out on October 16.