Secret of Mana (remake)

This article is about the 2018 remake version. For the game's original version, see Secret of Mana.

Secret of Mana
Developer	Q Studios
Publisher	Square Enix
Platforms	PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows via Steam
Release date	Worldwide: February 15, 2018
Genre	Action role-playing
Rating(s)	ESRB: - Everyone 10+
Mode(s)	Single player
Media	Blu-ray Disc, Digital download
Input	Controller

Secret of Mana, alternatively known as Secret of Mana HD, is a 2018 remake of the 1993 game of the same name. Released on the 25th anniversary year of the original, it is the second main-series title produced by Masaru Oyamada for Square Enix. Rendered in 2.5D widescreen definition with assistance from Q Studios, the remake incorporates identical gameplay to the original, but with a revised script that includes voice acting with additional cutscenes as well as an updated music score from longtime series composer Hiroki Kikuta. Following several months of testing and preview through 2017, the game was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita and Microsoft Windows PCs on February 15, 2018.

The remake is particularly notable for preserving the original story and gameplay, and yet it is also notorious for the sheer volume of bugs, glitches, and other missteps throughout its development that led to negative reception and low sales.

List of changes from the original game

Gameplay changes

• The Mode 7 scene when characters are shot from Cannon Travel is replaced with a black loading screen.
• The game loads every few seconds every time a character enters a new room.
• Buzz Bee no longer gets attacked upon the characters landing in Gaia's Navel on impact.
• The user interface at the bottom of the screen now also displays MP and the current weapon equipped on the played character.
• A mini map which art style is reminiscent of the mobile phone version of the game is displayed on the top right corner of the screen. It can be removed from the options.
• Negative status effects are no longer shown in the status menu.
• Additional cutscenes at the Inn are added before the characters go to bed.
• Armor values (Defense, Evade and Magic Defense) and status effect protections for each gear in the inventory are now shown in the equipment menu.
• Players can now have a full 360º range of movement when walking and attacking instead of four in the original release.
• Game Log menu is a new addition to the main menu, making it easier to follow the story.
• Players can now place items, weapons and/or spells on two hotkeys for easier access.
• Players can now increase the consumable item carry limit to eight or twelve in the options instead of being limited to four in the original release.
• Characters recover fully their MP upon leveling up.
• Players cannot chain cast spells like in the SNES version.
• Players are now not limited to the rubber band AI of the other party members and can go anywhere they want and make them come to you instantly if need be.
• When the players sleep at the Inns. The players lie on the bed rather than get in the covers. Also when they're shrunk or Moogled, they automaticity get cured even before they lay down on the bed.
• Players can now run in any direction with the energy meter depleting much slower than in the original version when you could only run in one direction and it would empty the meter completely.
• Stairs are now treated as flat ground and thus can be traversed faster and without interruption.
• Attacks doing zero damage are now displayed as MISS instead of 0 for the SNES version.
• Javelin attacks can now pierce through enemies instead of being stuck to them like in the SNES version.
• In order to find the Sprite's hidden village, players now need to traverse the Forest of Seasons from spring, to summer, to falls, to winter and then spring again, effectively going back to the spring map from the Moogle village. On the SNES, one would only have to go through summer, falls, winter and spring to unlock the path to the hidden village.
• The Enemies Mystic Book and National Scar who originally flashed the Devil Magazine picture of a naked woman has been removed in the Playstation 4, Playstation Vita and PC remake.
• The Playstation 4, Vita and PC now has a Trophies List Achievements.
• It is no longer possible to get the Swords Orb cheat without casting Dryads Magic spell.

Story changes

• Additional scenes where added when players would visit an Inn. Characters will discuss previous or current game plots.
• After completing the Underground Palace, Luka will now telepathically reach the player to inform him about an incident in the Water Palace.
• After completing the Underground Palace, Pamaela is now blocking the path to Pandora Ruins and must be interacted in order to pass. This is in contrast to the SNES version when she would be wandering near the path and the player could opt not to talk to her.
• The clue for revealing the path to Sprite Village is no longer in verse. Popoi now recites it as follows:

"Walk the seasons from spring to winter. When you reach spring again, the village will appear."

• Players now are prevented to leave the Wind Palace until they've interacted with the Mana Seed. In the SNES version, they could leave as soon as receiving Sylphid.

Cosmetic changes

• Cutscenes are now added for important plot events.
• This game now features voice acting cutscenes. Also, every character the players talk to has voice acting. Also Randi, Primm, Popoi now talk during battle. Players can choose to hear them in Japanese or English.
• The sound effects from the original has been replaced.
• The player can choose between the original soundtrack and the remake soundtrack.
• Many of the enemy sprite models has been altered.
• Neko will now leave the Witch's Castle as soon as the player defeat Spiky Tiger whereas he would remain in its cell until the player go outside the dungeon.
• Jema's name in the original SNES version has been respelled Gemma.
• Phanna's name in the original SNES version has been renamed Pamaela.
• Players can now walk behind the altar when Thanatos initially stands in Pandora Ruins. In the SNES, the altar texture extended all the way to the back wall.
• Stone totems, which can be found in various places, no longer stick out their tongue upon being hit with a weapon.
• Geshtar can now only be interacted to the front since its character model has been moved to the stairs of its pedestal on the Sandship. On the SNES, it was possible to speak with it at an angle, making its sprite facing to the side.
• As with the mobile ports, players can now walk on the edge of the narrow path in the Ice Palace, making dodging enemies and reaching switches easier.
• The top right interactable sphere's text in Mandala Temple has been slightly modified and is no longer referencing Abe Lincoln and Jeopardy!, making its reference Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
• The Matango catchphrase "Gontma" no longer means "Goodbye" as it was replaced by "Ognatam".
• The Tree Palace was renamed Mana Palace.

Relations to other games

References to other games

• Adventures of Mana - A portrait of Sumo can be found in the basement of Potos Elder's house.
• Adventures of Mana - A portrait of Fuji can be found in Pamaela's house in Pandora.
• Adventures of Mana - A portrait of Bogard and Fuji's Mother can be found in the reception room in the castle of Pandora.
• Adventures of Mana - A portrait of Marcie can be found in the Cannon Man's house in Kippo Village. This is befitting the fact that in the original Final Fantasy Adventure game, Marcie was created by Dr. Bowow which in turn is a direct ispiration for the Cannon Man character.
• Trials of Mana - Vuscav's flag can be found on top of the central hut of Turtle Shell Isle.
• Trials of Mana - Duran's ultimate weapon for his Paladin class, the Brave Blade can be found hanging on a wall in the King's room in the Republic of Tasnica.
• Legend of Mana - A portrait of Niccolo can be found at Neko's which in fitting since they share the same name in japanese.
• Legend of Mana - A portrait of the Hero (Toto in japanese) can be found in northeastern house in Tropics BEFORE Salamando's rescue.
• Legend of Mana - A portrait of the Heroine (Imu in japanese) can be found in northeastern house in Tropics AFTER Salamando's rescue.
• Legend of Mana - A portrait of Pearl can be found at Gold City shop.
• Legend of Mana - Li'l Cactus' pot can be found at the inn in Kakkara.
• Legend of Mana - The Sword of Fate obtained from the Teardrop Crystal quest by choosing Pearl is found hanging on a wall in Watts's forge in Dwarf Village.
• Children of Mana - During one of the Inn Cutscenes, Popoi mentions that they have found a rare plant that the showed to his Grandpa. This is a reference to the Lake Flower item which description reads as follow: A rare flower that blooms in the outer reaches of Star Lake. Believed to grow only in this area, it is highly prized for its medicinal uses.
• Children of Mana - Near the end of the game, the Mana Tree mentions that Soon all the Mana beasts in the world will be transformed into one giant creature. The term Mana Beast was translated as Benevodons in some languages, leading to some speculations linking the Malevodons from Children of Mana being the result of such transformation.
• Rise of Mana - A plushie of Shyarumu (Sharm) can be found at the inn in Todo Village.
• Rise of Mana - A portrait of Rein & Vahn can be found at the inn in Mandala.
• Rise of Mana - The Wing Sword (ウィングソード) can be found hanging alongside other pieces of equipmenta at the shop in Northtown.

References in later games

• Legend of Mana - Flammies is referenced many times in the Encyclopedias in the protagonist house. On entry called The Dark One speaks about a dragon race called Flammie.

Enemies

#	Image	Name	Type	Level	HP	MP	EXP	GP	Common Drop	Rare Drop	Location
001		Rabite	Animal/Bird	1	20	0	2	4	Candy	4 GP	Potos Village Outskirts
002		Lullabud	Plant/Fish	2	36	10	3	8	Medical Herb	16 GP	Potos Village Outskirts
003		Mushboom	Plant/Fish	3	60	0	3	7	14 GP	Candy	Potos Village Outskirts
004		Buzz Bee	Insect/Metal	4	65	0	4	11	Candy	22 GP	Gaia Lowlands
005		Blat	Animal/Bird	5	55	18	7	10	Candy	20 GP	Gaia's Navel
006		Kid Goblin	Demihuman	5	64	0	8	14	28 GP	Head Gear	Gaia's Navel
007		Green Drop	Slime/Lizard	6	40	0	10	12	Medical Herb	24 GP	Gaia's Navel
008		Chobin Hood	Demihuman	7	60	0	12	17	34 GP	Candy	Haunted Forest
009		Eye Spy	Slime/Lizard	8	100	15	28	30	Chocolate	Medical Herb	Haunted Forest
010		Polter Chair	Plant/Fish	8	128	0	21	22	44 GP	Barrel	Witch's Castle
011		Werewolf	Animal/Bird	9	140	6	30	36	Cup of Wishes	Kung Fu Dress	Witch's Castle
012		Iffish	Plant/Fish	10	140	18	35	29	N/A	N/A	Undine's Cave
013		Ma Goblin	Demihuman	11	150	8	38	36	60 GP	Power Vambrace	Underground Palace
014		Goblin	Demihuman	12	130	18	42	60	Candy	Faerie Walnut	Underground Palace
015		Chess Knight	Insect/Metal	12	135	15	36	38	Medical Herb	Cup of Wishes	Underground Palace
016		Zombie	Undead	13	150	20	50	48	Medical Herb	96 GP	Pandora Ruins
017		Tomato Man	Demihuman	14	40	46	65	96	Faerie Walnut	Cup of Wishes	Pandora Ruins
018		Evil Sword	Insect/Metal	15	125	24	64	60	Candy	120 GP	Pandora Ruins
019		Water Bandit	Plant/Fish	16	145	10	77	65	Candy	Cobra Bracelet	Water Palace
020		Silktail	Animal/Bird	17	130	40	91	79	158 GP	Chocolate	Forest of Seasons
021		Nemesis Owl	Animal/Bird	18	122	24	100	88	Medical Herb	Quill Cap	Forest of Seasons
022		Steamed Crab	Insect/Metal	18	110	110	80	4	Faerie Walnut	Candy	Forest of Seasons
023		Crawler	Insect/Metal	19	100	16	124	97	Candy	Medical Herb	Great Forest
024		Pebbler	Animal/Bird	19	186	0	125	96	Chocolate	Faerie Walnut	Forest of Seasons
025		Kimono Bird	Animal/Bird	20	160	48	145	120	Chocolate	Fancy Overalls	Cave of the White Dragon
026		Sand Stinger	Insect/Metal	21	200	10	170	144	Candy	Medical Herb	Kakkara Desert
027		Pumpkin Bomb	Plant/Fish	21	160	4	1	12	24 GP	Medical Herb	Kakkara Desert
028		Spider Legs	Insect/Metal	22	230	21	188	156	Chocolate	Candy	Kakkara Desert
029		Mad Mallard	Demihuman	23	200	0	215	174	Candy	Medical Herb	Kakkara Desert
030		Howler	Animal/Bird	24	190	16	240	180	Candy	Medical Herb	Frozen Forest
031		Bluster Gas	Non-Corporeal	25	100	20	268	192	Candy	Faerie Walnut	Frozen Forest
032		Dark Funk	Non-Corporeal	25	100	20	268	192	Candy	Faerie Walnut	Fire Palace
033		Shellblast	Slime/Lizard	26	180	16	300	204	Chocolate	Cup of Wishes	Frozen Forest
034		Specter	Non-Corporeal	27	200	99	330	213	Faerie Walnut	Cup of Wishes	Ice Palace
035		Red Drop	Slime/Lizard	27	380	0	330	216	Chocolate	Silver Band	Fire Palace
036		Blue Drop	Slime/Lizard	27	380	0	330	216	Chocolate	Golden Tiara	Ice Palace
037		Robin Foot	Demihuman	28	125	16	368	244	Chocolate	Quilted Hood	Fire Palace
038		Mystic Book	Plant/Fish	28	190	99	370	264	Chocolate	Faerie Walnut	Ice Palace
039		Weepy Eye	Plant/Fish	28	165	80	370	264	Medical Herb	Chest Guard	Ice Palace
040		Dinofish	Plant/Fish	29	240	25	400	264	N/A	N/A	Southtown Sewers
041		Grave Bat	Animal/Bird	30	210	25	446	258	Candy	Chocolate	Northtown Ruins
042		Ghoul	Undead	31	230	32	450	288	Candy	Medical Herb	Northtown Ruins
043		Wizard Eye	Slime/Lizard	32	200	50	530	504	Chocolate	Faerie Walnut	Northtown Ruins
044		Imp	Undead	33	138	64	582	312	Candy	Cup of Wishes	Northtown Ruins
045		Armored Man	Insect/Metal	34	250	20	633	540	Candy	Cup of Wishes	Imperial Palace
046		Emberman	Slime/Lizard	35	125	36	685	516	Faerie Walnut	Chocolate	Imperial Palace
047		Mimic Box	Plant/Fish	36	290	30	740	600	Faerie Walnut	Royal Jam	Various
048		Dark Ninja	Demihuman	36	300	22	740	600	Candy	Chocolate	Imperial Palace
049		Trap Flower	Plant/Fish	37	144	50	800	532	Medical Herb	Candy	Lofty Mountains
050		Bomb Bee	Insect/Metal	38	310	40	863	528	Medical Herb	Royal Jam	Lofty Mountains
051		Eggatrice	Animal/Bird	39	185	0	928	720	Medical Herb	Chocolate	Lofty Mountains
052		Fierce Head	Undead	39	308	80	928	864	Faerie Walnut	Unicorn Helm	Palace of Darkness
053		Dark Knight	Insect/Metal	40	200	56	996	1020	Magical Armor	Vambrace	Palace of Darkness
054		Beast Zombie	Undead	41	320	48	1065	708	Chocolate	Medical Herb	Golden Tower
055		Shape Shifter	Slime/Lizard	42	350	0	1140	1500	N/A	N/A	Passage of Trials
056		Dark Stalker	Undead	43	510	60	1219	900	Chocolate	Ninja Gloves	Republic of Tasnica
057		Nitro Pumpkin	Plant/Fish	44	420	20	1300	468	Cup of Wishes	Chocolate	Passage of Trials
058		Marmablue	Slime/Lizard	45	324	30	1385	816	Faerie Walnut	Cup of Wishes	Moon Palace
059		Steelpion	Insect/Metal	46	390	52	1472	960	Medical Herb	Royal Jam	Underground City
060		Metal Crawler	Insect/Metal	47	450	44	1563	1020	Chocolate	Vambrace	Underground City
061		Kimono Wizard	Animal/Bird	48	408	80	1660	1080	Faerie Walnut	Royal Jam	Underground City
062		Basilisk	Slime/Lizard	49	580	41	1755	1200	Faerie Walnut	Cockatrice Cap	Underground City
063		Captain Duck	Demihuman	50	523	22	1850	1440	Royal Jam	Duck Helm	Underground City
064		Heck Hound	Animal/Bird	51	550	40	1964	2450	Royal Jam	Faerie Walnut	Grand Palace
065		Gremlin	Undead	52	423	64	2074	1620	Candy	Royal Jam	Grand Palace
066		Doom Sword	Insect/Metal	53	411	32	2190	2640	Cup of Wishes	Guardian Ring	Grand Palace
067		Turtlance	Slime/Lizard	54	411	32	2190	2640	Chocolate	Tortoise Mail	Grand Palace
068		National Scar	Plant/Fish	55	630	58	2425	2600	Faerie Walnut	Amulet Helm	Grand Palace
069		Mushgloom	Plant/Fish	56	628	38	2550	3200	Chocolate	Barrel	Pure Land
070		Ice Bandit	Plant/Fish	57	440	40	2680	2850	Royal Jam	Dragon Coil	Pure Land
071		Needlion	Animal/Bird	58	559	28	2800	2430	Royal Jam	Needle Helm	Pure Land
072		Griffin Hand	Animal/Bird	60	600	99	3090	2560	Chocolate	Griffin Helm	Pure Land
073		Metal Crab	Insect/Metal	61	533	28	3230	2846	Vestguard	Bow Orb	Mana Fortress
074		Eggplant Man	Demihuman	62	300	99	3390	2444	Cup of Wishes	Watcher Ring	Underground City
075		Ghost	Non-Corporeal	63	632	99	3540	2160	Royal Jam	Imp's Ring	Pure Land
076		Tsunami	Slime/Lizard	64	388	99	3700	2100	Amulet Ring	Spear Orb	Mana Fortress
077		Fiend Head	Undead	65	1150	99	3868	2280	Vampire Cape	Axe Orb	Mana Fortress
078		Whimper	Insect/Metal	66	230	99	4036	2280	Power Suit	Javelin Orb	Mana Fortress
079		Wolf Lord	Undead	67	280	50	4210	2400	Faerie's Ring	Glove Orb	Mana Fortress
080		Master Ninja	Demihuman	68	400	44	4388	2760	Faerie Cloak	Boomerang Orb	Mana Fortress
081		Mace Menace	Insect/Metal	69	300	99	4570	3600	Faerie Crown	Whip Orb	Mana Fortress

Bosses

#	Image	Name	Type	Level	HP	MP	EXP	GP	Weakness	Location
082		Mantis Ant	Insect/Metal	3	150	20	10	100	Sylphid	Potos Village
083		Tropicallo	Plant/Fish	7	315	0	80	132	Luna	Dwarf Village
084		Spikey Tiger	Animal/Bird	10	520	21	210	288	Undine	Witch's Castle
085		Tonpole	Slime/Lizard	11	600	0	50	0	Salamando	Undine's Cave
086		Biting Lizard	Slime/Lizard	11	770	6	210	348	Salamando	Undine's Cave
087		Fire Gigas	Non-Corporeal	13	850	66	326	360	Undine	Underground Palace
088		Wall Face	Undead	16	920	99	580	720	Gnome	Pandora Ruins
089		Kilroy	Insect/Metal	17	900	18	686	650	N/A	Dwarf Village
090		Jabberwocky	Slime/Lizard	18	950	90	800	768	Salamando	Water Palace
091		Spring Beak	Animal/Bird	20	720	99	1090	864	Gnome	Sprite Village
092		Great Viper	Slime/Lizard	22	1330	8	1410	1056	Sylphid	Cave of the White Dragon
093		Boreal Face	Plant/Fish	26	1100	12	2245	1040	Luna	Frozen Forest
094		Frost Gigas	Non-Corporeal	29	1140	99	3045	1200	Salamando	Ice Palace
095		Mech Rider	Insect/Metal	23	980	18	1595	155	N/A	Kakkara Desert
096		Minotaur	Animal/Bird	30	1200	99	3348	1440	Sylphid	Fire Palace
097		Doom's Wall	Undead	34	1180	99	4750	648	Lumina	Northtown Ruins
098		Vampire	Undead	35	2550	99	5148	696	Lumina	Northtown Ruins
099		Metal Mantis	Insect/Metal	34	1220	20	4749	1464	N/A	Imperial Palace
100		Mech Rider 2	Insect/Metal	37	1258	30	6013	1500	N/A	Imperial Palace
101		Lime Slime	Slime/Lizard	41	3470	99	8000	3000	Salamando	Palace of Darkness
102		Blue Spike	Animal/Bird	43	1980	99	9150	3840	N/A	Golden Tower
103		Gorgon Bull	Animal/Bird	44	2470	99	9150	3840	Sylphid	Golden Tower
104		Shadow #1	N/A	0	999	0	0	0	Lumina	Passage of Trials
105		Shadow #2	N/A	0	800	0	0	0	Lumina	Passage of Trials
106		Shadow #3	N/A	0	800	0	0	0	Lumina	Passage of Trials
107		Aegagropilon	Plant/Fish	46	3016	99	11,050	1800	Luna	Mana Palace
108		Hydra	Slime/Lizard	48	3382	99	12,439	3600	Salamando	Underground City
109		Kettle Kin	Insect/Metal	52	1230	33	15,555	3360	N/A	Underground City
110		Snap Dragon	Dragon	56	1215	6	19,200	12,480	Salamando	Grand Palace
111		Hexas	Undead	57	3465	99	20,103	14,400	N/A	Grand Palace
112		Mech Rider 3	Insect/Metal	58	4327	38	21,104	16,000	N/A	Grand Palace
113		Dragon Worm	Dragon	61	3525	99	24,240	17,460	Sylphid	Pure Land
114		Snow Dragon	Dragon	63	2800	99	26,588	18,360	Salamando	Pure Land
115		Axe Beak	Animal/Bird	64	2800	99	27,784	20,100	Undine	Pure Land
116		Red Dragon	Dragon	65	3000	99	29,000	21,800	Undine	Pure Land
117		Thunder Gigas	Non-Corporeal	66	4462	99	30,277	30,600	Gnome	Pure Land
118		Blue Dragon	Dragon	67	3200	99	31,570	28,560	Gnome	Pure Land
119		King Vampire	Undead	70	4200	99	35,686	22,200	Lumina	Mana Fortress
120		Dread Slime	Slime/Lizard	71	5000	99	38,600	27,000	Shade	Mana Fortress
121		Dark Lich	Undead	72	6666	99	38,600	27,000	Lumina	Mana Fortress
121		Mana Beast	?	73	9990	99	0	0	N/A	Mana Fortress

Achievements

Icon	Name	Trophy
	Earn all trophies
	Defeat Mantis Ant
	Defeat Tropicallo
	Defeat Spikey Tiger
	Defeat Biting Lizard
	Defeat Fire Gigas
	Defeat Wall Face
	Defeat Kilroy
	Defeat Jabberwocky
	Defeat Spring Beak
	Defeat Great Viper
	Defeat Boreal Face
	Defeat Frost Gigas
	Defeat Minotaur
	Defeat Vampire
	Defeat Mech Rider 2
	Defeat Lime Slime
	Defeat Gorgon Bull
	Defeat Dark Stalker
	Defeat Dark Shadows 1 2 & 3
	Defeat Aegagropilon
	Defeat Kettle Kin
	Defeat Mech Rider 3
	Defeat Blue Dragon
	Defeat King Vampire
	Defeat Dread Slime
	Defeat Dark Lich
	Defeat Mana Beast
	Reach the Ending
	All weapons at level 9
	All magic at level 8
	Visit all locations on Flammie
	Complete the guide
	Defeat all monsters
	Obtain all torso gear
	Obtain all head gear
	Obtain all arm gear

Development and release

As early as 2017, Oyamada floated the possibility of a remake in time for the Secret of Mana 25th anniversary. More details surfaced in the form of gameplay footage later in the year, and the project was submitted to Q Studios for development and conversion. The 2.5D remake was ultimately released on February 18, 2018 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Windows PCs, with a physical PS4 Blu-ray release available to select retailers. Players who pre-ordered digitally also received two selectable costume sets for the party to wear in-game. Reviews of the remake were initially mixed; but unfortunately, several show-stopping bugs were hit upon by a number of reviewers and players, who then blasted Square Enix for delivering a rushed and/or unfinished game. Although many of the worst bugs are now patched out as of late 2018, the remake remains one of the least-recommended in the series as a whole.

Trivia

• The Obtain all torso, head and arm gear achievements depict the most protective end-game equipment dropped from rare enemies. They are respectively the Faerie Cloak, dropped by Master Ninjas, the Griffin Helm, dropped by Griffin Hands, and the Faerie's Ring, dropped by Wolf Lords.

External links

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUf9CT-D8-s&ab_channel=JRPGFanatic
• https://www.squarepalace.com/encyclopedies/secretofmana/easter-eggs-scenarii-trophees
• https://psnprofiles.com/trophies/7223-secret-of-mana