Heroes of Mana (DS) Review
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 10.13.2007
Will Square Enix be able to produce a solid RTS experience or will this Mana title fall by the wayside?
Title: Heroes of Mana
Publisher: Square Enix
Type: RTS
Players: 1-2
With the obvious similarities to a PC’s point and click interface, it’s amazing that more developers haven’t yet exposed the Nintendo DS’ capabilities for the RTS genre. That being said, Square Enix has decided to take the plunge and use one of their long standing franchises to use as their welcoming for their first real-time strategy game.
The story here is simple, using a cast of familiar characters from the Mana franchise, you are sent to a reconnaissance mission that turns into a struggle to survive. Five Peddan soldiers find themselves in the middle of a thick plot in which they must work together to bring peace.
Gameplay
“Heroes of Mana” starts you off slowly which is a good thing especially for gamers who aren’t too familiar with RTS titles. You are at first given simple missions that teach you the basics of controlling your units as well as explaining strategy and what each unit can do. To choose a unit you simply click on it with the stylus and point to an area on the screen where you want it to go. So the question is, how do I select multiple units? Simple, you simply choose the multiple selection icon and the game pauses, then you draw a circle around the group of units you want to control and presto, change-o, you can now control them all. It really works exceptionally well and though it may seem to slow the game down a bit, it really is a perfect way to do it on the DS. You may also select from class icons at the bottom of the screen; meaning you’ll be able to select all units from a particular type of class which is great during melee attacks.
If I have one quip about moving your units around is that they move around from square to square rather than just walking straight. I’m assuming that due to the technical limitations of the hardware, the developers had to use this form of movement. It doesn’t hamper the game too much but it makes attacking and retreating a bit of a hassle sometimes.
As you progress, you’ll learn that you collect berries and Mana stones to allow you to build new structures and call upon more units. As with all RTS’ you have your set of gatherer units and your militia. Unlike most RTS’ however, building structures and calling upon units is done very quickly so you don’t have to wait around for a minute or two before they’re ready. You also don’t have to use your gatherer units to build structures either; you simply board the Nightswan (your ship) and select which structures to build. This leaves your gatherer units free to roam about and collect stones or berries.
Speaking of your ship, you are allowed to move it around to different areas of the map but only to specific spots. The way it works is that your Nightswan is anchored down to the ground and to move it, you have to find another place for it to anchor. Though you can move it around while not anchored, you cannot call upon units, turn in berries/stones or build new structures.
Graphics
Square Enix manages to put together some impressive looking visuals on par with their other Nintendo DS titles. The developers pushed the DS hardware to the max giving players a detailed 3-D landscape that reminds me of Mario RPG. All units and characters are distinguishable the environment looks beautiful. All of the different maps present colorful and vivid landscapes which fits just perfect with the game’s style.
As I’ve seen more and more lately in DS titles, “Heroes of Mana” uses cut-scenes to move the story along between missions. I’ve always been a fan of using them as I feel it immerses the player more and brings the characters to life. At times, there are no cut-scenes but there will be pre-rendered backgrounds and some of the characters will appear on-screen to conversate.
Sound
A Mana series game wouldn’t be complete without its charming soundtrack and luckily “Heroes of Mana” doesn’t disappoint. The tunes are catchy and yet somehow come off as epic in a way that enhances the experience. Since the DS’ speakers are somewhat lacking, you’re better off using a pair of headphones to enjoy the music. I found myself humming the tunes every once in a while so the music team really got the job done.
Fun Factor
If you enjoy the Mana series and you happen to be into RTS games, then you’ll find yourself giddy with joy in playing this game. The characters are memorable and the interactions are quite funny. A great job by the localization team as the small bits of comedy and overall natural flow of conversations made me want to keep playing. Getting to know and master the different units will keep you enthralled in the game and 2 player Multi-Card play makes it even more enjoyable.
Lasting Appeal
Once you get through the main game in a matter of a few hours, there’s still a good amount of things to do. For starters, using the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, players can download bonus missions in which you’ll be ranked according to your success. The maps vary from week to week so make sure to log online to download the latest map. A very cool option that seemed only possible on consoles and a welcome addition. The one problem I have though is the unfortunate omission of actual online play. To me, an RTS is only truly enjoyable when going head to head with another live opponent and although you can play against a human with local Wi-Fi, online play is sadly missing. Another missed opportunity and who knows how much of an issue it was for developers to put together an online gaming structure but the DS again remains without an online RTS.
The 411
Though “Heroes of Mana” is only one of a handful of titles looking to give players their real-time strategy fix, this game is the first that truly does it with style. It’s easy to pick up and play for RTS veterans and first timers will be shown how to play at a good pace. This is one game that belongs in any DS owner’s library and gets a high recommendation.
Graphics
8.5
Colorful atmospheres and detailed characters
Gameplay
8.5
Solid PC-style controls
Sound
8.0
Great tunes, very catchy
Lasting Appeal
7.5
Cool bonus maps feature but no online play
Fun Factor
8.0
Great to play against human opponents and a fun single player campaign
