Legend of Mana - Squaresoft's PS1 Black Sheep
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- čas přidán 14. 04. 2021
- I've been meaning to talk about Square-Enix's Playstation 1 classic, Legend of Mana for a long time now. It's one of those really weird but memorable JRPGs that's gonna be on the Switch soon so that's cool.
Special thanks to Brandon Howl for supporting this video via Patreon!
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#LegendofMana
#Squaresoft
#SecretofMana - Hry
April Fools?
Wait it's too late.
Oh it's an earnest video review?
Ok.
Congrats on being 2 years cigarette free!
Loved this game when I was young, even got the ps3 digital version when it was avalible to replay it, and was amazed we got the 2019 games
It's getting a remaster. Might want to check that on steam.
I for one am bouncing off the walls of my room with excitement.
I was considering playing it because I enjoy RPGs
You actually can redo the map quest
"That was when I realized it was Swedish and not a made up language"
Buddy, I'm Swedish and I thought it was a made up language
LOL - but all languages ARE made up ;)
@@Sauvenil ya have a point
Imma be real I thought it was Japanese
LMAO
That's fucking hilarious
Swede here. I remember being blown away hearing a Swedish theme song in a Japanese game back when I played this game all those years ago... So cool!
Håller med dig! Jag blev super förvånad att de ens använde en svensk sångare. Jag fick alltid för mig det var Carola som sjöng, men det är någon annan. Annars är spelet. Riktigt bra. I also like THE world map Theme!
Fun little fact: Squaresoft didn't actually let Evermore use any of the code from Secret of Mana so the devs actually had to rebuild the engine from scratch.
And it's a better engine for it
New engine was better anyway
Also, the engine for it they built was better than the original
I hated evermore, went on holiday to the USA and my friends mother that we stayed with had it. I just couldn't get into it, to this day and I attempted to replay it 5 years ago - maybe I just couldn't appreciate the story telling. One thing I can say for sure the visuals and music just weren't on the same level.
@@LukeSkinner84 I would be inclined to disagree with you re: music. Jeremy Soule created a masterpiece in ambience and sound for the SNES.
Legend of Mana is actually my favourite. The open-endedness is what makes it so unique every playthrough.
That feeling when the main theme is sung in Swedish but the actual game never got released in Sweden...
No PAL release in general which sucks
The music ALONE in this game made me want a remake for years. When they announced it for switch I almost cried.
Same.
absolutely
I proudly admit to a single tear of elation
My friend does translation for squeenix and me and him literally jumped for joy!
And then I saw the "hd screenshots" and I cried some more. Tears of disappointment because it looks so awful..
Legend of Mana is on my top 3 forever. It's such an underrated and unique game.
It's legit the best game in a (and let's be honest) a very average franchise.
same here, also in my top 3 list of all time cheers
It's absolutely beautiful, I just wish as much effort went into the combat
@@Thatonedude917
I mean it's much better then secret and trails combat
@@Ristyo1992 I guess so, I did get way further into Legend before getting bored than I did Trials or Secret
I've always wanted a game that felt like Kino's Journey. So you've just convinced me to give Legend a try, Austin.
Wait, it is? Gotta play this then.
@@trolleycartwheel9409 played it, it actually does, what with how you basically stumble into quests accidentally whenever you unlock a new area. Pretty fun!
The sprite work on this game is legendary
*It's sublime. It's a game that can work as a proof of videogame fitting as a masterpiece of art.*
It confirms that focusing on 3D in the 5th console generation was a mistake. 2D still had so much untapped potential from the 32-bit upgrade but it was largely left unexplored and sidelined because everyone was too hungry for crappy 3D that aged worse than most 8-bit sprite games.
@@Diwasho Castlevania agrees with your commentary. Still today they couldn't produce anything 3d to represents what was the 2.5d of SOTN.
I think this game has one of the best aesthetics imaginable, everything about it is just loaded with character
You'll like SaGa Frontier then, it's basically the same engine and graphical style, but turn based combat.
this game was so ahead of its time. i remember being blown away at the fact you could save your character onto a memory card and bring it to your friend's house, load it into their game and either co-op with them through quests or PVP with them in the arena in Geo
online coop before online coop
Inb4 the dark souls of ps1 RPGs
What?! I never knew that! But then again, I was the only one playing these kinda PS1 games back then :(
I have so many good cozy memories with this game. I'm really excited for the remaster, because it's legitimately one of my favorite games ever.
My favorite ps1 game. I'm so hype for the remaster. Legend of Mana is really unlike anything else.
Legend of Mana is also one of the few co op RPGs I ever knew, back in the day me and my younger brother spent days exploring together
Legend of Mana is my one the fucking favourite games of all time, platforms and genres. Thank you for this video.
I completed this game like 10+ times, and when i hear this opening song... Wow, I'm not crying, i just got dust in my eyes.
how much attack points on weapon did you got?
Mi max is 144 but ive saw guides of ppl in 1k dmg xDDD
@@slevinkelevra_2347 999 on all weapons possible for having it, some are limited based on known best recipes that have been created.
This, FF9 and Soul Blade were my summer games back in '01.
Fun fact: The game has never been released in Sweden (no, not even the psstore)
we europeans felt left out... but for some unexplained reason, Legend of mana as a manga came out in my land and I agree with Austin on the statement of it being not up to par with the game from what I know so far.
Ok let me get this straight.... it has an OST whose language even a Swedish might not recognize and it was not released in Sweden. Honestly, I am mindblown.
@@vitaminc2161 me too like what? I just knew it from these comments by Swedes. But I guess yall can play it when it's released. If yall do, please take a moment to listen to the soundtrack. They're the BEST 😭
I always thought of LoM as the "Majora's Mask" of the Mana series, both of which I prefer the most out of their respective franchises. They came out around the same time and share similarities in their approach to player immersion and world interaction.
Majora's Mask definitely puts more focus on its main quest than Legend of Mana, though, making it a much more cohesive and fulfilling journey. Even though the sidequests are the highlight, the end goal is always still in sight. With Legend of Mana, you don't even know what the end goal is until like 50% of your way through the game. And that's IF you place the artifacts correctly. I understand that's what a lot of people love about the game, but it's not my thing.
Holy crap, another person on the planet who watched Kino's Journey?! Dude, I woulda been your best bud growing up. Born in '91 and grew up with games like Legend of Dragoon and animes like Kino that I couldn't talk to anyone about. Watching your videos is always such a nostalgia trip, thank you for being so unapologetically cool
go on /a/ or /tv/ they love kino's journey, literally their basis behind the kino meme
@@3kojimbles895 I'm not gonna lie, I had to Google every part of your reply lol. I appreciate the suggestions dude! I had no idea there was a following out there, looks like I have a rabbit hole or two to dig into
Legend was my first Mana game so you can imagine when the remaster was announced, I was just "WHEEZE OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG" and proceeded to flail like a squirrel on uppers. Makes me wonder what highschool me missed during my first playthrough now.
I was going 'why didn't i finish this game when i was younger?' Got to the map placement, and you could lock yourself out of areas and i was 'OOOOHHHH now i remember!'
@@fireflocs That's not entirely true. Lucemia and The Flames are both gone after you do their event. Also, I remember there is a wrong dialogue option to unlock Lucemia in the first place, but I don't remember whether you can just talk to her again to choose the other option. I also seem to recall there being a way to hard-fail the Jumi arc (which would lock you out of the Bejeweled City), but I don't remember the specifics.
Still you're basically right.
I can see it all now...
Journalists: Legend of Mana needs an in-game quest guidance system.
Legend of Mana Elite: git gud
Walkthroughs from gamespot nostalgia intensifies
@@aweigh1010 zzzzzzzz
I just came to comment without watching the video. I gonna wait to play the switch version and revive my nostalgia and finally getting to finishcthist game before watching any reviews.
But i comment just because this is the first time any youtuber I follow have ever took about this game.
Please do a video on Radiata Stories, that seems right up your alley. I know this will be lost among a sea of suggestions.
Radiata Stories is super underrated, fantastic recommendation
When I played this for the first time 2-3 years ago, I really liked it. The Swedish folk song helped a lot, but I liked how open the game was, and how you could essentially make your own story if you wanted to. It was unlike anything I've played, and I really liked it for that.
Looking forward to what they'll do with the remaster.
Me and my brother loved playing this game, and we would play it when we could. On weekends i would take my save file of my character to join his character so we could play together or just kill each other. This is getting remastered and saga frontier getting remastered has truly been a blessing
It is one of my favorite games of all time. The music, watercolors, all the characters, just a fantastic game. I hope Threads of Fate gets a similar treatment someday.
I can feel the love you have for this game through your comment. I am in the same boat ⛵ a masterpiece.
"CURSED KNOWLEDGE"... indeed.
I freaking love this game. Nobody ever talks about it either. It was so good and weird and out of nowhere as a kid.
I was so young when I first played this game and I always wished that I lived in the world of Fa'Diel bc it's just so darn beautiful! I found comfort in playing Legend of Mana. So I am over the moon about this remaster! Already preordered it. Can't wait to be Chumpy again lol
"So how does Legend of Mana play?"
*cuts to advertisement for a shitty mobile game* 🤣
My old timey redneck uncle found Legend of Mana wrapped in a paper towel in a pawn shop in the middle of nowhere for $1. He brought it to my brother and I when we were like 10 or 11 and the rest is history. It’s a fantastic game and my all time favorite. It’s beautiful and the music is bangin. I’ve still never beat it and I’m 30 now. There’s so much content on this single disc it’s crazy.
I can't watch a video of a mana game without hearing "TWIALS OF MANYA"
Lunar. Grandia. Wild Arms. Legend of Legaia. The nostalgia of that segment of your video is palpable to be sure!
Also, I ended up teaching myself enough Swedish to translate and follow along with the Song of Mana back in the 90's when I was in high school and I never even ended up buying the game. I was learning German at the time which helped somewhat, but it started my lifelong obsession with anything Scandinavian. Abba, weird fish dishes, Lars von Trier; it all started with a game I never even ended up playing, lol!
after all this year, now i can live in peace knowing that beautifull opening song is swedish.
this game will always be a gem, master piece and memorable.
I've always loved this game and wanted a version that had true co-op. But everyone is always on the other mana games. Way underappreciated.
The Other Mana series Have Co-Op. Also to mention this was a side scroller not top down.
I adore this game. The music, the characters, and how interesting the world is. I wish there was more to flesh out some of the storylines, but I still enjoy playing this game, even now.
Legend rules. When you learn to cancel moves with the techniques to get infinite combos.. felt so good.
Sadly infinite combos were easy to reach without any canceling, just hit X a little bit slower...it made the combat really tedious most of the time. Thankfully the remaster lets you turn encounters off, which also helps with not getting turned around in the maze dungeons.
That game really shocked me when I heard it was in Swedish. As a Swede, for the first seconds, it sounded like a mythical language. Ironic.
Did anyone else have a dedicated notebook for legend of mana? I remember translating the dub bear language on paper for so long :0
Ha!! You are definitely not the only one.
Same here :p
😆 saaaame
Oh, dip! I was right!? An Austin video on my favorite video game of all time! HECK YEAH!
You know it’s funny, I watched a vid talking about how weird Legend was and it made me super interested, so I was planning on getting an original copy then Square came in with “Hey btw we’re remastering Legend!” So it worked out I guess?
(Also I know of Sierra from... uuuuh *certain* sources)
Gross
@@polytanksan5761 Okay, I’m sure there’s something you find hot that I think is gross too
I too know Sierra from... sources. So in contrast with the other guy I'll just sit here and instead of judging just bask in our disgraceful kinship I guess.
@@goranisacson2502 Another person of culture I see lol. But seriously anytime someone judges me for that kinda stuff I just think "Please, I'm sure you're into some freaky shit yourself."
@@hazardrider8317 I don't know about that one bud😂
I beat this game when i was younger, and remember being bewildered by all that had felt left unfinished. I wouldn't have wanted my hand held, but just letting me know that I should have been looking for something would have helped.
I am really hesitant about the updated graphics. I love that old pixel/sprite work and feel it's so integral to the heart of the game. I also don't think you need a walkthrough and that the intent is that you can miss things. You said it yourself, it's a 'Choose your own adventure' game. It is designed to have you replay it trying a different path, weapon, accompanying pet or golem, and so on.
IMO it is worth a blind run, a walkthrough run, and maybe a map guide only run in between. There is a *lot* to miss and the game really doesn't live up to its potential if you only see half the events.
One of my all time favorite games. Thanks for doing a video about it. Not many talk about it but it's do beautiful and unique!
Legend of Mana is, and always has been, my favorite of the Mana series (well, I never played Trials until the remake, which is AMAZING). No contest. The story wasn't as rich as Secret but the vibrancy of the animation was mesmerizing to me. And the music; god-tier. I can't wait for it to be released on the Switch.
Bonus likes for the Kino's Journey reference! (the classic one, not the 3D bike one)
I completely agree one of my favorite anime of all time
This was one of my favorite PS1 games.
The thing that no one talks about is its short story anthology approach as opposed to the large sweeping story that most JRPGs usually have. It's a unique approach that most games don't usually take, and I can only think of one other (Tsugunai Atonement) that's done it.
To this day still one of my favorite RPGs ever. Super excited for the switch version.
God, legend of mana was soooooo good!!!
OMG! Thank you so much! I watched a couple episodes of Kino's Journey years ago but never finished it, and could not for the life of me remember the name! Never thought I'd find it again here.
I really appreciate all of the PSO sound effects. Fantastic game series. Good work!
I'm so glad you covered this game! This game and Legend of Legaia(which you sorta half covered in the bad sequels video) were my first ever video games and the amount of people I know who've played both of them is zero. It's always nice to find another fan
We are vert similar, LoM was my first RPG!
Always great to see a new vid .
Man I love your content and look forward to every upload. Been a follower for a long time and appreciate the everything you do.
Nice connection to Kino's Journey. I had kinda forgotten that series as well as Legend of Mana so thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Great video!!! Love the care you put into this video!!!
I still crank up this game sometimes. One of my personal GOATS. Well done vid!
Legend of Mana is my one of my favorite games if all time, I am so extremely excited that we are getting a remaster! However, I'm not going to lie, I'm really disappointed that it is not going to be a physical release. I will still be getting it however and having a lot of fun with it.
Buy it from South East Asia- you'll get a physical copy with English subs 😉
@@LukeSkinner84 Thank you, I will probably go that route. Do you by chance have the link to that site?
I remembered this game as a confusing bit beautiful and wholly captivating experience that I never could beat back in the day when I had to rent it from a video store. Glad your review reaffirmed that. Also made me wanna play it again real bad.
man is this good to see as one of the few that played this and actually liked it as a boy who mostly played linear games this blew my freaking mind and yes austin I did have to get the guide and play it again not cause I couldn't beat it but because I beat it without seeing half the game which was always confusing to me
the music at the stun lock is awesome, that guitar strummin
"Favorite anime of all time, Kino's Journey"
YOU ARE INSTANTLY MY FAVORITE CZcamsR
Great video! I'm looking forward to the remaster.
Great video man! I always wanted to try this one as a kid, but I never had it and my buddy went and beat it without me (though he had me help with the final boss fight oddly). You probably should have mention co-op, but its all good. You might also be interested in the anime Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina as its the same kind of story as Kino's Journey... but with witches.
Great video, will definitely have to take a look at the remaster when it comes out
The description you're giving of this game makes it sound like an action-rpg Saga Frontier. Which sounds great actually. I love how completely free (read: lost) you are at all times in Saga Frontier. I might try this, so I guess you accomplished your mission.
Overtly complex fighting and growth mechanics are fun to me. Love figuring them out and exploiting them.
Really looking forward to the remake of this! Excellent video as always!
6:47 Surprised me to, and I'm Swedish
Awesome video. Loved this game. Cheers, and just subbed my friend.
Absolute favorite series as per my name. Love them all. Great video.
Good timing on this vid man, the remaster comes out next month on Steam
This brings back so many memories, this is a very charismatic game, I loved it.
I didn't know a review for my favorite game of all time would name-drop my favorite anime of all time. Truly a reviewer of refined taste.
I will admit, as someone who invested the hours in the game and its community back in the day to learn those systems, "I still don't understand it at all" really sums it up. The crafting system alone goes way past min/maxing into something resembling its own theoretical science that only gets more complicated the more you understand it.
I played Legend of Mana TO DEATH. I fucking loved that game so much when it released in the USA on ps1. I think I might need to dust off my PS1 and play it again.
I have it on my phone via an emulator. Lol obsessed with that game and the music
This certainly helps give me context for the game, I've been dabbling with the Mana series for the first time with the Trials of Mana Remake for my Switch. I liked it, got the Collection of Mana, and I want to support the series.
Legend of Mana was a curiosity for me ever since I was young and I would see ads for it in gaming magazines, so I wanna nab it when I get the chance. Though I wish it would get a physical release.
About that, just like SaGa Frontier, Legend of Mana got a physical release in Asia. In fact, I pre-ordered it along with the former at Play-Asia not long ago.
I remember playing this as a kid!
I didn’t know it’s getting a remake, I look forward to being old enough to actually play it this time around.
I literally just started playing my old copy last month! This geeked me out!
I'm mad I'm seeing this 4 days later and not in my feed, but I'm glad I'm seeing this on my birthday 🤙🏿
Amazing video! Keep them coming :]
Genuinely one of my favorite games when I was a kid and I absolutely feel like the aesthetic and unique systems are still endearing. Didn't know it was getting a remaster!!!
This series has such a weird cultural impact. Back when I was a kid I played both Secret and Seiken 3 but didn't realize they were the same series for the longest time. Hell, until now I didn't even know Secret of Evermore existed.
when i was younger i came across legend of mana and it became a part of my childhood and im super excited to have it on my ps4 when it drops in june
Very smart review, I appreciate it! Greetings from Italy. ^^
I've been playing Legend of Mana off and on for the past 20 years, softlocking myself on every attempt, but I've loved every minute of it. I almost don't want to beat it, because then I'll feel like I won't have as much of a reason to revisit it, year after year.
you nailed it dude i never know how to explain how weird and confusing legend of mana is!!
I remember first playing this and missing the first quest in the gem knight story line which is so so easy to miss in the beginning of the game and then seeing the characters throughout going I wonder when I’ll get to see more about them finding out later since I missed that first quest I can never see more....
Recently became very nostalgic to play this again and was so glad to see it coming to the switch!
Ahhhh watching this makes me want to replay this game for like the 20th time. It’s so fun and beautiful and the replay value is super high.
Was thinking about trying this game again sometime soon to see if I could actually find the end after all these years.
Didn't know a remaster was coming, so I may check that out. What fortuitous timing, finding this vid, heh.
Bless up, dude. You make great videos
Glad to see someone finally talking about this game
!!!!! Kino is also my fave anime. I love hearing it get a name drop.
By far my favorite Mana game. But you earned your thumb with the Gateway 2000 and zones references :)
Austin my man, thanks for the GlassesUSA referral- my new frames just arrived, I think they're the same ones you have in this video. Now I just need to nail down your wardrobe and my plan will be complete.
6:39 *Someone who listened to both Cotton Eye Joe AND LoM opening frequently in the early 00's*
WAIT. WHAT?! Mind shattered, destroyed and sent to the shadow realm!
I played this game CONSTANTLY as a kid and would always wonder why I got stuck so badly after the weekend and having to go to school. I'm glad I'm not terrible at video games ;D Also this is low key my favorite game ever.
Man, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have found out about so many cool retro games. Thanks 😁
This game feels like a missing SaGa game. Its obtuse, mysterious, a lot of hidden systems and just makes you want to explore it once you understand whats going on. I really need to delve deeper once the remake comes out. Looks great so far.
It's a masterpiece.