Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Heroes of Mana takes the beloved Mana universe in a bold new direction, transforming the series from action-RPG roots into a full-fledged real-time strategy experience. Players command a floating ship base, marshaling resources, constructing structures, and fielding an army of humans, monsters and the charming rabites that have become series mascots. The dual-resource system—Gaia for buildings and Treant for units—encourages thoughtful expansion as you decide whether to bolster defenses, unlock new production facilities or crank out additional combat troops.

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Control is handled almost entirely via the Nintendo DS stylus. Tapping on a unit selects it, while tapping again on the map or an enemy tells that unit where to move or which foe to attack. Multi-selecting troops is as intuitive as drawing a circle around them, making mass movements and coordinated strikes feel fluid. Building placement is just as straightforward: drag and drop your structures into place, then wait for them to spring to life, generating resources or pumping out fresh recruits.

Combat hinges on making the most of each unit’s unique skill set. Lancers can skewer enemy lines, mage-like units hurl elemental spells and resource-gatherers quietly accumulate the lifeblood of your war effort. Skirmishes often boil down to rock-paper-scissors matchups, especially when counter-units come into play. While veterans of traditional RTS titles may find the learning curve gentle, newcomers to the genre will appreciate the streamlined interface, even if the pace sometimes verges on hectic when multiple fronts erupt at once.

Graphics

Visually, Heroes of Mana leans into a vibrant, chibi-style art direction that perfectly suits the DS’s modest hardware. Units and buildings are rendered in bright, eye-catching colors, with just enough detail to distinguish between different classes of troops. The landmasses you traverse—from mist-shrouded forests to volcanic highlands—are adorned with painterly textures that give each map a distinct personality.

Animations are surprisingly lively considering the platform’s technical constraints. Rakish rabites hop energetically across the battlefield, spell effects flare with satisfying bursts of particle animation, and siege weapons recoil convincingly when they fire. Cutscenes are presented in charming, static comic-book panels punctuated by expressive character portraits, lending an almost storybook quality to major narrative moments.

That said, some visual compromises are inevitable. The DS’s small screens mean you’ll often zoom in closely to make precise movements, at the expense of broader situational awareness. The overhead camera can feel cramped when you’re juggling multiple armies, and occasional frame-rate dips occur during large-scale clashes. Nevertheless, the overall presentation is clean, unambiguous and retains a cheerful Mana flavor throughout.

Story

Heroes of Mana unfolds in the wake of a world-threatening calamity orchestrated by the witch Anise. After she plunges the land into shadow, the Mana Goddess intervenes, sealing the malevolent forces in eight mystical stones. Peace reigns for a time—until hints of the darkness begin to reemerge, forcing a new generation of heroes into action. At the center of this crisis is Roget, a young warrior haunted by visions of the stone’s corruption breaking free.

Roget’s journey takes him on a globe-spanning quest alongside a colorful band of ten companions, each bringing their own motivations and personalities to the fray. Dialogue exchanges play out in text boxes brimming with lighthearted banter and occasional earnest reflections on duty, friendship and sacrifice. While the narrative doesn’t break any new ground in storytelling, it serves as a serviceable framework for the game’s battles and keeps players invested in the progression of each campaign.

Those familiar with previous Mana titles will appreciate subtle callbacks—ancient ruins, recurring monster types and the ever-present theme of nature versus corruption. Yet the storyline remains self-contained enough that newcomers aren’t left in the dark. The pacing is generous, allowing respite between major conflicts for character-driven interludes. Hardcore lore hounds might long for deeper ties to series mythology, but as a standalone tale of heroism and resource management, it delivers just enough intrigue to drive you through its dozen or so missions.

Overall Experience

Heroes of Mana succeeds admirably at grafting the Mana IP onto a real-time strategy template, offering a fresh twist for series veterans and a welcoming entry point for RTS neophytes on the DS. The stylus-driven controls strike a comfortable balance between precision and accessibility, turning base-building and troop management into a nimble, even tactile affair. The game’s mission variety—from all-out assaults and defensive holds to resource races—keeps the action varied and engaging throughout.

Multiplayer via local Wi-Fi adds a compelling layer of replayability. Skirmish enthusiasts can challenge friends head-to-head, fight for ranking glory and unlock bonus maps or items based on their performance. This woven-in competitive element encourages strategic experimentation and breathes new life into the single-player campaign’s core mechanics.

Of course, if you’re expecting the open-world exploration and leveling systems that defined earlier Mana adventures, there will be an adjustment period. The emphasis here is firmly on tactical decision-making rather than character progression. But for gamers seeking a portable RTS with charming aesthetics, a straightforward learning curve and enough depth to reward strategic thinking, Heroes of Mana stands out as one of the Nintendo DS’s most ambitious—and surprisingly polished—titles.

Retro Replay Score

6.1/10