Topic: RFN RetroActive Discussion - Game #4: Secret of Mana

[Stratos]

Oh, the dungeon where you get Gnome magic.  Well, you could let Sprite die early and then leave him dead until right before the boss.  Then you'll only need one Cup of Wishes.

I've thought about doing that but I first need to get re-motivated to play the game once more.
Listening to the 'cast last night almost did, but I turned on my system to discover my WiiMote batteries are nearly dead. I want to at least try to finish the game before you record the next episode.

I didn't know all that about the game originally being planned for the ill fated Sony-Nintendo SNES CD add-on. Most interesting.

[vudu]

I didn't know all that about the game originally being planned for the ill fated Sony-Nintendo SNES CD add-on. Most interesting.

Didn't you listen to episode 23 of Retronauts, like I told you to do?   

[Stratos]

I didn't know all that about the game originally being planned for the ill fated Sony-Nintendo SNES CD add-on. Most interesting.

Didn't you listen to episode 23 of Retronauts, like I told you to do?   

Whoops. I forget you even mentioned that.

[SkiDragon]

The main reason I sometimes consider this to be my favorite game is because of the multiplayer. I can think of no other game that really shares this formula. Crystal Chronicles was mentioned as a spiritual sequel of sorts but the small amount of time I spent with that game did not make me yearn for more, and the hardware restrictions ensured that I would play it no more even if I wanted to.

Of course, nowadays nobody would have both the time and will to play through any significant chunk of the game with me. Since I know the game is not nearly as good as a single player experience, I am not dedicating any time to it at the moment.

The soundtrack is still one of my favorite, but in retrospect I agree with a lot of the complaints. The dialogue is pretty poor, and the story suffers as a result. The path finding is terrible. I once remember getting stuck after rounding a corner and jumping down a ledge. One of my characters didn't make it around the corner, and I couldn't go back to get him. Unfortunately, he was a ghost and I was out of reviving capabilities, so I couldn't switch to him either. I don't recall if I had to reset or if I was able to fling myself back up the ledge with one of the charged weapon attacks. Either way it was annoying.

Somebody mentioned the similar graphical style to Chrono Trigger. I actually bought Chrono Trigger under the assumption that it would have similar gameplay, because the screenshots of Chrono Trigger looked similar. I was initially disappointed, but not for too long...

[NovaQ]

In the podcast (140), someone mentioned that it takes a very particular partner to really enjoy playing this game with. I agree, and I'm lucky that the friend I'm playing with is just the right person. We both really enjoy exploring the overworld and dungeons to gain experience and money.

If you're the type of person who gets excited watching a progress bar fill, and you can find a friend with a similar affliction, SoM's basic grinding goodness is for you.

[Stratos]

Can you share this friend with me Nova? I'm fresh out of willing gamer friends.

[NovaQ]

I'll see what I can do.

If you get a really big box with air holes in it in the next week or so, for the love of God, don't use a knife to open it!

[Jonnyboy117]

Thanks to everyone for your comments.  We're recording a day early this week due to schedule conflicts, so the SoM wrap-up may be a bit abrupt.  I for one plan to keep playing it, because it's getting more addictive as I get deeper.

[Stratos]

I'll finish the game once NovaQ's friend arrives in the post.
You did remember to leave food and water in the box right?

[NovaQ]

...

You may not want to sign for that package when it shows up.

[Stratos]

...

You may not want to sign for that package when it shows up.

...
RETURN TO SENDER
...

Thanks to everyone for your comments.  We're recording a day early this week due to schedule conflicts, so the SoM wrap-up may be a bit abrupt.  I for one plan to keep playing it, because it's getting more addictive as I get deeper.

Does this mean the 'cast will be up Saturday instead of Sunday? Will there be hidden Easter Eggs in the podcast considering it's...yeah, that would be kind of cheesy.