While incorporating action role-playing game elements from the three games which preceded it, Legend of Mana has its own distinct style of gameplay. Most notably, it gives the player the ability to shape the game's world of Fa'Diel according to his or her desires, a system which was incorporated through the use of "artifacts," which are gained as the player progresses through the game. The player uses the artifacts to create different towns, dungeons, etc., called "Lands", to venture to and explore. This creates a non-linear gameplay, since the game is driven by a series of what would be considered side-quests in other games. Legend of Mana features three different plots which can occur simultaneously, and which do not necessarily need to be completed for the player to finish the game. Legend of Mana was a financial success in Japan. While the game garnered considerable praise for its graphics and presentation, many critics and fans were turned off by the game's lack of a main storyline.
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O problema: eu não sabia inglês. Joguei ele inteirinho com um detonado que perdeu os caracteres especiais (o ç por exemplo) e sempre começava com a palavra "Comeando..."
Lembro de estar desesperado procurando um outro detonado e falar pro meu primo "AH NÃO... É O COMEANDO DE NOVO"
Enfim, terminei com ajuda de detonado, mas amei o jogo do começo ao fim, pra mim ele era perfeito, e ainda o é. Só que até hoje não sei como a gente ia saber que precisava montar o mapa do jeito certo sem seguir um guia pra desbloquear o true ending.
You aren't given much direction in this game. At the start you are given a choice of where you want to start the reconstruction of the world, your character appearance and starting weapon, and then you're off to the races. Afterwards you go to dungeons and towns that you bring into the world at your own discretion, meet characters, do quests, and traverse beautiful landscapes with even more beautiful music.
Others may see this lack of direction as bad, but I find it absolutely wonderful. Not knowing where I'm going to go, or who I'll meet or fight next contributes so much to this game's sense of wonder and discovery.
I want to say more about this game, but frankly, I think it's best experienced with minimal knowledge of it. Discovering this world completely blind not knowing what it had in store for me greatly enhanced my enjoyment of it. This game, warts and all, is an absolute treat.
TL;DR - Playing through this game is like playing through a fucking fairy tale. The art style, from the characters to the environments, are so whimsical and beautiful. The soundtrack is impeccable and some of Yoko Shimomura's best work in her already amazing discography. Even with its strange and convoluted mini-systems that I never fully understood and it's rather bare bones combat system, I thought this game was an absolute joy to experience. I would urge anyone to try it out for themselves.