Visions of Mana is the latest game in the long-running Mana series and the first new entry in several years. I was particularly excited to dive into this game, having only experienced a couple of other entries but enjoying my time with them very much. In terms of this game’s soundtrack, I had a decent idea of what to expect based on the title’s style and my prior knowledge of the series. I’m pleased to see that my expectations were accurate for the most part: an OST full of lush, magical tracks perfect for whisking you away to a bright new fantasy world full of adventure and exploration. Here, I’ll guide you through the main five-disc soundtrack and the accompanying sixth disc of arranged tracks in the Collector’s Edition Special Box version.
Disc one opens with an interesting combination of tracks—“Ties of Fate” is the epic and dramatic opening theme Visions of Mana needs and deserves, followed by the beautifully graceful “Tree at Dawn’s Light.” These two pieces serve as a great intro to the OST as a whole, showing off rich, vibrant arrangements. What quickly becomes apparent as I listen to the next few tracks is that this soundtrack leans heavily into a sound and composition hearkening back to RPGs of the ’90s and early ’00s on early PlayStation consoles. This is a smart move, in my opinion. I expect many people playing this game would have been fans of the series for a very long time, and this nostalgic quality could be very endearing. It certainly is for me.
Some early highlights include “Weal and Woe,” a track full of intrigue and mystery that utilises a broad range of instrumentation while remaining quite restrained—a great way to build tension. This track does sit amongst a number of others that create the same mood; I felt a little sonic fatigue start to set in while waiting for something to change the pace. Thankfully, “Boundless Rage” increases the BPM and introduces a very needed sense of urgency. It still uses a similar range of instruments and notes to the previous group of tracks but changes enough to stand out and not sound jarring to the ear.
“Harvester’s Wake -Echoes-“ is a glorious track that feels very different from everything before it yet very at home on this OST. It introduces some new sounds and takes influence from different European countries— I’m certainly getting traditional Irish and Spanish sounds from this piece, and I love it. “Elemental Aerie” by Koji Yamaoka is a bit of a curveball and bursts in toward the end of disc one, just when you might be getting comfortable with the landscape of this soundtrack, to remind you there are still surprises in store. Electronic, beat-heavy, almost industrial surprises. This is another strong track.
Some of my favourite pieces here are those with a more gentle, serene sound. “Bonds Eternal” opening disc two is lovely and features some soaring moments that give feelings of both peace and mystery. “Now and For Always” features both Japanese and English vocals in brilliant form. I also enjoy how many of the environment themes scattered throughout the OST introduce a contemporary-sounding electronic beat midway through that adds another layer to the track without breaking their often relaxed feel, which keeps you invested despite their length. “Castle Cresceno” is a particularly good example of this.
In contrast to those moments of calm, Visions of Mana (of course) gives us tracks that burst with charm and power. “Cyclone” simultaneously sounds filled with danger and positivity—very rousing and motivational. “The Free City of Tsaata” is a jaunty tune that I certainly remembered from my time in the game, and “There Can Only Be One Winner” is a full-on rock track that fizzes with the exact energy you want in a battle theme. “Elegy for a Goddess,” both the overture and finale versions, throw everything at the wall and it sure works: tempo shifts, vocals, electric guitars, a pounding beat, and as much theatre as you could ever want.
The range of instruments on display here is pretty amazing. This OST doesn’t hold back and revels in its experimentation. “Lot in Life” features what sounds like a harpsichord in pride of place. “Dim Moon” is built around a pipe instrument, and its note pattern reminds me strongly of music from Peter Jackson’s Fellowship of the Ring. “Illystana, Capital of the Deep” is accordion heavy and “Cruisin’ On The Waves” utilises steel drums (a little cliché, but it sounds good).
Unfortunately, the occasional track does use repetition too much. Personally, I found them to become a little irritating. Again, this is a quality I associate with retro RPG soundtracks, so it doesn’t necessarily seem out of place here. Cuts like “Bestia Magna” feature particular sounds that become grating after a short time. “Luka Ruins” is the standard slow-paced dungeon exploration music, but it just doesn’t do anything new. Honestly, I found it to get dull quickly.
Some longer tracks do outstay their welcome, too. A high number reach around the five-minute mark, and when a track is this long, I want to be taken on a journey. It needs to hold my interest, and slightly disappointingly, not all of them do. “Serene” starts off nice enough but becomes a bit tiresome by the midpoint. “Rhata Harbor” and “Wind Sanctum” don’t fare much better and ramble on without adding as they go.
Examples of how to use length in interesting ways come from tracks like “Growing Up Fast” by Sachiko Miyano, which feature peaks and troughs, moments of calm and moments where things ramp up. This was a strong start to the third disc. “Thrum of Revelry” also opens the fifth disc well, bringing various acoustic and electric elements together in a fun way that felt appropriate for its title. “Guardian of Souls” has an incredibly satisfying build over its almost six minutes.
We get five extra tracks on the sixth disc of the Special Box Version, and each one is a new take on a track from the main OST, featuring a particular instrument on solo duty. Whilst each piece is a refreshing new version, I enjoyed the guitar arrangement of “Verdeus Borough” with its summery Mediterranean vibe and the shimmery harp arrangement of “Charred Passage,” which is just gorgeous—a complete contrast to is original track, which was rather forgettable.
Overall, the Visions of Mana OST is a mixed bag, for me at least. I admire its aim to create a very nostalgic, classic fantasy RPG mood. It does succeed at doing that in general terms. However, its persistence in sticking to that aim means it lacks a little of its own identity and while listening to the OST and playing the game, few tracks landed memorable motifs that would encourage me to revisit them often. One of my favourite aspects to this soundtrack is its variety in instrumentation—certain tracks highlight particular sounds, and it’s refreshing to hear such an eclectic mix. This variety also extends to mood. There’s a track for every moment, every emotion, and this certainly stops the OST as a whole from feeling stale. Visions of Mana‘s basks in tradition, both of the JRPG and fantasy genres, and it brings me a lot of comfort to know there is still space for this in gaming.
