Dawn of Mana is the follow up sequel to a franchise that we haven't seen since 1993 with Secret of Mana. This is the first time it has moved up to 3D on PS2. It shows. Back then the type of action and roleplaying that it offered made it a good game. But that was 14 years ago...
Gameplay
Just about everything in the environments in this game can be pummeled or smashed to yield coins, power-ups and abilities. You can roll or push rocks and other odd objects into enemies. When you get them into a 'panic state' more upgrades and spells are available. The camera system is operated with the right joystick, and it is very glitchy. Sometimes you find yourself inside a wall, or looking out above your character like a FPS that has gone very wrong. You can't always get your character to go where you want him, or to look where you need to. Some of the levels have spinny things that you need to jump onto that are quite dizzying and nausea-inducing.
An odd quirk in this game is that you only level-up within each section of the game, after which it resets back to level one for the next section. That aspect makes you wonder what all the effort was for. I can't think of any other game where instead of really 'leveling up' and making your character stronger, you have this cycle of frustration where nothing that you do sticks.
The movement controls are also very rough. The jumping is imprecise, and falling down levels is annoying. The platform jumping is a big part of the game so the bulky-feeling controls are no help. If an enemy like the giant crab boss is above you on the ceiling there is no way to see him. Malefic acorns can be hurled down at you, but you have no way to see where they are coming from.
Graphics and Sound
No doubt that this is a pretty game. It is total eye candy in the cute RPG way that you would expect. The enemies are all dressed up to the nines and decorated like a pride parade on acid. Keldy is wearing so much bling that there is no wonder that he can't move. (Reminds me of a poser ex-husband.) He has a headband on with a big bird's wind on it, a necklace, several arm bands and bracelets, a braided hair wrap, (those went out of style in the '90's too) a huge belt with an enormous buckle, a non-chest-covering bolero jacket and boots. His sword is multicolored and he has a glittering tree branch twined around his arm. All of it in bright colors. Keldy is accompanied by Faye, who is a fairy that grants him magic powers. She adds an additional magical blue sparkle to all the glam.
Elemental spirits and a gnome offer their help throughout the game. Each spirit such as the fire and ice beings are super cute, and colorful. It is them that really make this game special and set it apart. The environments are very bright. The trees, plants and even masonry are detailed and quirky following along with the over all theme. The graphics are the best thing about the game. Too bad the gameplay is so exasperating. Too bad the PS2 is in its sunset years because this game needs another sequel to get the bugs worked out of it. If it takes another 14 years it won't debut until the PS4 or 5.
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