Adventures of Mana in IOS

Roleplaying

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Site Score

88/100

Adventures of Mana is a beautiful, top-down action RPG that serves as a faithful remake of the Game Boy classic, Final Fantasy Adventure. The transition to 3D graphics is handled with a charming aesthetic that preserves the spirit of the original while making it feel modern and vibrant. The real-time combat is fluid, and the 'Ring Command' menu system makes switching weapons and spells seamless during intense boss encounters.

What truly stands out is the emotional depth of the story and the iconic soundtrack by Kenji Ito. Navigating the world feels like a grand journey, filled with secrets and varied environments. While the puzzles are relatively straightforward, the sense of progression and the variety of weapons—from swords to flails—keep the gameplay loop engaging from start to finish. It’s a must-play for fans of retro RPGs looking for a high-quality mobile experience.

Reviewed on: Sat May 11 2024
Dinsun Avatar

Dinsun Review

Now we're talking. This is a remake done the right way. As someone who played the original on a pea-soup Game Boy screen, seeing it reborn in 3D is a treat. Square Enix didn't mess with the core—the top-down combat, the puzzles, and the melancholy story are all intact. It’s pure, distilled action-RPG goodness.

The touch controls are surprisingly decent, using a virtual joystick that doesn't get in the way too much. The real star, though, is the music. Kenji Ito’s rearranged score is hauntingly beautiful. It’s a bit of a short journey compared to modern RPGs, and the world can feel a bit small by today's standards, but the pacing is excellent. It’s a premium experience with a premium price tag, but it’s worth every cent for fans of the genre. They don't make them like this anymore.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

  • Faithful recreation of a classic masterpiece
  • Beautifully rearranged soundtrack
  • Polished 3D visuals that retain the original charm
  • World can feel a bit small and restricted
  • Controls are good, but still not as precise as a physical d-pad
  • Higher price point for a mobile game

Technical Report

Performance: Very polished; some older devices might see minor framerate dips in heavy combat.

Accessibility:
  • MFi controller support
  • Adjustable virtual pad

Audience Fit

Buy if: You love retro RPGs or want a high-quality, standalone adventure without microtransactions.

Skip if: You want an open-world experience or deep, complex character builds.

Similar Games:
  • Secret of Mana
  • Oceanhorn
  • Chronos Gate

Reviewer Context

  • Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative gamer
  • Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
  • Playtime: 10 hours
  • Status: Game Completed

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 1.0.9Wed May 18 2022

Fixed minor bugs.


Relive the excitement of Final Fantasy Adventure―a timeless classic remastered for a new generation.

■STORY

Enshrined atop Mt. Illusia, high above the lofty clouds, stands the Tree of Mana. Drawing its life energy from the boundless celestial aether, the sentinel grows in silence. Legend holds that he who lays his hands upon its trunk will be granted power eternal―a power the Dark Lord of Glaive now seeks to further fuel his bloody quest for domination.

Our unlikely hero is one of countless gladiators indentured to the Duchy of Glaive. Each day, he and his ill-fated companions are dragged from their cells and bade to fight exotic beasts for the amusement of the Dark Lord. If victorious, they are thrown back into the dungeons with just enough bread to tide them over until their next match. But a body can only take so much, and it is never long before the weary captives succumb to their cruel fates.

■SYSTEM

Adventures of Mana's battle system grants you the freedom to move about the playing field without restriction, allowing for thrilling combat in which you decide when to attack and how to evade.

・Controls

Player movement is achieved via a virtual joystick accessible anywhere on the screen. An auto-adjust feature has also been added so that even if your thumb strays from its original position, you will never lose control of the hero.

・Weapons

Weapons are divided into six unique categories, some with uses beyond merely dealing damage. Determining when and where to equip each kind will prove the key to success on your quest.

・Magic

From restoring lost HP or removing various ailments, to rendering foes incapacitated or dealing deadly blows, there are eight different spells for almost any occasion.

・Obstacles

Bloodthirsty enemies are not the only things standing in the way of completing your quest. You will need both tools and your wits to overcome the many challenges encountered in the world of Mana, ranging from locked doors to hidden rooms to traps growing progressively more complex as the game progresses.


Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Relive the excitement of Final Fantasy Adventure―a timeless classic remastered for a new generation.

■STORY

Enshrined atop Mt. Illusia, high above the lofty clouds, stands the Tree of Mana. Drawing its life energy from the boundless celestial aether, the sentinel grows in silence. Legend holds that he who lays his hands upon its trunk will be granted power eternal―a power the Dark Lord of Glaive now seeks to further fuel his bloody quest for domination.

Our unlikely hero is one of countless gladiators indentured to the Duchy of Glaive. Each day, he and his ill-fated companions are dragged from their cells and bade to fight exotic beasts for the amusement of the Dark Lord. If victorious, they are thrown back into the dungeons with just enough bread to tide them over until their next match. But a body can only take so much, and it is never long before the weary captives succumb to their cruel fates.

■SYSTEM

Adventures of Mana's battle system grants you the freedom to move about the playing field without restriction, allowing for thrilling combat in which you decide when to attack and how to evade.

・Controls

Player movement is achieved via a virtual joystick accessible anywhere on the screen. An auto-adjust feature has also been added so that even if your thumb strays from its original position, you will never lose control of the hero.

・Weapons

Weapons are divided into six unique categories, some with uses beyond merely dealing damage. Determining when and where to equip each kind will prove the key to success on your quest.

・Magic

From restoring lost HP or removing various ailments, to rendering foes incapacitated or dealing deadly blows, there are eight different spells for almost any occasion.

・Obstacles

Bloodthirsty enemies are not the only things standing in the way of completing your quest. You will need both tools and your wits to overcome the many challenges encountered in the world of Mana, ranging from locked doors to hidden rooms to traps growing progressively more complex as the game progresses.


Ratings & Reviews

4.1 out of 5 with 101 Counts
Age Rating 9+

Screenshots

Adventures of Mana screenshot 1Adventures of Mana screenshot 2Adventures of Mana screenshot 3Adventures of Mana screenshot 4Adventures of Mana screenshot 5Adventures of Mana screenshot 6Adventures of Mana screenshot 7Adventures of Mana screenshot 8Adventures of Mana screenshot 9Adventures of Mana screenshot 10Adventures of Mana screenshot 11Adventures of Mana screenshot 12Adventures of Mana screenshot 13Adventures of Mana screenshot 14Adventures of Mana screenshot 15Adventures of Mana screenshot 16

Adventures of Mana brings the origin story of the acclaimed Mana series to life with updated graphics and controls. Players take on the role of a young hero destined to stop the Dark Lord from seizing the power of the Tree of Mana. The game features a free-movement combat system where players can swap between various weapons and magic spells on the fly. Explore a vast world map, conquer challenging dungeons, and solve environmental puzzles using unique weapon abilities. With its revamped visuals and a rearranged soundtrack by original composer Kenji Ito, it offers a definitive way to experience a legendary journey.

Features

1

Stunning 3D graphics reimagining the Game Boy classic

2

Fluid real-time action combat system

3

Diverse weapon types including swords, axes, and morning stars

4

Classic Ring Command menu for easy item management

5

Rearranged soundtrack by legendary composer Kenji Ito

Tips

Promotion Videos

Adventures of Mana – Trailer - YouTube

Related Videos

Recommended Links

Square Enix Mana Site

Official site for the Mana series.

Official

News on this game

ADVENTURE AWAITS IN VISIONS OF MANA – AVAILABLE NOW

LOS ANGELES (Aug. 29, 2024) – Today, SQUARE ENIX<sup>�</sup> released Visions of Mana<sup>™</sup>, the first mainline installment in the Mana series in more than 15...

Square Enix press site - Sun Apr 13 2025

This Classic JRPG Franchise is One of Square Enix's Most Imaginative Series Ever

From its early days on the Game Boy to today's consoles, the Mana series has been one of the best action RPG series to date.

Comic Book Resources - Wed Aug 13 2025

Adventures of Mana Review

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RPG Site - Thu Oct 13 2016

Square Enix Launches Remake of ‘Adventures of Mana’ for iOS [VIDEO]

Square Enix has today announced the release of Adventures of Mana for iOS, a remake of the first game in the Mana series originally released back in 1991.

iPhone in Canada - Tue Sep 13 2016

Best Mana Games

Secret of Mana solidified Seiken Densetsu as an all-time great franchise and Dawn of Mana ruined the series' good reputation.

Game Rant - Mon Apr 13 2020

Final Fantasy Adventure Remake Adventures of Mana Now on PS Vita

While Adventures of Mana boasts improved visuals, reworked menus and a rearranged soundtrack from Final Fantasy Adventure composer Kenji Ito,...

IGN - Mon Feb 13 2017

‘Final Fantasy Adventure’ was everything I hoped for 25 years later

25 years after its release, Final Fantasy Adventure (the first game in the Secret of Mana series) is still an effective RPG.

Engadget - Wed Jan 13 2021

Adventures of Mana review for PS Vita

Platform: PS Vita Publisher: Square Enix Developer: Square Enix Medium: Digital Players: 1. Online: No ESRB: E10+. Despite the fact I've been gaming for...

Gaming Age - Sun Sep 13 2020

Collection of Mana Physical Edition Out Now

The physical edition of Collection of Mana is now available for the Nintendo Switch. At E3, Square Enix announced that the collection would include the first...

RPGamer - Mon Apr 13 2020

'Adventures of Mana' Releases Today on PS Vita

Quietly released, but that's no reason to ignore it. Having launched on iOS and Android a few months ago, Sqaure Enix has announced that...

High Def Digest - Mon Feb 13 2017

Gameplays

Q&A

Yes, it is a full 3D remake of 'Final Fantasy Adventure', which was the first game in the Mana series.

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