Sword of Mana

 Game Boy Advance
Sword of Mana Image
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

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  • Summary: Fans of Secret of Mana have waited over ten years for a successor to Square's SNES role-playing game, and now it's here. Sword of Mana shares the art style and action-oriented gameplay of its predecessor, but boasts a huge game environment, a new gripping storyline, and a deep class andFans of Secret of Mana have waited over ten years for a successor to Square's SNES role-playing game, and now it's here. Sword of Mana shares the art style and action-oriented gameplay of its predecessor, but boasts a huge game environment, a new gripping storyline, and a deep class and upgrade system. You'll choose between playing a man or a female hero and slay enemies to upgrade your abilities. Sword of Mana blends its fast action and depth with classic RPG style and fun.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Nintendo Power
    98
    Stakes its claim as one of the best free-roaming action adventures of the year...Deep and compelling. It lives up to its legacy. [Jan 2004, p.157]
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  2. NintendoWorldReport
    85
    Certainly one of the top RPGs on Game Boy Advance. It shines most in its subtleties, but unfortunately those are all too easy for many players to miss.
  3. GamePro
    80
    One of the biggest drawbacks of Mana is the story. Any RPG—especially any RPG made in this day and age—had better have a great story if it’s going to keep your attention. But Mana’s tale is lacking conflict, its characters are dull, and its towns are full of…well, not all that much interesting.
  4. Play Magazine
    75
    The lack of multiplayer is especially rough since your AI partners have all the intelligence of your average oak tree. [Jan 2004, p.74]
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  5. Cheat Code Central
    70
    Makes a great entry-level gateway for the uninitiated while offering veterans a breath of fresh air from their stuffy, convoluted, multi-layered, overly complex next-gen games.
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  6. netjak
    62
    If you’re willing to take a bit of a downgrade in control and gamble with a bit of frustration in exchange for a terrifically paced story that unfolds in just the right way.
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  7. games(TM)
    50
    Maybe it's the rather lacklustre music, the numerous side-quests that feel more bolted on than they should, or the forehead-slappingly stupid AI of the enemies and your companion, but the whole experience feels decidedly flat at times; not a good sign for a game that's supposed to absorb you into its world. [Jan 2004, p.117]
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See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. LastResource
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this spin off game in the series.
  2. GarretY.
    Dec 17, 2003
    10
    Sword of mana kicks A$$.
  4. sAsHidelR.
    Sep 9, 2004
    10
    This game rocks!!!!
  5. [Anonymous]
    Nov 18, 2003
    9
    The usual square RPG fun.
  6. C.K.
    Dec 2, 2003
    9
    Its the remake of the game boy game Seiken Densetsu... (Final Fantasy Adventure in the US)... it is the same basic story, just enhanced.
  7. Yojimbo2015
    May 6, 2023
    7
    Pretty but very wordy arcade RPG. As ever, it's good but not as good as Zelda or Final Fantasy.
  8. Sami
    Aug 14, 2005
    3
    Sword of Mana is a far cry from Final Fantasy Adventure and Secret of Mana. First of all, for a portable game, Sword of Mana is the most Sword of Mana is a far cry from Final Fantasy Adventure and Secret of Mana. First of all, for a portable game, Sword of Mana is the most unportable game I've played. Save spots (yes, they actually _downgraded_ the save system) are nigh, and you might well be reading a very slowly drawn out plotscene for 15 minutes, then battle for half an hour before finding a save spot. In a portable game, this is simply ridiculous. In addition, the menu system is completely horrendous, with important choices hidden under a layer of menus, and several options which should be presented together strewn in completely different parts of the menu tree. Simply everything in the game is lacking, from characters to plot to music to control to the ridiculous weapon upgrade system. Do yourself a favor: instead of Sword of Mana, search the original Final Fantasy Adventure. The 10-year old classic is leaps and bounds ahead of its remake.… Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
17
#17 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
15
#15 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2003