Summary
Visions of Manamay not be as big of a title as, say,Final Fantasy 16orDragon Quest 12, but it’s still a notable release for Square Enix since it’s the first mainline installment in theManafranchise since 2006’sDawn of Manaon the PS2. Even though this beloved JRPG series has received new entries as recently as 2022, it’s largely been relegated to spin-offs, remasters, and remakes for nearly two decades. As such,Visions of Manaserves as a revival of sorts for the long-running franchise.
Barring any delays,Visions of Manais currently slated for release later this month, on August 29. As exciting as it is that it’s coming out so soon, this upcoming JRPG may be launching at an inopportune time because its release window is quite packed; so much so, in fact, that the game could end up being overshadowed by some of the bigger titles launching during the second half of the month. If this does indeed happen, then instead of being a triumphant return for theMana series,Visions of Manacould end up falling flat on its face sales-wise, regardless of its critical acclaim or lack thereof.
Visions of Mana’s August 29 Release Date Could Be to Its Detriment
The Second Half of August is Stacked When It Comes to Game Releases
When it comes to game releases, the last two weeks of August are shaping up to be some of the biggest stretches of the year yet. Roughly 9 days before the launch ofVisions of Mana, for instance, the highly-anticipated action RPGBlack Myth: Wukongis set to come out on August 20 for PlayStation 5 and PC, with an Xbox Series X/S version arriving at a later date. Meanwhile, on June 11, 2025,The War Within, the next bigexpansion for Blizzard’s long-running MMORPGWorld of Warcraft, will come out two days afterWukongin early access, whereas its full release is on August 26. As if that wasn’t enough, Sony Interactive Entertainment’sConcordis coming out a day later, on August 23, for both PS5 and PC.
Perhaps the most noteworthy release in the second half of August, though, isStar Wars Outlaws, the upcoming sci-fi action title by Ubisoft subsidiary Massive Entertainment. Billed asthe first open-worldStar Warsgame, this highly awaited title is shaping up to be one of Ubisoft’s biggest and potentially most successful launches of the year, despite the somewhat mixed reception it has received from fans so far.Star Wars Outlawscomes out on August 30, only a day after the release ofVisions of Mana.
Visions of Mana Might Fail to Meet Square Enix’s Expectations if It Gets Overshadowed
None of the games set to release in the latter half of August fall under the same genre asVisions of Mana, so they may not appeal to the same audiences. However, this upcoming JRPG could easily end up being overlooked due to the conversation being dominated by some of the other heavy-hitters in the month, likeBlack Myth: WukongandStar Wars Outlaws. This resulting in Square Enix being disappointed inVisions of Mana’s sales wouldn’t be all that surprising. After all, the Japanese publisher has often complained about its games failing to meetsales expectations, likeFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Just recently, for example, the firm stated that some of its blockbuster releases, likeFinal Fantasy 16andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, both fell below its initial projections.
A Slight Delay Could Benefit Visions of Mana
In order to lower its chances of underperforming, perhaps a late September or December release might be better forVisions of Mana, as those two periods are less crowded, at least in terms of major AAA titles. In fact, the only major games launching in thesecond half of September includeEpic Mickey: Rebrushed,Greedfall 2(in early access), andThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, among a handful of others. December, on the other hand, is devoid of big releases entirely at the time of writing. With how vacant they are compared to August, these two release windows could giveVisions of Manaa lot more breathing room than the game currently has. A delay may upset some fans, but it could be just whatthe title needs in order to reach its maximum sales potential.
Visions of Mana
WHERE TO PLAY
Visions of Mana is a brand new title in this series revolving around the sacred sword and mana. The protagonist Val and his childhood friend Hinna, the newly appointed Alm of Fire, set off on a journey to the Mana Tree.This game’s iconic vibrant and vast semi-open field contains adorable yet ferocious monsters, allowing you to enjoy swift three-dimensional battles using the power of the Elementals. Through adventures with friends met along the way, they start to see the truth about the world.Must we accept our fates?A new “Mana” tale begins here as a classic fantasy series returns to its roots.Bold graphics full of characteristic “Mana” flair. The characters journey across a vibrant world alive with spirits.Exploring the world: Explore the vast, semi-open world that stretches as far as the eye can see. Traverse the environment quickly and safely with new companions, the “Pikuls".Harness the power of the Elementals: In this game, you will fight enemies using weapons that house the power of the Elementals. Change between different classes and characters to suit your playstyle and enjoy combat that has evolved both three-dimensionally and strategically.
