Visions of Mana Doesn’t Have Co-op Multiplayer, Could Receive it in the Future

The upcoming action RPG from Square Enix, "Visions of Mana," is generating excitement as the latest installment in the well-established series. The game follows the character Val as he joins Hinna on a journey to the Tree of Mana. It features combat that utilizes Elemental Vessels, allowing players to access various abilities and classes. Despite these innovations, the game will notably lack one of the series' hallmark features: cooperative multiplayer gameplay.

Co-op multiplayer has been an integral part of the Mana series since its incorporation in 1993's "Secret of Mana." This element was highly praised for its ability to enhance the gaming experience by allowing multiple players to explore and progress together. Masaru Oyamada, the game's producer, acknowledged the significance of co-op in an interview with PC Gamer and revealed that it was a topic of consideration during the initial planning stages of "Visions of Mana."

According to Oyamada, while the team was eager to revisit the cooperative aspect, they encountered challenges related to the game's design and pacing that co-op play might disrupt. Despite these obstacles, Oyamada affirmed his appreciation for the shared gaming experiences and expressed hope that overcoming these technical difficulties could pave the way for reintroducing co-op features in future iterations of the series.

Additionally, Oyamada mentioned "Trials of Mana," the 2020 remake that also lacked co-op, as a foundational influence for the development of "Visions of Mana." Despite the absence of co-op in the remake, Oyamada is optimistic about exploring this feature for "Visions of Mana" after addressing the technical challenges.

As "Visions of Mana" gears up for its release on Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC this Summer, it promises to deliver an extensive content volume, possibly the largest in the series to date. Fans can look forward to an engaging solo adventure even as they anticipate the potential return of co-op gameplay in the future.