Ryushikaze
Deus Admiral Parsimonious, PHD, DDS, MD, JD, OBE
- AKA
- Tim, Ryu
Secret of Mana?
Secret of Mana is a Squaresoft game released in 1993 after its original development had to be halted because the system it was intended to be for- the Nintendo Playstation- was cancelled. Specifically, it was one half of a game that was to be developed as a release title for the machine. One half became this game, and the the other half became Crono Trigger, which might explain a lot of superficially similar elements, like the looks of the main characters, same screen battles, and the like.
The game is also the second in the Seiken Densetsu or Mana series of adventure games, the first being released for Gameboy, and known as Final Fantasy Adventure in the states. It's a gorgeous game with a pretty good plot, somewhat hampered by hardware limitations meaning the translation was seriously reduced in content and detail. Such was the way of things in the early 90s. The basic premise is that you're a young boy who finds a sword, gets thrown in on an adventure, and has to save the world. It's more complicated, but no need to get into that just yet.
This Commercial is a pretty good example of the 90s too
As a Cooperative Action RPG, it's a great game to make a friend stumble around quasi-blind in. So that's what I'm doing.
Quasi-Blind? Co-Op
So, one of the niftiest things about this game is that it supports up to three player simultaneous play. I'm playing the game with my good friend QB, who never got to play it growing up, and we are keeping her blind on most plot details until they come up. She's not looking anything up, and I'm not telling her anything if I can help it. I have played the game the whole way through a few times, but my last full playthrough was around a decade ago, and I'm not checking guides for directions, enemy stats, or anything. I'm going purely on memory. Sort of the one eyed man leading the blind. This is also going to be the first playthrough that I've done co-op start to finish. That might make it easier, or harder. We'll see.
So what are we in for?
QB and I are playing the game together, and recording our commentary as we play. I'm going to split our recordings up as naturally as I can into digestible videos for your enjoyment. We might get a third person in later to play, but that's up in the air.
For this first three episodes, our Microphone Audio occasionally gets overwhelmed by in game audio, which I could not change due to a screwup in the recording phase. In a few others, our records suffer from unusual errors, like recording zero system audio, or the introduction of random distortion into our audio channels that has no apparent cause. Please bear with us as best you can.
Spoilers
I know the plot, and QB doesn't check SA, but please put spoilers behind tags in case I decide to show her the thread. You can also freely discuss the rest of the series without tags, just leave upcoming plot/ boss details in the tags for now.
Schedule
We're going through the game at a fairly brisk pace- we're through Undine's trial as of this post- and I'll try and post updates twice a week. That might go up or down depending on job schedules.
Important Characters
The Boy, AKA Randi- This dude is the main character, he fights with a sword to start. As main character, he just gets weapons. That's it. But his physical stats make him a tank and he gets weapon experience super quickly. His reasons for adventuring are "A sword/ Old Man/ Luka told me to" AKA: I got kicked out of town and have nothing better to do. QB is going to be manning him for the game unless circumstances arise such that the boy isn't available in combat, due to being dead or what not.
The Girl, AKA: Primm. Or Purim. Either/ Or- A noble of Pandora, her motivation for joining the quest is essentially "My boyfriend needs help." I'm not boiling this down. He stated goal is to give needed assistance to Dyluck, who we have met with a group of men attempting to lead an assault on the forest witch's manor. Her starting weapon is the Brass Knuckle, and she's actually the well rounded character stats wise, doing alright in both physical and magical fights, though she doesn't have much in the way of attack magic, being as she's the healer/ support bot. She does get a couple of really good attack spells later, though, and her healing and support NEVER stop being useful after you get them.
I'm going to be the one in control of her throughout the game.
The Sprite, AKA: Popoi- this young forest child- referred to as a he several points in the dub, but of deliberately vague gender in the original- is the game's Black mage. Possessing almost all of the game's offensive magic and the magical stats to back it up, the sprite unfortunately has the physical stats to reflect that role as well, and so it will fall over in a stiff breeze if you don't keep it well away from the fight and an eye on its HP. It can trivialize boss fights if you have the MP and let it go wild.
The Sprite, when you meet it, has lost its memory after being literally washed from its former home during a flood, and is acting as a con-man with the dwarf elder in their village. After you catch the duo talking about their scheme, the sprite joins your party in the hopes of regaining its lost memories and finding its way home.
Our Sprite is named after someone who may or may not be joining us in future recordings.
Watts- AKA: Your best damn friend- Watts here isn't a playable character, but he is a Densetsu series staple, the equivalent of Cid, as it were. He's always a blacksmith, and you usually need his help in some way to proceed. In Secret of Mana, that comes in the form of the Rock breaker Axe that lets you progress through the forest, but Watt's real purpose is to be your one stop shop for all things weapons, letting you upgrade the weapons on your ring with the Orbs taken from felled bosses, not only making them stronger, but allowing you to level them up further and charge them with extra power. He's also pretty chill about pretty much everything. Watts is a pretty cool dude.
This is Flammie, last of the white dragons. He's related to the purplish dragons flying around the seasons forest, but he's a slightly different breed. He's also a baby, despite being the same size as them, and not yet ready to fly. He is adorable and he's being raised by King Truffles. That is all.
Weapon and Magic Overviews-
Magic Overview #1- Covers the first three magic types.
Magic Overview #2- Introducing the fire Spirit Salamand
Secret of Mana Weapons Roster Part 1- All the shit we have so far! All the weapons we've seen up through episode 30.
I'll add more here as episodes go on.
Playlist
Episode 00- The Opening
Episode 01- None of the Work, All of the Credit
Episode 02- Such a Pretty Name for a Girl
Episode 03- Does no one want me?
Episode 04- Punch McMans!
Episode 05- Low Rent Strongbad
Episode 06 - When was our last save point, again?
Episode 07- More Issues than X-men
Episode 08- "Run, Run!" "I'm Trying!"
Episode 09- Watts has a Sweet Ass
Episode 10- Puns Sans Frontières
Episode 11- The Dark Souls of Super Nintendo
Episode 12- Abandon all skill, Ye who enter here!
Episode 13- Moonwalkin' for the Win.
Episode 14- Okay, Sailor Moon Guy
Episode 15- Die, Tomato Man!
Episode 16- Remember when we were talking about your Fursona?
Episode 17- Three fire emojis out of Five
Episode 18- A Fishy! Kill it...
Episode 19- Why can't I equip Trash Can?
Episode 20- I'm going in a circle, you Asshole!
Episode 21- Happy Friendly Mushroom Land
Episode 22- It has a Scenic Vista
Episode 23- Are we about to get wrecked by another fucking boss?
Episode 24- I'mma grind offscreen
Episode 25- Throw the Icebox into the Trash
Episode 26- How does a Dog know Magic?
Episode 27- 'Die Monster!' 'You don't belong in this world...'
Episode 28- Trajectories aren't SCIENCE, Tim!
Episode 29- I like Fiery Death more, but Okay
Episode 30- Mana Seeds Ruin Christmas
Episode 31- That Wood Paneling is so Sexy
Last edited:
.png)
.png)
.png)
