Summary
Fans of theManaseries have been immersing themselves in the latest title in the series,Visions Of Mana, the first new story in the franchise in a decade. The action RPG series has been around since the mid-1990s and has maintained a loyal following thanks to its combination of memorable characters, gorgeous scenery, epic battles, and powerful storytelling.
Visions Of Manabrings with ita new cast of characters, and the player has five different individuals to choose from. As with many titles in theManaseries, there’s plenty of depth when considering who to play as,what class, and what party formation works best. Here, then, is a breakdown of the best playable characters, ranked by overall ability.
5Julei
Kind-Heardted Wood Sprite And Healer
As a sproutling from Verdeus Borough whose life’s purpose is to help and support others, Julei is the ideal party healer. In addition to his upbeat nature, he also has a nurturing personality and acts as the emotional backbone of the party as he is not as combat-fixated as some of his team-mates. He is there to keep the party alive in whatever situation it faces and his spells can often be crucial in helping to vanquish the tougher foes.
The downside is that as the healer, he is not always so effective in battle-intensive scenarios, and if he is in harm’s way and badly hurt it could spell disaster. The best use for him is to provide ranged attacks from a distance so that he is much better placed to conjure up a healing spell when the party is in trouble. He is also exceptional at fending off dark magic attacks, particularly useful in the latter parts of the game when foes fight dirty.
4Careena
A Resilient, Compassionate Wielder Of Magic
Careena’s character design, where she has only one wing, reflects her fantastical status as half-human, half-dragon. Her dragon heritage is put to good use as she is a specialist in wind magic and has a versatile skill set where she can provide buffs but also dish out major magical damage. An unfortunate accident earlier in life deprived her of her other wing but she remains a determined, curious soul who wants to experience life and see the world, no matter what has been taken from her.
She works best as a decent all-rounder who, if used correctly in a party, can be a great strategic fighter. She can use team buffs but her magic attacks can also affect groups of enemies, and her beast companion Ramcoh is invaluable for embellishing her offensive abilities. The cost of her versatility is that her defense capability is much lower and it may take a while to up her stats to the point where she is no longer vulnerable in a group.
3Palamena
A Young Queen With Heavy Responsibility And Powerful Spells
Palamena has one of the weightiest narrative arcs in the game. She is the successor to the throne of Illystana following the death of her father, and must not only attempt to forge her destiny while serving her kingdom and caring for her younger brother Iain. Providing herelementalsare used correctly, she is best placed to support the party and her trump card is a set of devastating magical attacks that stop enemies in their tracks. She also makes good use ofconsecutive casting.
Though she’s at the back, her long-ranged attacks are immensely powerful in the game. In a well-balanced party, she is able to control the field of battle almost like a team captain. Like Careena, she excels at handling groups of enemies, but unlike Careena, her attacks can annihilate the opposition. If she is too close to the action, however, her lower defensive stats mean she could be easily taken out, so she is less effective on the front line.
2Morley
A Valiant Knight With A Tragic Origin But A Fierce Heart
While he cuts a dashing figure in the game, Morley’s tragic past overshadows his heroism after a horrific disaster in childhood. In the present day, he must face his demons while also fighting alongside his comrades. Morley’s trusty katana is easilyone of the coolest weaponsin the game, and he wields it with surgical precision, making him a swift, agile all-rounder who can make short work of enemies.
But Morley isn’t just an offensive asset, as his paladin abilities mean that he can provide vital support and group protection. Best of all, his robust defensive stats mean that when he is leading the fight he is still capable of absorbing punishment. Morley represents the best of both worlds in his class; the solid offense of a tank but the lighter, more flexible skills of support. Used correctly, he can be the team’s Swiss Army Knife, good in just about any situation.
1Val
A Heavy-Hitter And Cast-Iron Hero
The young flame-haired protagonist hails from the village of Tianeea, the fire village. Fittingly, Val brings a fiery spirit to the fight and is there to support his childhood friend Hinna, the chosen Alm of Fire, as they travel the world together. Val combines loyalty and determination with bravery on the battlefield. He does his best on the front line and can inflict massive damage on enemies while maintaining a tough defensive shell.
Val is ranked best as he combines enormous strength with the ability to take hits that would knock down other party members. As such, he is the staunch protector,whatever the difficulty level, and the best person to get behind when the going gets tough. His dexterity with the Water and Light elements means he is not relegated to the status of brute and can also protect the party when needed. With the right combination of party support and magic attacks, he is the not-so-secret weapon that can change the game.
