Secret of Mana in Italian Magazines

January 10, 2025

Secret of Mana was not translated into Italian, but that didn’t prevent an Italian release with Ted Woolsey’s script. The game actually has a small Italian following to this day—our very own Michele di Fronzo is a fan, and pointed us in the direction of articles that appeared in Italy at the time. Italy is #7 on the list of all-time visits to Redux. Sig. di Fronzo also helped in the translation process. Our gratitude is also to Old Games Italia for their preservation of magazines.

Game Power – January 1994

SNES, 16MBIT
SQUARE
ACTION/RPG
1-3 PLAYERS
IMMINENT [RELEASE]

[picture caption] Zelda who?

Secret of Mana

Square is about to release one of the most anticipated titles of the year, at least in Japan, where the most popular genre is RPG [ManaRedux's note: SoM was released in Japan five months before this article]. Secret of Mana is a game that promises to overshadow even the legendary Legend of Zelda. The map is incredibly vast, the characters you can interact with are numerous, and the puzzles are varied and very imaginative. Magic potions, armor, and assorted weapons complete the picture. But what really makes this adventure different from all the others is the possibility of being able to play as a group of three! Don't ask me how, but it really seems that three adventurers will be able to interact simultaneously. Stay tuned for more news!

Game Power – March 1994

In the short history of console video games, there are two fundamental pillars: The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario World. Both deserved 99% on Gippi [game power rating] but today they have to deal with the inexorable passage of time. Now, Super Mario World is still waiting for another worthy challenger to [try to] snatch the title of king of platform games, but Zelda III won't be passing the baton [as the only one so far]. Many of you will think "But how? Zelda received 99% and SoM, which is better, received 96%?" Well, Zelda deserved 99% two years ago, [and] SoM today gets a stratospheric vote but not 100% (nec plus ultra), even though it's superior, because it made something that already existed sublime, and didn't bring a sensational "quantum leap" in console video games as Super Mario World and Zelda did.

Amen.

Him

Totally incompetent at the beginning of the adventure, with the accumulation of experience he gradually transforms into a true knight (even if there's not even the hint of a horse in the whole land of mana).

Her

A difficult person. As a true opportunist, she will join your group only to find her boyfriend, but she will be very useful in difficult moments thanks to her magical arts.

The other

An unrepentant troublemaker, he will instigate brawls, fights, and the occasional popular uprising at every moment of the adventure. However, he's also good with spells.

Game Power: 96%

Graphics: built in patterns, but always amazing - 9
[Music &] Sound: a mix of Medieval and Japanese-style melodies and atmosphere - 9
Gameplay: Deep, but [fun like] an arcade game at the same time - 9
Challenge: An accumulation of increasingly difficult but rewarding experiences - 10

Comment

There are a lot of good games out there for the SNES, but the truly extraordinary titles like SoM don't come around every month. In these cases, it's difficult to maintain a certain level of professionalism, as you risk getting carried away with your tone. But when a game is truly well made, there's no reason to skimp on superlatives. Secret of Mana is beautiful, currently the state-of-the-art Japanese-style RPG. If Zelda was legendary and Soul Blazer was almost at the same level, SoM surpasses them both in every way. This is a good thing since quality-based competition between titles rather than marketing campaigns means it's we the gamers who benefit the most. Gaudeamus igitur! [Let us rejoice!]

Technical Data Sheet

Title - Secret of Mana
Developer - SquareSoft
Distribution - Import
# of players - 1-3
Continues? - 4 save positions
Difficult levels - 1

Under Control

[an explanation of controls]

Act & Think

[A meter which shows that this is between taking actions, and having to think about the next action.]

Super Console – March 1994

COMMENT

This is one of the greatest RPGs in the history of mankind, with a story so compelling it will dominate your life until you solve all of the mysteries within. Secret of Mana is an absolute joy to play, and it passes the test of greatness with flying colors: you can talk about it for hours with your friends and no one ever gets tired of discussing it. That said, there's one small thing that Secret of Mana doesn't have: the pure genius behind Zelda. Remember that evil gameplay structure that had you tearing your hair out trying to find that chest that was actually in the next room? Secret of Mana has that too, but it's not as well done. That's something that Mana lacks that would put Zelda in the background. If you enjoyed Zelda, buy Secret of Mana right now, and if you're one of those people who hasn't played Zelda, buy both. It'll be expensive, but the experience will be invaluable.

YOU AND YOU WITH ME!

With the help of an adapter, three people can embark on this adventure together. Actually, that's not the exact truth, since the additional characters come into play [one by one] in the early stages of the game. Nevertheless, it's up to the player to safeguard each character [when controlling them] and decide how brave or timid they are in battle. However, if only one person is playing and therefore responsible for the entire trio, the program provides a special "attack table" with the offensive characteristics of the three.

COMMENT

With Secret of Mana, the Super NES's graphical capabilities are once again pushed to the limit. Even the magnificence of Zelda III seems moldy in comparison to the many incredible features present in this exhilarating adventure. In fact, think about how you'll justify the days you miss school or work, because it will take up a lot of your time: nothing seems important when Secret of Mana is at stake. The game structure is anything but rigid, allowing players to explore, to their delight, the beautiful worlds contained in these 16 Megs of phenomenal programming. Personally speaking, I've never played a game with such depth and atmosphere. Although I haven't managed to complete the game yet (apparently there are about 70 hours of gameplay), I'm determined to get to the end. [This is] an experience that I recommend to anyone who owns a Super NES.

First the deforestation of the Amazon forests and now this: the fate of an entire civilization that lies in the hands, or rather the branches, of a very powerful tree, the Mana Tree. This prodigious shrub acts as a guardian of peace in a remote magical land. Ultimately, the power it represents is disappearing, as the eight seeds that participate in the sustenance of Mana have fallen into the icy clutches of evil. Fortunately, the seeds are protected by powerful seals. However, if these seals were to give way under the pressure exerted by the forces of evil, the world would become a terrible place where only the scum of the earth would live. Nothing could survive! This intricately detailed RPG caused a stir when it was released in Japan, and now Westerners are faced with the exciting prospect of finding out why. The reasons are immediately obvious. Secret of Mana is the first game of its kind to use a multiplayer adapter, allowing three people to travel together. It [also] offers 16 MB of graphically stunning locations to explore, and features a wonderful storyline packed with surprises!

Developer - Squaresoft
Genre - Action/RPG
Distribution - Import
Version - American
Number of Players - 1-3

Graphics: Rich in color and brilliantly defined. A great example of the graphic capabilities of the Super NES - 92

[Music & Sound]: Not even the CD-ROM games currently available can boast such exceptional music. The sound effects are [also] captivating - 95

Playability: The gaming equivalent of a tropical island vacation, [and] the perfect cure for all winter blues. Full of surprises and priceless moments - 92

Play time: A vast and complex plot that guarantees at least 70 hours of continuous gameplay - 90

Overall: A jewel - 93