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Visions of Mana launched on August 29, 2024, to generally favorable review aggregates. On the same day, Bloomberg reported that NetEase planned to close Ouka Studios, the game’s developer. Those are two separate developments: the available reporting does not show that the game’s reviews or sales caused the reported plan.
How Visions of Mana was received
Square Enix released Visions of Mana on August 29, 2024, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam. The publisher described it as the first mainline Mana installment in more than 15 years. Square Enix’s release announcement also framed the game as a new story with new characters and gameplay mechanics.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Visions of Mana - Amazon Exclusive Edition (XSX) | $24.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Visions of Mana | $34.76 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Visions of Mana | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Measure | Displayed result | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| Metacritic, PS5 | 75 Metascore from 65 critic reviews; “Generally Favorable” | Critic-review aggregate. Metacritic also displayed an 8.1 user score from 319 ratings. Metacritic’s listing |
| Steam | 80% positive from 1,151 English-language reviews; “Very Positive” | Steam user-review snapshot, not a critic aggregate. Steam’s listing |
These are platform-specific snapshots, not a verdict shared by every reviewer or player. Metacritic’s figures are for its PS5 page; Steam’s measure counts English-language reviews on Steam. Both pages can change over time, so the figures should be read as displayed when consulted, not as permanent totals.
What was reported about Ouka Studios
On August 29, 2024—the game’s release day—Gematsu relayed Bloomberg’s report that NetEase had cut all but a handful of jobs at Tokyo-based Ouka Studios and planned to close the studio. Bloomberg’s information was attributed to people familiar with the matter. Ouka had developed Visions of Mana under contract for Square Enix.
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- Immerse yourself in the vibrant graphics of this beautiful world, where the powers of nature blend with the elemental aspects of mana to create a rich tapestry of life.
- Journey through enchanting locations with near-seamless transitions in a semi-open field that’s yours to discover.
- Brace yourself for fast-paced, multi-dimensional actions in battle to enrich your fighting experience.
- Use the magic of the Elementals to explore this vast world to your heart's content!
- The Visions of Mana Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a bonus sticker set (inside the case).
NetEase did not publicly confirm a completed closure in the account. Its response, as reported by Gematsu, was that it had “nothing to announce” regarding a potential closure and that it was seeing progress at the Japanese studios in which it had invested. Gematsu’s August 29 report therefore describes a reported plan, not a formal public closure announcement from NetEase.
What the later reporting establishes—and what it does not
A December 26, 2024, report by TechNode said Ouka’s official website had been shut down, which is consistent with the studio winding down. That report does not establish a precise legal dissolution date. Nor does the available reporting connect the reported closure plan to Visions of Mana’s review scores or sales. No sourced sales figure or causal explanation is established here.
Rank #2
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant graphics of this beautiful world
- Journey through enchanting locations with near-seamless transitions in a semi-open field that’s yours to discover
- Brace yourself for fast-paced, multi-dimensional actions in battle to enrich your fighting experience.
The distinction matters: favorable reception does not prove commercial success, and a launch-day report about a planned closure does not by itself document when a company was legally dissolved. TechNode’s account is available in its December 26, 2024 report.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Square Enix said about the game
In its release announcement, Square Enix quoted Mana Series Producer Masaru Oyamada and his team describing their aim as building on the series’ history while offering a fresh experience. Oyamada said they had incorporated what they learned from the previous 17 Mana games to make Visions of Mana a faithful addition with a new story, characters, and gameplay mechanics. That is the publisher’s account of the creative goal, distinct from the review aggregates above.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant graphics of this beautiful world
- Journey through enchanting locations with near-seamless transitions in a semi-open field that’s yours to discover
- Brace yourself for fast-paced, multi-dimensional actions in battle to enrich your fighting experience.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
