Manafinder from Wolfsden LLC is a traditional turn-based RPG inspired by classic roleplaying games from the past. Here you follow Lambda, an exiled warrior from the great Manahill. Now without the protection afforded by the Manastones, Lambda must learn the skills necessary to survive in the dangerous wilds of Aevi, a land ridden with ferocious and magical beasts. Fortunately, after crossing paths with a group of like minded exiles known as the Manafinder, whose sole purpose is to gather the Manastones that power their protective barrier, Lambda has found a new purpose. Not only to create a more sustainable life in this new found home, but also fortify and reinforce the safety of future generations! How it all plays out however, is up to you.
I’m a long time RPG fan, but over the years my interest in playing them has waned a bit. For a variety of reasons really, but typically it’s due to their length. It’s tough sometimes to dedicate so much time to a single game when, you know, you’re trying to publish new and fresh content on a regular basis. So, when I came across Manafinder, a game inspired by classic RPGs but one that supposedly required a fraction of the time investment required by games typically found in this genre, I was intrigued! I’ve been hankering for a good RPG where I could kick back, chill, and maybe grind a few levels here and there. You know, without having to worry that starting it would be a long time commitment.
Plus, it helped that the game seemed bespoke, thoughtful in its design, and had its own identity which I truly appreciated. Needless to say, I was very much looking forward to seeing what Wolfsden was able to put together.
One of the biggest draws, for me, when playing an RPG is the spectacle usually associated with them. From the graphics to the music, it always creates an immersive experience that you can easily get lost in. Manafinder, although not perfect in that regard, had a lot of charm that made me want to keep playing hour after hour. The pixel art was fun and reminded me of playing some of my favorite RPGs from when I was younger. Oddly enough specifically on the Sega Genesis. The simplicity of the graphics were pleasing, and the variety of styles within the environments were especially impressive. Where the game really stood out however was its in-battle enemy/boss designs, which were big, bold, and absolutely stunning! It made it exciting to reach new areas just so you could see what bizarre monsters you’ll be encountering. Oh, and I can’t forget the awe inspiring cutscenes which really added impact to the pinnacle moments of the story. Unfortunately, the same can’t really be said about the soundtrack. Which in its own right, has some catchy tunes, but for the most part felt a bit cacophonous.
Aside from its length, what I felt made Manafinder unique and compelling to play, was its battle, leveling, and equipment systems. Which if I was to sum them all up into a single statement, I’d say it felt balanced. Never did it feel grindy, or monotonous, nor did I ever feel like I was slogging through an onslaught of fodder enemies just to get to the next story beat. The fact that Manafinder doesn’t have random battles helps a lot, but it’s also that the enemies and bosses are never too hard, nor are they too easy. As long as you’ve not been skipping every enemy and side quest along the way, you should be at just the right level to handle most everything the game throws at you. I also really like the equipment system. Specifically how it handles weapons. Instead of having to swap weapons as you get further in the game, the weapons you acquire become “abilities” you can use in battle. Each with their own strengths and weaknesses, which will align with the strengths and weaknesses of the creatures you’ll encounter. For example, your bow will be strong against enemies that fly, but terrible at defeating heavily armored brutes. They can also be upgraded through completing side quests, which is a fun way to make it feel like you’re getting stronger the further you get in the game.
Which leads me to the namesake of the game, playing as a Manafinder. A great gimmick to propel the story forward since your goal is to explore the far reaches of Aevi to find Manastone stashes, but it’s also the instrument with which you utilize your Magic. The big stashes may be for the story, but the small ones you find along your way will be used like MP and can be spent to cast the variety of spells you’ll acquire. There’s also a big emphasis on collecting elemental stones used to imbue your attacks (and defense) with elemental affinities. Which added a nice layer of strategy to each fight and you try to discern the strengths and weaknesses of the foes you’ll be facing. It becomes especially useful during the optional hunts and the stronger than normal bosses associated with them.
What I liked most about all of these things was how everything played well together and made the experience feel concise, flexible, and dynamic. Things not all RPGs can attain. The only thing I felt that fought that, to a small degree, was that you really only controlled one character during battle. In a party of two. Meaning if I needed to heal, Lambda was the only one who could do it. Which cost a turn, and ultimately could lead to one of my most dreaded RPG quirks - the damage/heal loop. Then there was your dog, Scar. Who was cute AF, but could only follow simple commands like targeting the enemy I’m attacking or to always defend. Which meant for the most part it didn’t really contribute to the battles, short of distracting the enemy while I was trying to heal up. Though I will say, Scar did come in clutch a few times and won an intense fight after Lambda had already perished.
Sometimes RPGs can be a tough sell for those who aren’t entrenched in the cadence of playing 80+ hour games, but what Manafinder does right is that it condenses what makes those types of games fun into a much more digestible package. It throws a lot of the fluff out the window and leaves you with a concise and enjoyable game to play, that gets right to the good stuff. It was nice tackling side quests, without encountering the “what the heck was I doing moments” when I got back to the story. All because nothing ever felt like it took too much time, nor was I ever overwhelmed with choice. I could pick at either the story or the side quests at any time, and still feel like I was making a good amount of progress on both ends.
That’s really just half of what made Manafinder good. The other half was its characteristic and fresh take on traditional RPG mechanics like leveling up, equipment, abilities, and magic. Which took it from a good game, to a great game. Top that off with a distinctly alluring story, and you got yourself a must play game. Especially if you're an RPG fan looking for something different.
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