Long ago, the world
was a void of darkness.
Then, a giant tree
appeared from nowhere,
and from its roots,
the world was born.
This was the Tree of Mana.
Dawn of Mana
Details
| Developer | Square Enix |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Genre | Action-Adventure |
| Players | 1 |
| Platform | PlayStation 2 |
| JP | 21 Dec 2006 |
| US | 22 May 2007 |
Seiken Densetsu 4, known as Dawn of Mana in North America, is the first 3D entry in the main Mana series. Released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006 (Japan) and 2007 (North America), it serves as a prequel to the entire series, detailing the origins of the Mana Tree and the Sword of Mana.
Unlike previous entries that focused on Action-RPG elements, Dawn of Mana leans more towards Action-Adventure. It introduced the "Havok" physics engine to the series, allowing players to interact with the environment in unique ways, such as throwing objects to startle enemies (the "Panic" system).
The story follows Keldric, a young man from the village of Illusia, and his fairy companion Faye. Together, they must protect their world from the invading forces of the Lorimar Empire and prevent the corruption of the Mana Tree.
While the game received mixed reviews for its departure from traditional series mechanics and its linear stage structure, it remains a significant chapter in Mana lore, featuring beautiful cinematic presentation and a score by series veteran Kenji Ito along with other notable composers.