While incorporating action role-playing game elements from the three games
which preceded it, Legend of Mana has its own distinct style of gameplay. Most notably,
it gives the player the ability to shape the game's world of Fa'Diel
according to his or her desires, a system which was incorporated through the use of
"artifacts," which are gained as the player progresses through the game.
The player uses the artifacts to create different towns, dungeons, etc., called
"Lands", to venture to and explore. This creates a non-linear gameplay,
since the game is driven by a series of what would be considered side-quests in other
games. Legend of Mana features three different plots which can occur simultaneously, and
which do not necessarily need to be completed for the player to finish the game.Legend
of Mana was a financial success in Japan. While the game garnered considerable praise
for its graphics and presentation, many critics and fans were turned off by the
game's lack of a main storyline.
