Secret of Mana 1993

Is it still worth playing?

Square's 1993 action role playing game for the Super NES, in which three heroes try to stop an empire from using an ancient flying fortress to conquer the world. You control one of them at a time from a top down view while the computer controls the other two, or up to three players play together with the Super Multitap. Combat is in real time, with a power bar that sets attack strength, and the Ring Command menu pauses the action for items, spells and status. That ring menu was widely imitated by later games. The party grows stronger along two lines: eight weapon types can be upgraded, and eight Elemental spirits teach magic that costs magic points. Later you ride Flammie, a flying dragon, across the overworld. A party that fights beside you, alone or with friends, and a menu that pauses the action still keep fights simple to manage today.