" Too bad they don't make a strategy guide for dating. "

   Title: Legend of Mana Official Strategy Guide by Brady Games

   Format: PSX Hint Book

   Reviewing Monkey: The Goodyear Chimp

   The Hype: : "Full-color area maps!" That they are...that they are.

      What This Monkey Thought...

   Layout: With the content broken down into a nice chapter format complemented by huge appendices and a comprehensive contents page, you won't have trouble finding the information you need. There's nothing revolutionary here, just common sense organization. The attempt at an "Event Flowchart" doesn't flow as smoothly as I'd like but it's hard to score a strategy guide for a non-linear game. 4 out of 5

   Usefulness: In order to use up the allotted number of puns for this review, it must be said that this guide is like manna from heaven. Once you've reached the point where you desire a strategy guide, you'll be glad you reached out for this one; especially when it comes to the aspects of the game which allow you to manufacture your own items. There are over fifty-five raw materials with which to make twenty-five or so weapons, instruments, and pieces of armor. The charts detailing the results you'll achieve will save you huge chunks of time over experimentation. In addition, the guide tells you which responses you should give when talking to characters to achieve the best outcomes. Too bad they don't make a strategy guide for dating. 5 out of 5

   Desired Content: Having recently seen the sad and sporadically informational Final Fantasy IX strategy guide, I can count Legend of Mana players as lucky. While Brady and Square are busy testing out their pathetic "get more off the website" concept on the Fantasy audience, Mana gamers get a full bestiary with weaknesses, items, and locations. There are pages and pages of "full-color area maps!" Each scene and event is walked through itty step by bitty step. Charts, graphs, appendices up the hoohah, and an introduction that's even better than the game's manual are all part of a book that shows what role playing game guides should be like. 5 out of 5

   Accuracy: It probably helps your accuracy a little to work with the guys at Square when making a guide for their game. When the authors thank the QA Mana Team, you know it's going to be on the money (even down to the unadvertised bonuses). 5 out of 5

   The Verdict:

       Bwahahaha! It is mighty mana! Pick it up. You know you need it. After all...You suck.

   The Good: Fatty charts and graphs plus "full-color area maps!"

   The Bad: The "Event Flowchart" looks like an unwound spool of yarn.

   The Overall Ugly: "Sweet Moai-a sweet potato shaped like a Moai. It's pretty tasty, actually."

   What it's Worth: Whatever they're charging.