Sounds of Adventure: Why Everyone Should Play Manamon 2

Audio games have long ceased to be a niche hobby accessible only to a small group of enthusiasts. Today, they represent a full-fledged industry where each new title or series creates its own cultural footprint. Manamon 2 by VGStorm is a vivid example of how a project once conceived as an “audio alternative to Pokémon” has evolved into an original franchise. If the first installment served as proof of concept, the sequel has become a mature and confident product capable of engaging players for dozens of hours.

Briefly about the plot

In the center of the story is a young hero who begins his journey in a new region full of uncharted places and dangers. From the very first steps, the player is made aware: this is not just a fairy tale about collecting creatures, but a story of a struggle between so-called forces of light and darkness, with the fate of an entire world at stake.

The plot is presented in the spirit of classic RPGs: traveling through towns and villages, meeting charismatic characters, and gradually uncovering a global conflict. The game also leaves room for political intrigue and tragic moments. Thanks to unexpected twists and well-written dialogue, the story never lets the player get bored.

Gameplay

The foundation of the gameplay remains true to tradition: the player catches Manamon, builds a battle team from them, and fights in turn-based battles. But in the second installment, the system has grown richer.

• More creatures: over 300 unique Manamon with different types, evolutions, and strategic options.
• Battles: turn-based combat demands careful decision-making — skills, combinations, and type synergy play a crucial role.
• Exploring the world: the player navigates solely through audio cues. Footsteps, surface changes, NPC hints, the familiar wall and passage voice prompts from the first game, and sounds of nature help construct a full mental map.
• Progression: as the journey unfolds, the team gains levels, new abilities, and evolutions. Even the weakest creatures can shine with the right tactics.
• The game rewards exploration and patience: side quests, hidden areas, and unique Manamon make every new dive into the world unlike the previous one.

Sound Design

Sound is the foundation of everything in Manamon 2. The game is literally painted with audio effects.

Locations are filled with unique sounds: in the forest, you hear birds and rustling leaves, in caves, the dripping of water and echoing footsteps, and in town, the bustle of human voices.

The music has grown richer compared to the first game. It sets the mood — from light melodies during exploration to tense compositions in boss battles.

In combat, the system of audio signals is perfectly designed: every skill and every effect has a recognizable sonic fingerprint. This allows players to think tactically while relying entirely on hearing.

The sound palette makes the game truly cinematic: battles feel like those of a big-budget JRPG, while story scenes — despite being text-based — are supported with strong audio design.

Comparison with the first Manamon game

See the review of the first Manamon for reference. While the original felt like a trial run in the creature-collecting RPG genre, Manamon 2 stands as a mature realization of the idea. So what has changed:

• The number of creatures and tactical variety has increased dramatically.
• The story has become more complex, more dramatic, and richer in characters.
• Battles are more balanced, and progression feels smoother.
• The soundtrack and audio design have gained depth and scale comparable to full-scale RPGs.

Audience and Cultural Significance

The Manamon series has become something of a cultural phenomenon in the world of audio games. For the English-speaking community of blind players, it filled a niche that for years had been occupied only by text-based MUDs and simple audio arcades. Here, however, we have a fully-fledged RPG with mechanics on par with its visual counterparts.

What is especially important is that Manamon 2 attracted not only blind players. More and more sighted RPG fans are trying out the series precisely for the unusual experience: playing while relying solely on hearing is a new level of immersion. For many, it is both a challenge and a way to see a familiar genre from a completely different perspective.

The game also serves an important social function: it demonstrates that projects for blind audiences do not have to be “lightweight versions” of mainstream games, but can stand as independent, deep, and competitive products. In this sense, Manamon 2 can be called a kind of calling card for the industry, showcasing its potential to a wider audience.

Thanks to its accessibility, wealth of content, and genuine devotion to RPG traditions, the game has become a cornerstone for the further development of the genre. Many modern audio game developers directly or indirectly look to the standards set by VGStorm.

My Verdict

Manamon 2 is not just a sequel, but a new benchmark for audio games. A deep combat system, a well-crafted story, emotional sound design, and a sense of exploration freedom make it one of the strongest projects in its niche. For blind players, it is a full-fledged RPG without compromises. For sighted players, it is a unique experience proving that games can be truly captivating even without graphics.