Square Enix has given gamers an unexpected gift: the company has removed Denuvo anti-piracy protection from its recently released JRPG, Visions of Mana. The update was announced without much fanfare, but eagle-eyed players have noticed that the latest PC version of the game no longer requires the controversial DRM.
Initial Release and Community Reaction
Visions of Mana, which was released in August 2024, initially included Denuvo, which caused some community outrage due to potential performance issues and the need for a constant internet connection. Now, several months later, Square Enix has decided to meet fans halfway—or simply realized that the protection had already served its purpose of combating piracy at launch.
Changes After the Removal of Denuvo
Users of Steam and other platforms have already noted that the game has become “easier to breathe” without Denuvo, although there is no official data on the FPS increase yet. This is not the first time that Square Enix has removed Denuvo from its games after the fact. It seems that the company is following the strategy of “protection at the start, freedom later.”
Accolades and Future Expectations
Fans are hopeful that this will become a tradition and are wondering what other surprises the publisher has in store. The community has welcomed this update, and some are even considering revisiting the game to experience it without the limitations imposed by Denuvo.
Accolades Trailer
Visions of Mana | Accolades Trailer Visions of Mana | Accolades Trailer
Final Thoughts
Despite the initial controversy, the removal of Denuvo has been positively received by the gaming community. This move by Square Enix may set a precedent for other developers to reconsider their use of DRM in future releases, balancing the need for piracy protection with performance and player experience.
