Pressing the main attack button automatically targeted the nearest enemy, while the upper-left of the screen allowed the player to swap party members, enabling the use of alternate weapons and builds.

Eventually, it is revealed that the player was actually working for an impostor Goddess, Dema, and unknowingly assisted in gathering power for her.

Dema was manipulated by Anise, a recurring villainess of numerous Mana games, into believing she deserved to become Goddess.

[7] John Friscia of The Escapist called the game's aesthetics "immaculate", and the music "a delight to hear", but described the story as simply "a parade of cute but vapid interactions".

[8] Scott Clay of RPGFan praised Echoes of Mana's visuals and sound, calling its animations "fluid" and its story "decent", but heavily criticized the gacha business model as "horrid".

Describing it as "unfair" and "almost predatory", he noted the lack of free daily attempts to unlock characters, or pulls, calling it "pretty much unheard-of".

[9] He also criticized "forced and broken co-op" and "rampant cheating" in ranked events as hurting the game's appeal.

[9] Bloomberg News alleged Square Enix had a run of erratic quality releases in 2021–2023, with several mobile titles "rushed out the door and then shut down in a year or so" including Echoes of Mana, Bravely Default: Brilliant Lights, and others.