Trials of Mana Reviews
Beyond the bewildering decision to exclude multiplayer (and some truly awful characters), Trials of Mana is a very basic action RPG that might be good for kids or newcomers to the genre. Playing the game isn't unpleasant, though it puts up very little fight for experienced players. Know what you are getting into, turn your brain off (and the character voices down), and you may enjoy cruising through its very surface-level gameplay for a weekend.
At this point, the first three original Mana titles have all received remakes.
Trials of Mana is the pure definition of an AA game and that is not necessarily a criticism, not every game has to be a AAA blockbuster. Indeed, despite my grievances with a lot of the game’s issues, I never once disliked my time with the game and hopefully this is the start of a revival for the Mana series.
This action/RPG excels in its fast-paced combat and intense boss battles, but a few frustrating elements ruin the enjoyment
It has its problems and its quirks, but I've greatly enjoyed Trials of Mana. I would easily call this the best RPG remake that Square's made in a long time. At least I would if that other Square Enix RPG remake didn't exist.
Trials of Mana is a strong remake of the classic 2D Super Famciom RPG that Western fans pined after for so very, very long. Its story is a bit weak, Charlotte's English voice acting might make you retch, and there's some notable repetition in the game's environments, but fighting through enemy hordes feels great. It's a considerable step above the 2018 revamp of Secret of Mana, so no worries there.
After the unimaginative Secret of Mana remake, the same team upped the ante considerably and gave Trials of Mana the treatment it deserved. This is remaking done right.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Trials of Mana proves itself to be a successful revival of a lost classic, smartly infusing new design and content where necessary while still maintaining the spirit of the original.
All in all, Trials of Mana is a delightful throwback.
Trials of Mana reworks the classic tale of the Mana Sword into something that feels completely fresh. Even if you already know the story beats by heart, this is a remake worth considering.
A faithful remake that bring us back to the golden age of the JRPG. It might be even too faithful, as some aspects have become stall... But some others are as relevant today as the were in the original game, proving that Trials of Mana/Seiken Densetsu 3 is a true gem.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Twenty five years after its original japanese release, Trials of Mana stays true to its 16 bit roots, and this 3D remake offers a classic adventure with a strong pace, but filled with rough fights and round-trips all along. With the lack of a local or online co-op mode, you will have to go through the multiple crossed scenarios and quite a few bonuses all alone. The magical spirit of the series is clearly there, but the game still should have deserved a stronger emphasis on its technical side.
Review in French | Read full review
Trials of Mana adds modern hooks to an obscure classic JRPG, but fluid combat is held back by some frustrating choices.
I found the quick and eye-catching combat to be both satisfying and exciting; you can even earn bonuses depending on how fast you defeat enemies and whether or not you take damage in the process. The character endings I saw felt a little lackluster, but I'm compelled enough by the presentation and the simplicity of the gameplay to run through the adventure again. It might not be the drastic departure that some remakes are, but the Trials of Mana remake is a wonderful RPG palette cleanser for Mana newcomers and veterans alike.
Trials of Mana is a great remake of a 16-bit classic, but its 16-bit roots are often hard to ignore.
Trias of Mana is a good example of how to make a current remake for a title that in the 16-bit era was considered a masterpiece. It's classic when you need it and reinvents only where it's needed. It has errors, but also successes that make it one of the most direct, colorful and friendly JRPGs of this generation. It offers the virtues of the original and also many others inherited from games like Dragon Quest XI.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Despite a few hiccups along the way, Trials of Mana is a worthy remake of the original and also serves as a great entry point for new fans.
Monotonous and listless remake of a Super Nintendo classic with a flat combat system, loveless game world and bland story.
Review in German | Read full review
Trials of Mana is unapologetically traditional and, yet, still makes itself accessible to all JRPG fans, both new and old. The dedication that the developers show as they retain the fantasy appeal of this classic title with updated systems is what ultimately shines during every moment of this adventure.
Another fantastic remake from Square.