Trials of Mana Reviews

Trials of Mana is ranked in the 60th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
4.5 / 5.0
Apr 22, 2020

At this point, the first three original Mana titles have all received remakes.

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Apr 23, 2020

This is a game that feels decidedly modern and could (and should) appeal to a much broader audience than "existing Trials of Mana" fans.

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Renan Fontes
Top Critic
9 / 10
May 12, 2020

Trials of Mana is the best entry in the franchise since 1999's Legend of Mana.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 22, 2020

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.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 30, 2020

Its accessibility is consistent, and makes for a smooth and flawless experience. It’s fun and engaging to play, and would be a great entry point for those looking to experience a JPRG, on a smaller scale. Trials of Mana remains legenadary through its 2020 remake.

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4.5 / 5.0
May 1, 2020

Trials of Mana is a stellar remake that manages to bring one of the most elusive Square Enix RPGs to the West in an impressive and colorful way.

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Jun 29, 2020

This is the first game attached to Square-Enix that’s genuinely impressed me in over 8 years; the amount of detail put into translating the art into something totally different but nevertheless nostalgic is mind-boggling, and it’s possibly more impressive that the team behind this knew which things could be changed/replaced without undermining the entire project. Trials of Mana is how remakes should be done.

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9 / 10
Jun 8, 2020

Trials of Mana is one of the finest 16-bit ports that a publisher has ever put together. With a joyfull soundtrack, a well thought-out RPGsystem, a dreamy visual look and replay value that is rarely seen even in contemporary competition, this mid-tier release is much closer to top-tier players like Dragon Quest XII and is worth an uncomromising recommendation.

Review in German | Read full review

Apr 19, 2021

Trials of Mana is a satisfyingly impressive remake, honoring the original SNES classic while also possessing its own brilliance. The addition of cutscenes adds depth to the narrative, the updates to gameplay only help the already noteworthy experience, and the rearranged soundtrack is respectfully magnificent. The voice acting and visuals have their missteps, while having their strengths as well, and the flaws of the original’s narrative remain present, yet Trials of Mana, as a whole, is most definitely a fun and satisfying experience. And so, whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran of the Mana series, Trials of Mana will assuredly captivate and please.

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RPG Fan
Top Critic
88%
Apr 27, 2020

An exciting remake that recalls a sense of fun by injecting the right amount of "new" into what made the original a classic.

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8.8 / 10.0
May 28, 2020

Staying faithful to the original while modernizing key aspects, Trials of Mana 2020 keeps what made the 1995 classic special.

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Wccftech
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Apr 22, 2020

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.

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8.5 / 10.0
Apr 22, 2020

Trials of Mana is a wonderful remake of a classic JRPG that most Westerners never experienced. More than that, it's proof that Square Enix is willing to put in the work and learn from its past mistakes when updating old favorites.

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8.5 / 10.0
Apr 22, 2020

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.

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85 / 100
May 7, 2020

Twenty-five years is a long time and nothing better than bringing back a classic video game with a great remake that will please old and new fans alike. Its visual appeal is impeccable, although it's true that better arrangements could have been made in the gameplay and design instead of being so conservative.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.4 / 10.0
Apr 22, 2020

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

Atomix
Top Critic
84 / 100
Apr 22, 2020

Trials of Mana is a great remake. Albeit the original game never came to the west until last year and most JRPG fans didn't get the chance to play it, this new version of the japanese classic achieves in offering both a classic and fresh gameplay experience, not to mention a nice and colorful visual update.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.4 / 10.0
May 4, 2020

Trials of Mana is a really good remake that surprises me a lot! In first 2 hours, i even taught about giving up the game and leave it forever. But i gave it another 2 hours and now i played it for 52 hours and completed it twice with all 6 characters. This game has a real magic if you give it a chance. There are many cool elements for fans of RPGs, even for a gamer like me that is really in love with dark hardcore RPGs like Souls. In the end, Trials of Mana is a game that entertains you for many hours, only if you give it a chance and Be patient with it in 1-2 first hours of the game.

Review in Persian | Read full review

8.4 / 10.0
Apr 22, 2020

Trials of Mana is a compelling and charming RPG that feels old-school in design, but offers plenty of fun with its action-orientated combat and wonderful world. There’s a fair bit of variety on offer with its character choices and levelling up system too, with players having to play through the game at least three times to see everything it has to offer – this isn’t an RPG you’ll be finished with quickly!

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8.4 / 10.0
Apr 30, 2020

The remake of Trials of Mana has remained true to its origins. The story, good versus evil, is classic and twists and turns are not to be expected. Through the six protagonists, six different perspectives can be seen in the interwoven story. This allows the title to be played through six times. With a playing time of 20 hours per character, you get a lot from a game. Unfortunately not much can be experienced apart from the story. With almost no side quests, you are "only" busy with the main story. Also there is no local co-op anymore, which could disturb one or the other. If you played the original 25 years ago, it's definitely worth playing it again. New fans have to be satisfied with a roleplay without a lot of gimmicks. But if you get involved, you get a wonderfully animated game pearl.

Review in German | Read full review