Trials of Mana Reviews
Trials of Mana is a good modernisation of a nearly 25-year-old game, but it’s also one that was obviously held back.
For fans of Secret of Mana in the West, this is your best chance to play the sequel that could have been.
Trials of Mana is a graphically overhauled remake of a SNES classic, but it doesn't quite do enough to reach mythic status.
If you’re a fan of JRPGs you’ll find a lot to like here. It looks great, it’s easy to play, and it’s not the longest slog in the world – you’ll see the credits roll in about 20 hours. Sure, there are a few frustrations, but it remains true to the Mana series and overall provides an enjoyable – if a little uninspiring – adventure for fans of the genre.
...Iffy character designs and bizarre world lore aside, Trials of Mana is a competent remade journey I’m glad I experienced.
In a lot of ways that is the problem with Trials of Mana. While it looks fine and the story has all the charm you'd expect from a '90s JRPG, it doesn't have much else. Combat is bland, the worlds feel empty, there are tons of cheese and it relies on a large investment to get to the stuff that is actually enjoyable. For some or anyone looking for the original game with a new coat of paint, it's great but if you were looking for something closer to the Final Fantasy VII Remake treatment, expect to be underwhelmed.
All in all, Trials of Mana is a delightful throwback.
Trials of Mana gives modern features to a lesser-known classic. Combat tends to be overly simple, and the story is really basic, but it's still a fun, colorful adventure for JRPG fans to experience.
Whether you’ve played the original or not, Trials of Mana should be on your ARPG radar.
Trials of Mana may represent a pleasant leap forward compared to the remake of its predecessor, but the end result still remains far from the current quality standards of PlayStation 4.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Trials of Mana is an escape from reality many of us can use these days. The plot is easy to follow, generally lighthearted, and as mentioned combat is about as easy as it comes. The beginning eight hours or so are very slow-paced, but once the first chapter is cleared, things really pick up. The graphical overhaul leaves a bit to be desired, but the audio work makes up for this, even with the occasionally cheesy dialogue or overdone acting. While RPGs have come a long way since the '90s, Trials of Mana stays true to its roots as a game most everyone can enjoy.
Trials of Mana is a wonderful reimagining of the 1995 classic. It's an almost endlessly replayable RPG thanks to the roster of characters, class system, and incredible new game plus. However, it's held back from greatness by a terrible english dub, poor performance on Switch, and the lack of multiplayer especially leaves a large hole in an otherwise enjoyable experience.
Trials of Mana on Nintendo Switch is a great way to experience Square Enix's newest remake.
Ultimately, remaking old games can be tough, but at a base level, the goal is pretty simple: To bring the best bits of an old game to life in a way that a new audience can appreciate. Trials of Mana accomplishes this goal handily.
Overall though, Trials of Mana is a visually impressive game with fun combat and engaging characters. It's a game I would definitely recommend to fans of the series or any JRPG fans out there as it's a solid remake that offers players a better way to play the original game.
For anyone who has not played a Mana game before then you really can not go wrong with this version
This action/RPG excels in its fast-paced combat and intense boss battles, but a few frustrating elements ruin the enjoyment
While we have all been drooling over FF7’s shiny new remake, you should give a moment to appreciate Trials as well. A title that just last year was still only available in Japan has now, not only finally gotten localized but a full-blown Remake as well.
Trials of Mana is a great example of how to do a remake, bringing a classic to modern day while sticking closely to its roots. Improved battle mechanics, visuals, and soundtrack are great additions, but at times poor AI and jarring transitions are a bit of a letdown. Overall though, combat and the upgrade system kept me engaged and coming back for more.