Last month at PAX East, I was invited to try Square Enix’s upcoming Trials of Mana remake for preview purposes. Having played Secret of Mana, I had a bit of knowledge when it came to the Mana franchise, but I was surprised at just how excellent the Trials of Mana demo was. I barely got to scratch the surface of the game, but what I played has made me completely entranced with the title.
Right off the bat, I was given the option to play as one of multiple protagonists, each with their own storyline and starting area. I chose the most JRPG-esque main character, Duran, as well as two party members, Hawkeye and Kevin. I played the demo for over an hour, and just got my bearings on Duran’s story and a bit of Kevin’s. Duran’s story has him leave his kingdom to avenge his fellow soldiers after they’re slaughtered by a mysterious warlock, while Kevin’s story is about him trying to bring his dog back to life after being tricked into slaying it. I was interested in seeing both through, as I was surprised at how heavy both plotlines got in the span of an hour or so. The fact that all six main characters have their own complete stories makes me excited to experience each of them in the full game.
“The world of Mana feels unique and lively in its own right, even compared to the many fantasy worlds that are so prevalent in pop culture today.“
I found the gameplay of Trials of Mana to be tremendously fun, as it mixes real-time action combat with RPG progression and abilities. After each plotline was established, I was given the ability to run around the world and battle any monsters that I could see. Combat feels fluid and quick, but not void of strategy or thought. Different types of attacks and special attacks can be used that vary depending on the character, though you can switch between your party members with the press of a single button. I never felt as though any of my time was being wasted during battles in the Trials of Mana demo, which I appreciate immensely.
The vast majority of the demo’s dialogue was voice-acted, and though I’ve only played with English voices, the dubbing was exceptionally well-done. I’m quite fond of the visual style for this remake as well, as it’s remarkably colorful and distinct. The world of Mana feels unique and lively in its own right, even compared to the many fantasy worlds that are so prevalent in pop culture today.
I’m truly excited to play Trials of Mana next month, as the demo I played nailed everything it tried to do. The world is fresh, the characters and storylines are intriguing, and the gameplay is satisfying and quick. If any of this sounds like your cup of tea, keep an eye out for Trials of Mana when it comes out on April 24th.
