Trials of Mana (remake)

This article is about the 2020 remake version. For the game's original version, see Trials of Mana.

Trials of Mana (remake)
Developer	Home consoles & Steam: Xeen iOS & Android: TBA
Publisher	Square Enix
Platforms	PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows via Steam, iOS, Android
Release date	Home consoles & Steam Worldwide: April 24, 2020 iOS & Android Worldwide: July 16, 2021
Genre	Action role-playing
Rating(s)	ESRB: - Everyone 10+
Mode(s)	Single player
Media	Blu-ray Disc, Cartridge, Digital download
Input	Controller

Trials of Mana, fully titled Seiken Densetsu 3: Trials of Mana and alternatively titled Trials of Mana 3D or Trials of Mana HD, is a 2020 remake of the 1995 game of the same name and the third game in the Mana series produced by Masaru Oyamada for Square Enix. Following on the surprise release and localization of the original title in 2017 and 2019, the 2020 edit is an enhanced remake that preserves and expands upon the story and lore of the original. Several gameplay mechanics have been completely overhauled or otherwise reworked for the transition to a 3D world, built from the ground up using Epic Games' Unreal Engine v4, adding full voice acting and detailed cutscenes to an already robust game. Developed by Square Enix with assistance from xeen, Inc., the game was first released for both PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in late April 2020, and then for iOS/iPadOS and Android in mid-July 2021.

Development and release

The Trials of Mana remake began to take shape almost as soon as it was announced in the same 2019 news conference that featured the Collection of Mana. The early spring presser set the release of the new anthology for June 11 of the same year. While it remains unclear exactly when the development process was started, an early demo had been circulating on the Internet for some time. A more refined demo version was released by Square Enix for various trade shows over the later spring and summer months; by that time, the company was projecting a release date of February 2020. But, instead of confirming the projected date, Square Enix released a statement in September 2019 that the remake would be pushed back to a final date of April 24, 2020 so that the team working on it could deliver a quality game. A full demo version—the same as was offered in the prior trade shows—was published to Steam, Sony and Nintendo digital stores in March of 2020, ironically as the COVID-19 pandemic began taking hold across the globe. However, events of the time did little to impact what was already being planned as a digital-first title. Players who pre-ordered the game would receive exclusive access to any of several system customizations as well as a DLC accessory designed to assist new players: the Rabite Adornment. The offer continued through May for other early adopters.

Unfortunately, the published demo also had a dangerous loophole for Steam users that also involved hacked copies of the full game, which in turn forced Square Enix to pull back the demo for several more weeks in order to correct said loophole. The issue has since been resolved.

Reception

Reviews
Release	Reviewer, Publication	Score	Comment
Switch	Seth G. Macy, ING	8/10	"Trials of Mana is absolutely charming and does an excellent job keeping what works from the original while upgrading its aesthetics to the modern era. The combat system works well in its new 3D trappings, with a tough but satisfying learning curve. The transition to modern tech has introduced some camera problems, though, and I wish Square Enix had taken this opportunity to flesh out the world with interesting sidequests and to trim out some of the more tedious dialogue. Even so, exploring, battling, and waging war with bosses all remain really fun, and its JRPG tropes come off as charming throwbacks rather than eye-rolling cliches."
Switch	Mitch Vogel, NintendoLife	8/10	"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. Multi-threaded storylines, an enjoyable combat system and flexible character progression combine to make this one a fantastic experience from start to finish, even if occasional performance problems hinder the experience somewhat. We’d give Trials of Mana a high recommendation to RPG fans and newcomers alike; there’s plenty here to love for both camps, and we hope that this release could act as a blueprint for future entries in the Mana series."
PS4	Josh Tolentino, Destructoid	7.5/10	"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. In a sense, it’s an ideal remake, holding tight to the core of what made the original game (and the Mana series as a whole) so compelling to so many people at the time, while bringing a novelty and freshness to attract neophytes like yours truly."
Aggregators
Compiler		Platform / Score
Metacritic		74

	Randi --"Whoa! What's a Rabite doing in a place like this?"
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