Trials of Mana is definitely an action RPG developed and authored by Square Enix. Using the Mana Tree fading, and also the balance around the globe teetering toward ruin three heroes must attempted to restore the total amount of the world. However with many foes ahead of them, and each using their personal goals, they've lots of challenges to manage before they can save their world.
When I booted up my demo the first thing that separated itself is the fact that classic 90's JRPG energy. The aesthetic here's bright and lighthearted. And while it isn't the only real game to deliver this style of visual I've played recently, it's always a welcome sight. And since Trials of Mana is a 3D remake from the original 1995 release, it just makes sense this type of design is present.
The first novel aspect to catch my eye as I prepare to begin my adventure may be the character selection screen. From the six possible characters the player selects three to stay in their party. The first is the main character, as the others are supports. I choose the Amazon princess Reiz as my main, using the classic warrior looking type, along with the only character designated as a healer in my group. Simply from the descriptions given though it sounds like the parties could have huge variations in play style. This is an opportunity to increase replayability when the game turns out to be worthy of much attention.
With my party set my adventure begins in a mountain top castle with Reiz. A quick combat training moment generates for me a short, but effective, tutorial for surviving battle. Once this really is complete I trigger to find my younger brother who I've got a work out planned with. But finding him proves difficult. My search is momentarily sidetracked by my character's memories of her childhood. The death of her parents and her subsequent raising of her brother on her own perform a respectable job of establishing the characters and their connections. When the castle is attacked and my brother is taken, I'm off on my quest to save him.
During the following couple of hours, I encounter another two members of the party. They are place into the storyline inside a fairly organic fashion, and also the player is offered the option of playing through their introductions if they wish to learn why they are off adventuring. After i reach the Holy Town of Wendel my party is informed of the greater danger to the world. Not just that, but through saving the planet the various goals of the characters can be fulfilled. Providing individuals with a handy reason to visit adventuring together.
The combat mechanics in Trials of Mana are what you might likely expect. With light and high attacks, plus a dodge maneuver forming the basis of combat. A unique super attack is slowly charged over time and through leveling party members are able to acquire new abilities. Overall, the combat lands right where I like it. Hard enough which i have to pay attention, but not so complex which i feel burdened with memorizing combos or any other intricate gameplay aspects. Even though I discovered combat enjoyable it is the leveling system that appears the most interesting to me.
Each character’s stats are put into five categories. Investing points in these aspects will increase stats and unlock abilities. And exactly how a personality plays appears wildly customizable. Take the warrior in my party. As i could purchase the strength and increase his damage-dealing potential I instead opt for giving him more hit points and also the provoke the capability. This is largely due to my party's makeup. Since he's my biggest frontline fighter I decide it is most important for him to drag enemies off the remaining party. If my party had been different, I'd definitely level him differently.
Giving players plenty of choices can be a difficult proposition in a gaming. An excessive amount of could be overwhelming. Or even worse, the options is really so numerous no single it's possible to feel meaningful. However with a lot of the gameplay and choice tied to the player's initial decision of who they've in their party, it appears as though Square Enix may have found a way to give the player lots of meaningful choices while managing not to overwhelm.
The only thing really negative I have to say about my five-hour demo with Trials of Mana is available in the voice work. A number of the characters are downright obnoxious. Particularly my healer. The way they decide to have her talk was downright annoying. To the point where basically get the opportunity to play the full game I'll most likely begin again and want to not have her within my party. As i can see her dialogue design potentially being cute in the game's original release, before you needed to listen to her, it will the game no favors now.
But with this one qualm aside I truly enjoyed my time with Trials of Mana. The gameplay was smooth and fun. It features a leveling system which has me interested along with a narrative that's enough to obtain me out the door. Whether these components could keep the sport going through a complete playthrough will have to wait till its full release.
Trials of Mana releases on April 24th for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PC.
