Secret of Mana

So I took a look at a Treehouse video of the 3D Remake of Trials of Mana (that's right, I'm already calling it by it's english name).

It looks pretty cool. I knew a bit about it before, but I think I might give one of the versions a look at some point.

The fact that the story can change depending on the characters you choose (specifically lead characters) means there's a lot of replay value.

3 different main scenarios + tons of replay value from the fact that everyone has 4 end game classes to branch into that changes how they play and how you approach the game, yep.

There's something like several hundred party combos.

Shit. That's pretty nuts.

Being perfectly honest the story differences aren't that pronounced outside one major dungeon and a few cutscenes, but it's enough to want to all 3 routes once each if you're inclined to replay it, anyway. And the remake might make them more distinct, though I wouldn't bet on that too much.

Edited by Hashil on Jun 16th 2019 at 2:28:25 AM

Like I checked the wiki and apparently if you have the two characters who share a route in the same party you will get extra info/scenes that you won't get if you only pick one of them. For reference the three "pairs" are Angela and Duran, Hawkeye and Riesz, and Kevin and Charlotte.

https://gematsu.com/2019/11/trials-of-mana-details-characters-classes-prologues-and-map-mechanics

More info on Trials of Mana and they revealed the designs of all the classes.

Square Enix Jump Festa 2020 Lineup Has Final Fantasy VII Remake, Trials of Mana, Crystal Chronicles, More

I wonder if the Remake will make it possible to get everyone in one party?

I never considered it before, but it'd be an interesting addition.

Probably not. Looks like it's still 3 characters only.

Built in replayablity gives the game more value, too.

Trials of Mana demo rated for PS4 worldwide.

Trials is getting a demo tomorrow for PS 4, PC and Switch. More details here.

Also the game is getting a post-game episode, a third Light/Dark class, New Game Plus and a new sidequest involving Lil' Cactus from Legend of Mana.

Taking a look at a video of the Demo. The dude playing chose Kevin, Riez and Hawkeye, with the latter as the lead character.

I still got a few games to play, but right now with going outside being taboo, I may give the demo of this a shot.

I played the original Sekden Densetsu 3 back in the day when you could only play and understand the game via emulation. Played it 3 times, the first two I had no idea what I was doing while the 3rd I beat it. Playing the demo, I can get behind of the changes.

Angela is going to be a beast late game if the MP recovery per kill increases from just two mana and even at 2 mana recovery a kill the skill is still good. It might make her light/light (or maybe it was light/dark) class where she gets the null element attack viable since the attack was a mana hog but I doubt it.

Also, should we split the thread and make a Trials of Mana thread for easier discussion or just keep it here?

Kind of wish everyone's combos weren't interchangeable. At least from what I've played in the demo it doesn't really matter who you play as outside their stats.

I think basic combat is universal but once the class change hits then it becomes a game of activating spells and abilities. How that makes everyone different is kind of up in the air depending on your party.

Haven't totally played the demo, and I've never played a Mana game, but here's my thoughts so far.

Combat is fun, and I like how easy it is to get lots of items. I assume the gameplay will only expand as skills unlock.

That said, this definitely feels like an older game with a fresh coat of paint — and not a very good coat of paint, either. The animations tend to be rather stiff and jerky, and the voice acting is uneven — Charlotte's cwtsy widdle Elmwr Fwdd accent got really annoying really fast — not helped by the many times I went "This dialogue probably sounded better when you were saying it in your head."

Characters are entertaining though, and I like how quick we get into the action. Makes me wonder if I should just get the earlier Mana collection and skip this remake, though.

Edited by drac0blade on Mar 21st 2020 at 12:27:08 PM

Trial of Mana (remastered) has been out for 4 days. And I want to talk about it.

I'm currently on the god beasts boss rush (I forget what they were localized as) with a part of Angela, Duran, and Charlotte. Here are some of my thoughs on this party.

So my last post I said Angela had a skill that gave her MP per kill. Well the game decided to give her MP per attack, sort of. Have you ever played Dynasty Warriors? That's what I like to call this skill. I didn't know this until a class change (remember kids, read the tutorials) but Trials combat is a Dynasty Warriors clone minus the 1000 mook killing spree. Anyway, after a Power attack (by itself, charged, airborne slam, or combo ender) Angela gets 1 (later 2) MP back per enemy hit with the power attack. This means Angela has a lot sustain through a dungeon but I'd still pop the mp walnuts on bosses.

Angela was also done really dirty in the remastered game. You HAVE to put training points into every skill in order to get all her spells. Now I went Dark Light Angela so if you want all of her 4 level 3 spells you have to seriously invest towards that. In my honest opinion, pick 2 and shoot your points there. I went level 3 ice and fire since level 3 ice also gave me AOE level 2 dark magic (also this was my go to spell for anything not Dark immune) and fire has a chance to burn. She has some great passive skills here as well but I can't remember them off the top of my head.

Duran, dude. I'm not sure if the makers looked online and saw people always say use Kevin for DPS because man Dark Light Duran might not grow large in stats like Dark+Dark but the passive skills he gets, man. Okay first passive skill you should give Duran if he has Angela in the party is Provoke which makes him usually the center of attention. Now the Saber skills, they get a unlockable passive where if Duran hits an enemy with the correct elemental weakness damage goes up by like 20 percent (someone where around there). Add that in with a skill that increases your attack by 40% but decreases defense by 40% (and there's a skill that does the exact opposite) combine with universal debuffs from Charlotte, this just MELTS bosses on hard difficultly if the boss stays still.

And now Charlotte. Voice acting aside, she's pretty okay early and mid game but just becomes a DPS machine late game if your LUCKY (this is intentional). Now if you want a late game Charlotte you have not spend like 18 training points (if Spirit is maxed during class 2) and then dump all the points once she class changes to unlock her universal debuff. Then she gets a damage buff in her luck skill tree that gives her a 70% percent crit rate as long as she's hitting a target that has a status effect on them. Guess what Charlotte's debuff and Angela's level 3 spells count as? Add in Duran's sabers for more damage and she'll be hitting hard late game.

I have no idea how the new Class 4 changes will change things since I haven't unlocked them yet. Anyway, I'm close to beating my first playthrough and can't wait to see how busted you could make Hawk, Lise, and Kevin.

This remaster surprised me. I love the new interactions between characters you DIDN'T choose with your party. Really adds more depth to the game and connectivity between the six possible characters. I chose Duran as primary with Reisz and Kevin as backup. Will swap to the other three on my next run. Really enjoying this with my sons.

Finished the game like a week ago. It's alright. The voice acting varies... wildly in quality. There's design decisions I find are... lame. Like giving an item to reset the class change, but locking it in the final post game dungeon is like... why bother? And if you use it you don't keep the outfits you unlocked so, I don't even know.

During bossfights the AI partners suddenly forget how dodging works (they have no problem against regular enemies).

The game's also... not great visually. It looks like a ps2 game with a higher resolution. I'd definitely say wait for a sale.

Yeah, I was getting a "PS 2 JRPG" vibe from the promo materials too.

It's a shame too, I rather liked the World of Mana games.

Edited by M84 on May 18th 2020 at 4:51:01 PM

I'd say Trials of Mana is a bit more than the PS 2 can handle, so I'd go with a downscaled PS 3 game instead. Seems more fitting. Regardless, upon retrieving the Mana Sword, then why the whole Fairie stealing plot and then go to Altena for NO reason but to give the sword away. It seemed like a contrived and pointless side detour that had no reason for existing but to further plot. There wasn't even a boss to ease my troubles either!

My vibe is a "HD remastered PS 2 game". Higher polygon counts and crisper texture, but the textures are still very flat, the models very simple, the animations are basic. Either way, it's primitive. I know modern (non-Final Fantasy) JRPG nowaydays all tend towards that more simplistic presentation. But even then compare to Tales of Arise or Dragon Quest XI who both seem way more modern in their presentation. The presentation it reminds me of is the last two tales games (Berseria and Zestiria), but at least those punctuate their kinda lackluster engines with beautiful 2d animated cutscenes.

It's not a bad game, but like I said, I'd wait for a sale.

Edited by Ghilz on May 18th 2020 at 4:45:53 AM

Related to this game Trials of Mana passed 1 million sales.

Bumping again because the Legend of Mana remaster released.

It's also getting an anime.

Wonder how they'll handle that.