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Trials of Mana

Updated systems and stunning graphics make this elusive JRPG is more accessible than ever before, but outdated game design and a few frustrating elements ruin the enjoyment.

Game Info

Trials of Mana is a full high definition remake of the third entry in the Mana series, previously exclusively released in Japan in 1995 as Seiken Densetsu 3. Trials of Mana tells the story of six heroes as they battle against the monsters of destruction that threaten a world where Mana has been weakened. Players can customize their own party of three, selected from six unique characters, to experience different stories.

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Average Score

Total Reviews: 76

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Ratings & Reviews

76

Critic Reviews

76

Average Critic Score

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All reviews are from professional critics. Learn more about the critics VSG aggregates.

High Score

90%

Median Score

80%

Low Score

40%

Kimberley Wallace (Game Informer)

[Date Unavailable]

7.8/10

“This action/RPG excels in its fast-paced combat and intense boss battles, but a few frustrating elements ruin the enjoyment.”

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Seth G. Macy (IGN)

[Date Unavailable]

8/10

“Trials of Mana is a great remake of a 16-bit classic, but its 16-bit roots are often hard to ignore.”

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Steve Watts (GameSpot)

[Date Unavailable]

6/10

“Trials of Mana adds modern hooks to an obscure classic JRPG, but fluid combat is held back by some frustrating choices.”

Read full review

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Score Ranges

Read the Reviews (76 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
33bits	Rubén Rionegro	85 / 100	05-07-2020	Twenty-five years is a long time and nothing better than bringing back a classic video game with a great remake that will please old and new fans alike. Its visual appeal is impeccable, although it’s true that better arrangements could have been made in the gameplay and design instead of being so conservative.	Read review
Atomix	Miguel Reyes	84 / 100	04-22-2020	Trials of Mana is a great remake. Albeit the original game never came to the west until last year and most JRPG fans didn’t get the chance to play it, this new version of the japanese classic achieves in offering both a classic and fresh gameplay experience, not to mention a nice and colorful visual update.	Read review
Attack of the Fanboy	Dean James	4 / 5 stars	05-04-2020	While it may be a little too beholden to its SNES era roots in some ways, Trials of Mana is a solid remake that offers players an alternative way to experience what was not too long ago a Japanese exclusive game.	Read review
BaziCenter	Mohammad Zamani	8 / 10	05-02-2020	Trials of Mana is a beautifully simple remake that might not be something that can attract modern-day gamers, but will definitely be a great title for the fans of the previous versions.	Read review
Bazimag	Sina Golab Zade	8 / 10	04-29-2020	Trials of Mana doesn’t really do anything new or very innovative but it tells a classic story with some very nice visuals and fun gameplay mechanics.	Read review
Checkpoint Gaming	Charlie Kelly	7 / 10	04-30-2020	…Iffy character designs and bizarre world lore aside, Trials of Mana is a competent remade journey I’m glad I experienced.	Read review
Chicas Gamers	Álvaro Bustío	Recommended	04-22-2020	Trials of Mana is a new version of the classic Super Famicom with a revitalization of the game system that is not bad, being very fun and accessible to everyone, so it could be said that both have only the story in common and the characters, who have been highly respected.	Read review
COGconnected	James Paley	72 / 100	04-28-2020	Whether you’ve played the original or not, Trials of Mana should be on your ARPG radar.	Read review
Cubed3	Renan Fontes	9 / 10	05-12-2020	Trials of Mana is the best entry in the franchise since 1999’s Legend of Mana.	Read review
Daily Mirror	Eugene Sowah	4 / 5 stars	04-28-2020	Trials of Mana is an exciting remake and Square Enix should be praised for making a new experience as close to the original as possible.	Read review
DASHGAMER.com	Dan Rizzo	9 / 10	04-30-2020	Its accessibility is consistent, and makes for a smooth and flawless experience. It’s fun and engaging to play, and would be a great entry point for those looking to experience a JPRG, on a smaller scale. Trials of Mana remains legenadary through its 2020 remake.	Read review
Destructoid	Josh Tolentino	7.5 / 10	05-02-2020	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.	Read review
Digitally Downloaded	Matt Sainsbury	4.5 / 5 stars	04-23-2020	This is a game that feels decidedly modern and could (and should) appeal to a much broader audience than “existing Trials of Mana” fans.	Read review
DualShockers	Allisa James	8 / 10	04-22-2020	Despite a few hiccups along the way, Trials of Mana is a worthy remake of the original and also serves as a great entry point for new fans.	Read review
Easy Allies	Daniel Bloodworth	3.75 / 5 stars	05-24-2020	Trials of Mana remakes a lost classic, improving it in a number of ways for new audiences. It has some rough edges, but branching classes and alternate storylines make it fun to experiment with and replay.	Read review
Everyeye.it	Antonello Bello	7.5 / 10	04-22-2020	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.	Read review
Game Informer	Kimberley Wallace	7.8 / 10	04-22-2020	This action/RPG excels in its fast-paced combat and intense boss battles, but a few frustrating elements ruin the enjoyment	Read review
Gameblog	Thomas Pillon	6 / 10	04-22-2020	Twenty five years after its original japanese release, Trials of Mana stays true to its 16 bit roots, and this 3D remake offers a classic adventure with a strong pace, but filled with rough fights and round-trips all along. With the lack of a local or online co-op mode, you will have to go through the multiple crossed scenarios and quite a few bonuses all alone. The magical spirit of the series is clearly there, but the game still should have deserved a stronger emphasis on its technical side.	Read review
Gamefa	Saeed Aghababaie	8.4 / 10	05-04-2020	Trials of Mana is a really good remake that surprises me a lot! In first 2 hours, i even taught about giving up the game and leave it forever. But i gave it another 2 hours and now i played it for 52 hours and completed it twice with all 6 characters. This game has a real magic if you give it a chance. There are many cool elements for fans of RPGs, even for a gamer like me that is really in love with dark hardcore RPGs like Souls. In the end, Trials of Mana is a game that entertains you for many hours, only if you give it a chance and Be patient with it in 1-2 first hours of the game.	Read review
GameMAG	Ilya (OkaRin)	8 / 10	09-20-2020	If only Square Enix dropped subpar english dubbing and instead focused their efforts on more polished visuals and multiplayer modes, the game could have been a perfect remake.	Read review
GamePro	Michael Cherdchupan	60 / 100	04-22-2020	Monotonous and listless remake of a Super Nintendo classic with a flat combat system, loveless game world and bland story.	Read review
Gamers Heroes	Johnny Hurricane	5 / 10	04-26-2020	Only the most die-hard fans of the Mana series should consider picking up Trials of Mana. While the remake may be faithful to the original, it doesn’t make for a good game or a good time.	Read review
GameSkinny	Jason D’Aprile	7 / 10	05-05-2020	Trials of Mana is a graphically overhauled remake of a SNES classic, but it doesn’t quite do enough to reach mythic status.	Read review
GameSpew	Kim Snaith	7 / 10	04-30-2020	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.	Read review
GameSpot	Steve Watts	6 / 10	04-22-2020	Trials of Mana adds modern hooks to an obscure classic JRPG, but fluid combat is held back by some frustrating choices.	Read review
GameXplain	Unknown	Recommended	04-22-2020	Video Review	Read review
GamingTrend	David Flynn	75 / 100	05-04-2020	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.	Read review
GBAtemp	Scarlet Bell	6 / 10	05-15-2020	Trials of Mana is a game I struggle to recommend to the vast majority of people reading this. Though hidden behind a great soundtrack and colourful visuals, it stands as a dated game, complete with a frustrating storyline and a largely unenjoyable combat experience.	Read review
Geeks Under Grace	Joe Morgan	6 / 10	05-27-2020	Trials of Mana doesn’t deliver an epic, groundbreaking narrative in 2020, but folks looking for a fun, vibrant action-RPG will enjoy their time here.	Read review
God is a Geek	Mikhail Madnani	8 / 10	05-05-2020	Trials of Mana is a faithful remake of a game many won’t have played. The care and attention it’s been given belies its simple visuals, resulting in a lovely RPG experience.	Read review
GuiltyBit	Ana Quintana	6.8 / 10	04-22-2020	Overall, Trials of Mana seems like a more focused product for fans of the saga. If you are a well-versed player in JRPGs, it will most likely not pose any challenge beyond the need to have to stop to level up to face enemies.	Read review
Hardcore Gamer	Kirstin Swalley	4.5 / 5 stars	04-22-2020	At this point, the first three original Mana titles have all received remakes.	Read review
Hobby Consolas	Álvaro Alonso	80 / 100	04-22-2020	A faithful remake that bring us back to the golden age of the JRPG. It might be even too faithful, as some aspects have become stall… But some others are as relevant today as the were in the original game, proving that Trials of Mana/Seiken Densetsu 3 is a true gem.	Read review
IGN	Seth G. Macy	8 / 10	04-22-2020	Trials of Mana is a great remake of a 16-bit classic, but its 16-bit roots are often hard to ignore.	Read review
IGN Italy	Unknown	8 / 10	04-22-2020	While not perfect, this remake manages to make a 1995 classic fit for modern standards. Respecting its past, Trials of Mana is a fun and highly replayable JRPG action.	Read review
IGN Spain	Oriol Vall-Llovera	8.4 / 10	04-22-2020	Trias of Mana is a good example of how to make a current remake for a title that in the 16-bit era was considered a masterpiece. It’s classic when you need it and reinvents only where it’s needed. It has errors, but also successes that make it one of the most direct, colorful and friendly JRPGs of this generation. It offers the virtues of the original and also many others inherited from games like Dragon Quest XI.	Read review
Impulsegamer	Boouya	3.9 / 5 stars	06-11-2020	For anyone who has not played a Mana game before then you really can not go wrong with this version	Read review
Just Push Start	Dominic Weakland	3.5 / 5 stars	04-24-2020	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.	Read review
Marooners’ Rock	Joseph Siemsen	8.2 / 10	06-16-2020	The Trials of Mana remake is an excellent remake. A full 3D adaptation of a 2D Super Nintendo game has its challenges, which Square Enix faced in their first two efforts in this franchise let alone their other titles.	Read review
Metro GameCentral	GameCentral	5 / 10	05-01-2020	A better remake than Secret Of Mana, even if it does remove one of the original’s best features, but the one-note gameplay and weak storytelling limit its appeal considerably.	Read review
MonsterVine	Spencer Legacy	4.5 / 5 stars	05-01-2020	Trials of Mana is a stellar remake that manages to bring one of the most elusive Square Enix RPGs to the West in an impressive and colorful way.	Read review
Niche Gamer	Fingal Belmont	8 / 10	05-02-2020	The core guts may be very similar, but the new coat of paint won’t endure the test of time. The lack of co-op is unfortunate since this was a major selling point for the Mana games, that even the lack luster remake of Secret of Mana was able to retain.	Read review
Nintendo Enthusiast	Dominick Ashtear	8.5 / 10	04-22-2020	Trials of Mana is a wonderful remake of a classic JRPG that most Westerners never experienced. More than that, it’s proof that Square Enix is willing to put in the work and learn from its past mistakes when updating old favorites.	Read review
Nintendo Life	Mitch Vogel	8 / 10	04-22-2020	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.	Read review
Nintendo Wire	Ben Fruzzetti	8 / 10	05-05-2020	But more than that — whether it was simplicity, or cleanliness, or maybe just good old-fashioned nostalgia — there was something immensely charming about the entire experience.	Read review
NintendoWorldReport	Jordan Rudek	8.5 / 10	04-22-2020	I found the quick and eye-catching combat to be both satisfying and exciting; you can even earn bonuses depending on how fast you defeat enemies and whether or not you take damage in the process. The character endings I saw felt a little lackluster, but I’m compelled enough by the presentation and the simplicity of the gameplay to run through the adventure again. It might not be the drastic departure that some remakes are, but the Trials of Mana remake is a wonderful RPG palette cleanser for Mana newcomers and veterans alike.	Read review
Noisy Pixel	Azario Lopez	9 / 10	04-22-2020	Trials of Mana is unapologetically traditional and, yet, still makes itself accessible to all JRPG fans, both new and old. The dedication that the developers show as they retain the fantasy appeal of this classic title with updated systems is what ultimately shines during every moment of this adventure.	Read review
Pardis Game	Kamiab Ghorbanpour	6.5 / 10	05-10-2020	Trials of Mana is a faithful remake with a deep and engaging combat system. However, compared to the modern era, it fails to resurrect the Mana series as one of the past kings of RPG	Read review
PC Invasion	Andrew Farrell	8 / 10	04-29-2020	Trials of Mana is an entertaining game with grating, simple characters and a subpar story, but the fast action and colorful exploration make up for those issues.	Read review
Player2.net.au	Stephen del Prado	Recommended	05-09-2020	For fans of more modern entries in the genre like Kingdom Hearts or recent titles in the Ys or Tales series, Trials of Mana is a chance to discover a missing link which stays true to its 16-bit roots while improving the experience in numerous ways.	Read review
PlayStation LifeStyle	Paulmichael Contreras	7.5 / 10	05-04-2020	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.	Read review
PlayStation Universe	Eric Hauter	6.5 / 10	04-22-2020	Beyond the bewildering decision to exclude multiplayer (and some truly awful characters), Trials of Mana is a very basic action RPG that might be good for kids or newcomers to the genre. Playing the game isn’t unpleasant, though it puts up very little fight for experienced players. Know what you are getting into, turn your brain off (and the character voices down), and you may enjoy cruising through its very surface-level gameplay for a weekend.	Read review
Push Square	Robert Ramsey	7 / 10	04-22-2020	All in all, Trials of Mana is a delightful throwback.	Read review
Rectify Gaming	Christian Bianchi	8.8 / 10	05-28-2020	Staying faithful to the original while modernizing key aspects, Trials of Mana 2020 keeps what made the 1995 classic special.	Read review
Rice Digital	Trent Cannon	3.5 / 5 stars	07-30-2020	For fans of Secret of Mana in the West, this is your best chance to play the sequel that could have been.	Read review
Rocket Chainsaw	Andrew Cathie	3.5 / 5 stars	05-03-2020	Trials of Mana is a good modernisation of a nearly 25-year-old game, but it’s also one that was obviously held back.	Read review
RPGamer	Jervon Perkins	4 / 5 stars	05-01-2020	Trials of Mana is colorful, quirky, familiar, and a lot of fun. It is a blueprint for how an older RPG can be remade in a way that keeps the charm and working parts of the original but upgrades it so that it is graphically appealing to a modern audience.	Read review
Saudi Gamer	عصام الشهوان	8 / 10	05-03-2020	A game that makes up for its relatively low budget by having a lot of soul and an enchanting world coupled with an engaging battle system. A clear improvement over the Secret of Mana remake.	Read review
Screen Rant	Bryan Lawver	4 / 5 stars	04-27-2020	Even with a dull story and flat characters, Trials of Mana’s fun, varied combat makes it easy to recommend to fans of action RPGs new and old.	Read review
SECTOR.sk	Michal Korec	8 / 10	06-16-2020	Traditional JRPG is back with revamped 3D Graphics and favorite heroes. With some weak points, but still enjoyable.	Read review
Shacknews	Ozzie Mejia	8 / 10	04-22-2020	It has its problems and its quirks, but I’ve greatly enjoyed Trials of Mana. I would easily call this the best RPG remake that Square’s made in a long time. At least I would if that other Square Enix RPG remake didn’t exist.	Read review
Sirus Gaming	Leif Rey Bornales	8 / 10	04-28-2020	There are probably other features of the game that I have not covered yet but I will leave that to you to explore. All I can say is, this game is worth the play as it is interesting enough to get into. It may be slow in the beginning but the game picks up considerably once you get through the first two chapters. If you like an action-packed RPG with a good amount of story, then Trials of Mana is something worth picking up.	Read review
Slant Magazine	Aaron Riccio	2 / 5 stars	05-06-2020	Its characters already lacked personality, and the 3D makeover is mostly successful at bringing that deficiency into sharper relief.	Read review
SpazioGames	Gianluca Arena	8 / 10	04-22-2020	After the unimaginative Secret of Mana remake, the same team upped the ante considerably and gave Trials of Mana the treatment it deserved. This is remaking done right.	Read review
The Games Machine	Danilo Dellafrana	6.8 / 10	04-22-2020	Trials of Mana is a lacklustre remake of a masterpiece from another era. It’s nothing special, but old-fashioned JRPG fans might appreciate it if you turn a blind eye.	Read review
TheSixthAxis	Miguel Moran	8 / 10	04-22-2020	Trials of Mana is an exciting new step for the Mana series, breathing new, fully 3D life into a SNES classic that was left inaccessible to English fans for decades. The inventive and memorable story of the original game blends perfectly with the flashy new real-time combat system, and while muddy textures and a lack of co-op prove to somewhat sour the experience, this is still a stellar action RPG remake that anyone can get a kick out of.	Read review
Twinfinite	Keenan McCall	3 / 5 stars	04-23-2020	Fans of the series will still be able to glean some enjoyment from seeing a classic title brought into the modern age, but everyone else won’t have much reason to dive into this flawed remake.	Read review
Unboxholics	Δημήτρης Σαλαμάρας	Not Recommended	05-28-2020	Trials of Mana is an authentic remake and an RPG that originates clearly from another era. That is also its focus when it comes to which type of gamer it refers to. This one’s for the old school class.	Read review
Use a Potion	Unknown	8.4 / 10	04-22-2020	Trials of Mana is a compelling and charming RPG that feels old-school in design, but offers plenty of fun with its action-orientated combat and wonderful world. There’s a fair bit of variety on offer with its character choices and levelling up system too, with players having to play through the game at least three times to see everything it has to offer – this isn’t an RPG you’ll be finished with quickly!	Read review
USgamer	Nadia Oxford	4 / 5 stars	04-22-2020	Trials of Mana is a strong remake of the classic 2D Super Famciom RPG that Western fans pined after for so very, very long. Its story is a bit weak, Charlotte’s English voice acting might make you retch, and there’s some notable repetition in the game’s environments, but fighting through enemy hordes feels great. It’s a considerable step above the 2018 revamp of Secret of Mana, so no worries there.	Read review
VGChartz	Stephen LaGioia	7 / 10	05-24-2020	It won’t soon dethrone the likes of Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, but it’s nonetheless a faithful remake that’s sure to satisfy Mana fans.	Read review
Video Chums	A.J. Maciejewski	8 / 10	04-24-2020	Trials of Mana is a gorgeous and delightful action RPG that’s full of imagination and heart. In fact, it’s so captivating that it made me fall in love with Seiken Densetsu all over again.	Read review
Wccftech	Kai Powell	8.5 / 10	04-22-2020	Trials of Mana reworks the classic tale of the Mana Sword into something that feels completely fresh. Even if you already know the story beats by heart, this is a remake worth considering.	Read review
We Got This Covered	Jon Hueber	4 / 5 stars	04-30-2020	Trials of Mana is the second big remake from Square Enix this year, and it holds its own as a fun and gorgeous gaming experience, even if the story is a little weak where it counts.	Read review

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