Trials of Mana

 Switch
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
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  1. XGN
    Jun 8, 2020
    70
    Trials of Mana brings the old SNES version of the game to the modern age, but fails to take full advantage of modern possibilities. Graphics have improved but still have odd choices like stiff garments. The balance between very easy random enemies and very tough (mini)bosses is off, requiring more grinding than we want in a modern game. All in all, Trials of Mana fails to fully deliver where its big competitor (FF7) does.
  2. GameSkinny
    May 5, 2020
    70
    Trials of Mana is a graphically overhauled remake of a SNES classic, but it doesn't quite do enough to reach mythic status.
  3. Nintendo Insider
    Apr 29, 2020
    70
    Trials of Mana is a ton of fun, and if you want to experience a retro JRPG with the updated mechanics of games today then you’ll likely enjoy this a lot. Any of the issues I had didn’t stop me from having fun, and I know I’ll likely return for at least one more playthrough.
  5. JeuxActu
    Apr 29, 2020
    70
    Trials of Mana is a nice remake, specially if you liked the genuine game, but the younger gamers may suffer from the dated graphics and the old-school camera.
  6. Gameblog.fr
    Apr 22, 2020
    70
    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.
  7. Jeuxvideo.com
    Apr 22, 2020
    70
    Quotation forthcoming.
  8. GameSpot
    Apr 22, 2020
    60
    Trials of Mana stands on the strength of its combat, and the fact that it's how you spend the vast majority of your time. That easy recommendation comes qualified with several elements that don't work nearly as well, from dull and hodge-podge storytelling to bewildering progression systems. Seeing a historical curiosity through the lens of a mostly modernized action-RPG was enough to pull me through the experience despite my quibbles, though, so there's certainly still life in the world of Mana.
  9. DarkStation
    May 27, 2020
    50
    All in all, I did not really enjoy Trials of Mana. It feels rushed, cheaply made, and the gameplay just doesn’t engage me. I realize this may be a frustrating opinion for fans of the series (who are very passionate), but this game just isn’t for me and I feel like it is not put together or balanced very well. If you’re already a big fan of the series, you might find this title to be quite enjoyable. As it is, though, I find it to be a bit of a mess.
  10. Metro GameCentral
    May 1, 2020
    50
    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.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 132 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 93 out of 132
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 132
  3. Negative: 18 out of 132
  1. wJamesmci
    Apr 24, 2020
    9
    Hey look Square Enix *can* make a complete remake of a game without making it episodic and milking their fans to death :)
  2. RaidouF
    Apr 24, 2020
    9
    An excellent and propper 1:1 remake with more things. Great ost and gameplay. Im enjoying it so far. Only issues are the camera sometimes andAn excellent and propper 1:1 remake with more things. Great ost and gameplay. Im enjoying it so far. Only issues are the camera sometimes and some minor fps drops. Jap voices are mandatory, they are great. I loved in snes and Im loving it now, no matter what plattaform are you choosing to play it is awesome.… Full Review »
  3. Masa102
    Jun 21, 2020
    6
    As a big fan of JRPG's and Action RPGs of all kinds, I enjoyed this game well enough, if I could go back I wouldn't pay full price for itAs a big fan of JRPG's and Action RPGs of all kinds, I enjoyed this game well enough, if I could go back I wouldn't pay full price for it though. As I understand it is a faithful recreation of the original (except for the lack of multi-player), so if that is what you are looking for you will probably enjoy it more than I did.

    Having NOT played the original I feel like the story and dialog just haven't aged well and I felt no attachment based on nostalgia. I didn't care about any of the characters or story whatsoever and found myself rolling my eyes at how some big things happened very abruptly with little explanation, and how convenient everything was, it was overly generic and felt kind of lazy. If you are going to remake a game tit for tat with better graphics I fail to see the point, I'd rather it be modernized and made better, what I see here there is a TON of room for improvement especially with the story and dialog, and the graphical upgrade, like many have said, is mediocre at best.

    The art style reminded me of a last generation game, nothing really wowed me there. The dancing copy/pasta merchants and NPCs with generic dialog really annoyed me, ruined the mood and dragged my immersion level down quite a bit.

    The main saving grace is the unique progression system and fun (although basic and easy) combat. I liked that I had to choose my team up front and learn about them as I go and decide which skills each member would have, if I enjoyed the story more I would probably go back and play the other characters but I did not.    … Full Review »
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