An exciting announcement by Square Enix at E3 2019 reveals that Trials of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 3 in Japan), the third game in the Mana series from the ’90s, is coming back to life in early 2020.
Trials of Mana is a full HD remake of the 1995 game Seiken Densetsu 3, previously available exclusively in Japan. It is entirely rebuilt from the ground up, with revamped action-RPG battle, leveling and skill systems and modern 3D graphics.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the game, Trials of Mana is set in a fantasy world, where mana represents an eternal but finite source of energy. In the past, the Mana Goddess created the world by forging a powerful weapon called the Sword of Mana, and with it, she defeated the eight monsters of destruction – the Benevodons. With the sword, she sealed them within eight Mana Stones before turning herself into a Mana tree and falling into an endless sleep.
The story follows the adventures of six characters who are paired together by their storylines: Angela and Duran, Hawkeye and Riesz, and Kevin and Charlotte. You’ll choose a total of three characters out of the six, and experience different stories each playthrough.
The remake keeps the original game’s core gameplay but does change a few of the basic elements. While the classic had a top-down perspective, like many 16-bit JRPGs at the time, Trials of Mana Remake looks uses a third-person camera angle that shows the amazing details and visual style typical to modern Japanese games. During the trailer, one can notice the first boss, Fullmetal Hugger, remodeled but with its original colors.
There aren’t many details on how switching between characters, or how the multiplayer mode will work, but Square Enix promises we are in for a treat.
Trials of Mana is set to release in early 2020 for PC, PlayStation 4 and Switch. See the improved visuals and systems in the screens below.
