Trials of Mana Review - Very Fun Classic JRPG
Releasing two remakes in one month is certainly not
something easy for Square-Enix. They must divide the team so that all is
completed within the specified deadline. After being satisfied exploring the
beauty of Midgar in Final Fantasy VII Remake and scavenging old memories that
shine again. We were allowed to taste the sweetness of the classic JRPG series
that was remade with a very slick namely Trials of Mana.
This series has surfaced in the Super NintendoEntertainment System or SNES in 1995 ago. But strangely, he did not get an
official English translation for the western market at that time. Until in the
end Square-Enix decided to make the rematch and was released simultaneously
throughout the world in 2020. Precisely on April 24, 2020.
Because I have never played the version in the past and
only watched it via YouTube, I will give my opinion from players who have just
played the game. When compared to the original series, the increase given by
Square-Enix in the Trials of Mana is not exactly half-hearted. They succeeded
in translating how all the worlds up to their 2D characters into 3D are very
accurate.
Same with other modern games, the game will also have
English or Japanese voice acting that you can choose as you like. But if you
are very pro-voice-acting in English, it seems like this time you must give up
and choose the Japanese version of the voice in the Trials of Mana, the reason?
Check out the following review.
Save the World and Which Tree from Destruction
The game itself has a very standard and classic JRPG
setting with various kingdoms and monsters in it. Trials of Mana takes place in
the world called Mana which is threatened to be destroyed thanks to the flow of
which is one of the world's greatest resources is getting smaller. This is caused
by the presence of an evil force that began to envelop his world since the
owner of the great power which is Goddess of Mana fell asleep. The evil forces
are trying to activate and take over the power of the Mana Stone and Mana Sword
as one of the keys to the rise of the Goddess of Mana.
However, some things can be done before all that happens,
namely revoking the Mana Sword first by the chosen people, before the forces of
evil succeed in grabbing it. From here, chosen six heroes who will save Mana
from adversity. Did they take Mana Sword and save the world?
A Different Story from the "Pair" System
In contrast to most JRPG games, Trials of Mana has six
main characters with their stories, although in the end it runs on the same
goal. The main story of the Trials of Mana will depend on the main character
you choose, but in reality their story will be connected to a system that I
refer to as "pair". Pair is a system where one character will have
the same story as another main character. In other words, your character chosen
with another character will have the same enemy. This is translated at the end
of the story, where you will fight different last bosses according to the
character you choose.
To activate "pair", you need to choose the main
character and companion 1 who have the same story. Some of the heroes who have
the same story include Duran and Angela, Hawkeye and Riesz, and Kevin and
Charlotte. In this review I chose Duran as the main character and Angela as a
companion 1. With this system, Trials of Mana has three different storylines
from six main characters that you can choose from. In other words, you have to
finish the game three times if you want to know all the story timelines.
Because I chose Duran as the main character and Angela as
companion 1, I will represent this review with the story of Duran and Angela.
Duran is one of the strongest soldiers of the Valsena kingdom. He is also the
son of one of the strongest golden knights in the Valsena kingdom that has
died. His work as a soldier tells how Duran, who was guarding the post, was
suddenly attacked by Crimson Wizard who killed his colleagues. Aware that he
was still weak in the eyes of Crimson Wizard, Duran vowed to find a way to
change classes to take revenge on the Crimson Wizard who appeared to ravage his
kingdom.
Meanwhile, Angela is the daughter of the queen of the
kingdom of Altena. Angela was not cared so much by her mother as a child that
made her childhood in the kingdom as a child who was hungry for attention.
Unfortunately, Angela's suffering continues in her teenage years. He was forced
to leave the kingdom because his mother, who was influenced by the Crimson
Wizard, ordered his troops to kill Angela to become a sacrifice where stone.
Did the two of them achieve their goal of defeating Crimson Wizard?
Action RPG with Classic Taste
Trials of Mana still adheres to the mechanics of action
RPG and hasn't changed much from the SNES version. The thing that makes it
different is that now you can enjoy the game in 3D and a third-person perspective
with different movements and variants. You can do light attacks, combos, to
issue your ultimate attack which will get stronger as your story and level
progresses.
Combo during battle is fairly simple, you only need to
press the circle for regular attacks and triangles for heavy attacks, if you
play it on PlayStation 4. At the beginning of the game, the variation of the
combo is still not much. But as the story goes on and class changes, he will
present a new variant of the combo.
Hit with a charged attack (the triangle is held if in
PlayStation 4) will produce CS Particles from the enemy. CS Particle is used to
fulfill the CS Gauge. When CS Gauge has entered 100%, then you will be able to
use each character's ultimate move. CS Gauge can be increased as the class
changes and your character level increases.
I feel how Square-Enix has changed its battles to become
more fluid and satisfying for action game lovers. Indeed, there are not so many
new things from the battle mechanics, because it is the same as action games in
general. But small things like having to use a charge attack to break the enemy
shield, so the wheel menu that can be accessed while pause the game can be a
satisfying mechanic. Because that way you can determine where your attacks will
land.
Even so, they also still embed the ultimate ability
without the need to wait for your decision like the wheel menu. A feature that
is perfect for you lovers of action games and you as someone who has an
old-school soul who likes turn-based features.
Your battle against the boss will also feel like the
modernization of the Legends of Mana series, where you can move at will to
avoid and destroy some of the unique elements that he releases, before the boss
launches his "broomstick" ability. Unfortunately, there are things
that I don't like about this woman. This is due to their ability to dodge when
one of the characters is doing the ultimate with cinematic animation.
Shortly after the character does the ultimate animation,
some bosses can move at will. One of them by doing abilities such as
teleportation. This makes the attacks that have been launched feel futile.
Moreover, when some characters do not automatically lock the boss after the
ultimate animation runs and you cannot do anything to change it. Inevitably you
have to pay attention to the right timing so that the CS Particle that you are
struggling to collect is not in vain. Even though this simple problem should be
solved by locking the enemy even though he had teleported.
Poor camera settings during battles are one of the
features that I am not interested in. The camera itself cannot adjust wherever
you act during battle. For example, when you are cornered in a narrow gap or
when depressed on a hill. The camera also cannot be zoomed or adjusted at will,
because Square-Enix locks it in one fixed area and cannot be set as freely as
possible.
Indeed, they have provided a zoom setting option in the
options menu, but the settings are quite simple. Starting from Normal, zoom,
and semi-zoom. You also can't point the camera down or up. Reducing the
flexibility of its function. Even if you can do it, then you can take a good
angle to just be a screenshot.
Simple Exploration, But Contains
Just like JRPG games in general, you will be able to
explore the vast world with various treasures stored in several pots, boxes,
and glowing spots. Everything is made with enough detail. Square-Enix knows
very well when and where to store some of these trinkets. Make you who have too
often played classic JRPG games in the past unconsciously know the location of
each of these objects.
Along the way, you will find another unique element from
the Trials of Mana named Li'l Cactus. As the name implies, it is a cactus that
is spread throughout the field. This feature is very similar to Ni no Kuni's
stamp system. But instead of completing the quest, you will be forced to search
for this tiny cactus by exploring its vast field.
There are about fifty cacti that you can find from the
beginning of the story to the end of the main story of the Trials of Mana. Some
can be found in the city, while some can be found in the field. Collecting it
will give you unique prizes, from 2x boost EXP to a free stay at the inn.
The emphasis of this exploration is also not limited to
Li'l Cactus, because consciously or unconsciously, you can get secret abilities
after you talk with several iconic NPCs after a few sessions since the main
story goes. For example, Fortune Teller.
There are changes day and night both in the field,
dungeon, and city. Entering the night some of the monsters will fall asleep
except nocturnal monsters, uniquely those who sleep can still know your
whereabouts if approached. What makes it different, they become more unprepared
for your arrival.
The variants of monsters during the day and night are
also different. So for example during the day you will find bird type monsters,
then sometimes you will find a bat type night. Meanwhile, the city will change
over time. Where residents will sleep soundly at home, and only a few NPCs are
still awake.
Changes in the day and night can also improve each
element of magic that you have. This is because these changes are also
indicated by different day names according to the elements. For example,
Salamando Day with the element of fire, Undine Day with the element of water,
and so on. On Salamando Day, your fire attack will be stronger than usual,
while Undine Day will change your water strike to be stronger, and so on.
Beautiful World Map and Unique Class System
Field and dungeon with changes day and night are not one
place to uncover the mysteries stored in the world of Trials of Mana. Because
as the story goes on, you will again taste the beauty of the world map with a
unique marine vehicle and air. Unfortunately, because the classic JRPG process
is extraordinarily linear, air vehicles can only land in predetermined places
that are marked by light.
The world is quite extensive thanks to the world map
representation that you can explore with these two types of vehicles. In some
parts, you will find a lot of equipment and weapons that can change the visual
appearance of your weapon after it is installed. No exception items for class
changes.
Yes, Trials of Mana has a class system that has now been
abandoned by most JRPG games. Class will be able to become stronger by going to
where the Mana stone is. He is divided into three levels from the original
series, and four levels for his rematch in 2020. Each one with branches of
Light and Dark with their abilities. Light will be more inclined to light,
healing, and supportive element attacks, while Dark will be more dominated by
support elements, dark elemental attacks, too insistent combos for characters
with melee attacks. You can see all the advantages and disadvantages of each
class before deciding to choose your "ninja path".
Any changes above the second class (your base class is
counted as the first-class) will require specific items that you can get from
the main story, or for those of you who want to experiment can search for these
items via ??? seed that can be planted through pots. This change will not only
add the ultimate attack, but also automatically change your character's
costume. But calm, this costume can be replaced if you don't like the visual
appearance.
Pin Gacha RNG
Changing costumes and weapons are not the only features
offered by the Trials of Mana. But believe it or not, Square-Enix offers
another feature that is now popular in mobile games, namely Gacha. They call it
the seed system, where you will be able to get random items from the seed items
you find on the map. Simply put, seed is an RNG gacha system in the
single-player JRPG game. Seed can be planted in pots that are in the inn to get
items. There are five levels of seeds. From ordinary seed, silver, gold,
rainbow, too??? seed. Each seed has a different item. Either potion, XP
enhancer cake, equipment, to items that are very important for class changes.
Planting seeds will not only give you items such as
boosting items, bread, or strong equipment. But also increase the level of the
pot as you often plant it. The higher the level of the pot, the higher your
chance of getting rare items. Unfortunately, it is limited to quite a bit when
compared to other JRPGs.
In general, the item variants in Trials of Mana are quite
small for RPG game classes. Therefore, you will not find too many variations of
items from treasure chests or glowing spots. Unlike other JRPG Square-Enix
games with various complexities for RPG problems, Trials of Mana does an RPG
approach that is quite simple and easy to understand. This level of simplicity
can be shown only from the seed items that you find on the map. Where you can
get the strongest items from the game only from planting seeds. I got the
strongest equipment for the first phase also from the seed that I found. Some
functions they switch to abilities with a complexity that is not so complex and
easy to understand.
You can install passive abilities such as to increase HP
base to magic attack. There are two types of abilities: each character's
special and chain abilities that can be used by all parties. But unfortunately,
when you decide to install it after increasing the status in the training menu,
you cannot go directly back to the training menu. Making it impractical at all
in my personal opinion. Because if Square-Enix can add these features, the
skill settings will feel more comfortable and faster than having to go back to
the main menu and choose the training menu.
Feeling Awkward Because of One Direction
Simple and classic mechanics that reflect how the classic
JRPG tastes carried by the Trials of Mana are, of course, incomplete without
the presence of a story that becomes the main benchmark why RPG games are so in
demand. The story is written without reducing the various aspects of the
original game. Looks classic with various modernization blends that exist
today. Variety of cutscene with modern shooting, as if melting scenes that
could not be raised when the game was released at SNES at the time.
Various dialogues that were almost all filled with voice
acting on display, showed how Square-Enix intended to remake the Trials of Mana
in such away. But unfortunately, some aspects that are maintained seem
irrelevant for modern games.
If you have to compare it with their other games like
Dragon Quest XI with the same JRPG classic theme, Trials of Mana is more
inclined to represent how the Japanese developer still wants to stay with the
original series. It was as if they were afraid to change what the fans liked
then. Including how they explain the relationship between the characters are
left alone with a few changes and additions that seem safe but less relevant.
The character you choose as the main character and the
party will later meet the protagonist on the way. Your first meeting will give
you the choice to see and play past the characters. If you choose to play the
past, then you won't be able to save and get items. Meanwhile, if you don't
choose to play it, then it will tell with narrative explanations. Characters
that you don't choose will still appear and explain a handful of backgrounds.
But it is not as complete when you choose it as a party partner.
I found almost no two-way dialogue when meeting with
other characters who became one party except the "pair". For example,
when meeting with Hawkeye and helping Duran and Angela get out of prison. There
was not a word from Duran or Angela even though it was only a small talk,
making the dialogue that was only sung by Hawkeye felt awkward and only went in
one direction. No real problem, but this becomes unnatural. Especially for the
series they call "remake" explicitly.
Some scenes when meeting with "pair" has indeed
become one of the awaited scenes, considering all pairs interact with each
other. But unfortunately, only limited to certain scenes and more often absent
until the end of the story. Although, my dream was relieved after finding the
scene that I predicted, but it ended up being a potato because it only became a
"signal" at the end of the story.
The absence of intense dialogue between characters when
undergoing an event also makes the story seem to only go one direction and
focus on the main character. Make the three characters you choose as if not one
way with the protagonist. No one complained that any decision made by the
protagonist made it feel less dramatized.
Indeed, in the future one of them took part when entering
their own story, but the fact that communication seemed to go in one direction
could not be avoided. For example, Hawkeye, who I chose to be the third
character, will play a massive role in entering the part of the story that is
on the same path as my main character, Duran. However, what do Duran and other
characters do? Silent His expression was only represented through an animation.
This is because all dialogue is taken over by Hawkeye. Making this classic
featureless relevant if you compare it to the JRPG game mechanics that
Square-Enix has done very well in the past decade.
This one-way dialogue is one of the weaknesses of the
game with many main characters. Especially for the Trials of Mana who tried to
bring back the classic JRPG kiss that had a fairly rigid dialogue in its time.
Make the story of each character separate, even if it's one goal.
That's right, Square-Enix managed to cover up this
shortcoming in games like Octopath Traveler, where all the characters are the
main characters. They added a dialogue session between the main characters when
the story of one of the characters is running that can be witnessed by pressing
a button. But unfortunately, not for the Trials of Mana. They allow it to stay
with the original for the remake series and only add very little of the
fragments towards the end of the story.
If they do the same amount as the Octopath Traveler in a
different way, the small change at least affects that the communication between
the characters and their groupmates feels more alive. Of course, while
maintaining the storyline. This implies that they traveled for the same
purpose, even though in reality the path was different. For example, adding
Angela who grunts or fears while in a ghost ship, or maybe a dialogue between
Duran and Angela and other characters when facing something.
Interestingly, when you have enjoyed the credit screen
with The End writing, this remake version will prevent you from stopping there.
Because your adventure is not over. So, don't expect "The End" to be
the end of everything in the Trials of Mana.
Visuals and music stimulates imagination
Your endless adventure in the Trials of Mana becomes more
complete with the presence of visual and musical displays that support its
existence. And Square-Enix's hard work, deserves a thumbs up for this one
problem. They do it half-heartedly and can take advantage of existing
technology today.
The music is divided into two: classic and remake. And
guess what? The classic version is still pleasant to listen to today even
though it is classified as super old music. However, the remake version is
equally beautiful. He was present with high-quality orchestral music. It makes
you able to enjoy the magical strains that indirectly stimulate your brain and
imagination to imagine what if you are in the classic fantasy world that is
always plastered in JRPG games.
Throughout the game, the main theme music of Trials of
Mana became one of my favorite music in this game. Because indirectly, he was
able to make me imagine how beautiful the world of classic JRPG is full of
colorful stories and mysteries that are very rich.
Meanwhile, the visual appearance seems unquestionable for
the expertise of Square-Enix artists in using Unreal Engine 4. Starting from
Dragon Quest XI, the developer and publisher from Japan is back to spoil our
eyes with a visual display that can be considered quite straightforward from
Final Fantasy VII Remake that also uses the same engine.
If Final Fantasy VII Remake makes you feel a semi-dark
visual appearance while remaining colorful, then Trials of Mana has a colorful
world. The combination of blue and green that dominates tirelessly keeps my eyes
at home watching the screen. No exception a unique blend of colors complete
with various effects such as bloom and chromatic aberration in each field,
world map, and dungeon. No, they don't use matte painting techniques like Final
Fantasy VII Remake. Instead of using images, the background is made with a
three-dimensional model with several effects that can blend with the field.
Give your nuances that you can feel as the game goes on.
Use Japanese Dub! REQUIRED!
Visual appearance and music indeed managed to stimulate
the imagination of players to enjoy how beautiful the world of Trials of Mana.
But unfortunately, it is not directly proportional to the dubbing. Especially
for dubbing in English. If you don't know yet, Square-Enix is very careful to
choose actors to fill in any language including English, given the contrasting
cultural differences. This is proven by their success in adapting all the
English-language dubbing they represent in the Final Fantasy series to Dragon
Quest XI. Unfortunately, it seems they are in a hurry while working on the
Trials of Mana.
This is indicated by the absence of sound color
synchronization and proper translation of the dubbing of each character.
Especially Charlotte who will make you want to hit and slam your speakers or
headset. Instead of using British voice with a European accent, they use voice
actors who, if heard from the accent are American.
I personally as a person who always put forward the
Japanese dub in every Japanese game except for a certain series, did not make a
problem at all because it was not my goal. On the contrary, I am very satisfied
with his Japanese dub. At least that's how I feel.
You could say that the Japanese voice acting is very
okay, but because sometimes the character animation when acting is stiff and
less expressive, some scenes can not be enjoyed. Square-Enix should give
certain effects or certain animations to reinforce the impression that the
character is angry, shouting, or something else.
This is one of the minus values which in my personal
opinion reduces the enjoyment of playing, especially in terms of stories in
certain scenes. Because the player can no longer feel what if the character has
an angry or happy expression, thanks to the lack of supportive animation.
Eliminating the acting of voice actors who have the maximum.
Scenes with some delay seemed to wait for the code in the
game to run, also making the story delivery feel awkward. Indeed, not all of
them, but it would be better to pay more attention even though only a handful
of their next project.
There is an interesting thing when you use Japanese dub,
which is censorship. Especially if you understand Japanese like me. One of them
is in terms of translation. Some dialogues with dub are translated, sometimes
different from Japanese spoken. Starting from when Duran returned home with
Angela who was then seduced by Angela when she did not want her party mate to
enter her house. Angela who wants to know Duran's room in her Japanese dub
suspects that Duran keeps obscene books in her room. But this is translated
differently by Square-Enix to be more "friendly" by turning it into a
human and "secret" framework.
Conclusion
Trials of Mana emerged as a series that tried to invite
JRPG fans to get back to feeling the sweetness of the classic JRPG game that
was popular between the 90-2000s. Some elements such as classic JRPG stories,
world maps, treasure chests, and marine and air vehicles make players feel the
beauty of exploring a world full of imagination. This then they are equipped with
music and visual appearance that can make you feel the eyes and eargasm
throughout the game.
Square-Enix can be said to have succeeded in presenting
all the original two-dimensional elements of the Trials of Mana series which
were translated very well and accurately using Unreal Engine 4 as its main
engine. The combination of colors, models, cities, and all of its assets is
carved with high accuracy and can provide a nostalgic effect for those who like
the classic JRPG type.
Although they still survive with the originality of the
original series. But the battle Trials of Mana made very fluid with a variety
of changes, making the game can be said to be parallel to the new game today
for the mechanical problems that carry the action.
The unique seed system, complete with the class system
that is back, makes the content more solid, although I'm personally a little
disappointed because the number of items is relatively small for the RPG game
class.
Unfortunately some technical problems such as cameras to
"pair" systems that make minimal interaction between characters. It
makes the flow of the story feel stiff and only focus on the chosen main
character. Indeed, there are typical scenes for you who choose "pair",
but not as often as you might think.
Trials of Mana also seems to make you who like
Square-Enix's typical English-speaking voice actor bow on his knees and admit
that Japanese voice actors are superior. This is because some English-speaking
voice actors do not have high consistency and lack of emotion that they must
play.
Even so, Trials of Mana can be called a feast for those
of you who miss playing the classic JRPG game. Moreover, you are required to
complete it three times with a different "pair". With some fun
elements, character customization, attractive visual appearance, and post-game
content with a new class, Trials of Mana is a game that I recommend for those
of you who have played the franchise in the past, until you have just played
the game. While those of you who don't like the classic JRPG seems to have to
rethink before weighing it.