Trials of Mana, a remake of the 1995’s Japan-only “Seiken Densetsu 3” for Super Famicom, is just a little over a month off now, launching on the 24th of April. Even if you’ve played the original Japanese release, fan translated ROM, or recent English release in Collection of Mana, plenty has changed for the remake. Let’s take a look at some of those changes.

At first glance

To get the obvious changes out of the way, the game is now fully rendered in three-dimensions.

1995 16-bit original and 2020 3D remake.

The perspective limitations are relaxed as a result of the change to 3D, allowing the camera freedom to shift away from the birds-eye view of the 16-bit era.

Much of the important dialogue is now voice acted also, with original Japanese available as an option. The option to switch to Japanese is a godsend if you’re planning on using Charlotte, whose English voice acting is tragic.

There are also a good deal of quality-of-life additions we’ve seen in trailers, such as a mini-map, hint pop-ups, and a generally more approachable combat UI.

Combat changes

Several updates have been made to combat with the remake, which leans more heavily into the action part of ARPG.

Knocking aerial enemies down to the ground — source.

The additional Z-axis is taken advantage of with airborne enemies and measures to deal with them. Characters can now jump, as well as employ attacks to ground flying enemies as Duran is doing in gif above.

Attacking is now more dynamic, with basic attacks stringing. This looks more engaging and visually pleasing than the hit-wait-hit system of the original, which particularly sucked if playing a caster. Attacks can knock enemies back, or swing broadly dealing damage to an area of effect per player input.

Kevin dodges into a more advantageous positions — source.

We’ve also been given the ability to dodge-roll. Dodging allows players to dodge incoming attacks, or get into a better position. Incoming enemy skills and spells are telegraphed by a reddened area on the ground, so dodge-rolling in response is simple enough.

Riesz sliding on ice while in combat — source.

Terrain has been shown to influence combat also. Above Riesz can be seen sliding on ice as she attacks. It’s been hinted there are more terrain effects; perhaps we can expect to be slowed in sand, or blown around by wind.

Along with terrain effects, boss encounters have also been fleshed out. So far we’ve seen additional obstacles and conditions, as well as new moves being used by bosses in footage. This should help the game feel fresh for veterans of the original.

Angela casting Blaze Wall while Riesz attacks — source.

The combat is overall more fluid now, too. Where in the original casting a spell froze the action for the animation to play out, now spells take place as the battle unfolds. Targetting still halts activity thankfully, as things could get too hectic otherwise. Skills appear to slow combat to zoom in for a quick animation before the skill unleashes. These don’t appear to be too frequent so shouldn’t interrupt the flow of battle.

Class progression

For anyone not already aware, Trials of Mana features a branching class change system. Each character has a base class that, upon reaching a certain point, can promote in either a light or dark class change. Those secondary classes can promote once more later in a light or dark direction. See the graphic below for a visual explanation.

Class progression for Angela.

Each new class has unique strengths and weaknesses, and comes with its own set of abilities and skills or spells.

Like in the original, each of the 6 characters can class change in this way. Unlike the original, however, class changes can be reverted with a difficult-to-find item later in the game.

Riesz with various outfits to choose from - source.

In addition to reverting classes, players are also given the option to customise their appearance to another class’s outfit without losing the stats and abilities of their chosen class. You can see this option in the menu screenshot above.

Character development additions

Left: Original game’s level-up stat selection. Right: Remake’s stat ‘training’ — source.

Above we can see the stat-point gain system of both the original (left) and the remake (right). The remake has done away with the original’s single point selection on level-up for a more intricate ‘training’ system. Level-ups now grant permanent stat gains, but also allow the player to allocate training points in one of 5 areas (down from 6 with Agility absent). Doing so unlocks skills, abilities, and additional stat growth unique to that training category.

Abilities are new to the remake, and add a variety of effects that influence the game in different ways. Some are unique to classes, so be sure to experiment.

Kevin’s Abilities menu — source.

Abilities are gained through training, but some can apparently also be gained through relationship building, though what exactly that entails is still unclear.

Other changes

Perhaps the biggest gripe of fans, is that the game doesn’t maintain the multiplayer mode of the original. Considering the way the camera works now, it’s probably no surprise.

Duran and Angela meet at an inn — source.

Otherwise, players can now expect to meet their party members when visiting towns. Perhaps this new facet of the game contributes to the relationship building mentioned as a way to unlock abilities.

Another change that’s been revealed is that file saving has been mordernised with autosaves. Mana Goddess save statues are also more common. Mana Goddess statues come in two colours: silver and gold; both allow the player to save their game, while golden statues also restores HP and mana for the party, just as in the original.

There are also 12 save data slots now, up from 3, giving more opportunities to play the game through using different parties.

A seed producing an item in a planter box — source.

Found at inns, seed planter boxes called “Magic Pots” are back. In the original these are the primary way of unlocking end-game equipment and other useful items; if that remains true in the remake is yet to be seen. New to the remake, Magic Pots now have levels, and produce better items at a higher rate with level-ups.

Closing remarks

Overall the remake of Seiken Densetsu 3, now Trials of Mana in the West, looks very promising. After the lacklustre Secret of Mana remake, its follow-up game looks on track to surpass expectations.

Trials of Mana releases for PS4, Switch, and on Steam on the 24th of April.