TRIALS OF MANA
A JRPG that says ‘we’re all in this together’
Mana is fading from the world and peace has ended. In a bid to seize power, a band of Big Bads plot to free the monstrous Benevodons from their mana-stone prison. Six youths are affected by the plight of the land in different ways but come together to reach a common goal. How will your story unfold?
You choose your main character, plus two support characters, from the aforementioned roster of dogooders. Each has their own story but they double up on villains. By the time you read this their secrets will be well and truly out as a demo chronicling the start of your heroes’ journey will be available to download. For our hands-on though, we’re saying “Let’s go, girls!” and are adventuring with only the female protagonists.
GIRL’S TRIP
Our leading lady is Angela, a wilful princess and heir to the throne of a kingdom that prides itself on magical aptitude. Ironically poor Angie cannot cast a single spell herself and this strains her relationship with her Mother, the ‘true Queen’. Things go from bad to worse when the Crimson Wizard rocks up with a plan to forcibly take other kingdoms’ mana stones and use their power. And matters come to a head when he not only gets the Queen on board but it’s revealed that the spell that harnesses the stones’ power kills the caster. Upon hearing her mother intends to forcibly volunteer her to conduct the ritual, a distressed Angela manifests her first-ever magical act by teleporting away. Almost all the half-dozen protagonists know the pain of a grown-up they look up to being manipulated by a dastardly villain.
In the snowy outskirts of the kingdom, Angie has nothing but the clobbering potential of her magical staff to protect herself from enemies. Switching between light attacks on e and heavy or charged attacks on w, we build up energy for her special move on o + r.
Before long, our girl crosses paths with the duty-bound captain of the Amazons, Riesz, plus the pint-sized, half-elf princess overflowing with attitude, Charlotte. It turns out both Angela and Riesz are desperately seeking the guidance of the Priest Of Light, who just so happens to be Charlotte’s grandfather. Talk about a fated meeting!
You can play through the story so far from the support characters’ perspective as a flashback chapter (though none of the items or treasure you find will carry over). In our hands-on the pair join Angela as AI-controlled companions, exploring towns, beating back bosses, and saving the world together. Girl power!
“SIX YOUTHS AFFECTED BY THE PLIGHT OF THE LAND COME TOGETHER.”