Trials of Mana details characters, classes, prologues, and map mechanics
Tons of information on the April 2020-due remake.
Square Enix has released new information and screenshots of Trials of Mana, its upcoming remake of the 1995-released Seiken Densetsu 3, including an introduction to the game’s characters, classes, and more.
Get the details below.
■ Story
When the world was shrouded in darkness, the Goddess of Mana drew forth the Sword of Mana to smite the eight Benevodons, monsters of destruction.
She sealed the horrors inside the eight Mana Stones, bringing the realm back from the brink.
Weakened from rebuilding the world, the Goddess changed herself into a tree and fell into a deep sleep for many years.
However, the forces of evil soon sought to free the Benevodons to gain control of the world.
They started a terrible war to further their plot and destabilize the kingdoms.
Peace was at an end. Mana itself began to disappear from the world and the Mana Tree started to wither…
In the vast world of Trials of Mana, the heroes must travel the endless sea and cross towering mountains to make their way to their next destination. There are friends somewhere in this world that can help you with this journey difficult by foot alone.
Flammie
Known as the Winged Defender, Flammie is the emissary of the Goddess of Mana, said to protect the mountains and sky. The young dragon can be summoned by the Flammie Drum to fly the party around the map.
Vuscav
The party first met this mysterious ruler of the seas on Beuca Island. Though he’s usually wary of people, he’s surprisingly helpful.
■ Spirits
Spirits are beings that will you will encounter on your journey and lend you their power. Each of the eight spirits has different traits, powers, and a way of speaking.
Faerie
A spiritual seed of the Tree of Mana.
Faerie ventures out of the sanctuary to warn Wendel’s Priest of Light of the fading power of the Mana Tree. However, she collapses on the way, too weak to complete her journey alone. The hero finds her and they join forces.
Spirits
Earth: Gnome – A spirit that possesses the power of earth and can manipulate large rocks. Its beard and green, pointy hat are its trademarks.
Water: Undine – A spirit that possesses the power of water and can make it hail by gathering up cold air. A sentimental spirit, she cannot overlook a person in trouble.
Fire: Salamander – A spirit that possesses the power of fire and wields a fiery spear, attacking with scorching fire and lava. It is a passionate spirit with a burning heart.
Wind: Jinn – A spirit of that possesses the power of wind and can control the wind, clouds, and thunder. Its large ears can hear messages carried by the wind.
Moon: Luna – A spirit that has the power to cast a mysterious light and lead peoples’ hearts astray. It is surrounded by four feather-esque wings covered in light.
Wood: Dryad – A spirit that rules over the trees and wields strong mana power. She has lushly green, leaf-like hair.
Light: Wisp – A spirit with the power to cast away evil with its dazzling light. It has deep, theoretical knowledge of light.
Shadow: Shade – A spirit that possesses the power of darkness, which can manipulate shadows and swallow up everything. It has large, black wings and a giant eyeball.
■ Classes
Another way to strengthen your characters besides leveling up is switching classes. New classes allow the characters to learn new class strikes and magic spells. When changing class, you can pick either the “Light” or “Dark” path depending on how you want to develop the character’s abilities.
The Light and Dark classes are proficient in different abilities and attacks. With a Light class, Duran can learn healing magic and equip a shield, making him a balanced fighter. With a Dark class, Duran gains lots of attack power and can be unstoppably strong if properly buffed.
■ Heroes and their Classes
Duran
Young swordsman from the Kingdom of Valsena.
Duran is a proud young soldier from Valsena, Kingdom of the Plains. Though he comes across as hot-headed and ready for a fight, the whole kingdom acknowledges his skill with a blade. Duran has nothing but love for his kingdom and respect for the Hero King, a good friend of his departed father, Loki the Golden Knight.
—Class 01 – Warrior
—Class 02 – Light: Knight
A protector class. Knights are proficient at both attack and defense. They can use shields, weapons, and healing magic to defend their allies.
—Class 02 – Dark: Gladiator
A class with high attack. Gladiators can’t use shields, but they possess great power. They can use fire, water, earth, and wind saber magic to deal lots of damage to their foes.
—Class 03 – Light: Liege
A balanced fighting class with good attack and defense. Lieges can also use healing magic to protect their allies and increase the party’s survival rate.
—Class 03 – Light: Paladin
A stamina-based, defensive class. Paladins can learn saber magic to imbue their allies’ attacks with the light element. They’re good for support.
—Class 03 – Dark: Duelist
One of the most powerful fighting classes, Duelists learn dark saber magic in addition to having a high attack stat.
—Class 03 – Dark: Edelfrei
Edelfrei are great at attacking and can learn earth, water, fire, and wind saber magic. They excel at fighting techniques, able to strike at enemy weaknesses.
Angela
Rebellious Princess of Altena, Kingdom of Magicians.
Angela is the only daughter of the True Queen of Altena, the snow-covered kingdom of magicians. Because Angela’s mother hardly spent any time with her as a child, the princess was prone to act out to get attention, wearing gaudy clothes and playing pranks on people in the castle. Despite this, her love for her mother runs deep. Angela never got the hang of casting magic spells, a problem that plagues her to this day.
—Class 01 – Magician
—Class 02 – Light: Sorceress
A class with a variety of spells. Sorceresses can use different types of elemental magic to attack their enemy’s weakness. They can also take a hit with their high endurance.
—Class 02 – Dark: Mysticist
A hard-hitting magic class. Mysticists deal a lot of damage thanks to their high intellect stat. They are proficient with dark spells and good at saving MP.
—Class 03 – Light: Archmage
Archmages can use the elemental powers at their disposal for a variety of powerful attacks. They also know a powerful non-elemental spell called “Glitter Dust.”
—Class 03 – Light: Grand Diviner
Grand Diviners can cast a powerful “Doppelganger” spell to split themselves and attack. They can cause lots of damage to enemies.
—Class 03 – Dark: Magus
Magi are a hard hitting class. They can cause massive damage with their wide array of magic attacks. One of their most potent attacks is “Ancient Curse.”
—Class 03 – Dark: Rune Seer
Rune Seers can cause status effects to petrify, freeze, or change their enemies in battle. They also know powerful magic that can destroy an enemy instantly.
Kevin
Son of the king of the Ferolian beastmen.
Kevin is heir to the throne of Ferolia. His father is the king of the beastmen, but his missing mother was a human woman. Kevin’s father raised him to be a fighting machine, which affected his social skills. He is unused to conversing with humans, which can make him hard to understand at times. The ice around the young boy’s heart only began to melt after making friends with Karl the wolf pup.
—Class 01 – Grappler
—Class 02 – Light: Monk
A balanced warrior class. Good at both healing magic and fighting, Monks can support both themselves and their allies during battle.
—Class 02 – Dark: Brawler
A class that relies on brute strength. They do a lot of damage and are good with many weapons when they go forth in battle.
—Class 03 – Light: Divine Fist
Divine Fists can use their class strikes in quick succession to do lots of damage. They can also learn magic spells for recovery and more.
—Class 03 – Light: Warrior Monk
Warrior Monks can absorb MP from enemies when they attack. They also learn wood saber magic. They have high attack, defense, and healing powers for a balanced warrior class.
—Class 03 – Dark: Fatal Fist
A powerhouse warrior class, Fatal Fists are an unbeatable attack class. They can use their class strike “Seiryu Strike” and cause lots of damage in the area of effect.
—Class 03 – Dark: Enlightened
Enlighteneds can boost their own HP by stealing that of their enemies. They are perfect as a front line fighter with their high attack power and moon saber magic.
Charlotte is the granddaughter of Wendel’s Priest of Light. She looks much younger than she is thanks to the elfin blood in her veins. Perhaps because of this, she has always been coddled by the people who raised her in the temple. Charlotte’s bright and outgoing personality can be both an asset and a hindrance. Though curious, she’s superstitious and a bit of a scaredy-cat.
—Class 01 – Cleric
—Class 02 – Light: Priestess
A supportive healing class. Priestesses have a high spirit stat that increases their healing powers. They can use fire, water, earth, and wind saber magic to help their allies with more than just recovery magic.
—Class 02 – Dark: Enchantress
A class for a fighting healer. In addition to healing, Enchantresses can learn attack magic. They can weaken their enemies before taking them down.
—Class 03: – Light: High Cleric
A super support class. High Clerics can learn many kinds of healing and recovery magic to save their allies.
—Class 03: – Light: Sage
Sages are a strong support class that can get rid of status effects and use saber magic on the whole party.
—Class 03: – Dark: Necromancer
A balanced class, Necromancers know powerful summoning magic for undead monsters. They can learn “Dark Curse” to lower an enemy’s stats.
—Class 03: – Dark: Warlock
A class that is good at weakening magic, Warlocks can also attack their enemies with the strong “Fetid Breath” spell.
Hawkeye hails from the desert fortress of Nevarl, home to a guild of noble thieves. He was raised as the orphaned ward of Flamekhan, the leader, together with Flamekhan’s own children, Eagle and Jessica. Hawkeye comes across as a laid-back and charming young man, making it hard to tell when he’s being serious. But at his core, Hawkeye is a fiercely loyal friend. Nothing gets past his honed senses and quick wit.
—Class 01 – Thief
—Class 02 – Light: Ranger
A cunningly versatile class. Rangers can use magic that causes status effects, as well as attack enemies with traps. They befuddle their foes with tricky moves.
—Class 02 – Dark: Ninja
A technique-based, debuffing class. Ninjas use ninja moves and other special attacks that hinder their enemies. They excel at weakening their foes.
—Class 03 – Light: Nomad
Nomads can learn a wide variety of support magic to help their party come out on top in battle.
—Class 03 – Light: Rogue
Rogues can learn powerful trap attacks. Their specialties are versatile, meaning they can attack enemies at any range.
As the name suggests, Ninja Masters have advanced ninja moves. They can cause damage in an area to turn the tide of battle.
—Class 03 – Dark: Nightblade
Nightblades can learn “Weapon Smack,” as well as “Needle Shower” that can silence enemies and nullify their attacks. Their brilliant attacks can blow away the enemy.
Riesz
Highborn captain of Laurent’s Amazon Guard.
Riesz is the young princess of the mountainous kingdom of Laurent and captain of the renowned Amazon guard. She has a will of iron and down-to-earth manner. Though some might call her stubborn, Riesz is always there to lend a hand to those who need it. She lost her mother as a child and since then has tried to help raise her little brother Elliot. Her topmost priorities are her father, brother, and kingdom.
—Class 01 – Amazon
—Class 02 – Light: Valkyrie
A strengthening support class. Valkyries can boost all stats to help their allies. They help cover the party’s weaknesses by bolstering their strengths.
—Class 02 – Dark: Rune Maiden
A debuffing support class. Rune Maidens can weaken an enemy and make it easier for the party to win.
—Class 03 – Light: Vanadis
A support class with great stamina, Vanadis are a solid presence in the party. They can learn the summoning spell “Freya.”
—Class 03 – Light: Starlancer
Starlancers is a balanced class that can support the party by strengthening them in battle. They can learn magic to boost stats and have their own fair share of stamina.
—Class 03 – Dark: Dragon Master
Dragon Masters can learn to decrease an enemy’s stats and summon “Jormungandr” to deal lots of damage and sometimes poison their opponent.
—Class 03 – Dark: Fenrir Knight
Fenrir Knights can impede enemies by decreasing their stats. They can lead their party to victory.
As the True Queen’s right-hand man, the Crimson Wizard orders the forces of Altena, the Kingdom of Magicians, to attack Valsena. He seeks to release the energy of the Mana Stones for an unknown, wicked purpose.
Goremand
A demonic devourer of human souls.
Goremand dresses in a jester’s tunic and wields a twisted scythe. He may seem playful, but he is no fool. After unexpectedly appearing in Kevin’s home, the kingdom of Ferolia, Goremand gains favor with the king and pushes the beastmen to invade Wendel.
Belladonna
Faithful servant of his Dark Majesty.
Belladonna’s monstrous beauty and enticing countenance bewitched Flamekhan, the leader of the Nevarlan thieves’ guild. With the forces of Nevarl at her command, Belladonna sets out to claim Riesz’s homeland of Laurent for the sake of her dark kingdom.
■ New Feature: Prologue Play
When one of the heroes meets a new friend, you can play the prologue for the character you just meet and retrace their past. It is a system designed to more deeply convey each character’s resolve for going on their journey. Prologue experiences are optional, meaning they can be skipped if you prefer not to play it.
—By choosing to experience a character’s prologue, you can play the past story of the character you met.
—If you choose not to experience a character’s prologue, you can watch the prologue movie for the character you met.
■ Map Mechanics
There are various challenges to overcome in dungeons and on the field. If you are unable to successfully solve these, you will not be able to move forward…
—By operating the pedestal, the direction of the wind blowing toward you will change. Skillfully alter the wind’s course to advance to your destination.
—Moving across locations where fire erupts and lava flows can deal damage to your party. The improved graphics of the remake makes these sorts of field mechanics easier to notice.
■ More Screenshots and Artwork
Trials of Mana is due out worldwide for PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC via Steam worldwide on April 24, 2020.
