We recently sat down for a PlayStation Underground playtime episode of Trials of Mana – an exciting new RPG that launches April 24.
You may not know it, but the game takes on a full repetition of the 1995 classic RPG released exclusively in Japan – Seiken Densetsu 3. The new game is built with a respectable 16-bit classic, side-by-side new ideas – and there's a PC Underground gameplay component that reflects that perfectly : management battle against Fiegmund, Water Benevodon.
Meet Fiegmund – my how to grow!
During the Mana trials, your group of brave friends must face eight powerful monsters called Bevvons. These are creatures of the destructive power that once brought the world to the brink of chaos. In other words, it's bad news. Inside the labyrinthine caves of Frostbite Fields, a particularly bad example is waiting – Fiegmund.
Here's what Fiegmund looked back to in 1995:
This is what Fiegmund looks like right now:
How far into 25 years!
Of course, it helps that Fiegmund always looks good. The original Mana Trials have some early sprite activity, and that gave the team a good point of reference when restoring this formidable foe. You can see how this new version effectively captures all the essentials, from its sharp razor paper, to the uncontrollable blurry sounds.
However, converting a 2D sprite into a 3D model has its challenges. In this conceptual art we can see how the group was supposed to see everything from what the beast's body would look like, with tiny details like under its feet!
Re-imagining a site fight
Of course, it's not enough to make Fiegmund look better – It must be fought in a very complex way.
Back in the long, late '90s, Fiegmund jumped around the battlefield (with the amazing grace of something so big). The key to victory was to take every opportunity to deal with the damage before the cruel Benavodon was started out of reach.
The same is true for this new version, but the battle also adds to additional problems. Unlike the first game, Fiegmund has three features to work on – and it fully utilizes. Jump on the roof and sides of this area, it sits comfortably without being exposed to the majority of attacks by the party.
It also throws a new attack into the mix – introducing powerful icons from above and attacking with a frantic attack on the ice.
In another brilliant demonstration of how developers have taken things from the Trials of Mana and re-interpreted it with a modern lens. The real DNA is there, but the execution is new and exciting.
It's not easy to hit the green
On PlayStation Underground footage, you can see the team beating Fiegmund by the hand – but how exactly did they do it? We will walk you through some of the tricks they used.
This powerful enemy is equipped with many powerful attacks, but the worst is the Frozen Crack.
Fiegmund jumps out of harm's way and throws many powerful icons down the battlefield. If you fail to deal with this on time … well, let's just say that you should have healing items to put in place (although at least the team should have no trouble getting an icepack for their injuries).
Dealing with these powerful icons should be your top priority – and there are many ways to do it. In the video, for example, we see Kevin acting as a Special Removal Specialist, using brute force to divide them before Fiegmund begins his brutal attack.
But that's one way. Mana trials show a lot of flexibility in how you grow your team. For example, you can choose different classes of characters, which allows them to take different roles in battle.
In addition to the enhanced rating system, there is also a new feature built for this version of Trials of Mana – Ability. After each battle, you will receive Training Points, which you can use for various upgrades to your characters, such as boosting HP or increasing power.
In our games, Kevin is built as the boss of a very powerful former case, but you can choose to define him differently (if you're at your party at all).
If you were using low-strength physical or low-level characters, for example, you could use game strategy tactics to order your team to attack the same target as you. With their combined power, your team should be able to whiten those icons down in seconds.
There are other strategies you can use too – but we'll let you work it out when the game is over!
With aced icicles, Fiegmund comes out of stone on the ground. Now it clings to his back, and he suddenly appears in shock. You probably feel sorry for the beast – at least until you remember it's a horrible destruction event in the end.
Still, it is at stake. The party now has a short window of opportunity to unleash their amazing abilities and magic to inflict some serious damage. By consolidating their attack, the team is able to send Fiegmund to a great finish.
When are Mana's tests coming out?
This is a brief look at one of the brightest buses in the Trials of Mana. I hope you can see how love is renewed – and how the new mechanic goes about making the war more intense. That combination of ideas for the series about Mana and new ideas lives at the heart of the whole game.
You will be able to see for yourself on April 24 when Trials of Mana is released on PS4.
Pre-order now, and you'll get six special PSN Avatars, plus Rabite Adornment – a special accessory that lets you get more information on battles (up to 10 levels).
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