Trials of Mana similar games & best alternatives

Trials of Mana

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Android, Xbox Series X|S, iOS • 2020

Should you play it?

Trials of Mana is a modern revival of the 3rd game in the seminal Mana series. The game, originally released in Japan as Seiken Densetsu 3, has been fully rebuilt from the ground up in 3D.

What works
  • Faithful and beautiful remake
  • Engaging combat and class system
  • Multiple characters and story routes
  • Excellent music and art style
  • High replayability and customization
Things to keep in mind
  • Poor ai companions
  • English voice acting criticized
  • Story is simple and sometimes cheesy
  • Lack of multiplayer or co-op
  • Some difficulty balancing issues

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR

  • Horizon Forbidden West™ Complete Edition

  • FINAL FANTASY II

  • Wigmund

  • Joe Dever's Lone Wolf HD Remastered

  • Asterigos: Curse of the Stars

  • DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined

  • Deep Dungeons of Doom

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • AI Roguelite

  • Erannorth Reborn

  • Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Fantasy

    OCTOPATH TRAVELER™

  • Progression

    FINAL FANTASY VIII

  • Autonomy

    Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Trials of Mana: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Expression. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players create and customize their own party with extensive options and can choose class changes and strategies freely."

    Capsule for Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge

    "Players choose main character and party members, customize classes and stats, and decide play style freely."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Combat requires skillful timing and learning enemy patterns; some bosses are challenging but overall accessible."

    Capsule for ICEY ICEY

    "Combat is accessible but requires skillful dodging and strategy especially on higher difficulties; some boss fights require planning."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on personal progression and story; no mention of ranked modes or leaderboards."

    Capsule for Breath of Death VII Breath of Death VII

    "Focus is on personal progression and story; no mention of ranked modes or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "High replayability with multiple story paths encourages repeated playthroughs."

    Capsule for Tyranny Tyranny

    "High replayability with multiple characters, classes, and story routes encourages multiple playthroughs."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -4

    "Gameplay is primarily single-player with limited cooperative elements; AI partners are criticized and co-op is minimal."

    Capsule for NINJA GAIDEN Σ2 [NINJA GAIDEN: Master Collection] NINJA GAIDEN Σ2 [NINJA GAIDEN: Master Collection]

    "Single player with AI companions; no multiplayer or co-op; AI often criticized as poor."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Extensive customization of classes, skill trees, and beast forms; players can create unique builds and experiment with combinations."

    Capsule for Coridden Coridden

    "Class system with multiple evolutions and ability customization allows creative builds and experimentation."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is solo and cooperative AI is limited."

    Capsule for Strike Suit Zero Strike Suit Zero

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is cooperative with AI companions."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game to relax, explore fantasy worlds, and escape real life stress."

    Capsule for Kingdom of Atham: Crown of the Champions Kingdom of Atham: Crown of the Champions

    "Players use the game to relax, enjoy a charming fantasy world, and escape real life stress."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Tales of Symphonia Tales of Symphonia

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players try different class builds, party compositions, and strategies; game encourages exploration of mechanics."

    Capsule for Our Adventurer Guild Our Adventurer Guild

    "Players try different party combinations, class builds, and strategies; encourages replay and exploration."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Exploration of multiple environments with hidden items and secrets, though within a limited map structure."

    Capsule for Bad Dream: Coma Bad Dream: Coma

    "Exploration of colorful, varied environments with hidden items and secrets; some backtracking."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Character customization includes class-based costume changes and ability builds, allowing some self-expression."

    Capsule for Visions of Mana Visions of Mana

    "Character customization through class changes and costume changes allows some self-expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strong fantasy setting with imaginative fiction, mythical elements, and classic JRPG storytelling."

    Capsule for OCTOPATH TRAVELER™ OCTOPATH TRAVELER™

    "Strong fantasy setting with magic, mythical creatures, and classic JRPG storytelling."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -3

    "Mostly single-player experience with limited multiplayer community and social interaction."

    Capsule for Disney's Treasure Planet: Battle of Procyon Disney's Treasure Planet: Battle of Procyon

    "Mostly single player experience with limited social interaction; no multiplayer or community features."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop characters through leveling, skill upgrades, and gear enhancements, learning combat mechanics and strategies."

    Capsule for Ruined King: A League of Legends Story™ Ruined King: A League of Legends Story™

    "Players develop characters through leveling, stat allocation, and unlocking abilities; learning combat mechanics."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Typical sedentary gaming experience with no physical activity elements."

    Capsule for God of War God of War

    "Typical sedentary gaming experience with no physical activity elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during combat and exploration; not a casual idle game."

    Capsule for Mini Ninjas Mini Ninjas

    "Requires focused attention during combat and exploration; not a casual idle game."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited to scripted character interactions; no deep social or emotional connections formed."

    Capsule for Waking Mars Waking Mars

    "Limited to scripted character interactions; no deep social or emotional connections reported."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -4

    "No player leadership roles; companions are AI controlled."

    Capsule for South Park™: The Stick of Truth™ South Park™: The Stick of Truth™

    "No player leadership over others; AI companions act independently with limited player control."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on character progression, item collection, and upgrades."

    Capsule for FINAL FANTASY VIII FINAL FANTASY VIII

    "Strong emphasis on character progression, class upgrades, item collection, and new abilities."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Generally relaxing and immersive, though higher difficulties and boss fights add tension and challenge."

    Capsule for Kena: Bridge of Spirits Kena: Bridge of Spirits

    "Generally relaxing and enjoyable gameplay; some tension in boss fights but overall accessible."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Bright colorful visuals, pleasant music, and satisfying combat animations provide sensory enjoyment."

    Capsule for Slay the Dragon! Slay the Dragon!

    "Colorful visuals, engaging music, and satisfying combat provide sensory enjoyment."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on personal achievement."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 2 Resident Evil 2

    "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on personal achievement."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Story is serviceable and straightforward, providing context but not deeply immersive narrative."

    Capsule for SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance

    "Simple JRPG narrative with multiple perspectives; story is serviceable but not deep."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Combat and skill customization require tactical thinking and planning."

    Capsule for Mass Effect™: Andromeda Deluxe Edition Mass Effect™: Andromeda Deluxe Edition

    "Combat and class customization require planning and tactical thinking, especially on higher difficulties."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some suspense in boss fights and combat; overall moderate emotional tension."

    Capsule for GRANDIA HD Remaster GRANDIA HD Remaster

    "Some suspense in boss fights and combat encounters; overall moderate emotional intensity."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players perceive good value for money with quality remake, added content, and replayability."

    Capsule for Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty

    "Good perceived value due to replayability, content, and quality of remake."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves fighting monsters and bosses with magic and weapons; typical fantasy violence."

    Capsule for Sword and Fairy 7 Sword and Fairy 7

    "Combat involves fighting monsters and bosses; typical fantasy action violence."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "Players must avoid damage and manage resources to survive combat encounters and boss fights."

    Capsule for The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story™ The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story™

    "Players must avoid damage and manage resources in combat; some challenge in boss fights."

Last update: 01/06/2026