Trials of Mana cover art

Trials of Mana

A real-time action JRPG where class-change optimization and combat timing against scripted enemies defines mastery.

On Steam ↗
Here's the argument for where this game sits - disagree freely.
Match your experience?
EXECUTION5 /10READS0 /10VARIANCE3 /10OPTIMIZATION8 /10

the cheat-test profile

The four axes - the argument

Each axis is rated on its own - how far one cheat would trivialize the game here. They don't trade off; low on all four means the game is an experience, not a contest.

  1. Execution

    cheat: Aimbot - perfect inputs

    5/10

    Real-time character swapping and attack timing matter

  2. Reads

    cheat: Out-predict an adaptive opponent

    0/10

    All boss and enemy patterns are scripted

  3. Variance

    cheat: See what's hidden / map the RNG

    3/10

    Random class-change bonus stats and item drops add some variance

  4. Optimization

    cheat: A perfect solver / coach

    8/10

    Class change paths and ability selection are the dominant optimization space

How to read this

Each axis is named by the cheat that would break the game along it. Execution is the hands. Reads is out-thinking an adaptive opponent. Variance is hidden information & RNG. Optimization is the solvable systems layer. A game's region is the top one or two axes.

These four aren't one rating split four ways - they're independent 0-10 questions. A 9 on one axis takes nothing from the others, and a game low on all four isn't missing data: it's telling you there's no skill here to cheat.

The basis is how the majority actually plays this game - not a niche mode or a personal run. For a game with very different modes (a story campaign versus ranked multiplayer), that's the version most people mean.

Compare with

Similar games

see all →

Ranked by shared genre first, then by how closely the cheat-test profile matches - a cross-genre tag means a pick matched on skill profile alone.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution cover art

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Pure Optimization · immersive sim RPG

E
R
V
O
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Terraria cover art

Terraria

Pure Optimization · 2D sandbox

E
R
V
O
Terraria
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cover art

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Practiced Mastery · turn-based RPG

E
R
V
O
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Gothic II cover art

Gothic II

Pure Optimization · open-world RPG

E
R
V
O
Gothic II
Starfield cover art

Starfield

Practiced Mastery · space RPG

E
R
V
O
Starfield
Vampyr cover art

Vampyr

Practiced Mastery · action RPG

E
R
V
O
Vampyr

Game details

Released
2020
Developer
Square Enix Creative Business Unit IV
Platforms
Series X|S, PS4, Android, PC, iOS, Switch
Modes
Single player
IGDB critics
78/100
IGDB users
76/100
Role-playing (RPG)AdventureActionFantasy