In Trials of Mana, the narrative and lore depth are integral to the player's experience, offering a richly woven tapestry of interlocking destinies and storylines. The game is set in a world shrouded by darkness where the Goddess of Mana once wielded the Sword of Mana to seal away the destructive Benevodons within the eight Mana Stones. As players embark on their journey, they will find themselves amidst a war ignited by forces of evil seeking to unleash these horrors upon the world. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of six main characters, allowing players to choose their protagonist and companions, which in turn alters the storyline and character interactions. This choice-driven storytelling ensures that each playthrough can offer a unique perspective on the overarching plot. The lore of Trials of Mana is further enriched by its connection to the Mana Series, providing longtime fans with familiar elements while being accessible to newcomers. The depth is not only in the story itself but also in how it's presented; full English and Japanese voiceovers add layers to character development and bring extra conversations that occur during the journey. Furthermore, after completing the game, new storylines for party members are unlocked, extending the narrative beyond the main quest. These features collectively ensure that the world of Trials of Mana is immersive and engaging, encouraging players to delve deeper into its history and myths, thereby enhancing both the gameplay experience and emotional investment in the unfolding saga.

Character customization and progression in Trials of Mana provide players with extensive options to tailor their adventure according to their preferred playstyle. Upon starting the game, players select three out of six main characters, each with their own background and abilities, thus immediately influencing the direction of character progression. A significant aspect of customization comes from the ability to switch between light or dark classes, which not only strengthens characters but also changes their appearance, offering visual feedback on a character's evolution. With the addition of Class 4 in this remake, players now have even more room for growth and specialization. The game boasts over 300 different kinds of abilities, ensuring diverse training paths and power-up strategies. Players can fine-tune their characters' skills to match their tactical needs or experiment with various combinations to discover synergies between party members. Difficulty settings ranging from Beginner to Hard allow further personalization of the challenge level faced throughout the game. Additionally, New Game Plus content provides opportunities for continued character advancement post-game completion, including access to harder difficulties like Expert mode. Autosave features and newly added items such as Rabite Adornment and Silktail Adornment aid in character progression by increasing EXP and lucre gains respectively up to level 17. Such comprehensive customization and progression systems empower players to craft unique narratives for their characters while mastering the strategic depth Trials of Mana has to offer.