Trials of Kokoro
Release date: May 23, 2023
Developers: TD Games
Publishers: TD Games
Genres: Adventure, RPG, Strategy
Categories: Single-player, Partial Controller Support, Steam Cloud, Family Sharing
Supported languages: English

A young man awakens in a forest, deep in the Hinodean wilds. He doesn't remember how he got there, or where he needs to be. Despite this, wielding a blade is all too familiar to him, and his knowledge of ancient history is greater than scholars that have studied their entire lives. On a quest to remember his past, the young man sets out, eager to find his way... Features 54 weapons, 150 different types of armor and accessories, and 92 unique skills and spells. Additionally, 54 gems enhance the heroes' skills in different ways. 60 unique, hand-crafted battles, with each requiring a different strategy. The Aranea Queen, for example, can devour characters if they aren't freed in time! Status effects, bonuses, and penalties will help or hinder you during the journey. Mouseover a character or enemy, and all of their statuses will be explained. Some powerful spells will take time to cast, and Free Actions are special skills that allow a character to instantly act again. Some fights will grant the heroes temporary abilities that are vital to winning. Trials of Kokoro is a linear adventure focusing on battles, visual novel segments, and visiting merchants to resupply. There is no grinding, and difficulty can be changed any time you're outside of battle. Characters that deal (and heal) the most damage will have the enemy's attention, or aggro. To help tweak aggro management in your favour, a variety of options are available, like the Ring of Pacifism, or the skill, Defensive Casting. Guest characters will aid the party throughout the adventure. Although they act on their own free will, they are valuable allies. Some guest characters will even level up, gaining new skills in the process! The game's story is personal and relatable, focusing on a group of friends that face hardships together, and how they change over time. Trials of Kokoro explores themes of family, the loss of innocence, coming to terms with the world's true nature, and the concept of trust. Characters Aedric Aedric awakens in a mysterious forest, deep in the wilds of Hinode. He doesn't remember anything before then, and is on a mission to remember who he is, and where he belongs. Aedric is incredibly naive about many things, and can be far too trusting of those he doesn't know. In battle, Aedric wears heavy armour and wields swords. Aedric can choose to carry a shield, which allows him to completely block incoming physical attacks, or he can forgo defense for greater attacking strength, choosing to fight with two-handed swords, instead. Aedric's powers allow him to add a variety of elemental effects to his strikes, and he has a number of spell-like abilities, as well. Rhea A young Sol-Ikati, Rhea meets Aedric while foraging for herbs, and immediately develops a friendship with him. Although immature at times, and quick to anger, Rhea is loyal to those she loves, and will often put herself in danger, without a second thought. In battle, Rhea fights with her fists, delivering quick strikes, which allow her to build stamina quickly. Rhea can encourage her allies, protecting them from fear and boosting their attack, or increase her own speed and evasion, allowing her to act more often than her friends. Athena Athena is a traveling healer from the Guineverian city of Berholven, A Favoured of Trestae, Goddess of the Stars, she seeks to atone for her mistakes. She is burdened by the guilt of her past, and is incredibly consumed with how the world, and her Goddess, perceives her. In battle, Athena is capable of treating the wounds of her allies, purging them of ailments, and bringing them back from the brink of death. Additionally, Athena possesses powerful prayers, which increase various aspects of her friends' offensive and defensive strengths. The First Game in the Legends of Vitaria Series 

Press reviews: “Kokoro is the Japanese word for “heart”, and this game has it.” Tech Gaming “VN fans will find much to enjoy in the presentation, while RPG fans will find solid and robust progression and combat systems to keep them entertained.” RPGFan “The main thing setting Trials of Kokoro apart from other games is its ability to tackle profound themes like love, honour, insecurity, loss, fear, identity, sacrifice, and the nature of humanity itself.” PolySteam Gaming 

Notes: This game contains mature themes, such as the discussion of physical and mental abuse, post traumatic stress disorder, slavery, mutilation, the death of children, and alcoholism. Additionally, this game contains instances of flashing lights and colour, which could affect people with photosensitive epilepsy and/or other sensitivities.