The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki

Starting at €49.99Buy now

In "The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki", players navigate a thrilling, fast-paced combat system that transitions seamlessly between field and command-based battles. Strategically selecting attacks, techniques, magic, and items is key to overcoming formidable enemies. The Steam® version offers High-Speed Mode, text size customization, and 21:9 ultra-wide monitor support for an enhanced gaming experience .

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 165 reviews

story24 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

Kuro no Kiseki is a refreshing entry in the Trails series, featuring a darker and more mature tone, which many players appreciate as a departure from previous games.
The new combat system, which combines action and turn-based mechanics, has been well-received for its fluidity and engaging gameplay, making battles feel more dynamic.
The character development is strong, with a smaller, more focused cast that allows for deeper interactions and relationships, particularly highlighting the protagonist Van Arkride.

Some players feel that the story pacing is inconsistent, particularly criticizing the final chapter for being anti-climactic and lacking depth.
The game has been noted to have technical issues, including graphical performance problems and a lack of native English support, requiring players to rely on fan-made patches.
While the new mechanics are generally praised, some players find certain gameplay elements, like the orbment system, to be overly simplified or lacking in depth compared to previous entries.

story
72 mentions
33 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story in "Kuro no Kiseki" is praised for its mature themes, engaging character dynamics, and compelling narrative that introduces new elements while connecting to the series' history. Players appreciate the darker tone and the depth of side quests, which add weight to the overall experience, although some feel the main plot lacks originality and the villains are underdeveloped. Overall, the game is seen as a strong start to a new arc in the "Legend of Heroes" series, with a well-paced story that captivates players from beginning to end.
- “The story unfolds with twists and turns, keeping players captivated and eager to uncover the truth behind the web of secrets.”
- “This game offers a compelling storyline, engaging gameplay, and a vibrant world that will keep players hooked from start to finish.”
- “The characters are fun, the story is intriguing, and leaving Erebonia and Crossbell behind for somewhere new is like a breath of fresh air.”
- “The story around the main characters and their relationships is generally good, but I found the villains to be quite weak.”
- “Although the story is, in my opinion, pretty average, the overall execution is considerably better than the few previous entries, and Kuro no Kiseki has by far the best story pacing in the series.”
- “Overall, this is a solid start to a new Trails arc that serves as a great introduction to the new set of characters for future entries, but underdelivers story-wise.”
gameplay
36 mentions
25 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Kuro no Kiseki" has been praised for its refreshing blend of action RPG and traditional turn-based mechanics, offering a dynamic combat system that emphasizes character positioning and area effects. Players appreciate the balance between accessibility and depth, alongside significant improvements in graphics and gameplay mechanics compared to previous entries in the series. While some find the combat difficulty easier than past titles, the overall experience is engaging and keeps players invested in the storyline and world.
- “The gameplay mechanics in Kuro no Kiseki strike a perfect balance between accessibility and depth.”
- “This game offers a compelling storyline, engaging gameplay, and a vibrant world that will keep players hooked from start to finish.”
- “The core gameplay loop feels pretty similar to the school arcs of the Cold Steel games - do some quests and sidequests around town, hang out with your friends or party members, go to another city and do some quests there, maybe grab a new party member or two, come home, rinse, repeat.”
- “The only real gripe I have is with the gameplay.”
- “A fair amount of consolidation among previous staple mechanics and outright removal/trimming of a lot of fat.”
- “As for gameplay, I was a bit skeptical on the idea of an action battle system in Trails at first.”
graphics
18 mentions
39 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received significant updates, showcasing improved character models, natural movements, and enhanced environmental details that create a more immersive experience. While the visuals are commendable and bring a vibrant life to the cities with a higher NPC count, some players note that the graphics still lag behind current-generation standards and can occasionally impact framerate. Overall, the enhancements are a welcome evolution for the series, making it a solid entry point for newcomers despite some lingering issues.
- “The attention to detail in the visuals and character designs is commendable, immersing players in a visually stunning experience.”
- “The graphics have noticeable improvements; the character models are better and not overly bright like in Genshin Impact. The field areas look beautiful, with well-rendered shadows on characters, buildings, and trees. The new assets and city designs, like Chinatown and Science City, enhance immersion with more NPCs, making the cities feel alive.”
- “The game has a much-needed graphics and gameplay overhaul.”
- “However, some graphical effects will tank the framerate.”
- “As far as audio and visuals, there's not a whole lot to write about.”
- “Normal game mode when moving around, the graphic models look a little blurry; I guess there is a hidden depth of field in place where players cannot change.”
music
15 mentions
40 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional impact of scenes, with standout tracks that are among the best in the series. However, there are notable inconsistencies, with some tracks being forgettable or of lower quality compared to previous installments. Overall, while the soundtrack is solid and enjoyable, it has experienced a decline in quality since earlier titles.
- “The music perfectly complements the atmosphere of each scene, enhancing the overall immersion and emotional impact.”
- “The soundtrack of Kuro no Kiseki deserves praise as well.”
- “Music: 10/10 - Trails music never disappoints.”
- “Unfortunately, in this series, there seems to have been a bit of a drop-off in quality of the music after Cold Steel 2.”
- “The soundtrack is somewhat hit and miss - there are a few bangers and a handful of completely forgettable tracks.”
- “The music is a little generic as Falcom games go, unfortunately.”
humor
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the complex yet relatable protagonist, Van, whose mature and funny demeanor contrasts with typical goody-two-shoes characters. The interactions between Van and other characters, particularly Aaron's adult jokes and the playful rivalry with Elaine, contribute to a natural and comedic dynamic that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the blend of humor with engaging storytelling, making it a standout aspect compared to previous titles in the series.
- “Aaron with adult jokes made me burst out laughing and complemented Van since their ages are almost the same.”
- “Elaine, while she isn't in the main party, has a great older sister personality and good character design. She and Van are like 'frenemies'; as they work in almost the same field, their interactions get funnier and it's hilarious.”
- “From my perspective, this definitely had moments that made me laugh, surprised, shocked, and shudder. I really love the dynamic of the Arkride Solutions office and their associates, as they remind me of SSS from Zero and Ao.”
grinding
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the shift from traditional grinding to a more dynamic combat system that allows for direct engagement with enemies on the map, reducing the tedium associated with repetitive battles. This change has been well-received as it streamlines gameplay and minimizes the need for extensive grinding for materials, although some still find certain aspects of the game, particularly the finale, to be dull.
- “Most generic mobs can be fought and defeated directly on the map, with some light ARPG combat, rather than engaging in full battle, which can become tedious after a while.”
- “Especially the ability to fight enemies outside the turn-based system, more akin to the Ys franchise, is a great change of pace and eliminates some really tedious grind that you had to deal with in the previous entries.”
- “No more endless hours of grinding the same map for materials to upgrade equipment.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a mature main character that aligns well with the setting and tone, while the music effectively complements each scene, boosting immersion and emotional resonance.
- “Him being a more 'mature' main character fits this arc's setting and tone, making me appreciate the atmosphere of this game more.”
- “The music perfectly complements the atmosphere of each scene, enhancing the overall immersion and emotional impact.”
character development
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with a consistent rating of 9.5/10, reflecting the series' strong tradition in this area. The attention to detail in visuals and character designs further enhances the immersive experience, contributing to players' emotional connections with the characters.
- “Character development: 9.5/10 - this is a pretty common rating for Trails games, and Kuro is no exception.”
- “The attention to detail in the visuals and character designs is commendable, immersing players in a visually stunning experience.”
emotional
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music significantly enhances the emotional impact of the game, perfectly complementing the atmosphere of each scene and contributing to a deeper immersion for players.
- “The music perfectly complements the atmosphere of each scene, enhancing the overall immersion and emotional impact.”
- “The character development is so profound that I felt a genuine connection to their struggles and triumphs.”
- “The story's twists and turns left me in tears, making me reflect on my own life experiences.”