The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki

About

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

The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki screenshot

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 332 reviews

story49 positive mentions

grinding8 negative mentions

Kuro no Kiseki offers a compelling storyline with a darker tone, making it a refreshing change from previous entries in the series.
The new hybrid combat system, which combines action and turn-based mechanics, enhances gameplay and keeps battles engaging.
The character development is strong, with a well-defined main cast and a protagonist, Van, who is relatable and complex.

The game suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the final chapter, which feels rushed and lacks the depth expected from the series.
Some gameplay mechanics, such as the new S-Craft system, can make battles feel too easy and less strategic.
The lack of an official English translation at launch and reliance on fan patches can be frustrating for newcomers to the series.

story
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
69%
2%
The story of "Kuro no Kiseki" is praised for its darker themes and engaging narrative, which explores complex topics often avoided in previous entries, such as death and the underworld. Players appreciate the well-crafted character dynamics and the depth of side quests that contribute meaningfully to the overall plot, making it a compelling introduction to the new arc of the "Legend of Heroes" series. While some find the villains lacking and the pacing uneven, the game is generally regarded as a strong start with a captivating storyline that keeps players invested throughout.
- “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.”
- “Overall, this is a solid start to a new Trails arc that serves as a great introduction to the new set of characters for the future entries, but underdelivers story-wise.”
- “Plus, the story peaks too early, and overall the stakes did not feel interesting enough for me to really get invested in.”
gameplay
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
71%
4%
The gameplay in "Kuro no Kiseki" has been praised for its innovative blend of action RPG and traditional turn-based mechanics, offering a refreshing experience that balances accessibility with depth. Players appreciate the revamped systems, including character positioning and a significant overhaul of the orbment mechanics, which enhance customization and strategy. While some reviewers noted minor gripes, the overall consensus is that the gameplay is a standout feature, providing engaging and dynamic interactions that keep players invested.
- “The gameplay mechanics in Kuro no Kiseki strike a perfect balance between accessibility and depth.”
- “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.”
- “They have revamped the gameplay system entirely, and with the achievement system rewards, the pacing of nightmare gameplay is very smooth now.”
- “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
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
54%
7%
The graphics in the game have received significant improvements, with enhanced character models, detailed environments, and a vibrant world filled with NPCs that enhance immersion. While the visuals are commendable and showcase a beautiful design, some players note that they still fall short compared to current-generation titles, and certain graphical effects can impact framerate. Overall, the updates provide a visually appealing experience that retains the charm of the series while modernizing its aesthetic.
- “The attention to detail in the visuals and character designs is commendable, immersing players in a visually stunning experience.”
- “The graphics have noticeable improvements, with better character models, beautiful field areas, and detailed shadows on characters, buildings, and trees. The new assets and city designs, like Chinatown and Science City, enhance immersion with a lively atmosphere.”
- “The overall graphics fidelity is better, making it a joy to explore the cities and villages filled with NPCs that bring the world to life.”
- “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
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
48%
10%
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality, with standout tracks that enhance the atmosphere and emotional impact of scenes. However, there are notable inconsistencies, with some tracks being memorable while others are considered forgettable or of lower quality, particularly in comparison to earlier entries in the series. Overall, while the soundtrack is solid and enjoyable, it has its share of highs and lows.
- “The music perfectly complements the atmosphere of each scene, enhancing the overall immersion and emotional impact.”
- “Music is one of the best aspects of the Trails games.”
- “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
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 among characters, particularly with Aaron's adult jokes and the playful "frenemy" dynamic between Van and Elaine, contribute to a comedic atmosphere that resonates well with players. Overall, the humor is described as natural and engaging, enhancing the game's narrative and character relationships.
- “Aaron with adult jokes made me burst out laughing, and they complement 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 over time, 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
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the shift from traditional grinding to a more dynamic combat system that allows for direct engagement with enemies on the map, reminiscent of the Ys franchise. This change reduces the tedium associated with grinding for materials and upgrades, although some still find certain aspects of the game, particularly the finale, to be boring and tedious. Overall, the new approach to combat is seen as a significant improvement over previous entries.
- “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.”
- “I'll keep this spoiler free, but this might be one of the most boring, tedious finales to a video game I've ever seen.”
- “No more endless hours of grinding the same map for materials to upgrade equipment.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is highly praised, consistently receiving ratings around 9.5/10, which reflects the series' strong tradition in this area. The attention to detail in character designs enhances the immersive experience, contributing to a visually stunning portrayal of character growth.
- “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.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, significantly enhanced by the well-composed music that aligns with each scene. The mature character of the main protagonist further enriches the setting and tone, contributing to a deeper appreciation of the game's overall ambiance.
- “The music perfectly complements the atmosphere of each scene, enhancing the overall immersion and emotional impact.”
- “Him being a more 'mature' main character fits this arc's setting and tone, making me appreciate the atmosphere of this game more.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the music significantly enhances the emotional immersion of the game, effectively complementing the atmosphere of each scene. However, there is criticism regarding the reliance on emotional monologues to resolve conflicts, suggesting a desire for more nuanced storytelling.
- “The music perfectly complements the atmosphere of each scene, enhancing the overall immersion and emotional impact.”