The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

The best version of the best game in the Trails series.

90%Game Brain Score

story, music

grinding, replayability

98% User Score Based on 958 reviews

Critic Score 84%Based on 34 reviews

Platforms

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About

In "The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero," join the Special Support Section of the Crossbell Police Department, led by protagonist Lloyd Bannings. Together with your team, solve unusual cases and uncover the dark secrets hidden in this prosperous city-state, all while navigating the political tension between the Erebonian Empire and the Republic of Calvard. This exciting chapter in the acclaimed The Legend of Heroes series offers a unique blend of investigative work, thrilling battles, and character-driven storytelling.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero screenshot

+14

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 992 reviews

story183 positive mentions

grinding16 negative mentions

The game features a compelling story with well-developed characters, making it a standout entry in the Trails series.
The combat system has been improved with new mechanics, such as Team Rush attacks and Combo Crafts, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
The world-building in Crossbell is rich and immersive, with a vibrant city filled with engaging NPCs and side quests that add depth to the narrative.

The pacing can be slow at times, especially in the early chapters, which may deter some players from fully engaging with the story.
There are numerous missable quests and items, making it difficult to achieve 100% completion without a guide.
The lack of an English voiceover may disappoint some players, as the game is only available with Japanese voice acting.

story
560 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
65%
2%
The story of *Trails from Zero* is widely praised for its depth, character development, and intricate world-building, continuing the narrative from the *Trails in the Sky* trilogy while introducing new characters and settings in the Crossbell region. Players appreciate the engaging detective storyline, which combines political intrigue with personal character arcs, although some note that the pacing can be slow, particularly in the early chapters. While the game can be enjoyed on its own, familiarity with previous titles enhances the emotional impact and understanding of returning characters and plot threads.
- “Another absolutely incredible chapter in the grand story that is the Trails series.”
- “What makes Trails from Zero engaging is its continuation of the plot from the first three games, but also a masterful blend of new intricate narrative threads and emotionally driven character arcs for the new characters.”
- “The brilliant story of Trails from Zero is focused on the state of Crossbell, and honing in on a smaller cast of characters, Falcom delivers a fantastic and engrossing adventure to uncover the mysteries and secretive scandals of this nation.”
- “Unless you spoke to all NPCs between each story progress, there is no legitimate way to activate all these support requests apart from using a guide.”
- “I am sure there is a game in here somewhere, but all I see is an unedited George R.R. Martin novel and it is his worst work where he wrote about having to go find someone's keys; yes, this is a real quest that takes a lot of time and dialogue to finish.”
- “The story starts really slow, getting to know the SSS as they delve into Crossbell, its politics, and daily life.”
music
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The music in "Trails from Zero" is widely praised for its exceptional quality, with many reviewers highlighting the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the game's emotional depth and gameplay experience. While some noted that a few tracks are reused from previous entries, the overall composition remains strong, featuring memorable themes that resonate with players. The Falcom Sound Team jdk continues to impress, delivering a mix of intense battle themes and atmospheric melodies that elevate the game's narrative and setting.
- “Falcom sound team jdk always makes soundtracks that elevate the games above and beyond.”
- “The soundtrack for both games is amazing with great battle themes, groovy or calming area themes, as well as emotional songs too.”
- “The music really fit the tone of the world and narrative nicely and made the game much more memorable.”
- “A negative might be that in Azure at least a lot of songs are from the previous games, which makes the Azure soundtrack fairly small, but the songs they do have are some of the best, especially the boss themes.”
- “Music 6/10 - didn't strike any interest while playing like the FC and SC did.”
- “As a 'boss battle music' enthusiast myself, one of the main things I look forward to in these types of games are the epicness and intensity of boss battles, and my problem with this game is that the music chosen for the majority of 'monster' boss battles was very underwhelming and not befitting as a 'boss battle theme' which this franchise is normally famous for.”
gameplay
141 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
70%
2%
The gameplay in "Trails from Zero" retains the classic turn-based mechanics familiar to fans of the series, with notable improvements in quality of life features such as high-speed modes and streamlined combat options. While some players feel the gameplay loop can become repetitive due to fetch quests, the engaging story and character development keep the experience enjoyable. Overall, the game successfully builds upon its predecessors, offering a polished and immersive JRPG experience that balances nostalgia with modern enhancements.
- “I also love that they've started improving upon the quality of life mechanics, such as high-speed mode, with options such as customizing the speed and being able to choose between holding and a toggle.”
- “The gameplay is pretty similar to Trails in the Sky, but it has some much-needed additions and improvements that make the gameplay a whole lot more fun.”
- “From the beautiful flower field of the quaint village of Armorica to the picturesque waterfall of Mainz Mountain Path to the strange ruins of the forgotten past, each was done with utmost care to provide an immersive gameplay experience.”
- “I get that the devs did not want to put a big exclamation mark on quest-givers' heads as it would mess up the aesthetic, but in my opinion, I should not have to use a guide to find quests; there should be proper in-game mechanics to direct you to quest-givers.”
- “The gameplay loop of 'Trails from Zero' is about the same as 'Trails in the Sky FC & SC' – tackle main quests to advance the story and take care of side quests as well as collectables/minigame stuff in between.”
- “This gameplay loop will eventually burn out the player because most of the non-mandatory requests are fetch quests that aren’t memorable and monster exterminations with minimal challenge.”
graphics
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
62%
7%
The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with many praising the charming art style and improvements over previous titles, while others note that the visuals feel dated, particularly due to its origins as a PSP title. The remastered version offers enhanced clarity and quality-of-life upgrades, making the graphics more appealing, yet some players still find them lacking compared to modern standards. Overall, the aesthetic retains a nostalgic charm that resonates with fans, despite not being cutting-edge.
- “The graphics upgrade for the PC port is awesome, with support for ultra-wide screen resolutions and lots of quality-of-life upgrades like turbo mode and FPS options.”
- “Even though the game is old, the graphics and the aesthetics of the game are charming and beautiful.”
- “The graphics are very elegantly proportioned, with cute little sprites, just the right amount of details, clarity, and thoughtfulness.”
- “I just don't understand the appeal at all; boring story, boring characters, mediocre combat, RPG Maker-esque graphics. I'm sure there is something that I am missing, but I give up.”
- “The graphics are pretty much the same as the Sky series, so it can feel pretty dated.”
- “Just don't expect cutting-edge graphics.”
emotional
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional depth of "Trails from Zero" is highly praised, with many reviewers emphasizing the importance of experiencing the preceding "Trails in the Sky" trilogy to fully appreciate the character arcs and narrative resolutions. Players report feeling deeply connected to the characters and moved by key emotional moments, particularly in the game's conclusion, which evokes strong feelings and nostalgia. While newcomers can enjoy the game, they may miss out on the full emotional impact that comes from understanding the characters' histories and relationships established in earlier titles.
- “What makes Trails from Zero engaging is its continuation of the plot from the first three games, but also a masterful blend of new intricate narrative threads and emotionally driven character arcs for the new characters.”
- “Ending scene of [spoiler]Renne hugging Estelle[/spoiler] made me shed a tear.”
- “Not only that, but this game also wraps up one of the most emotionally significant storylines of the Trails in the Sky games, which just makes Zero even better if you have that full context.”
- “I just don't understand the appeal at all. Boring story, boring characters, mediocre combat, RPG Maker-esque graphics. I'm sure there is something that I am missing, but I give up.”
grinding
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
89%
Reviews indicate that grinding in "Trails from Zero" can be a mixed experience; while some players appreciate the streamlined combat and the option to speed up battles, others find certain side quests and item collections tedious and overly reliant on backtracking. The game balances engaging combat with moments of tedium, particularly in its quest design, which may require guides to fully complete. Overall, the improvements in grinding mechanics are noted, but the potential for frustration remains, especially for completionists.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “There's no grinding; there's really not much dungeon crawling. Almost all the combat (except for random wilderness mobs) serves the plot.”
- “Part of the reason I never invested in the side quests of FC/SC was because there was this nagging feeling that you were always on the road, and that made caring about the individual branches difficult at best and tedious at worst.”
- “Moreover, the collection and completion part can be tedious unless you keep track.”
- “Unfortunately, there were many items/side quests that were tediously hidden in such a way that it is near impossible to get them all on a first playthrough without the use of an online guide, as some of them required you to backtrack in the middle of a main mission, while others expected you to go talk to a certain individual (sometimes in far away places) who have no relation whatsoever to the current main mission to get those items/side quests, and therefore it is very easy to permanently miss them if you don't get them in the small window of opportunity given for each of them.”
character development
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
Character development in the game is praised for its organic and gradual progression, particularly through interactions with long-standing relationships, allowing players to form deeper attachments to the characters. While some characters, like Lloyd, are highlighted for their engaging arcs, others, such as Ellie, received mixed reactions regarding their design and backstory. Overall, the game is noted for its strong narrative focus, with character development intricately tied to the plot and world-building, enhancing the emotional investment in the story.
- “The main cast in particular gets a lot of attention as much of their character is revealed through people that have known them for years, and most of their character development in the game is done very slowly in a very organic way.”
- “Lloyd is basically a very lovable shonen protagonist who undergoes great character development over the course of the game.”
- “As opposed to other 'Trails' games, this chapter in the series has a small cast - this allows for more in-depth character development and pushes for a tight-knit group.”
- “I find Lloyd and Ellie’s character design to be 'not cooked properly'; I couldn't care less about them and their backstory at all throughout the game.”
- “This series is known for immense world-building and an intense focus on character development - Zero's adventure primarily takes place in a small state called Crossbell, and by the end of the game, you will feel as if the writers would be disappointed if you didn't express some sort of faux-patriotism for their imaginary underdog nation.”
- “But there is still character development.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The game's optimization has received high praise, particularly for its smooth performance across various PC setups and excellent compatibility with the Steam Deck. Players appreciate the improvements, including faster turbo settings, dynamic cloud support, and enhanced graphics, all contributing to a seamless gaming experience. Overall, the port is noted for its thoughtful adjustments and robust performance, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.
- “Gameplay has been improved with voiced dialogue (only in Japanese voices) cutscenes that make up a good majority of the game, even faster turbo settings (up to 6x on the field), many modern-day settings for a PC port, and as usual, great performance for the Steam Deck out of the box.”
- “This game is very well optimized with a lot of options to fit any preference.”
- “Fantastic optimization work!”
- “When it comes to performance, this game is pretty easy to run on a wide array of PC setups.”
- “Main events are now fully voiced, there is now mouse support, a message log, more polished anime graphics & UI, optimizations, QoL improvements such as the ability to skip the battle scenes & a high-speed mode, and more.”
- “Love the improvement and optimization.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is well-received, with characters like Randy providing comedic relief and clever dialogue that elicits genuine laughter. Players appreciate the amusing interactions and moments that enhance the story, making the experience both entertaining and rewarding. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the game's narrative and character dynamics.
- “Every time they said 'barrier' and/or 'zero', I had a funny grin on my face.”
- “It's not necessary to talk to them to follow the story, but it's always rewarding, whether for items, foreshadowing, funny moments, or extra character beats for the main cast.”
- “It's pretty funny to see a whole city gone 'acab' lol...”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere in "Zero" is highly praised for its unique noir and modern setting in Crossbell state, which is considered the best location in the series. Players appreciate the memorable NPCs and the abundance of secrets that encourage exploration, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
- “It's just terrific and does so much to set the atmosphere.”
- “Crossbell State is what I personally consider the best location of the series by a mile. Its unique noir and modern atmosphere, with extremely memorable NPCs, is packed with secrets to discover. 'Zero' is a game that will reward you for going out of your way to explore its world on almost every occasion, whether it's a chest, a quest, a book, or even pieces of lore and worldbuilding.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates strong stability, particularly noted for its smooth performance on the Steam Deck, appealing to users who enjoy gaming on that platform.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck too, if you're into that sort of thing.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The smaller playable cast enhances storytelling depth but may limit replayability for players seeking varied gameplay and narrative experiences.
- “The smaller playable cast allows for deeper storytelling, but it may limit replayability if gameplay and narrative differences are your main motivators.”
- “Each playthrough offers unique choices that significantly alter the outcome, making you want to dive back in for different experiences.”
- “The variety of paths and endings encourages multiple playthroughs, ensuring that no two experiences are ever the same.”
- “The playable cast is quite a bit smaller, which on one hand leads to more potential for deeper storytelling, but on the other, potentially limits the replayability if gameplay or narrative differences are your main motivator.”
- “Once you've experienced the main story, there isn't much incentive to go back and play again, as the choices feel less impactful on subsequent playthroughs.”
- “The lack of varied endings or significant branching paths makes it hard to justify multiple playthroughs, as the experience feels largely the same each time.”

84%Critics’ scoreBased on 35 critic reviews

Buy The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

95h Median play time

80h Average play time

72-102h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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