The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is a sensational JRPG from top to bottom, and one that fans can’t afford to miss.

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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

Reviews

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 655 reviews

story113 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

Trails from Zero features a captivating story with deep character development and world-building, making it a standout entry in the Trails series.
The game offers a nostalgic return to the beloved characters and setting of Crossbell, with improved graphics and quality of life features in the port.
The combat system is engaging and strategic, allowing for various builds and tactics, while the soundtrack is exceptional and enhances the overall experience.

The pacing can be slow, especially in the early chapters, which may deter some players from fully engaging with the story.
There are minor localization issues, including typos and untranslated text, which can detract from the overall experience.
The absence of an English voice acting option may disappoint some players who prefer localized audio in their games.

story
346 mentions
33 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The story in *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 elements and characters. Players appreciate the engaging plot that combines political intrigue and personal backstories, although some note that the pacing can be slow initially, with a focus on side quests that may feel less significant. Overall, the game is recommended for those who have played the previous titles in the series to fully appreciate the emotional weight and connections within the story.
- “The storytelling in this game is barely short of master craft, and you owe it to yourself as an RPG fan to dive into this game.”
- “The story is amazing; if you like RPGs, play this series.”
- “The depth of story in this series is fantastic!”
- “The story starts really slow, getting to know the characters as they delve into Crossbell, its politics, and daily life.”
- “For some reason after FC, the Trails games always start with a strong story that ends up squandered by the end in favor of some cliché JRPG anime nonsense.”
- “The story of that first arc just took way too long to set up properly, and the climax didn't really feel satisfying at all in my opinion, and the villains were very stupid and corny.”
music
97 mentions
57 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its intensity, memorability, and overall quality, often highlighting it as one of the best soundtracks in the "Legend of Heroes" series. While some noted that certain boss battle themes felt underwhelming compared to the franchise's standards, the majority found the soundtrack to be a significant draw, enhancing the game's atmosphere and emotional impact. Overall, the soundtrack is celebrated for its ability to complement the story and gameplay, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The music in this game is straight fire.”
- “Probably one of the best soundtracks I have heard in gaming, to be honest.”
- “The soundtrack sets the mood and is among the best Falcom has produced.”
- “I would say the music in this game, for the most part, is quite a bit less memorable and worse overall comparatively.”
- “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.”
- “In fact, this particular boss theme sounded very goofy and circus-like, making it hard to take any of those monster bosses seriously as the music itself didn't convey that sense of threat which is crucial for memorable boss fights.”
gameplay
84 mentions
25 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Trails from Zero" is largely an evolution of the mechanics established in the "Trails in the Sky" series, featuring turn-based combat with some modern enhancements, such as faster gameplay options and new mechanics like overworld attacks. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and depth of the gameplay, others note that it can feel repetitive and simplistic, particularly in side quests. Overall, the game strikes a balance between classic JRPG elements and quality-of-life improvements, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and series veterans.
- “The gameplay was deep enough that it could essentially be categorized as a strategy game as well as a JRPG.”
- “Each boss represented a unique hurdle that required you to truly understand the mechanics of the game and how to spec your party.”
- “As for the gameplay itself, it builds upon everything established in Trails in the Sky and makes it even better.”
- “The 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.”
- “Now the main reason I didn't enjoy the game: unfortunately, in my ~6 hours of gameplay I fell asleep at least 3 times and got myself skipping lines after a while (which I hate doing).”
- “If you choose nightmare mode without proper knowledge of the game mechanics, you will make yourself hate yourself and the game.”
graphics
41 mentions
34 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally viewed as charming and nostalgic, with a distinct art style that enhances the overall experience despite being dated due to its origins as a PSP title. While the remastered visuals for the PC port offer significant improvements, including support for higher resolutions and a redesigned interface, players should not expect cutting-edge graphics. Overall, the visuals are appreciated for their cute sprites and immersive presentation, contributing positively to the game's storytelling and gameplay.
- “The graphics upgrade for the PC port is awesome, with support for ultra-wide screen resolutions and lots of quality-of-life upgrades.”
- “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.”
- “Dated graphics as it is a PSP port.”
- “Just don't expect cutting-edge graphics.”
- “It's probably overpriced at $40 for a port of a PSP game (despite the graphics upgrades) with no English language dub.”
emotional
18 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional depth of the game is highly praised, with many players noting that it elicits strong feelings and even tears, particularly when connected to characters from the earlier "Trails in the Sky" trilogy. While it's possible to enjoy the game without prior knowledge of the trilogy, doing so significantly enhances the emotional impact of key plot points and character arcs. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to deliver some of the most poignant moments in the franchise, especially for those familiar with the backstory.
- “So wholesome and emotional.”
- “As always, another wonderful Trails game following the Sky trilogy that surprised me with its vast lore and emotional storyline.”
- “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.”
grinding
11 mentions
9 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
82 % negative mentions
Reviews of the grinding aspect in the game highlight a mixed experience; while some players find the grinding to be engaging and less tedious due to improved enemy balance and streamlined combat, others describe it as simplistic and occasionally tedious, particularly when it comes to missable items and side-quests that require backtracking. Overall, the game offers a more satisfying grinding experience compared to its predecessors, but some players still feel it can become monotonous at times.
- “There's no grinding; there's really not much dungeon crawling. Almost all the combat (except for random wilderness mobs) serves the plot.”
- “At times it can even feel tedious.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “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.”
character development
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it lacking, particularly with characters like Loyd and Ellie, others praise the depth achieved through a smaller cast that allows for more intimate storytelling. The series is recognized for its strong focus on character arcs and world-building, with some reviews highlighting the importance of playing previous titles to fully appreciate the character backstories. Overall, the game offers a blend of engaging character development alongside a compelling narrative, though opinions on its effectiveness vary.
- “Top tier story, top tier character development, engaging magic and combat system.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The 'zoomed in' gradual build-up of tension persists throughout the plot as the game directs your focus mostly towards character development.”
optimization
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The game features significant optimization improvements, including fast turbo settings, smooth performance on high resolutions, and excellent compatibility with the Steam Deck, including dynamic Steam Cloud support. The addition of voiced dialogue and cutscenes enhances gameplay, while the simple 2D graphics contribute to its overall efficiency.
- “Gameplay has been improved with voiced dialogue 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.”
- “The simple 2D graphics are cute, and it runs smoothly on high resolution.”
- “Love the improvement and optimization.”
- “- optimized for the Steam Deck, i.e.”
- “- this is both quality of life and a Steam Deck optimization: dynamic Steam Cloud support!”
atmosphere
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "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
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
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.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurdity, with players finding amusement in the exaggerated scenarios, such as a city being humorously depicted as completely destroyed.
- “It's pretty funny to see a whole city gone acap lol...”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever jokes and hilarious situations that keep me laughing.”
- “I love how the characters have such witty banter; it adds a delightful layer of fun to the gameplay.”
replayability
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The smaller playable cast enhances storytelling depth but may limit replayability for players seeking significant gameplay or narrative variations.
- “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 it a game you can enjoy multiple times.”
- “The variety of character builds and strategies encourages experimentation, enhancing the overall replayability.”
- “The playable cast is quite a bit smaller, which on one hand leads to more potential for deeper storytelling, but on the other hand, potentially limits the replayability if gameplay or narrative differences are your main motivator.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there isn't much incentive to go back and play again. The lack of varied paths or endings really diminishes the replay value.”
- “While the game offers a compelling story, the linear progression means that once you've experienced it, there's little reason to revisit.”