The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

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The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is a single player role playing game with fantasy, drama, anime and science fiction themes. It was developed by PH3 GmbH and was released on September 27, 2022. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

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.

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Single-Player

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero screenshot

+16

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,105 reviews

story214 positive mentions

grinding16 negative mentions

Fantastic story and character development, with a strong focus on the new cast in the Special Support Section.
Great world-building in Crossbell, making it feel like a living, breathing city with engaging NPCs and side quests.
Impressive quality of life improvements in the PC port, including high-speed mode and customizable controls.

The pacing can be slow, especially in the early chapters, which may deter some players.
There are numerous missable quests and items, making it difficult to achieve 100% completion without a guide.
Lack of English voice acting may disappoint some players who prefer localized audio.

story
681 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
67%
2%
The story in *Trails from Zero* serves as a compelling introduction to the Crossbell arc, featuring a mix of political intrigue, character-driven narratives, and a focus on the Special Support Section's efforts to combat corruption in the city-state of Crossbell. While the pacing can be slow, particularly in the early chapters, the narrative builds to significant emotional payoffs, especially for returning characters from the previous *Trails in the Sky* trilogy. Overall, the game is praised for its rich world-building and character development, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of story-driven RPGs, though prior knowledge of the earlier games enhances the experience.
- “The story explores themes of justice, corruption, and personal responsibility, with an emphasis on moral choices and uncovering the truth behind Crossbell’s social and political turmoil.”
- “The cast is great, the city has a ton of personality, and the story kept me hooked the whole way through.”
- “Trails from Zero excels in storytelling by introducing memorable characters with dark histories and foreshadowing future events through the S.S.S.”
- “The cult was much more compelling, too bad it didn't come into the forefront until pretty much the last chapter of the game and got resolved by the end as well (which led to my main issue with this game I mentioned previously - half of the game's story happens in the last 5 hours... the other half is spread across 40ish hours - it gets even worse if you do side content and talk to NPCs, then the story moves so slow it can get outrun by a snail).”
- “The 2 main story dishes they were bringing out were great, but once they brought a fusion of them at the end is when it soured the whole zero course and made it more of a sideways thumb than a thumbs-up.”
- “I'm seriously not exaggerating when I say 50% of the story happens in the last 5 hours (being generous here, the final chapter is not that long).”
gameplay
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
70%
2%
The gameplay in "Trails from Zero" builds upon the established mechanics of the previous entries in the series, particularly the "Trails in the Sky" games, while introducing quality-of-life improvements and new features like team rush attacks and combo crafts. Players appreciate the engaging turn-based combat, strategic depth, and immersive exploration, although some find the quest mechanics tedious and the overall gameplay loop somewhat repetitive. Overall, the game offers a polished experience that retains the charm of its predecessors while enhancing the combat and narrative elements.
- “The gameplay is solid and easy to get into, and it feels just right for fans of turn-based games.”
- “The gameplay has seen many improvements and quality of life features that make the combat and exploration feel a lot better to play and more engaging.”
- “While the gameplay is essentially the same as the previous games, the new cast and setting help to keep things fresh and exciting.”
- “My only criticism for this game mainly revolves around the scale of the game and the tedium this adds due to the nature of the game's mechanic where talking to each and every NPC is recommended whenever time passes.”
- “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.”
- “While many people got sick and tired of the gameplay from the liberal arc/trial in the sky games, I did not mind it at all.”
music
163 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The music in "Trails from Zero" has been widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its phenomenal soundtrack that enhances the game's emotional depth and atmosphere. Composed by the Falcom Sound Team jdk, the soundtrack features memorable and catchy tunes that fit various settings and moments, making it a standout aspect of the game. While some noted that it may not reach the heights of previous entries, the overall consensus is that the music is a significant highlight, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience.
- “The soundtrack, composed by Falcom Sound Team JDK, is another highlight, featuring memorable themes that underscore both dramatic and action-packed moments, enhancing the emotional impact of the story and battles alike.”
- “The music is amazing, and the soundtrack is one of my favorites in the entire Trails series.”
- “Music, as always, is phenomenal, with Zero featuring some of the most iconic tracks in the series.”
- “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.”
- “As a 'boss battle music' enthusiast myself, one of the main things I look forward to in these types of games is the epicness and intensity of boss battles (both in terms of music and in terms of the boss itself). 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 very hard for me to take any of those monster bosses seriously as the music itself didn't convey that sense of threat which is crucial to make for memorable boss fights.”
graphics
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The graphics of "Trails from Zero" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the improvements in resolution and clarity, particularly for ultrawide displays and high framerates. However, some players noted that the AI upscaling has led to distracting artifacts in certain 2D elements, detracting from the overall visual experience. While the game's aesthetic retains a charming retro style, it is acknowledged that the graphics are dated compared to modern standards, yet they still contribute positively to the storytelling and gameplay immersion.
- “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.”
- “The art style looks amazing, and the improved graphics on this PC version make everything more crisp and clear.”
- “Even though the game is old, the graphics and the aesthetics of the game are charming and beautiful.”
- “The character/enemy sprites and the ground textures turned out pretty well, but a lot of other 2D elements like the battle UI, signs, artwork, and finely detailed textures all have that AI smear to them, which was pretty distracting for me.”
- “- they also use AI to blow up cutscene graphics they couldn't get in high res, as is the trend for way too many 'HD remasters' -- it does not look good.”
- “- dated graphics as it is a PSP port.”
emotional
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The emotional depth of "Trails from Zero" is significantly enhanced for players who have experienced the preceding "Trails in the Sky" trilogy, as it revisits beloved characters and storylines, culminating in impactful moments that resonate deeply. The game features a compelling soundtrack that amplifies both dramatic and emotional scenes, contributing to a rich narrative experience. While newcomers can still enjoy the game, they may miss out on the full emotional payoff that comes from understanding the characters' histories and arcs.
- “Kea, a mysterious and pivotal character, adds emotional resonance and drives much of the plot forward, creating memorable story beats that deepen the player’s connection to the narrative.”
- “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.”
character development
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
45%
15%
Character development in "Trails from Zero" is a significant strength, with a focus on a small cast that allows for deeper exploration of relationships and personal growth. While some characters like Lloyd and Ellie are criticized for being underdeveloped, others, particularly Tio, receive substantial attention, leading to strong emotional attachments from players. Overall, the game is praised for its storytelling and character arcs, enhancing the overall experience of the JRPG.
- “While the combat is serviceable rather than standout, it’s more than good enough to support what the game does best: storytelling and character development.”
- “Character development is a major strength of Trails from Zero.”
- “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.”
- “Lloyd and Ellie are extremely underdeveloped and are incredibly uninteresting. Randy gets a few nuggets of character development every so often, and Tio is kind of the star of the show as she gets the most development of the four.”
- “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.”
optimization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The game's optimization has received praise for its excellent performance across various platforms, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it runs smoothly even at high settings. While the ultrawide support and high framerate capabilities are commendable, some users noted issues with AI upscaling and cutscene direction that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the port is considered well-optimized with numerous quality-of-life improvements and options to cater to different player preferences.
- “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.”
- “This game is very well optimized with a lot of options to fit any preference.”
- “Fantastic optimization work!”
- “- The stage direction of cutscenes isn't optimized for the widescreen options, creating a bunch of hilarious moments where sprites and objects are just overlapping in the same area that would have been just offscreen on the PSP or Vita when they should have exited stage left or have yet to enter the scene.”
- “- Optimized for the Steam Deck, i.e.”
- “Main events are now fully voiced, there is now mouse support, a message log, more polished anime graphics & UI, optimizations, and quality of life improvements such as the ability to skip the battle scenes & a high-speed mode.”
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 improved combat system and the ability to speed up battles with a turbo mode, others find certain aspects, like side-quests and item collection, tedious and requiring extensive backtracking. Overall, the game balances grind with engaging story elements, but some players feel that the need for meticulous tracking can detract from the enjoyment.
- “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.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the presence of quirky characters and amusing cutscene mishaps, particularly due to the widescreen optimization issues that lead to comical overlaps. Players find joy in interactions with characters like Randy, who adds a lighthearted touch, and appreciate the clever dialogue that elicits smiles, even when not essential to the main story. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its narrative, providing entertaining moments throughout.
- “The stage direction of cutscenes isn't optimized for the widescreen options, creating a bunch of hilarious moments where sprites and objects are just overlapping in the same area that would have been just offscreen on the PSP or Vita when they should have exited stage left or have yet to enter the scene.”
- “Every time they said 'barrier' and/or 'zero', I had a funny grin on my face.”
- “It's pretty funny to see a whole city gone 'acab' lol...”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's smaller playable cast enhances storytelling depth but may limit replayability for players seeking significant gameplay or narrative variations.
- “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.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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, rewarding them with various discoveries that enhance the game's worldbuilding.
- “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.”

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84%Critics’ scoreBased on 34 critic reviews

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95h Median play time

80h Average play time

72-102h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is a role playing game with fantasy, drama, anime and science fiction themes.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 80 hours playing The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero was released on September 27, 2022.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero was developed by PH3 GmbH.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is a single player game.

Similar games include The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter and others.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

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